.45 Caliber 1911 in the $500 Price Range

[SecondAmend]

I will be purchasing a .45 once I come to a decision. What would you recommend in this price range ($600 max) and why? I will probably have another $300 for options (extra mags and other toys).

I will use this gun for the range primarily as well as carrying on hikes into Texas hill country.

 

[wooderson]

The Springfield Mil-Spec is the traditional suggestion. (I would choose it over the similar GI - better sights, though you get cooler grips with the GI)

The Taurus PT1911 is also a popular choice, but appears to run a little over $500 now. It has some of the higher-dollar features (checkering, beavertail, etc.) on a lower-budget gun.

The Rock Island Armory 1911s (~$280-350) are also very popular and similar to the Springfield GI.

 

[varoadking]

Springfield Armory GI .45...the sights will make you a better shooter too...

 

[Texas Colt]

Hey Second, I agree with what wooderson said.

I had GI Springfield that was a great gun... can't remember what I traded it for

 

[full metal]

Hey what about the llama max 1? i hear ther very reliable it has a extractor on the outside i read some guy regreted selling it and buying a kimber. and the price for one is in the $200 to $300 range all parts interchange with regular 1911s exept the grips, but you can buy some nice ones from cocobolo supply co in ca phone #877-294-9327

 

[FXWG]

You can get a SA G.I. 1911,
plus a few extra mags for $500.
At least you can down here.

 

[gunfighter48]

Take a very good look at the Taurus PT1911. Forged frame and slide, good trigger out of the box, Heinie Straight Eight sights, checkered back strap-front strap-under trigger guard, and very good accuracy. Present price seem to be around $500 - $550. It's a lot of gun for the money.

 

[CWL]

Springfield Mil Spec. You want the better sights.

Extra $300 should be spent on best quality holster, mag-holder and belt. Anything left should go towards ammo and training.

 

[steveracer]

Norinco.

They are $400, and they always run. If you can find a Sistema, get that. Then buy ten magazines and a good holster. The rest is gravy.
For a little more, you can get the SA Mil Spec, which is a very good pistol, but uses a few things I don't care for. (MIM extractor, ILS lock, two-piece barrel, 9mm Titanium firing pin, and a strange grip-safety radius.)
Other than the above, it's a fine gun. They tend to run right, and SA has pretty good customer service. They have been about $575 locally for the parkerized version.
DO get a good belt and holster for it, and order them BEFORE you buy the gun, as the backlog on good leather is long, and worth the wait.
All told, go to Gunsamerica and look at Norincos, and for $400 you get a really tough, reliable, all-steel pistol that will be almost exactly GI spec, and have useable sights.

 

[wally]

Check out the new RIA "Tacticals" Under $400 and will have the features that'd cost $600+ on a SA or Kimber.

--wally.

 

[BADUNAME13]

If New:
Springfield Milspec NOT GI!
-Put the 2 side by side any you'll see why.
Stainless is worth the $100 more. (ALWAYS)

And you'll still be under $600.

If you don't mind used you can get a Good Springfield or Kimber for ~$600.
(I paid $550 for my Springfield Loaded with ~ $100 in mags...
And $600 for a Kimber with accessories)

I've seen a couple Colt Commanders SS for mid 5's... kicking myself for passing on them...

 

[HiroProX]

RIA

Though Colt M1991A1s can be found used in very good condition for the same price-point. Friend of mine was considering a RIA, but he took an opportunity on a $450 M1991A1. Three months later, I swear he's going to marry that pistol.

 

[MPanova]

Taurus PT1911 hands down! It is the best sub 800 doller 1911 out period. Go to www.taurusarmed.net and do a search for the pt1911 and you will find my review along with any others who like me love there PT1911

 

[jlh26oo]

Taurus PT1911 hands down! It is the best sub 800 doller 1911 out period.

So not only best at it's own price point, but that means it's better than s80 Colts, S&W, Sig Revolution, Dan Wesson, and entry level Kimber & STI!? WOW!

I love it when gear costing hundreds less outperforms the competition. Thanks for the head's up.

 

[Tom Fury]

Just as good as for hundreds less usually...

ain't...
Stick with Springfield Armory Mil Spec; you want the better sights. Some of them seem to be incredibly tight. I also have seen some incredible bargains on 1991A1s' when you can find them. Bought two Commanders in last couple years, one for 5 and one for 550. Stainless is always worth what you pay extra for it. Be aware that putting most commercial beavertail grip safetys on SA's requires weld and recut; only Smith and Alexander for SA don't. Colt Commander "pigtail" will work OOB if you must change it. TF

 

[FMJMIKE]

My Rock Island Armory Tactical 1911. My first 1911 $399 plus tax......

 

[GARY1911A1]

I can certainly recommend the Norincos. At $600 max you can also consider the STI Spartan. It's like the RIA Tactical above in many ways, but better setup for range and competition.

 

[waynedm]

Springfield Mil-spec or High Standard. They shoot well and are reliable.

 

[farscott]

I would look for a used Colt, especially the Series '80 pistols marked "Colt M1991A1". These are plain-jane Colt pistols with ugly markings, leading to lower sale values. For the most part, Colt parts are good, especially the barrels, frames, slides, slide stops, and hammers. The one negative is that Colt pistols are full of sharp edges that one notices during carry. They are good shooters out of the box and can be smithed into very good pistols.

Saw a blued one in the case of the local dealer last night with a hang tag of $525, and it has been there since before Thanksgiving. Some minor finish wear, but no signs that a Dremel had been anywhere near it. I bet that one could come home for about $480, including tax.

 

[medic_guns]

RIA

Rock Island guns are inexpensive. I gave 335 out the door (used) and it did not have a mark on it. It shoots like crazy and I have never had an issue with it. It makes me laugh to see so many people bagging on RIA when they don't know what they are talking about. Do yourself a favor and buy a RIA. Visit the 1991 forums and read the threads about the rock island guns.

Ric

 

[10-Ring]

At this price point, I would look for a pre-owned Colt 1991 or Mil Spec SA I have owned both & both were reliable & accurate and a great platform to intro yourself to the 1911

 

[surjimmy]

Which 45

If your going to spend around $900.00 total get a dan wesson pointman. It has all the bells and whistles on it. Most of the gun has custom parts. You might check out randgfirearms.com he has some super nice 1911's /H.P.'s as well as others.

 

[mrcpu]

Get a RIA tactical, or if you really want the nice one, get the Match.

I have 2 RIA's, and after some minor teething problems (both fixed by installing 17.5lb Wolf springs, they have been perfecto...