Best 1911 for under $1200.

[loop]

I voted for Colt, but would also consider a Kimber if it were me. But, I usually buy a beat up Colt, Series I Kimber or Norinco and build match-grade guns out of them. The final touch is the finish of my choice the way I want it.

I have a Kimber that I turned down $2,000 for and only have a little more than $1,100 in it. I also have an absolutely awesome Norinco that I ended up with $1,200 in and won't sell it now because it is just way too nice.

I recently rebuilt an AMT Hardballer that I got so cheap the finished gun only has $700 in it and it is a great shooter. It also came out real pretty after I bead blasted it and put a high polish on the flats of the slide.

If you have a beater 1911 you might want to go ahead do a build yourself. You'll end up with a gun that everyone will admire and it will be worth more than what you spend on it. Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.

An important factor to consider is Colts are almost always worth at least what you paid for them. That cannot be said for most of the other 1911s on the market.

 

[krs]

I have 23 Colt 1911 pistols and would normally vote for a Colt because a Colt stands the best chance of getting the money back whenever it might be sold. In fact most of them appreciate with age as most of us know.

But I voted Dan Wesson because I have a Pointman 7 and for it's $850. pricetag it is the best put together pistol I've seen new outside of my Les Baer National Match.

I know that they're using cast frames for Dan Wesson and that's something I've avoided all of my life, but someone out there really knows what it takes to make a 1911 run and for the money they're putting out a heck of a good pistol.

I'd recommend Smith & Wesson 1911's too if it wasn't for that durned warning instruction that they insist is needed printed indelibly on their guns. I'd have more than one Smith if they could have left the stupid warnings on removable labels or in the box. That BS spoils the looks that's a big part of what I buy in a gun and would make me feel like a sap every time I picked up a pistol that had it.

Next some idiot will have the brainstorm of his life and figure a way to incoporate a digital voice in each gun that warns anyone who touches it in a selection of voices named Richard and Daniel or Sarah and Millicent in your choice of language, and it'll be Smith & Wesson that comes with the 'feature' first.

 

[ge0624me]

I'd recommend Smith & Wesson 1911's too if it wasn't for that durned warning instruction that they insist is needed printed indelibly on their guns. I'd have more than one Smith if they could have left the stupid warnings on removable labels or in the box. That BS spoils the looks that's a big part of what I buy in a gun and would make me feel like a sap every time I picked up a pistol that had it.

Next some idiot will have the brainstorm of his life and figure a way to incoporate a digital voice in each gun that warns anyone who touches it in a selection of voices named Richard and Daniel or Sarah and Millicent in your choice of language, and it'll be Smith & Wesson that comes with the 'feature' first.

thats funny, thats the first time i've heard someone that feels the same way i do, i have 2 s&w's 1911's a s/s and a blue,thats the only thing i dont like about them, other than that excellent pistol's, definitly worth you$$$ ,if you can get past the stupid warning sign on the side.:banghead:

 

[Oro]

I'd recommend Smith & Wesson 1911's too if it wasn't for that durned warning instruction that they insist is needed printed indelibly on their guns.

This is also why we won't buy modern Rugers. I won't buy a gun that has warnings all over it, or that has that hole drilled in the barrel hood as a "chamber check." Just looks stupid and is pointless. If I want to check a chamber I will frackin' open it and look, thank you.

Back on topic: I would strongly urge the OP to check out two guns:

1) The new Colt "Combat Elite" - that is one sweet pistol and I understand the "street" price is about $950.

2) I saw a Colt 1911 Series '70 repro that had a factory Colt "O" package done - dehorn, flat MSH, long trigger, beavertail safety and combat hammer, and action tweaking with Novack sites. It was both beautiful and practical, and comes in under your price limit.