buying a 1911 for my birthday

[HelterSkelter]

so it will be my birthday in a few months and i want a 1911. i don't know too much about the different 1911's and their manufacturers so i came here. i have a few requirements and was wondering if you guys could name a few 1911's that met them.

first it needs to be solidly built, no loose parts and it's not going to fall apart from shooting a few thousand times. i looked at a few 1911s at a local gun shop and a lot had a safety on the back of the grip and it was fairly loose, when your shook it you could hear it, i did not like that.

second it needs to be 1200 or less.

third i would like a name brand like colt or kimber, it's not too important to me which brand, though i would prefer a colt just because, but i would like to stay away from the brands with reputations as cheap manufacturers such as taurus.

fourth i want a full sized 1911 not a compact, i like single action, i dunno if they come in single/double.

fifth i would prefer single stack for the clip, but if it's a realy nice double stack i wouldn't mind.

sixth please post a pic of the gun you are talking about.

 

[rellascout]

For about $700 the SA Range officer looks nice. Lots of positive reports on this one. TRP handling at a lower end price.

Colt Elite Combat is a solid choice. Should be about $900+shipping & Transfer.



Front and rear slide serrations
Checkered, double diamond, rosewood grips
Extended ambidextrous thumb safeties
Fixed sights
Enhanced hammer
New roll marking and enhanced tolerances
8 + 1 round capacity / .45 caliber
Single action

If you can stretch to $1300 OTD Look at the Dan Wesson RZ Heritage http://cz-usa.com/products/view/dan-wesson-rz-45-heritage/

 

[HelterSkelter]

that first one looks nice except for the trigger, looks like grooves :{.

i really like that colt though. nice looks and nice stats.

 

[Greg528iT]

the trigger, looks like grooves

Do you mean linear serations on the front pad? Yes the Springer RO should have lines cut in the front for grippyness on the trigger finger. The Colt should be the same. Actually most triggers are that way.

I can't beat the above recomendations. I own 3 Springfields and love them. I looked at a Colt 2 weeks ago, it was sweet. Luckily I've not held a Dan Wesson yet. I might not be able to resist.

 

[HelterSkelter]

most 1911s have grooves on the trigger? i thought they were smooth. i actually have a spot on my trigger finger that gets blisters/torn open every time i go to the range because of sharp edged/grooved triggers.

 

[38 Super Fan]

http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Trojan5.0/Trojan50.php

STIs Trojan is worth consideration, you can pick one up for $1000. Quite possibly the best 1911 available in that price range.

 

[rellascout]

Also if you are willing to get a LNIB used gun then you are almost in the Les Baer range....

 

[Greg528iT]

Some grooves are deeper than others. I've sanded mine down a bit, but you still want some grip. I've seen a few smooth faced triggers, but for as eas as it is to sand/ file / replace the trigger, I'd not let that affect the rest of the gun. I've been toying the last week in getting a flat faced trigger.. someone here LOVES them. They look kinda cool

 

[FullEffect1911]

I have a Springfield Range Officer. I can tell you it's a lot of gun for the money. I have owned quite a few lower end Springfields and the RO is quite a bit more refined. Actual hand fitting seems to have went into it which is something I didn't expect after owning mil specs and loaded models.

Be aware that the barrel is a NM and has a very short leade. Round nose profile bullets and most hollow points will feed fine, however bullets like the XTP and perhaps semi wadcutters will have to be loaded to a shorter OAL.

I'm not so sure about the adjustable sight, but it is a lot of gun for the money.

 

[rightside]

Should be able to pick up a slightly used TRP for $1000 or $1100 and call it a day. The STI is a good new option similar cost. Of course the Baer would be the best option (Semi Custom Gun) would need to spend a bit more though.

 

[Mayo]

See if somebody(sucker) is willing to sell their Ed Brown for $1,200

 

[Jed Carter]

I currently have 5 1911s, Colt, Springfield Armory, 2 SIGs and an STI Trojan, it is the best of the bunch. STI Would be my pick. Then SIG and S&W, not really 1911s they have external extractors, but they work great.

 

[rklessdriver]

I own the COLT Combat Elite (among many others).

It's a fine 1911 pistol. You get alot of gun for your $$$ with the Combat Elite. FORGED Frame and Slide, NM barrel, Novak sights, S&A beavertail.... IMO your not going to buy a better (or even comparable) pistol for under a grand (althou you can for slightly more).

When it comes to 1911's, COLT also offers something that (at any price) no other mfgr can.
Will

 

[Franco2shoot]

A friend of mine says that there's a new 1911 vendor on the street. Remington he claims has a 1911M that is really sweet. Haven't seen it myself. Anyone else want to weigh in on this model?

KKKKFL

 

[rellascout]

People seem to like them... I have not seen one in person.

Features of the 1911 R1 include:

5″ Barrel
Satin black oxide metal finish
Carbon steel frame and slide
Flared and lowered ejection port
Sights, dovetail front and rear, 3 dot
Double diamond walnut wood grips
Weight 38.5 ounces
Capacity 7 + 1
Two 7-shot magazines supplied
Shipped in custom carrying case

 

[Zerodefect]

most 1911s have grooves on the trigger? i thought they were smooth. i actually have a spot on my trigger finger that gets blisters/torn open every time i go to the range because of sharp edged/grooved triggers.

Dremel tool can fix everything!

You just gave me another idea to grind into my Kimber! Thanks.

 

[ekgandj]

If you are wanting the most for your money you have to at least look at the GI Expert by para. Complete series 80 and it is the best 1911 I tried for the money. Beside what you are wanting to spend you could get a couple of them.

Sent from iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rellascout]

If you are wanting the most for your money you have to at least look at the GI Expert by para. Complete series 80 and it is the best 1911 I tried for the money. Beside what you are wanting to spend you could get a couple of them.

I do not mean to be rude but Para is not up to par with the majority of the 1911s mentioned in this thread. They have a long history of QC issues. If you have one that shoots that is great but I personally would never recommend them .

 

[MICHAEL T]

I 2nd the para not in the class My only Para was nothing but trouble.

For the money just buy a Colt .Can't think of a better way in your price range to start,

 

[HelterSkelter]

i found a colt like the one pictured in teh first reply for 800 bucks. it's on lay away awaiting my birthday

 

[rkammer]

Good choice. Every 1911 lover should have at least one Colt. If you don't like the serrated trigger, try a smooth one from Harrison Designs. I really like it on my Series 80 Combat Commander.

 

[skoro]

please post a pic of the gun you are talking about

Colt Government



I predict happiness.

 

[ekgandj]

I totally understand that Para has had its issues. So has many others, Colt, winchester, etc... I personally would not own some of the older Para models either, but you need to give the Expert a try. I have 500 plus rounds through it and the only ftf was with a cheap Promag. How can you go wrong when most of the parts on it are straight from the original, including the barrel.

Savage had issues and was almost out of business when they reorganized and came out with the accutrigger, and found away to mass produce rifles with 1MOA out of the box. Who knows what is down the road for Para, but I know if you scoff at this handgun then you are only looking at the name, who knows this may be their come back.

 

[HelterSkelter]

yeah yeah, i didn't follow my own instructions and post a pic, but there was already one posted so .

i was looking at the gi expert, but decided on the colt since i figured i would end up buying a better 1911 anyway so might as well just buy the better one first and then not worry about having to get another one.