Looking For a 1911

[Jed Carter]

So not true... the STI is a nice gun the Baer is hard fit

, I may be giving too much credit to the average STI Trojan, mine was hand fit through their Custom Shop, and it did cost more than $999. My STI pistol is very capable of sub 3" groups at 50 yds, I am not. Still want the Baer.

 

[Adam123]

I don't have one, but if I was going to spend that kind of money on a 1911, I would take a serious look at the STI Spartan along with the two mentioned in the poll. I've heard a lot of good things about it.

 

[iblong]

Id go with the RO.Mines been flawless and I have not found anything it wont feed.Unlike my Colt XSE.The Ruger May be great but For me It would need to be out for a while before I bought one.

 

[PRM]

I have over the last 30 years only owned Colt 1911s. Sort of summed up what a 1911 is to me. Sold my last one a couple of years ago.

Something about a 1911 always calls you back. I recently bought a Remington 1911 R1. Wow!!! Is all I can say. This gun has been flawless as far as shooting out of the box. Accuracy is tops for a basic 1911 with a few essential upgrades.

Better than any of my previous Colts in stock configuration. In fairness, it does comes with a SS bushing, match barrel, beveled magazine well, lowered ejection port, and three dot sight system as standard features. Something that was after market on my older Colts.

I bought mine off of Gun Broker for $539. From what I have seen, mid $550s to the low $600s seems to be a going price. It definitely will not break the bank.

I talked some of the factory reps and was told that the frames and slides are made in Ilion, NY, with some of the smaller parts sub-contracted. The guns are built at the NY facility.

This is one top shelf 1911 at a very affordable price.

 

[Broker]

IMHO, Kimber. There are a few Kimbers available within your budget. Forged frame & slide, American made. Yes, it's important to me that Americans are working at the Kimber factory. SA is forged, but imported from Brazil, Ruger is American made, but cast frame & slide, still that would be my second choice. STI is another to consider. Given a choice, I will ALWAYS buy American made over imported, just my two cents. Edit to add: I must have owned every bad Colt that ever left the factory, never aagain will I own one! I suppose I have a mental block about 'em, when I think 1911, Colt does not even enter my mind. In all fairness, I haven't bought a Colt in 25 years, MAYBE they have improved. IMHO, they're way overpriced, hard to find, needs work straight out of the box, etc, etc...............

 

[csa77]

since you mention its mainly gonna be for target shooting, why not a kimber stainless target. its in you price range and they are incredibly accurate

 

[Axel Larson]

I have a Para GI Expert and I like that not bad for the money either. Although if you have the money go for a STI.

 

[Jonah71]

I'm a Colt kool-aid drinker myself, that said id pick the Springer. For me the Ruger hasn't been out long enough to prove itself. Besides I've shot a SA range officer and it was pretty nice. I've actually been looking for one in .38 super for building another match gun.

I get nervous buying new models myself. I like to wait until they've been out awhile, at least long enough to get some reliable reviews and feedback. I ignored this recently ahd bought CZ's first poly frame pistol. (SP 01 Phantom) So far so good> I really want the new Ruger 1911, but it's not quite the same situation. With a few minor changes in the slide the CZ is still the same basic design of the 75 B with the only real difference being the frame. The Ruger however is new through and through. I can't afford it right now anyway but I do hope Ruger has a winner here.

 

[Skylerbone]

Firstly the Ruger slide is not cast, it is machined from bar stock. Secondly, raise your hand if you've ever outlasted a cast frame...waiting.

That said, ask yourself "What would J.C. shoot?". Jed Carter's answer: STI Spartan, adjustable sights, good internals, $625 at Bud's Gunshop and in stock.

You'll have 20% of your budget to spend on ammo or that next 1911. Someone here with a Springfield GI post a pic of your VIS and tell us again about the finish and attention to detail.

 

[Armed012002]

I vote for Colt too, but you'd have to raise your budget to $920 plus FFL transfer for a XSE Government.

Colts are typically out of stock everywhere, so you'll have to wait your turn in line on buying one unfortunately. Buying online at Buds Gun Shop or Gunbroker can give you a better price than local. Local stores often charge MSRP and get away with it because people will pay it.

A Colt will have higher quality parts than most of the lower priced 1911s.

Do your research on what materials Springfield and Ruger use in their 1911s. Decide if the materials used matter to you.

FYI, materials used in Colt's pistols:

Made From Forged Steel:

Slide, Frame, Barrel, Slide Stop

Made From Machined Barstock:

Barrel Bushing, Extractor, Ejector, Firing Pin, Hammer, Recoil Plug, Barrel Link, Plunger Tube, Grip Screw Bushings, Sights, Series 80 Plunger, All Pins

Investment Cast:

Thumb Safety, Grip Safety, Mainspring Housing (Series 70 Models)

Stamped Steel:

Firing Pin Stop, Leaf Springs, Series 80 Actuation Levers, Trigger Bow (alloy or steel finger pad)

MIM (Metal Injection Molded):

Magazine Catch, Mag Catch Lock, Sear, Disconnector

Molded Nylon:

Mainspring Housing (Series 80 1991 Models)

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Firstly the Ruger slide is not cast, it is machined from bar stock. Secondly, raise your hand if you've ever outlasted a cast frame...waiting.

That said, ask yourself "What would J.C. shoot?". Jed Carter's answer: STI Spartan, adjustable sights, good internals, $625 at Bud's Gunshop and in stock.

You'll have 20% of your budget to spend on ammo or that next 1911. Someone here with a Springfield GI post a pic of your VIS and tell us again about the finish and attention to detail.

First, why are you comparing the Spartan to a GI? They aren't similar and don't even have similar prices. Second, the STI isn't in stock at Bud's as of the time I'm posting this.

I'd compare the STI to a Range Officer. Bud's had those in stock recently for $669. Not a whole lot more than an STI and they are very similar pistols. I can't speak to the STI, but I can say the Range Officer is a steal at $800, let alone $669. The fit and accuracy are about the best you'll find under $1k. The STI might be a great pistol, but lets not do that whole apples to oranges thing here.

 

[Skylerbone]

They just dropped the price to $604 is why they aren't in stock, they were yesterday. Closest SA has to that price would be a mil spec I guess. Anyone with a mil spec care to take that pic?

Either way the RO has been vaporware everywhere and what can't be found can't be bought. I readily admit to not being the biggest SA fan in the world but I think the STI runs away from the pack and does so well within budget. Had the budget been higher I too would have recommended the Colt XSE but the man ain't stretchin $800 to $925.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

They just dropped the price to $604 is why they aren't in stock, they were yesterday. Closest SA has to that price would be a mil spec I guess. Anyone with a mil spec care to take that pic?

Either way the RO has been vaporware everywhere and what can't be found can't be bought. I readily admit to not being the biggest SA fan in the world but I think the STI runs away from the pack and does so well within budget. Had the budget been higher I too would have recommended the Colt XSE but the man ain't stretchin $800 to $925.

We'll just have to disagree on SA vs STI. Neither of us is going to win anything. That said, the Range Officer was just in stock last night at Bud's. $669 was the list price. Also all gone now. I haven't seen any pictures of the STI in here, so I'm not sure where you're going with the pictures of Springfields.

I'll admit I'm a big fan of Springfield. I won't fault anyone for disliking anything, even Springfield. If he was stretching his budget, I'd have a whole new set of recommendations. As it stands, I'll stick with recommending the Range Officer.

 

[majortoo]

Lots of nice choices, to which I might add the Magnum Research Desert Eagle 1911. Compare the specs, and look at the choices at a gun show or dealer. The Desert Eagle has a superb trigger, right off the shelf. Hold the weapon in your hand and look at the fit and finish. Don't forget to buy some quality magazines. The 1911 will not perform reliably with a substandard magazine. The next three steps to proficiency are: practice, practice, practice! Good luck!

 

[jiminwa]

I own the RO. It eats everything and has been flawless since day one. I happen to also shoot Glock in 9mm and .40. The experience of shooting .45 ACP through the RO is very pleasing with the weight creating a low recoil and comfortable handling. I havent experienced the Ruger, but for the price IMHO the RO has been very satisfying. Dunno about it being a comfortable carry though...

 

[robctwo]

College student with limited budget looking for .45ACP pistol? Do you reload?

I have a couple 1911s. My most recent purchase was a Baer 9mm PII. Great gun. 9mm 1911 is much more cost effective. I also have a Ciener Platinum .22 conversion on a Springfield Armory Black Stainless frame. I've done some replacement on the innards and it is a sweet gun. The .45 slide sits in the Ciener box most of the time because I have a couple other .45s.

I have a few of the 15 round mags for the Ciener. What a hoot to shoot.

 

[jackpinesavages]

STI Guardian in the classys right now, FL