best 1911 out of the box

[Don Lu]

I've been building my gun collection (just started buying this year). My next purchase will be a 1911. I always hear about people haveing to tweek and modify them before they are reliable. Im wondering, what is the best out of the box but, I dont wanna spend more that 800.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[sdj]

For me, it's S&W. I have two! With that said, Kimbers, Springfield's, Colts, Paras, Tauri: they are all good! They are like potato chips: can't have just one! Enjoy!

 

[jaholder1971]

The Springfield Armory MilSpec 1911A1's are a very nice basic 1911. Mine's parkerized and came with a set of basic 3 Dot sights that are a far cry from their GI "hump and bump" sights. I believe all total mine was less than $600 but YMMV.

 

[HorseSoldier]

You might want to check on the Taurus PT1911 -- lot of bells and whistles in a package that runs in the mid-five hundreds. I don't have any personal experience with them, but the general take seems to be that they're pretty well done. Like Springfield, they're made in Brazil

 

[XavierBreath]

Most production 1911s will shoot accurately and reliably out of the box. It's when unknowledgeable people tweak and modify them that they become unreliable.

In your price range, I advise a Colt. The Series 80 1991A1 being produced currently is very nice.
Smith & Wesson 1911s are a great value for the money.
Springfield also makes good guns.

There is no best, only best for you. If you end up liking the 1911 platform, chances are, you will eventually buy a Colt. May as well start with a Colt.

 

[03Shadowbob]

For under $800, I'd go with a Springfield Loaded Stainless or Black Stainless.

 

[surjimmy]

Was told by a custom 1911 builder that a Springfield TRP is the best 1911 off the shelf.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

I have been happy with my S&W 1911Sc, but I only have 200 rnds through it.

 

[wooderson]

I picked up a new production Colt Series 70 for $755. The sights are nothing to write home about (but very usable), but the trigger is outstanding, frame to slide fit is excellent, accuracy is as good as I am. Only flaw is that the extractor (or is it the ejector) kicks shells onto my forehead part of the time. No extra safeties, no internal lock, nada. Just a basic, old-school pistol that works (mostly) right.

The Springfield Mil-Spec would be my second choice.

A basic 1911 is a classic. For frills and thrills (ie a 'fully-loaded' or 'custom'), I'd rather have it put together my way and spend more.

 

[MPanova]

I would say the best right now is the Taurus PT1911

Go over the www.taurusarmed.net and do a search for pt1911. Lots of reviews on that gem over there

 

[jkomp316]

best out of box for $ = Taurus PT1911

best out of box regardless of $ = 40pg thread

 

[Serpico]

For right at 800 the Kimber Custom TLE ll is hard to beat.

 

[Ala Dan]

I'm very happy with my 5" stainless steel/Novak sighted Smith & Wesson;
product code #108282. It will run right along side of my much more costly
Les Baer TRS. Also, I have had great success with my Springfield Armory
5" MIL SPEC~!

 

[Cousin Mike]

When it came time for me to spend some money on a "nice" 1911, I went with Smith & Wesson. I couldn't be happier. More accurate than I am, and 100% out of the box. I have the same model as Ala Dan - the fullsize stainless w/black trim & novaks. I'd also agree with what he said - it will run right up there with the custom pieces that cost 3-4 times the money.

My next 1911 will be another Smith & Wesson.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

An exact ditto to what Cousin Mike just posted!!

Sam

 

[71Commander]

With out a doubt it's the Springfield loaded. It will do every thing you need and last forever.

 

[johndoe1027]

I say for 800 you should definitely be checking out
S&W,
Colt,
Springfield - but go ahead and get a loaded or used TRP, the mil spec is a great gun (my AO is much like one) wonderful gun for the money- but the loaded is an even better value IMHO),
or take a gamble on Kimber. I'm not bashing Kimber (I carry a Tactical Ultra everyday) but apparently right now they really are a gamble. They always make it right from what I've read. My Tac Ultra was not 100% out of the box, but that is my singular experience with a Kimber. FWIW I fixed my own problem in about 10-15 minutes and now I have a tack driver that I can almost pocket carry.

These guys got me thinking about a S&W someday as well. or two


I'm pretty sure all Smiths have an external extractor which some people don't like but they can't say it's inherently less reliable.

P.S. Tenn said it well. I know a feller that has over 30,000 rounds through his with no trouble to speak of. He just refinished it recently and you can't tell at all it's been carried and shot a lot.

 

[farscott]

I would take a look at the STI Spartan. MSRP is $660. Good ignition parts and good feature set for the money.

 

[71Commander]

While the Spartan has potential, it just hasn't been around long enough to be put through a endurance test.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Dan Wesson.

 

[Father Knows Best]

In my experience, the Springfield Armory "loaded" series, the S&W offerings and the Para Ordnance SSP are the best values in terms of high quality, reliable, accurate 1911's in the $600-800 price range. Kimbers are very good, too, but tend to run a bit more money. I don't have any personal experience with the Taurus and Dan Wesson offerings, but I hear good things about them. While I love Colts (I own four, and my CCW gun is a Colt CCO), my experience is that they aren't typically good "value" because they cost more to begin with, and often need some additional work to be as reliable as the offerings from SA, Para, Kimber, etc. Bottom line is that you'll probably do fine with any of the following (in alphabetical order):

Dan Wesson
Kimber
Para Ordnance
Smith & Wesson
Springfield Armory
Taurus

 

[MDW GUNS]

Under $800 I would take a Taurus.
Next would be S&W.

 

[bg226]

Tried a lot of 1911s and the only one that worked was S&W.

 

[farscott]

While the Spartan has potential, it just hasn't been around long enough to be put through a endurance test.

Not so sure about that. More than a few of been seen at competitive shooting events and done just fine. Take a look at this link:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42054

 

[Old Dog]

First, don't ever buy into the idea that there's a "best" 1911 out of the box.

Every major manufacturer of 1911s has accrued legions of bashers, haters and shameless shills.

I've had terrific experiences with Colt's (but think they're still overpriced), Kimbers (you either hate 'em or you love 'em -- mine are all great) and Springfield Armory (I adore the Mil-Specs and the Loaded series).

Never owned a Para-Ordnance, Smith and Wesson, Dan Wesson, RIA, Charles Daly or Taurus PT-1911.

For me though, the one maker I'll keep buying from, because of out-of-the-box reliability and value (not to mention stellar customer service) is Springfield Armory.