Best budget 1911?

[Braz]

Howdy shootists,

Got the hankerin' for a 1911 pistol. Looked at the Rock Island Arms pistols for $299, but it was a lil' flakey. I'd love a Kimber, but $800 is outta my league. What would you advise as the best budget 1911? Thankee.

 

[Shmackey]

What's the most you'll spend?

I don't care for Springfields all that much, but the new WW-something mil-spec repro is cheap and neat-looking.

 

[XavierBreath]

The Springfield Mil Specs are the best value out there IMHO.

 

[Sean Smith]

The lowest I'd suggest going is either a $400-450 Springfield Mil-Spec or a $570 Colt 01991. In my opinion the Colt is worth the price difference, but the SA MilSpec is a solid gun and nothing to sneeze at. The only $300ish new gun that I'd recommend to anybody (well, anybody I LIKE, anyway) is a CZ-75B. I would characterize all the cheaper 1911s that I've handled (e.g. Charles Daly) as pure slag. Maybe not fair, but just my opinion.

 

[10-Ring]

If you're looking for pure value, it's tough to beat the SA Mil Spec!

 

[Preacherman]

See this thread. I've owned a Griffon before, and am in the process of getting another. Very reliable, and right now, very well priced!

 

[voilsb]

I'd say get an Argentine Sistema.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I'd go with a Kimber plain jane "custom" II

 

[marvl]

I wouldn't go near a SA or Kimber. I have personally had lots of problems with them, and have read endless similar stories on various boards.

I'd look at a used Colt, or maybe a new Dan Wesson.

The Argentine Sistema might be a good choice too. Really just a foreign Colt, and the price is hard to beat.

 

[digex]

You'll hear tons of bad things about the Kimber Series II. I guess I'm just a lucky bastard because I own one and haven't had any problems with it at all. Definitely look into them, the price is reasonable and their good guns. I got mine for $600 at Cabela's and I've enjoyed it thouroughly.

 

[Dorrin79]

my Springfield Mil-Spec ($460) has been flawless so far.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I've got a Springfield Mil Spec, one of the older models. Probably about 8 years old now.

It's very traditional, and an excellent shooter.

A friend has a later Mil Spec, and it's somewhat different, including the addition of a factory lowered ejection port to prevent case mashing. Mine doesn't have that, and will occasionally mash a case mouth beyond repair.

Mine was sold as a used, but unfired gun. I paid the princely sum of $250 or so for it.

 

[NevadaPistolero]

Springfield WW2 mil-spec, I just picked one up for $416 with transfer and shipping....you cant beat that. Besides Springfield have a life time guaranty. Check out Gunbrokers.com. thats where I got mine.

 

[longtom4570]

I agree with the others, i just picked up a WWII Mil-Spec and i love it it has the right feel and it looks great

 

[Tropical Z]

Id vote for the Griffon or a S.A.M.,Springfields just dont do it for me.

 

[MoNsTeR]

No such thing.

 

[Boats]

Used Colt seconded.

 

[Bainx]

Seeing [firing] is believing. Hey, Charles Daly is pretty darn good.
I challenge you guys to try them out.

 

[michiganfan]

I'll second the Charles Daly. Had a couple of failures to go into battery when I first got it. Switched to a heavier recoil spring and it has been just dandy since.

 

[Bahadur]

What no NORINCO?

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

My Charles Daly has been good to me too. The lowest priced model, just needed a 18 lb recoil spring. Sure, it's no Kimber, etc. but I like it. It is nearning 1K rounds too.

If I had to buy another 1911 right now, I just got a Para Carry, but it is definately not a budget gun, I would get a Springfield Mil-Spec. Some prices have been floating up pretty high since everyone seemed to want one, but they are out there. A little more money, I would get a Dan Wesson.

 

[Tomac]

So what was "flaky" about the Rock Island .45? Mine's tight, accurate, reliable, has a decent trigger right out of the box, the barrel is hardchromed inside and out and there are no MIM/plastic parts or two piece barrels. Do a search for "Rock Island" and "RIA" here and see what owners have to say about it: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/ . IMHO you'll be hard pressed to find a better budget .45.
Tomac