1911?

[mike6161]

I would like to get a 1911 this summer It has to be under $500 i m going to put sights, Beavertail Safety, commander style hammer, Extended safety so it does not have to be the best gun but it cant be junk what would you get

Thank you

 

[ghettofab]

Rock Island Tactical sounds like it fits the bill as is. Below 5 bills and has the features you want.

 

[CWL]

Springfield GI-45. This is the foundation gun that many smiths use today for full custom builds (never ever heard of RIA being chosen by a professional smith).

For what you want to do to it, you should seriously consider getting a SA Loaded, because it has everything and more already done to it and will be cheaper than your total cost of parts.

 

[JesseL]

Springfield Mil-Spec?

Unless you're really interested in the experience, or have very particular parts you want to use, you might be better off spending a little more on a gun that's already got the customizations you want.

 

[steelyblue]

Rock Island Armory, Charles Daly, Armscore, Taurus. I've heard good things about them all and I have a Charles Daly frame that works well.

 

[weisse52]

For $500 I would also vote for the SA. As CWL mentioned SA has been the base gun for quite a few custom smiths. It is mentioned by name as one brand that most are willing to work on. While some may differ the forged frame on the SA is a better platform for most custom work. I might suggest you find a Mil-Spec as your base gun. It already has some of the basic things already done.
I agree on getting a base model and then adding features as you see fit. Yes, it will cost more, but in the end if you choose wisely you handgun will be what want, not what a marketing group decides needs to be on it. You can also put the quality where it needs to be.
The RIA is a fine piece if you intend to shoot as is. When I can find one in 38 Super I will buy one as well. (want to put a 9 MM barrel in for cheaper practice)

If you are ok with the cast frame then look at the STI Spartan. It's frame and slide are made by same company as RIA, but uses STI internal parts. I think they are around $500 give or take a little.

 

[FM12]

Go to www.olyarms.com and buy one already set up.

 

[Cowboy2]

RIA tactical and call it a day, unless you have a particular set of parts you want to add on.

 

[Technosavant]

If you're going to build it up, start with a Springfiled Armory Mil-Spec. However, I'd also recommend looking at a Taurus- it already has everything you want on it. If you can't afford a Taurus, then a RIA Tactical is probably your only choice (it isn't a bad one, but I'd go for a Taurus PT1911 if at all possible).

 

[Ala Dan]

My vote goes to the Springfield Armory MIL-SPEC weapon, as well~!

Comes with lowered and flared ejection port, 3-dot sights, and very
beautiful cocobolo wood grips, with the SA logo~!

 

[bluetopper]

STI Spartan

 

[jhco]

norinco has the strongest steel i hear

 

[ARS1911]

SA GI all the way

 

[Hunter0924]

Springfield armory makes a great base Government Model.
I also hear good things about Charles Daly and RIA.

 

[mike6161]

Thanks for the help I m going to make it a project gun I can do the work on it so I can do it as I get the money plus it will be a lot of fun. I would just get a smith and Wesson but I do not have the money for it.
I like to do thing with guns so doing the work is as good as going to the range. I think I will have about $500 saved by the summer. It sucks to be a landscaper in the winter. I just don’t know why people don’t wont there yard redone in the middle of winter in ohio

 

[mike6161]

it can be commander size
thanks

 

[chbrow10]

STI, Charles DAly, and others have parts made by Armscor (company that makes RIA), so it is largely the fit and finish that are the difference. The only thing the RIA tactical doesn't have on your list is decent sights, but since the RIA tactical has novak style sights, you can easily get them changes without serious effort. I'm really cheap and just painted the dots on my tactical sights...

 

[jenrob]

If you want a total build I would go with the STI Frame There are a lot of race guns built on the STI's.

If you are looking to replace parts (not cause there bad) as you see fit and have an already working gun nothing else needed then the SA would be the way to go.

 

[Technosavant]

If you're going to make it a project gun, I'd recommend a Springfield Amory Mil-Spec over the Rock Island. The forged frame and slide are harder and a better platform for a build-up.