1911s under $650?

[Deleted member 66305]

1911s under $450?

What recommendations would people make for the best out-of-the-box 1911 clones for under $450?

OK, I've changed the title -- there are LOTS of good 1911s under $650.

I want to find a good 1911 clone for under $450 to play with and decide whether or not I'd like to get a much more expensive, custom item, like one from Les Baer.

Used is fine, too, so advice on where to go and what to look for when buying a used 1911 clone would be appreciated.

 

[R12GS]

RIA is probably the best deal going. Can usually be had for around $400 and they work.

 

[rellascout]

Used Dan Wesson or Colt.

Like this one:



New SA Milspec or New STI Saprtan

 

[SuperNaut]

STI Spartan

I know, predictable.

 

[VHinch]

Springfield Loaded

 

[rellascout]

Where can you get SA loaded for less than $650?

 

[Chris B]

Shooters Arms 1911. J and G sales has them for $349.99, so you could have one for that plus shipping plus whatever your FFL charges for a transfer. I got one and it did not function properly (hammer only fell to half cock when trigger was pulled) and J and G immediately replaced it with one that has not failed yet and I've put 350-400 rounds through it so far.

 

[MICHAEL T]

New (not old llama) Firestorm or American Classic Their same pistol just different roll mark Delux for around 400

 

[SuperNaut]

Where can you get SA loaded for less than $650?

No! My wallet is empty!

 

[putteral]

Charles Daly EFS Buds Gun Shop has them under $500. I have one great gun
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_225/products_id/81318

 

[Treo]

My RIA cost 410.00$ .goes boom every time

 

[Confederate]

I don't know how much the Smith & Wessons are going for, but I've heard a lot of great things about them. I'm sure used they should be quite reasonable, but as far as new, Taurus may be worth a try. I don't know why 1911s are so costly these days. Stainless steel-frame autos can be had for next to nothing, and the variations in cost between some of these guns are mind boggling. I can pick up two 645s in primo condition for less than one new 1911!

Since I'm one of the baby-boomers, I know how ineffective 1911 .45s are, generally. In all the monster movies I saw growing up, the military guys shooting 1911s were all toast—I mean, they were always the first ones taken out by the aliens or the swamp monster.

 

[VHinch]

Where can you get SA loaded for less than $650?

Local shop around here usually has them at $619-649.

Saw a very lightly used Parked Loaded for $550 last week, but got beat to it.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Rock Islands, STI Spartans, plain Kimber Custom II ( a great gun), used Colt's.

Wholesale Colt's new are around $650 for a decent 1911.

 

[tomh1426]

Ria
Pt1911

 

[M2 Carbine]

My Kimber Ultra Carry (bottom right) was $589 and the Compact Carry (top left) was $684. That was a few years ago, they might have gone up a little.



Even the least expensive Kimbers are very accurate.

 

[Ske1etor]

Local shop around here usually has them at $619-649.

Saw a very lightly used Parked Loaded for $550 last week, but got beat to it.

Are you sure its a Springfield Loaded?

They usually go for right under 800 around here for the stainless models.

 

[2nd 41]

Norinco ? My shooting buddy bought one used. Loves it. Accurate & reliable.

 

[Deleted member 66305]

How are the Para Ordnance 1911s?

I just checked Academy; they had the Taurus PT1911 for (IIRC) $579 -- Gander Mountain had the Para Ordance 1911 for slightly less.

I remember seeing achive threads from just a few years ago claiming prices of RIA 1911s of $279 -- I guess prices have really inflated in the last couple years.

I would love to find a decent, reliable 1911 for as cheap as possible, and decide if I like the 1911s enough to get a custom built one like the Les Baer models.

 

[VHinch]

Are you sure its a Springfield Loaded?

They usually go for right under 800 around here for the stainless models.

Yep. I've bought 2 from them. That is the parked price, they run the stainless $50-60 more.

 

[sparkyguy]

I dislike the "clone" tag put on any 1911 that isn't a Colt. Sounds kinda snobbish, and as if looking down their nose at anything that isn't a Colt. IMO, Colt aint all that it is built up to be(especially in recent years) and wish ppl would just refer to the guns as 1911's. The patent ran out long, long ago.
As far as getting a 1911 for under $650? I bought my Springfield Loaded SS 1911 NIB for $699, so deals are out there for used.

 

[AndyC]

Rock Island Armory

 

[Eightball]

1911 "clone" might be referring to a non-"issued" firearm, rather than "non-COLT." Just my .02.

My bet would be a SA Mil-Spec or GI.

 

[Ske1etor]

Yep. I've bought 2 from them. That is the parked price, they run the stainless $50-60 more.

If only I had a couple extra hundred bucks lying around!

 

[nick295]

Depends what you are looking for, the Taurus pt1911 is a great range gun, its really accurate and has a good trigger but I would not advise of it for any type of defense as the reliability sucks.