First 1911... So many choices...

[SteelManCM]

+1 for RIA.

Hammerhead, RIA has a lifetime warranty. For the life of the gun, not for the original purchaser.

 

[nearmiss]

The factory trigger in my RIA breaks very consistently at about 2 ounces over 4 lbs.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

That's something I found out about eight months after selling the Armscor. Another reason to buy new, they probably have the warranty papers in the box.

 

[petrey10]

ttt for more help!!!


I am looking at the Springfield Milspec but are the sights fixed? Could I changed them later if I wanted? The RIA is a dovetail sight so I should be able to easily change it out later...

 

[SSN Vet]

but are the sights fixed

Most handgun sights are, and for good reason.

Is there any particular reason why you feel you need to have adjustable sights.

 

[bigflash1]

Add another +1 for RIA. User the extra cash for reloading gear. You could go Lee turret press and still be <$700. My compact RIA goes with me everywhere. It's that reliable!

 

[petrey10]

i just figured fixed sights would be harder to switch out later if I wanted... i am new to this guys

 

[thehootman]

As a 1911 gunsmith and builder for over 20 years now, the Armscor tool and die setup in the Philippines seems to be the closest to the original Colt that I have ever seen. Ivan and Darnell in Nevada are also great guys to work with. I just put 300 rounds of Tulammo .45 caliber steel cased ammo that Wal Mart is selling through one of their guns with out a hitch. Got it so hot that I could not put my hand on it too. Great shooting irons if you like 1911's.

 

[petrey10]

alright well sounds like I should just get the RIA Tactical and buy the reloader and be set


thanks guys!

 

[skiwi]

I would take a look at the STI Spartan
http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Spartan/Spartan.php

This can be had around $650

Another option would be a used Kimber for around $800

 

[Stringfellow]

I just snagged an RIA Tactical, and couldn't be happier for the money. There is no better way to get a "taste" of the 1911 experience. You may eventually trade up for some of the higher-priced brands that certainly bring better fit 'n finish, pride of ownership, and perhaps performance. Or you may be perfectly happy with what you spent vs. what you received.

Also note for perspective, that the STI Spartan that people speak so highly of is actually made by Armscor, but with some STI parts and tweeks.

 

[thedriver101]

Just about any stock Colt will do. At your price range, you'd be dealing with basic stock models anyways. Best of all, they're made in the US of A. 700 seems to be the border between imports (even the Springfield is an import, albeit a good one) and domestics. Nothing against foreign 1911's, but if it were my 1911 that I were to eventually customize I'd like a good old American 1911.

Oh, and the Colt won't lose too much value.

 

[Leaky Waders]

I like colt.

"RIA has a lifetime warranty. For the life of the" company, "not for the original purchaser." - fixed it for you...

 

[RH45]

Although I prefer higher end 1911s like Ed Brown, Wilson, Les Baer and STI, most of them aren't in the price range that you are looking in. (I also own Colt, Kimber, and Springfield)

In the price range you are looking in, I'd go with an STI Spartan. Even though it started out as an Armscor, STI backs them up, and their customer service is top notch!

Also, out of the less expensive 1911s, I think there are more Spartans used in USPSA and IDPA than the rest. If they are getting thousands of rounds through them a month, and holding up, that alone should tell you something.

 

[robctwo]

I have a Springfield loaded. I did some mods on the internals.

Getting an entry level gun and a reloader is a good idea. I bought the LnL from Hornady. If you are shooting pistol, the progressive is the way to go. A buddy bought the Lee progressive. Not good. He upgraded to Hornady after a few years, regretted the lost Lee years. Some folks think you need single stage to learn. Not so. You can make one bullet at a time until you understand the press, then make 5 at a time, 200-300 per hour.

I have a few .45 1911s and one 9mm. The 9mm is a great gun. RIA has them in 9mm. Mine is a Les Baer. You don't sound ready for that much $ in a gun. I know I wasn't for the first 5 or 6 years.

I discovered something about guns and reloading. If my ammo costs about 1/3 to make, or even 1/2 to make, I have real savings to apply to gun purchases. I've been reloading since 2004. I've run about 140,000 through my LnL. All my guns purchased since the press paid for itself have been free, and I've bought a few! The more I shoot, the more I save, the more guns I can buy.

Another good idea is to buy a .22 top for your 1911. I like the Ciener Platinum.

Here's my SA with both slides.

.45 slide


.22 slide


The change out takes a couple minutes. 200 .45 and 500 .22 will give you a long range session and will improve your shooting quickly.

 

[petrey10]

I am already reloading 25-06 and 12 ga shells so I got the process down... and yes a progressive will be bought... that I am dead set on...

I just keep going back and forth on whether to get the RIA Tactical or the STI Spartan

 

[FLAvalanche]

Go with the RIA Tactical you will extremly happy with it. I love mine, carry it often and trust it with my life.

 

[ocharry]

Springfield,,,,and NEVER look back


ocharry

 

[Finprof]

Colt Gold Cup

It is a bit more than the $700 you are expecting to pay, but you can get a pristine 70 series Gold Cup for about $900. Mine came with a match-grade trigger, but I don't know if the previous owner did it or it came from the facotry like that. It not only shoots well, it has the pretty Colt blue finish.
It is more money, but you won't have to pay for any upgrades. I haven't had the desire to touch mine or than switiching to a .22 conversion every now and then.

 

[Quack]

something that I could "customize" down the road

these would be my choices to fit that criteria.
Springfield mil-spec
Colt
Remington R1 (which is what i chose for my project gun)

but for about $700 you can get a Springfield Range Officer. they go for $699-$749 in my area.

 

[1Deernut]

Another vote for Springfield. I like my Kimber and Colt as well. I have no experience with RIA, but have heard good things.

 

[Tacoma]

You should be able to find a stainless S&W 1911 lightly used for $600 or so and a new one for just a few hundred more. I have two and have to say they shoot as well as my tuned Colt Gold Cup. Fit, finish and performance are top notch in my experience. Additionally they come all tweaked up with the mods you would want to do for reliability and comfort anyway.

 

[petrey10]

i am a Remington man... is it your standard 1911 frame?

 

[Quack]

yes. it's an 80 Series.

here's what it looked like stock (except fot the trigger)


here's what my Project R1 looks at the moment:

 

[1Deernut]

"yes. it's an 80 Series." referring to the Colt 80 series firing pin/block, right?