Cheap 1911

[.45Ruger]

I have decided to get a new 1911. This will NOT be a carry piece, simply a range/plinking gun. That said i don't think I want to spend $800 or more. Just curious about some of the lower end 1911's like Charles Dailey, or Lama. Any infor would also be appreciated. I was also considering a Hi-Power, again not as a carry gun so I think FEG makes one fairly cheap, how are they? THanks

 

[Shmackey]

Before you buy a Daly or (especially) a lllllama, look into a Sistema Colt. If you have to have a third-tier 1911, I've heard better things about Rock Island than about Daly (and certainly better than llllllllama).

 

[Gerald McDonald]

I suspect quality control with CD to be hit or miss. I have heard a few complaints but have two customers who both think they are great beater guns. Both guys have owned quit a few different 1911's (one has more variations of gold cups and national match guns than I own firearms) and bought the CD's on a whim. One has about 1000 rounds thru it the other has well over 6000 at last count. The 6k gun cracked a bushing and a standard 1911 bushing wouldnt fit (dont remember what model CD it was) gun was still functioning just had a cracked bush.

You will have people tell you everything from give the CD a try to save your money for the next ten years (which means you will not be shooting anything) and buy a Ed Brown. If your are the kind of person who could give a thit less what people think of your pistol and are not into status guns, give it a try and let us know what you think. I'm starting to think about getting one.

Gerald

 

[10-Ring]

One of the nasitiest POS I've been around is the Llama! Stay away from that!!!
At $800 you should be able to get into a nice SA Mil Spec & have $$ left for ammo & range fees.

 

[Longbow]

I like my CD alot, I consider it to be one of my best buys ($380 OTD). I've cosidered a Sistema too, but its a C&R so the hardness, from what I've heard are kinda soft or uneven. Also, they are surplus weapons, so there's no telling how much ammo had been through it. If you're willing to spend near $800, I'll recommend a Kimber, Dan Wesson or the new S&W 1911. If you don't mind a double stack, I'de wait for the BUL M5 (base price starts at $650?). Good luck!

 

[dsk]

If you want a cheap yet semi-decent 1911, go for the Springfield Mil-Spec. Get a new extractor for it, though. You might also be able to find a slightly-used M1991A1 Colt for a good price, as lots of folks have been selling off their old ones in order to buy one of the newer polished, new-rollmark ones.

 

[Sprout]

Springfield Mil Specs are good guns. I really like the one I got my Dad--it's oodles of fun with a pair of lasergrips--and at < $500 it's a pretty good deal. Though I'm also a big fan of the Kimber Customs for a bit more change. Both good guns.

 

[makdaddy03]

Save and buy yourself a Springfield. Llama & Charles Daly suck.

 

[longeyes]

I've got nearly three thousand rounds through my Sistema. If you can find one for $300 I seriously doubt you're going to get a better deal on a real 1911. I've tweaked mine a bit but it was a shooter when it arrived.

 

[abdrdude]

Howdy.My advice would be to save your hard earned money a while longer and get a quality firearm.You might try an entry level Kimber (or similar quality brand of your choice).Even a used one.Cost is more,but they are made to last a lifetime.Personally,I am hesitant to forgo quality and safety unless the lower cost gun is all that you can afford.I got my Kimber Compact Stainless series 1 for $731.I have total faith in it and I also have peace of mind that it won't blow up in my face.Scott

 

[New_comer]

I am considering to get myself one of those Armscor/CD 40SW hi-cap 1911's as my standard IPSC gun for $390+. That or the Norinco NP-30 hicap 45's (which is ugly as heck, but toughest steel there is).

Four of my shooting buddies bought these at last year's gun show, and they're boringly reliable at our last shootaround. Gunsmiths and parts abound, not even considering the abundance of peer knowledge about the gun, which I think can tide me over any complication which may surface.

And to think that I'd probably be saving more than $500 over a P16-40, that is justification in itself.

 

[TarpleyG]

If you can't save the extra $$$ to get a Springfield Mil-spec, then I would recommend looking for a Norinco. All the parts are 1911 spec (except grip bushing threads) and can be interchanged/upgraded making it highly customizable. You can find them for ~$300 - $350.

GT

 

[PCRCCW]

There are lots of good guns for the $ range youve specified. S/A's, Kimbers and used colts will be all in your range...........

Norincos, Dalys and RIA's are very good for the $ and the odds are youll get a good gun youll like........Ive owned a Kimber and shot about everything else...inc. my fathers Les Baer......

A couple of the Dalys and RIA's Ive shot were as nice as any gun Ive picked up..................

So much for comments like this "Save and buy yourself a Springfield. Llama & Charles Daly suck."

I even saw a Llama Id be proud to own......If you didnt know it was a Llama yould sware it was a top of the line Custom........
Its rare but they are out there............................

shoot well

 

[Art Eatman]

I've been meddling with 1911s for a long time, so there aren't many mysteries as far as "messin' with the innards". My preference, generally, is to find an old, rusty clunker and do some rebuilding...

I picked up a Sistema, 1934 version, in excellent condition for $400. I haven't worked it over yet, but I ran a couple of mag's worth of SWCs through it as fast as I could shoot, and it functioned just fine.

In the FWIW department, it seems to me that the various non-Colt brands are somewhat spotty. The comments here and back at TFL indicate mostly good quality, but definitely some lemons. Price and general reputation don't seem to matter.

So, I stay with Series 70 and older. USGI "clunkers", etc. They're just too easy to work on that I'd want to pay somebody else's high price.

, Art

 

[45auto]

If you have time you may be able to find a Springfield loaded for a "tad" over $600. Good buy IMO. If you just need to stay below $800, I would go for the Springfield without question.

I have looked at Daly, and they don't look bad on the outside.
I think it was selling for around the $430 area. For a "foolin" around range gun it might be okay from what I read. Perhaps it will even surprise you.
If that sounds like a recommendation, it isn't. I have never taken one apart or shot one. But, I must admit it made me look twice because of the price and appearance.

Good luck

 

[Bren]

Avoid Llamma and CD and find a Norinco or used Springer.

For a BHP style pistol, the FEG and Arcus are fine and well worth $220 NIB!

 

[The Kidd]

OK, my $.02, since you've asked. If you have $800 to spend you can buy TWO Llamas, spare mags, holsters and a thousand rounds of Wolf .45 to shoot through them at the range. While shooting you will find that they function perfectly, have the same 'feel' as a 1911 and don't require a lot of 'fussing'. Oh, the external extractor is not Colt. They have small sights that I prefer.

You will find a lot of folks knocking the brand. Most of them have never fired one. I have never heard a bad word about them from anybody who has one (at least that I know personally and can report of firsthand). I have two. I love them. I also have a Kimber Custom II I love it, but, if I'd bought the Llamas first I may never had spent that much for a pistol. I think you at least owe yourself a look at one.

 

[NevadaPistolero]

LLamas are junk, they dont take standard 1911 parts. CD is garbage also, I can say that because Ive owned both...looked great but thats it. Springfield Armory has a decent line up....look at their Xtreme Duty pistols. Dont waste your money on crap guns, its not worth it in the long run.

 

[XavierBreath]

Take a long hard look at the springfields. The mil-spec is probably the best entry level 1911 dollar for dollar out there right now. Rumor has it that springfield will be putting out their own GI version in July though, you may want to wait a month.

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=426525

 

[Handy]

The Sistema seems like a good option - like an old Colt.

Same with Norinco (though my brother's was a little funky).

I wonder about the Kahr built Auto Ordance pistols - might be a decent bet, and they're actually built in the states, if it isn't perfect right off.


If you are willing to go to non-1911 standard parts (like in the Llama), maybe the Ballesto-Molina pistol would fit the bill. Uses same barrel and mags, no grip safety and hammer blocking safety (an upgrade). Very cheap surplus gun.


Or if you feel like tinkering, buy an Essex frame for $90 and a bag of parts from one of the companies in the back of Gunlist. No customer service dept. to run to - unless a specific part is obviously bad, but it will cost you less than $300 and be a fun little project. Seems like no more of a crap shoot than a Daly.

 

[Mr. Black]

LLama-no, no, NOOOOOO!!!!!!!! I rember one brand new officers at the range one night. Looks like a monkey carved it out of a hunk of pig iron, awful-so bad it got taken back (wouldn't even hold the mag in it)

However, norinco's seem perty good if you can find one.

CD's are hit or miss. Shot one yesterday that was more accurate than my SA.

I hear good things about the cheap BHP's. They look good.

 

[Specialized]

Lots Of Good Ideas...

You might want to check out

http://www.gunsamerica.com

for their Springfields -- they have page after page of them, most under $700, many under $500, new in box. A solid-performing gun for the money, and without all the Brady hardware (Swartz, Series-80, etc safeties). A few tips:

1. If you want to lessen the trigger pull on an SA gun, or if you don't like the integrated lock, you can change out the MSH and it's gone. There are no more parts to it anywhere else on the gun.

2. SA's customer service is, if my experiences are any indication, among the best in the industry.

3. If I'm not mistaken, SA's 1911's are guaranteed for life.

Hope this helps -- good luck!

Specialized