Budget 1911's

[Usmc-1]

Alright , budget 1911's , in particular for me would be a Commander or Officers model 3.5 - 4.25 " stainless , Does anyone have any experience with any of these firearms and if so could you post a picture and explain your experience?

American Classic (Bersa):

American Classic Amigo Pistol ACA45C, 45 ACP, 3.5 in
American Classic Commander 1911 Pistol ACC45C, 45 ACP, 4 1/4 in

Iver Johnson:

Iver Johnson Hawk Commander 1911 Pistol HAWKP, 45 ACP, 4.25 in,
Iver Johnson Trojan Commander 1911 Pistol TROJAN, 45 ACP, 4.25 in(no stainless)

ATI:

ATI FX45 Titan Semi-Auto 1911 Pistol ATIGFX45TIS, 45 ACP, 3 in

Armscor Rock Island:

Armscor Rock Island 1911 Compact Pistol 51429, 45 ACP, 3.5 in (not sure if they make a SS version)

Citadel:

Citadel Model 1911 Semi Auto Pistol CIT45CSPBN, 45 ACP, 3.5 in

Taurus:

Taurus Model PT-945 Large Frame Pistol 1945049PRL, 45 ACP, 4 1/4 in BBL (I like it)

 

[BRE346]

I've shot only the Taurus 945, and found it good-looking, good to hold and good to shoot. I qualified with it after the old GI match-grade 1911 failed me.
No problems whatsoever.

 

[GZOh]

Own two 'basic' ATIs and they are both EXCELLENT pistols... very well made and have been flawless shoots!! IMHO for $400 they are exceptional values.
S.A.M. (Philippines) makes both the ATI and Iver Johnson, so they are basically the same pistol... As with Armscor making both the RI line and Citadel.
Have shot several RI pistols and prefer the ATIs, but that's me. No experience with American Classic.
Rock Island has an EXCELLENT Customer Service reputation and totally stands behind their guns, which is a plus.
ATI is 'new' in this area and must establish a CS reputation.
Doubt you'd go wrong with either of these pistolas!... The ATI-GI (Commander) is one of my favorite shoots!!!

 

[oldvet53]

I have the FS G.I. Rock Island Armory and I love mine. I got it and 50 rounds OTD for $500.00. I sent it back to have it tuned for hollow points which cost $75.00 and Arnell(the factory GS) added a Wolf Extra # firing pin spring, now it feeds Buick's! I don't think you can go wrong with their 1911's.

 

[Ronsch]

I probably sound like a broken record on the RIAs, but here it goes: I have 3, 2 GI and 1 compact. I think I am up to close to 4,000 rounds fired through the 3 of them. No FTF, no FTE. I clean them after each range session, and wipe them down on a maintenance schedule.

I bought all three, OTD for around $1200. The GI models were consecutively numbered (nice bonus there.) I use Chip McCormick magazines in them, besides the factory ones, and there have been absolutely no issues.

Excellent value, a quality product right out of the box.

 

[Usmc-1]

So basically what you guys are saying is that these "budget" 1911's are excellent buys , thats really good news , because I cant really shell out the big money for the Colts, Kimbers, Springfields,SW,SIGs , I think I will be pretty happy with one of these guns , I really want a Stainless though !

 

[BHP FAN]

these are BallesterMolinas...I paid $250.00 for one, and $400.00 [more recently] for the other...

 

[SpentCasing]

RIA Tactical (better sights than GI model, only a few bucks more)

 

[GZOh]

YES... these 'budget' 1911s ARE excellent buys. Don't think you'd go wrong with either a RIA or ATI as your 'entry' 1911.
Also, I would definitely ditto Ronsch... Get some CHIP McCORMICK Power Mags for your 1911s... that's all I use and they'll feed anything.
Sometimes the stock mags can be fussy with JHP ammo and some ball ammo.

 

[rondog]

I have three RIA's, and have to resist the urges to buy more. They offer a 9mm Tactical now, and I'ma wantin' me one.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

i'd get a springfield armory champion GI before any of those you listed. they're around $550

it's 4inches, rather than the "commander length" of 4.25 inches, if that matters.

 

[DogLegArms]

Nice to hear people owning multiple RIA and ATI 1911's. That makes me more confident in the brand to go and purchase one.

 

[rondog]

Go to any of the 1911 forums and ask about RIA's there, most of those folks love 'em too.

 

[ISO1600]

I've got an American Classic full length GI model that has been wonderful.

IMG_3511 by Chris.jpg, on Flickr

 

[Supertac45]

I found this interesting, http://www.armytimes.com/offduty/technology/offduty-gear-scout-pimp-your-1911-060611w/

 

[bdb benzino]

They are all good, but Metro Arms American Classic is head and shoulders above of the rest.

 

[nearmiss]

I have a Rock Island Tac that has been a great gun. I have yet to find a bullet type or brand that it wont feed, or a magazine it wont feed from. It goes bang every time and puts the bullet right where I aim it. The factory trigger is better than in 1911s that I paid twice the money for.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

I have an American Classic II 5" that has been 100% reliable. I paid $450 for it and it is worth every penny.

 

[Hunterdad]

Take a look at the Regent 1911's. Mine has been nothing but reliable and is the most accurate handgun i've shot

 

[newbuckeye]

+1 for the ATI. I think it shoots better than my Sig 1911......

 

[RightCoastBiased]

I really like the idea of the Rock Island 1911s, glad to know several of you have good things to say about them. I am considering picking one up, but I really do not like the grips on them.

What are some good checkered darker wood grips to replace the stock ones? I suppose that question is in general to 1911s, but I am not sure of reputable manufactures.

 

[nearmiss]

You'll find any grip you want on Ebay. Just make sure you get the right size, there are more options for the gvmt (full size) frame, but quite a few for the officers frame too.
I had these on mine for a while, the other side is checkered w/o the finger grooves.


Now it looks like this.

 

[RightCoastBiased]

Nice looking gun in both pics. I like the black grips, it makes the gun look especially evil.

 

[Usmc-1]

I really like the fact that there are "budget" 1911's out there and the quality is pretty darned good! Thats great news for those of us who cant afford Kimbers,Colts,Les Baer or Wilsons!

 

[Smaug]

If you're looking at budget 1911s, don't forget Para

Mine has been great, and is better equipped than a comparably priced Springfield Armory.

Model: GI Expert. The finish appears to be a powdercoat instead of parkerizing. It comes with two stainless 8 round mags, both sights are dovetailed in, and nice tight construction.





I've shot two action pistol matches with it. The first time, when I borrowed some bad mags, it jammed quite a lot. With the factory mags and Chip McCormick mags, it is flawless.

I changed out the plastic grips for Hogue wrap-arounds, and I'm thinking of upgrading the sight to adjustable, but that's all. It was $550. I think Bud's has them for even less.

If you're not dead set on the 1911 platform, consider a CZ 97B. Those who have them say they'll shoot alongside 1911s costing 3X as much. I've got one on the way. I paid $500 lightly used. New, they'll be $550-600 I think. I'm looking forward to the 10 round capacity and less mag-changing during competition. (I don't like the protruding 10-rounders for 1911s)

Para built their name on double stack 1911s; you might consider one of those also. (parausa.com, I believe)