Good 1911

[Jipps]

I'm thinking about buying a 1911 for my next handgun. I have shot a Kimber 1911 Olympic match grade, but have not shot any others. Does anyone have recommendations for a good gun? I'm a college student so anything over 1000 is definitely out of my price range, but I still want to get a good gun. Most of the 1911's I have seen have been 1200 plus, anyone know a good one for less than 1000?

 

[Quadkid]

Springfield makes a good 1911 at a very reasonable price. If you want a solid 1911 I would look at their GI or Mil-Spec models. Both are under $800. The first gun i bought was a used Sprinfield Standard (from what I can tell its an older Mil-Spec type model) and its been flawless for me.

 

[Wolfpack43]

Springfield is a quality piece and will not break your bank. I agree with Quadkid.

 

[Kingofthehill]

You could pick up a used Springfield Loaded for 6-800 and its a fantastic pretty high end 1911.

JOe

 

[LancerMW]

+1 on the Springfield , the Loaded is a great gun

 

[EOD Guy in VA]

+1 for Springfield. I have the one at the link below. It is superb and one of the best triggers I've experienced. Cheaper, and maybe even better, than a Kimber. http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=24

 

[cyclopsshooter]

anything but rock island and dont buy a used 1911 unless you know what to look for- for some reason a lot of guys think it takes a dremel grinding wheel to polish a feed ramp...

 

[Quadkid]

It is superb and one of the best triggers I've experienced. Cheaper, and maybe even better, than a Kimber

The first one i tested at a range was a Kimber, the second was a Springfield, and I agree with this. The Springfield just felt like it was a better quality build. The Kimber wasnt nearly as tight in the clearances. But this could be due to them being rentals and maybe the Kimber was older.

dont buy a used 1911 unless you know what to look for- for some reason a lot of guys think it takes a dremel grinding wheel to polish a feed ramp...

theres a link to a good guide over at 1911forum.com ... http://www.coolgunsite.com/buying/buying.htm

 

[M&PVolk]

Abandon the 1911 and go with a CZ instead...more bang for your buck.

 

[gunnie]

even if you aren't well versed in 1911, meeting with a private seller at a local range will answer any reliability questions. i have higher quality 1911's, midrange 1911's, and also the aforementioned rock island armory GI type, i haven't had any complaints about it....

other than smallish military sights and less-than-match-grade accuracy, any of the no frills military grade "1911" named models from colt, springfield, rock island will do the job they were designed for a century ago. and with their looser tolerances, they will do quite well in reliability after extended shooting without lube/cleaning.

after you get outta school, save up for whatever melts your butter. but a plain vanilla boxcar is nothing to look down your nose at.

gunnie

 

[Oro]

If I went through my 1911 ownership/experiences and had to say which ones gave the best "bang for the buck" - it's universally the Colts. And current production (say, post 2000, so used qualifies) Colts are excellent pieces, as good as ever produced, and better in some ways.

Older Kimbers were very good, but latter ones have lost the edge. I'd like to be fond of SA more, but the "foreign made" thing just makes me pause every time.

 

[gunnie]

Oro,

..."Running day count since last large bear encounter (updated weekly): 50"...

i assume this was a thread somewhere, pls expand! just give the link so we can avoid thread piracy.

thanx in advance,
gunnie

 

[chris in va]

RIA Tactical, ~$600.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

i agree with Oro 100%

 

[glocks rock]

How bout a Colt 70 series. You will prob want one some day anyway so go ahead and get it now. Not fancy but stone cold reliable and made of the best parts in the production class.

 

[atomd]

Colt makes a good gun but there's no way it's a "best bang for the buck" kind of gun. A similar Colt will cost over $200 more than a Springfield or $300 more than a RIA. Colt doesn't make a "value" gun. You buy a Colt because you appreciate Colts.

How bout a Colt 70 series. You will prob want one some day anyway so go ahead and get it now. Not fancy but stone cold reliable and made of the best parts in the production class.

I would say that Dan Wesson production 1911s are made from slightly better parts and fitted slightly better than Colt. I would also rate them a bit higher in overall fit and finish. They are close in price too. You can get a DW RZ45 for about $900 and a CBOB for $1000. A basic stainless Colt government is going for around $800 right now. That's pretty steep for a very basic 1911.

 

[revals]

I purchased the Rock Island Tactical and love it. You'll get a great 1911 plus a little extra cash to feed it.

 

[rightside]

+1 Springfield loaded, then start looking for ammo

 

[MICHAEL T]

Dan Wesson or Colt can't go wrong with either

 

[Taffnevy]

STI Trojan, great gun just under a grand.

 

[weisse52]

Colt! And yes they are a good gun for the money.
Quality parts, good resale value. And American made, and the orginal.

 

[Oro]

Colt makes a good gun but there's no way it's a "best bang for the buck" kind of gun

When I factor in the fact it needs no modification, shoots well, and works out of the box without resort to warranty and tweaking, and it has far fewer MIM parts than Kimber or SA, it definitely is a "best bang for the buck" kind of gun. If you are the kind of buyer who looks only at purchase price and not at what it's going to cost to get it "right," then you won't be able to see this.

. A similar Colt will cost over $200 more than a Springfield or $300 more than a RIA. Colt doesn't make a "value" gun.

My last Colt was $600 flat (2007 1991 Commander) this spring. I call that value, and well worth the small premium over a Kimber or foreign-made Springfield models with welded barrels and lots of MIM. I call it "value."

From people close to the industry, what I understand is the big problem facing Colt right now is that they sell every gun they make - they can't get ahead of demand to put guns on shelves for stocking.

 

[G.A.Pster]

Norinco, very good steel, not that powder other companies use now.
but hard to find nowadays unless you live in Canada.

Don’t be dissuaded because it’s Chinese, they make good guns.

 

[Oro]

..."Running day count since last large bear encounter (updated weekly): 50"...

i assume this was a thread somewhere, pls expand! just give the link so we can avoid thread piracy.

Hey gunnnie,

No, there was nothing 'special about that one and no unique post. I made the sig line because there's always running "bear gun" debates on the forum, so I thought I'd just throw in some facts to counter the armchair shooters.

I see a few bears each year. It's always special and neat - I don't want to pull a gun, and yet never have had to.

 

[loop]

I agree with the Nork. Best gun for the money out there.

But, I would not recommend it for a novice. For that person, buy a Colt. At least then you have a chance at not losing about 20 to 40 percent of your investment as soon as you walk out the door.

Oh, did I forget to mention they usually go boom when you pull the trigger. That they are the first and longest makers of the 1911. Or that Colt is the standard to which all others are judged.

NM, get a Rock Island...

More Colts for me!