1911's

[roper031495]

I'm looking to buy a 45 1911 but i dont want to pay 1,000 + for a big name brand i have been looking at either an ATI, Rock Island, or a Citidel but i cant find any reviews on them. Does anyone have one of these three and how do u like them?

 

[19-3Ben]

You say you don't want to spend $1000 but all the guns you mention are in the $500 range. What's your actual Budget? There's a lot between $500 and $1000. That said the ones you have mentioned, especially the RIA have a good rep.

 

[PJSprog]

19-3Ben is right. You can get many offerings from "big name brands" for under $1000.

I have an RIA Tactical .45, and like it a lot. Paid under $500 for it, with Pachmayr American Legend grip.

 

[jhop73]

I picked up a Kimber Custom II this summer for $689 new. i have put around 1000 rounds thru it without a problem. i did add a set of Mepro light night sights but otherwise it is stock.

 

[Hunterdad]

I have a Rock Island Match and love it. Pretty sure I paid $550 or so for it. It's a lot of gun for the money.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm looking to buy a 45 1911 but i dont want to pay 1,000 + for a big name brand i have been looking at either an ATI, Rock Island, or a Citidel but i cant find any reviews on them.

Here's one review THR's sister website did on RIA Tactical - http://www.shootingreviews.com/rock-island-armory-1911a1/

Conclusion: would I recommend this to someone looking for a first 1911?

Absolutely. This was reliable, accurate, reasonably full featured, affordable, and ... if you’re looking for a reliable and affordable 1911 I have no qualms with recommending this pistol.

Does anyone have one of these three and how do u like them?

When I was looking for a 1911, I handled and ranged tested various brand pistols and settled on a railed Sig 1911. During my range tests, I got to shoot new RIA Tactical models fresh out of the box and I was impressed. I suggested it to a friend who was looking for an entry level 1911 and he was happy with the purchase.

Since then, we have put 6000+ rounds of various factory and reloads. The RIA Tactical barrel chamber is tapered with wider mouth so it will reliably feed/chamber even sloppy SWC lead reloads and keep on firing when dirty.

As to accuracy, it produces comparable shot groups at 7-10 yards and opens up slightly more at 15-25 yards compared to my Sig 1911. I used Chip McCormick 8 round power mags mostly but the factory magazines have worked well too. Only thing that needed to be replaced since purchase has been the recoil springs and we used Wilson Combat and Wolff Variable Power springs.

 

[orionengnr]

I have a friend who just bought a Ruger SR1911 for $619, and I have seen that same price several times lately.

For my money, I would take the stainless steel, American-made Ruger over any of the Filipino or Turkish 1911s.

And yes, I had one of the Filipino 1911s. Once.

 

[Quick Shot xMLx]

What's your price range? One that I would highly recommend around $700 is the Magnum Research "Desert Eagle" 1911. One of the most underrated 1911s out there and hands down the best trigger in its class. I've put 1k+ rounds through mine without a single failure.

 

[jtsteiert]

Springfield Mil Spec is a awesome $500-$600 gun in my parts... I have one that is by far my favorite, not to fancy that you don't mind changing out parts on yourself. Plus its a great range gun. Hard to go wrong with a Springfield 1911, if you want more fancy but within your limit of under a $1,000.00 look at the range officer, those are around $800-$900 almost everywhere I turn.
Just my $.02 worth.

 

[OARNGESI]

buds has the rock island gi model for $329 shipped right now, it would be hard to beat that.

 

[Mick_W]

Buds gun shop has a special on the RIA 1911 for $350. I have around 10k rounds through mine and going strong even with cheap mags its going strong.

 

[Jim K]

The Remingtons run about $700 and they are pretty good guns.

Jim

 

[TfflHndn]

I have an ATI Thunderbolt (full size, with rail) and it is a very good pistol. I also have the Citadel compact with Hogue grips. Also very good. The ATI needed a Wolff spring right away, but other than that it has operated flawlessly. I will probably do something with the sights on the Citadel; plain black is too hard to pick up in low light. Very happy with both of them.

 

[Lantern]

I have a Sig 1911(brand new) in 45 as well as a S&W 9mm pro series 1911(like new) for well under 1000 on gunbroker at 725 and 875 respectively. They are both a lot of gun for the money. The STI Trojan can be had riiiiight at 1000-1100 and is the next 1911 on my hit list.


However, if you wanna go even lower than that then it's hard to deny the downright sexy and american made Ruger sr1911. Now not near as sexy but smoother running is the STI spartan. Both can be had around 550-650.

 

[Spats McGee]

bac1023 put together Buyer's guide for all you 1911 addicts... It's worth your time to take a look.

 

[tuj]

STI Spartan should be on your list. Great gun.

 

[smalls]

but i cant find any reviews on them.

Then you haven't looked. At all. Google.

 

[pendennis]

Springfield Armory sells the Range Officer, which is well under your $1K limit. It has a ton of features on it for under $800. Then, you can spend the $200 savings on ammo.

And, unless your heart is set on new, there are any number of used Colts, S&W, Kimber, Springfield, Sig, etc., out there for well under $1K. There are always folks who buy and trade in, looking for the holy grail.

 

[kbheiner7]

It really depends on your preferences - I prefer a modernized version with better sights, ring hammer and extended thumb safety. Because of that preference, I'd look for a used gun with those options. If you prefer a more classic setup, the Springer Mil Spec is a god option. RI guns are ok, but a step down in fit and finish, imo.

 

[gym]

The SR1911 commander was on sale for 599 from Sportsman's Warehouse for Black Friday. That's a pretty good deal, too bad they aren't in FL.

 

[krupparms]

I am not buying a 1911 right now, but if I were I would look at that Ruger! JMO.

 

[Hondo 60]

Ruger & Remington are just north of 6 bills.

Metro Arm's American Classic II is just south of $500 (Distributed by Bersa).
(I have one & can highly recommend them).


6-8 months ago one of the gun rags did a "Beer Budget 1911" review.
I think it was "American Handgunner", but I'm not sure.
The writer said he liked the ACII some much he bought it after the reviews.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/49736

 

[zerobarrier]

I have two Kimbers a tactical pro 3" and a CDP custom 5" and love them both. New they are over $1000 but you can find them used on gunbroker for $800ish. Worth the money in my opinion, never had a single problem with either and I use them a lot. The magnum research 1911 is very nice as well. Or how about the LAR grizzly

 

[ms6852]

Springfield mil spec are what you want anything else is a gamble in your price point.

 

[stinger 327]

RIA 1911 Tactical. Paid $599 but that's the rate here in California.