Looking for an American 1911.

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Skewtows

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I'm thinking of buying a 1911. I really like the Springfield Armory ones (the GI model is pretty much what I'm looking for), but I want to buy an American-manufactured gun. Something just feels wrong about buying a foreign 1911.

Are there any American-made 1911s with the same price/quality ratio?
 
In my opinion... American 1911's the best bang for the buck are the Springfield Loaded model's... Great as is, and also a very strong starting point to modify it to be a beast.
My Loaded

wlyv5v.jpg

Another great bang for the buck 1911 (im keeping it around 6-800 since you brought up GI) is the STI Spartan... American made in Texas and its one FINE gun for the money
2ah7cwi.jpg
 
This may be a dumb question but are Springfield's 1911's not made in Croatia like my XD45? It would be nice to know that they are made in the USA if they in fact are.
 
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Most of the STI Spartan is made by Armscor in the Philippines. If the Springfield is like most of their 1911s, its frame is made in Brazil.
 
Yeah I was gonna say what Beagle said. That STI kind of upgrades Armscor 1911's (think of it as a RIA with some work done to it) and I was under the impression that all Springfield 1911's are brazillian.
 
Good call - I also prefer USA made in anything I can get.

Someone will chime in about the Springfields origin. Its confusing but if I remember correctly the frames are made in Brazil and the lower priced guns are finished there. Once you step up to the Operator line they are assembled in the USA. Correct me if I am wrong about that.

But, Colt and STI (non-spartan, not because they aren't good guns just cause they arent 100% USA made) are my picks for USA made 1911s. I have 2 of each and wouldn't part with them. I also have 2 Springfields and like them equally.

Kimber is another USA made 1911. You will get mixed opinions on those, well all 1911's actually, but Kimber takes the most heat. I have shot a few and liked them myself but no long term use.

If I'm not mistaken, Para is moving or has moved production from Canada to the USA but I've only put a few mags worth of ammo downrange on a Para. It was that new GI model. Pretty nice gun.

I'm sure there are other guns, maybe DW or Fusion that I dont know much about. Then of course you get into the Wilson, Ed Brown, Les Baers, Nighthawks, and even pricier full custom guns.

Hope thats a start.
 
Yeah I was gonna say what Beagle said. That STI kind of upgrades Armscor 1911's (think of it as a RIA with some work done to it) and I was under the impression that all Springfield 1911's are brazillian.
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Exactly.

Are the SIG-Sauer 1911s made in Exeter?
 
Are there any American-made 1911s with the same price/quality ratio?
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Yes, the Colt 01991 (Series 80 Government Model). Also the S&W line is good.

The price is a little higher than the SA, but the quality is also quite a bit higher. The price/quality ratio is equal or, I think, better. A good used older 1991 should set you back $550 or so, a new O1991 around $750. The new production ones are really well made with excellent triggers and barrel fit, and also an improved barrel design for using non-ball ammo (standard since about 2000). Kimber is also US, but the cost/quality is not quite where Colt is right now. 10 years ago the nod would have gone to Kimber (or find a 10 year old Kimber), but since then things have changed.
 
This may be a dumb question but are Springfield's 1911's not made in Croatia like my XD45? If would be nice to know that they are made in the USA if they in fact are.
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No some are made in Brazil others in the united states, Xd's are made in Croatia.
 
As far as STI its just the Spartan model. Oro made a good point about Smith and Wesson. I've never personally owned one but I haven't seen anything but glowing reviews. I'd like to pick up a S&W Commander one of these days.
 
I want it well-made, I could care less WHERE it was made.
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I generally agree, but it's a 1911, you know? :)

It would feel all wrong buying a Brazilian or Filipino one.
 
This may be a dumb question but are Springfield's 1911's not made in Croatia like my XD45? It would be nice to know that they are made in the USA if they in fact are.
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most springer 1911's are forged by Imbel in brazil, and completed in IL. most gi's and some milspecs are totally made in brazil.
 
I'm thinking of buying a 1911. I really like the Springfield Armory ones (the GI model is pretty much what I'm looking for), but I want to buy an American-manufactured gun. Something just feels wrong about buying a foreign 1911.

Are there any American-made 1911s with the same price/quality ratio?
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i have a springer champion operator, which is the finest 1911 i have fired.

P1020257.gif



however, if you want one totally made in the USA, i also own a para gi expert that's a fantastic 1911 for $500, and is now made in NC.

P1020383.gif
 
No some are made in Brazil others in the united states
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Wrong. The Springers are all made in Brazil. Suggesting that finish work done in Geneseo equals US made is like calling a Suzuki or Dihatsu an American-made car just because it got repainted and new wheels installed once stateside.

Springers (and Armscors) are fine guns, but American-made they are not.
 
Here is about (IMO) the most detailed discussion you'll find on the origins of Springer 1911s:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=49574

FWIW, I have a new stainless Colt Series 80 Government Model:
Shoots great
For the most part, well finished; exceptions: finish near the thumb safety was marred and the MIM thumb safety had bad casting marks.
Colt still does a crappy job roll marking the slide (some markings are very deep, others in the same area barely legible or incomplete) :(
The plastic mainspring housing is an abomination on a pistol in this price range (heck, on any 1911:mad:).

Regards,
Greg
 
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