First 1911

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jschroed

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I'm ready to buy my first 1911. I "think" I have it narrowed down to these 3:

Metro Arms American Classic II

Rock Island Tactical

Springfield Range Officer

The first two I listed can be had for around $500 or less, the Range Officer is going to be in the $750-800 range. Is the RO worth the extra $$ or would I be fine buying one of the cheaper ones.

The gun will be mainly used for informal target shooting. Your Thoughts...
 
I would also consider the STI Spartan. They are about $625 and are a solid choice between the lower end RIA and the Range Officer.

I personally do not think you get more from the Range Officer for you additional $$$.
 
If you can spend $750-$800, get a Springfield Loaded. Out of the ones you mentioned, it's hard to beat the RI Tactical. I have some of the higher end 1911's, and to say that $500 gun will do everything they will kinda sticks in my craw but it does. The factory mag on mine is junk, fed jammed on me in the first 8 rounds. After I put in a Wilson mag in it, I couldn't get it to jam. It ate everything I put in it.
 
The Ruger SR1911 kicks the dog squeeze out of Philippine-made RIAs and Metros. It's 100-percent built in the USA, tough, tight and accurate. The Ruger can also be had for less than the Brazilian-made Springfield RO. You should be able to find the Ruger for $700.
 
The Ruger SR1911 kicks the dog squeeze out of Philippine-made RIAs and Metros. It's 100-percent built in the USA, tough, tight and accurate. The Ruger can also be had for less than the Brazilian-made Springfield RO. You should be able to find the Ruger for $700.
Click to expand...

The Ruger has not been out long enough for people to make the claims I see on here everyday about it. I bet most people recommeding it have not even seen one in real life let alone shot enough rounds through it to justify an opinion beyond what it looks like.

It may end up that the Ruger is the best of the bunch at under $700 but at this time IMHO it is too early to make that claim vs other guns like RIA, STI Spartan, Springfields etc... who all have longer track records.
 
I have a Metro Arms Classic II that has been excellent. Accurate and 100% reliable.
Highly recommended for the price.
As far as the Ruger goes, I will agree with Rellascout. It hasn't been on the market long enough to be a proven performer.
 
I am not knocking the Ruger the one I saw looked good and there have been a lot of positive reports I just have a hard time saying its the best of the bunch until there are 50,000+ in the hands of consumers instead of gun reviewers who make their living praising guns. :cool:

I think the metro arms finishes are better than the RIAs. At least on the few I have seen. I am not a budget 1911 guy but I often kick around the idea of getting one to work on so I can work on my gunsmithing skills which are lacking. LOL
 
The sights are a big deal to me.

The Springfield Range Officer and the STI Spartan come with adjustable sights. Some folks like them and if that is what you want, they are both good choices.

Most 1911 don't come with adjustable sights. If you find you don't like the adjustable sights (or you find they break all the time) on the Range Officer or Spartan there are very few replacement options because the slide is cut differently than on a fixed sight gun. It is tough to put metal back on the slide. A fixed sight gun will give you a lot more options and will be more durable along with comfortable if you decide you want to conceal carry the pistol.
 
I have both a Ruger SR1911 and a Springfield The Springfield is a micro compact not quite in the same league as the Range officer but I can tell you the Ruger is a far better gun out of the box than that little GI I sunk a Good little amount of money in the Springfield to make it run right. The Ruger got new grips and a new trigger for cosmetic reasons only!
 
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If you wanrt a full sized pistol

Don't rule out the Taurus. There a re a lot of haters out there but it is a great gun. The one big complaint seems to be customer service. I don't know about that because both the guns I have have been flawless, wish I could say that about my Kimbers. I have two Rock Islands as well and they are a good deal but waaay behind the Taurus in features and quality. In the $750 range I would also take a look at the S&W enhanced, if you can find one.:)
 
Remington 1911R1

Over the last 35 years I have owned a number of Colt 1911(s) in about every variation made. As an LEO, I have carried them. At various times, I have found my self getting heavy into the 1911 shooting and then my interest would take off into other areas and I would eventually wind up selling them (blasphemy).

Something about the 1911 always called me back though.

I am particularly fond of the Colt Government Model. I recently started looking for a Series 70 in like new condition and was I ever floored by the sticker shock.

I started looking around to see what was available and came across the new Remington 1911R1. I picked one of these up for $539 ~ havn't got to shoot it yet, but, so far I like what I see. I'll post a range report in a couple of days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjPgGWCp7Kc
 
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JTQ said:
The sights are a big deal to me.

The Springfield Range Officer and the STI Spartan come with adjustable sights. Some folks like them and if that is what you want, they are both good choices.

Most 1911 don't come with adjustable sights. If you find you don't like the adjustable sights (or you find they break all the time) on the Range Officer or Spartan there are very few replacement options because the slide is cut differently than on a fixed sight gun. It is tough to put metal back on the slide. A fixed sight gun will give you a lot more options and will be more durable along with comfortable if you decide you want to conceal carry the pistol.
Click to expand...

The Springfield uses the LPA cut for the rear. You're right that there are fewer options, but Harrison makes a very good rear sight for LPA cut Springfields. It has a cocking shoulder for one-handed use if you find yourself in that situation. Here's one on my RO.

SAROHEDDPT800600.jpg

My RO review
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=578842

My Harrison review
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=581373

The RO is more accurate out of the box than the Ruger, largely because it was put together as an entry level match pistol. The Ruger is more general purpose, which is fine, too.
 
Depending on you budget and how much you are going to shoot all the ones you named will probably work just fine. I have the AC ll and have been please with the quality and finish of the weapon. I definitely like the finish better than a non-blued 1911. I was in Houston a few months ago and was talking to some LEOs who wanted to see the ACll. They were not familiar with the American classic at all but were contemplating a much higher priced 1911. Long story short when I left they had both said they were getting the AC ll. For those who have handled and or shot the AC ll most are impressed enough to pick one or two up for their individual uses. Are they a Kimber or Ed Brown; no way Jose, but do 99% work out of the box Yep.....or so I have been told by those who own them. I did read a thread here on THR about someone who got a bad one. He said the barrel rifling was bad and after a few shots his front sight fell off!! If he would have shot it more it would have probably urinated on his hand!??

The only thing I did with mine was put a Crimsontrace laser grip on it and ordered a couple of extra mags. No problems so far but have only shot around 500 rounds of various brands of ammo through it in the last year. I did not purchase the pistol to shoot 1000 rounds a week through it but did get it for night stand and car duty. Works for me and I should shoot it more but other choices with cheaper ammo have been taking up my time. I just purchased 100 rounds of Federal 230 gr FMJ 45acp from Walmart and paid $16.97 per box of 50 for plinking and range ammo.
 
I agree with Rellascout, too soon to tell if the Ruger is any good, only time will tell. Sub $700, STI would be my choice for a first 1911. Sub $1000, SIG, S&W, Colt make some good 1911s, but STI has 2 of the best 1911s for under 1K. Spartan and Trojan, they work. I received a Trojan 9mm in Sept 2010, put nearly 7000 rounds down range in practice and IPSC matches, not a single problem.
 
I am in the process of buying a 1911 as well.
I narrowed my choice down to the American Classic II.

RIAs looked good & I really liked the Remington, but didn't see that they had any "features" lacking on the ACII.
And the ACII was $125 & $150 cheaper respectively.

The only thing negative I read or heard about the ACII is that supposedly it has very thick grips.
I planned to change the grips no matter which one I got.
 
Get the American Classic. I've had 5 1911s. The American Classic 2 is the first one I've had that is perfect right out the box. Accuracy, reliability, fit, and finish are superb. I don't know what I would have gotten any better for any more money.
 
I give a +1 for Taurus.... :)

I just recently bought the 1911BHW....nice 1911 (MO)

As far as customer service I cannot complain at all! My slide stop broke and Taurus had me a new one in 3 days!

The pistol has functioned perfect.....no FTFeed,FTEject,FTFire!
Dead on Sweet Shooting Pistol....Quite a few Nice features incl. Novak Sights and Walnut Grips, that I agree with CZ223...and that was $624 incl. $24 shipping. (GunBroker)

I installed a Swenson Extended from Midway ($22) on it which I like very much! I also have the Ed Brown, And Wilson Combat Hardcore! and of course the factory replacement

I also agree with "relascout"... On the Ruger! I like what I see.. I just want to see some time and a track record. I feel sure I will have one in the future, but Im just letting the new wear off!

Have not even held an RIA yet? I like the S&W mentioned here, but still see my Taurus as the better value. (MO) ;)
 

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I want to echo what everyone else is saying about the Metro Arms American Classic II. Mine has been amazing, smoother and better fit & finish than my old Springfeild Armory Loaded model I had.
 
If you are considering the $700 plus range I would consider a Colt. Below that, the American Classic II.
 
Rock Islands have a good trigger and I do like the balance of the various models I have been able to shoot. I just do not like their finish when compared to the AC 2.. Just a mater of choice.
 
Thanks for all the posts. I need to look at each model again along with a few others and go with what feels right.
 
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