1911 Range/Target

[sprice]

I'm looking for a good 1911 style gun for the range. I want something with target sights (preferably, they can always be added later) and a rail on the frame, I also want it to have a 5" barrel. It needs to be as inexpensive and reliable as possible. It's just for fun so it doesn't really matter if I trust my life with it. I don't care if it has an external extractor or anything as long as it works ok. What do you think?

So far I have found these:
SIG http://www.sigsauer.com/products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=25&productid=112
Taurus http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=610&category=Pistol&toggle=tp&breadcrumbseries=19
Springfield Operator http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=34
Smith http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57754_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Colt http://www.coltsmfg.com/products-c5-q7-COLT_PISTOLS.aspx

Right now I am leaning strongly towards the Taurus...

 

[BlayGlock]

Springfield Operator would get my vote. Better build quality than the Taurus and Colt, and it has an internal extractor (I find easier to deal with) unlike the Smith and SIg. The QC is good and they have some of the best customer service in the business.

 

[rtn]

SA Operator.

 

[Jim Watson]

What use is the rail for you on the range?
If you don't really need it, there are more choices.
An RIA with good sights is a decent centerfire plinker.

 

[Jeff H]

The taurus is a good gun. Don't let the bashers disuade you. Mine hasn't had a hicup in 1000+ rounds. I wouldn't discount other good brands either.

 

[AKPastor]

I'll echo Jeff. My Taurus has been a great gun with many extras straight from the factory. That doesn't mean the others are bad. Lots of good brands making 1911's.

 

[Jed Carter]

If you are using it for Home Defense I would choose the SIG, Novak night sights standard. My SIG RCS is good to go for a carry weapon 1000+ rounds of almost 20 different types, not one failure to do any thing.
If you could live without the rail, STI would be a great choice. I would pass on the Taurus personally I think they look cheap, just my opinion. I have experience with Colt, SA and S&W, I would choose the S&W then the Colt and lastly the Springfield. Just my experience and opinion, but I do own 6 SIGs for a reason.

 

[BlayGlock]

If you could live without the rail, STI would be a great choice

I will second this. STI Spartan or Trojan.

 

[DasFriek]

Another vote for Taurus, But you will need to add target sights afterwards.
And do look into that at Taurusarmed.com as im not sure who makes adjustable sights for the gun as last i heard they use an odd dovetail slot.

Taurus also has a very good trigger out of the box.
If your slightly handy you can adjust all the pretravel out which makes it feel much better. And then just set the over travel with the set screw.
I went threw mine and the usual "fluff and buff" on the trigger parts did very little to make it better as it was very well polished from the factory.

Mine has over 2100 rounds threw it with only a few small issues that were easily fixed by me. This was before i rebuilding it from the ground up and refinishing it as i liked it so much i just had to make sure it lasts 3 lifetimes with the best parts available.

I also just bought a RIA Officers which isn't want you want, But from what ive seen in this gun is its very basic and needs some fluff and buff on the trigger but is dead reliable and built like a tank and has a Warranty that cant be beat.
So their full sized guns should be more than meet your requirements but im not so sure if they have a railed version.

 

[Prion]

Range fun gun w/ rail requirement?

If you eliminate that cosmetic requirement you will obviously have more choices.

Otherwise, SA Operator, great guns except for the billboard and rail.

 

[dogsoldier0513]

SA Operator = 'inexpensive'????

 

[bigmike45]

Springfield Loaded Target can usually be found cheaper that the Operator.

 

[Magoo]

Not so inexpensive, and no rail, but for a 1911 range gun I can't imagine liking anything more than my Baer Monolith HW .

 

[JTQ]

sprice wrote,
I want something with target sights (preferably, they can always be added later) and a rail on the frame... It needs to be as inexpensive and reliable as possible.

As you can tell by your own research, an inexpensive, railed 1911, with target sights is pretty hard to find. Drop one of those requirements (say the rail or target sights) and your options open up quite a bit.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I'm going to have to second the Rock Island Armory stuff. I've been in the market again, myself. I've been looking at this pretty hard:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/876