advice for buying a used 1911?

[shrewd]

so i'm looking to pick up my first precious 1911 .45

i've heard quite about of rubarb about this whole 'colt' thing, so i figure it's something to look into

my big question is, i suppose, how to guage quality off a gunstore shelf? i figure a used colt 1911 will be more financially attainable than in the box, but i don't want to just pick one up, work the slide, give her a lil' shake and say gee golly, hand me the papers!

for you 1911 afficianados, are there some smaller specific things i should look at when judging with my rookie eyes the quality of a 1911 pistol?

 

[PabloJ]

If I was rookie I would buy new Colt 1911. There are way too many "parts guns" out there awaiting for unsuspecting buyers. Collectable military ones where barrel,....were made by one Co. while rest by another Co. are pure nightmare to buy and the prices seem to be insane.

 

[Gun Fever]

I know there's alot of taurus haters out there BUT the pt 1911 is the best 1911 for the money (about 500 give or take nib) NutNfancy has a very positive review on it on youtube

 

[Br]

I'm not an expert at judging 1911s, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Its a great question, I googled up a couple of links that look like good reading.

http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2005/10/checking-used-1911-with-purchase-in.html
http://www.m1911.org/technic24.htm

... just hoping to help.

You might consider a new Rock Island Armory 1911-A1 for $450 or so, or step up to a new Springfield Mil-spec for $575 (at Buds) if you are concerned about buying used.

 

[Flatcar1]

Try a new Rock Island Armory. they are very good starter 1911 and they have a lifetime warranty so even if you get to the range and there is a problem (very unlikely) they will make it right. They start at basic around $400 or less and the up graded tactacle only around $500. I have owned Colts and IMO the "Rock" is more for the money.

 

[CZ57]

If I were looking for my first 1911, I would buy new and go with the Ruger SR 1911. Street price should come in around $650.

 

[Furncliff]

RIA 1911 Tactical, great range/fun gun.

 

[LeonCarr]

I won't say it.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[newbuckeye]

RIA or ATI. I got an ATI for just under 400.

 

[Ala Dan]

Ruger's 1911 is waaaaaaaaay to new to invest in right now~!

 

[xr1200]

the best bet would to go for a 1911 in 9mm, right now you can get a 1000 rounds for around $180, 45acp will run you about $320 a thousand.

STI spartan , or trojan if you can afford it, RIA tacticle, taurus 9mm, just make sure you get a 1911 with modern features, the basic GI type 1911's cost a lot to upgrade later, so get the best well packaged gun you can directly from the factory, taurus 1911 is a good example.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yeah, I've got a Colt. With that said....If I were going looking for a brand new 1911, Springfield would be on my short list. I have a Loaded. I can't see many ways that gun can be improved for a general use 1911.

 

[Claude Clay]

as part of the Basic Pistol Course i include 'kicking the tires' on a used gun during the cleaning part of the course. even within a production run there may be a cluster of less then the best guns. thus buying on name alone is no guarantee. if you do not have a mentor than try for a local shop that fits your needs (hopefully with a smile). id pay a bit extra to have the peace of mind that a 30 day make it right/exchange policy provides.

 

[crazysccrmd]

the best bet would to go for a 1911 in 9mm, right now you can get a 1000 rounds for around $180, 45acp will run you about $320 a thousand.

That's what I've been thinking about doing but it almost just seems sacrilege to do it.

 

[shrewd]

I feel the same way, bud.
I always felt the 1911 would be my first and possibly only .45

right now I have my cz75 in 9mm, and it feels great. I don't care too much for .40, but I really like .45

After all my reading on 1911s, buying an xd45 or something also feels wrong