Low cost, US made 1911?

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

danweasel

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2008
Messages
649
Location
Alaska
How's everybody doing out there?

I have found myself wanting a 1911. Never owned one, never shot one. I used to have that old black Crossman 1911-style BB gun when I was a kid though. Since this will be my first 1911 I really want to err on the side of "cheap". I am a fairly experienced pistol shooter.

This is the first gun I have been able to afford in a long time. I was considering a RIA 1911 but lately I have been thinking, I just got a raise and have a little bit of spare income that I would like to see help out someone else here in the US. "When you come up, bring everyone else with you" is something I learned in the army. I am not fanatical about it (I have shopped at Walmart before, hahaha) but at the moment I can afford to spend my money in accordance with my ethics. So yes, I would consider a foreign manufacturer as well. Bonus points for US production.

...

Anyways, I sure would appreciate some reccomendations.

Thanks!

Dan
 
Get the Ruger. From all accounts it's a great American made 1911.
I own 3, Springfield 1911s, a Ruger Mark 1, Mark 3 22s and a Ruger vaquero 45 colt
 
The Ruger is a good buy in the cheap category - I got one and it worked right out of the box - finish is so so and machine work is ok. The STI Trojan/Spartan are a better buy and a better gun but the frame is not made in USA.
 
The Ruger looks promising, if you can find one. And the actual prices I'm seeing on the few out there ain't that much less than the others. I have no problem with the Ruger, but would just look for a good used Colt, Kimber, or S&W. I actually think the S&W is the best of the group and they aren't that much more than Ruger.
 
In the 1911 "cost" is relative. Nothing US-made compares to the Filipino imports and IMO the ATI is the best thing going. Otherwise, the Ruger offers good value.
 
I received the RIA Tactical from my wife as a gift while I was looking for a Colt Gold Cup. I now have a rare opportunity to buy a Cold Cup locally. I guess if I haven't bought it by now I'm not going to.

If you don't mind used consider a Colt.

But if you are erring on the side of "Cheap" the RIA Tactical is an excellent choice. I really like mine, I've had it about 4-5 years. Spend the extra money on some nice Pachmyer grips and extra Chip McCormack mags, a nice leather holster, ammo, etc..
 
What is low cost to you? I only ask because it is different for everyone.
Click to expand...

Well, I guess I am looking for the cheapest one out that isn't a pile. $500?

I am just worried I won't really use it much. I am kind of performance oriented. By that I mean, I like features like high capacity, light weight and all that. I still feel a need for a 1911 though, I just don't want to buy a really nice one and then never use it. Call it a demo unit.

I honestly did not know Ruger made a 1911.

Where I live the used gun market is very slim. And the last time I was in the pawn shop they wanted MSRP on a used gun...

Thanks for all the help so far.
 
STI Spartan frames are made overseas but the fit and finishing is done in TX as I understand it. I have one and its a good gun.
 
Once you have a 1911, you may find you can't wait until the next time you shoot it.
I have not fired a Ruger, but only handled one. I want one.
Whatever you decide, good luck!

PS - I enjoyed your signature quote from Behan.
 
Well, I guess I am looking for the cheapest one out that isn't a pile. $500?
Click to expand...

In that price range, unless you look used (and even then it'll be a chore), anything American made is already out. Even the Phillipine RIA's are hitting $400 and over now.
 
STI Spartan frames are made overseas but the fit and finishing is done in TX as I understand it.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure the Spartan's come to the US as complete pistols. They do use some STI parts, though.
 
JTQ said:
I'm pretty sure the Spartan's come to the US as complete pistols. They do use some STI parts, though.
Click to expand...
This is correct...STI told me at the SHOT Show.

The Spartan is manufactured and built in the P.I. They do use STI parts and STI trained the workers who assemble their guns, but it all happens before that get to out shores
 
Just put a Remington R1 1911 (stainless) on layaway with Buds for $618 shipped.

100% American Made
 
Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 500 -525 bucks all day long.... but seriously I'd buy an RIA I literally had my choice of an RIA, Springfield and a Colt. After shooting them I bought the RIA. Price was not the deciding factor either I had $930 bucks in my pocket to blow. The RIA just flat out shot the other 2. I grouped better with it and it was the only one that did not hiccup during the test fire.....Go figure...
 
I would go Springfield.

But I have never owned OR SHOT a 1911. True story. I have however done the research to determine what my first 1911 should be, whenever I decide to spend the money, and I settled on Springfield Armory for the best combination of reliability, consistency, and price.

So you may not care what my input is, which would be understandable.
 
Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 500 -525 bucks all day long....
Click to expand...

When did Brazil become part of the US? Please show me a mi-spec that it made 100% in the US. Sorry but you can't because all SA forgings come from IMBEL. Not that I care because I do not feel the need to buy exclusively US made products but NO SA 1911s meet the OPs criteria. If he is willing to look at foreign made 1911s really what is he getting from a SA Mil Spec that he would not get from a RIA?

If you want a US made gun I personally would look at a Ruger or step up to a Colt.
 
I do not think you will find a US made 1911 for $500. There are number of 1911s that are worth owning for that price but none are made in the US. You'll likely need to spend around another $150 to get even a GI style gun (Remington R1).
 
Springfield doesn't produce a single part for their firearms. Not the XDs, XDMs, 1911s, EMPs or rifles. They are all produced elsewhere, specifically Brasil for the 1911s. Some have the final assembly done here or final dimensions milled but not at the $500 price range.

Auto Ordnance is one I would love to recommend but they have forever been plagued with problems. Dimensions are off, they don't run correctly and customer service is abysmal.

Remington's R1 has a serious dimensional flaw that Big Green refuses to acknowledge. At the forward end of the frame bridge, the VIS (Vertical Impact Surface) has a large portion milled away. Because the barrel's lower lugs strike this surface (now partially missing) you can expect to see shortened barrel life from R1s to include damaged or broken lugs (meaning new barrel time). Remington has not been forthcoming about parts origin either.

Ruger seems to have taken the high road with the SR1911 and having produced frames for other vendors for decades were intimately familiar with the platform. Indications are that it is a well made example with a few common (minor) flaws with Ruger's solid CS behind it. A bit above your price suggestion but the least expensive U.S. made option I would consider.

Honestly, if you just want a decent 1911 that includes features that make it enjoyable to shoot I would suggest the STI Spartan as well. If you still prefer Made in America (South America not included) then the Ruger. The problem with buying a $400 1911 is they don't always highlight what so many find appealing and that first impression can make all the difference.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
RIA 1911 vs CZ 75B
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
DWhitehorne
D
C
  • Locked
1911 parts interchangability
Replies
10
Views
1K
45auto
4
P
  • Locked
Best out of box 1911 under 1K?
2 3 4
Replies
83
Views
9K
BroughtEnoughGun
B
M
  • Locked
Dan Wesson 1911's...Opinions???
Replies
15
Views
773
benderx4
B
C
  • Locked
Suggestions 4 a moderately priced 4" 1911 framed 9mm??
Replies
11
Views
1K
Captain33036
C
Back
Top