New 1911 availabillity question

[Milkmaster]

What brand and model would I have to buy to purchase an all steel 1911?

I am saying that all of it except the grips would be steel and not polymer, plastic, or an aluminum alloy etc. The trigger etc would all be steel. There are so many 1911 choices now that it is hard to discern differences. Some of you 1911 gurus must already know the answer.

 

[DeepSouth]

Does "steel" include MIM?

 

[JTQ]

...or an aluminum alloy etc. The trigger etc would all be steel.

Most of the better 1911's use an aluminum trigger.

Typically, the short GI type triggers, I think, are steel. Something like the Auto Ordnance or Springfield Mil-Spec models would probably have steel triggers.

Auto Ordnance http://www.auto-ordnance.com/Firearms/Auto-Ordnance-1911PKZSE.asp

Springfield Mil-Spec http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-mil-spec-45-acp/

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I would look at Ruger SR1911 mine has been fantastic

 

[Milkmaster]

I guess what I am looking for is a more true to the original all steel 1911 for nostalgic reasons in preference to the latest and greatest fancied up expensive models. My uncle would appreciate it for his service time and really like it. I think he would like one closer to what he carried in the military. That being said, I don't have a fortune to spend on it as well.

 

[DeepSouth]

In that case, +1 for the Springfield Mil-spec.

 

[MaterDei]

Milkmaster, JTQ has suggested exactly what you are after.

 

[JTQ]

The two I listed above would probably work.

The Auto Ordnance looks the most "authentic", though it has a firing pin safety the old military guns didn't have.

The Springfield Mil-Spec is probably a better gun, but will cost a little more, has a key lock in the mainspring housing and has a lowered and flared ejection port, and taller sights. Those are generally good things, but less authentic.

 

[DeepSouth]

A Springfield GI model would fit the bill perfectly, but I'm pretty sure they don't make that model anymore.

My experience with Auto Ordinance 1911's has been, worse than terrible.

 

[Jimster]

Check out the 1911s on the Cimarron Arms website. Also the Rock Island GI might be what you're looking for. There's a lot of choices out there. I'm sure you'll like whichever one you get.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The Mil-Spec is pretty close, it's a solid gun (I've carried mine on and off for years) and not terribly expensive - I see Summit Gun Broker has them for $585.

 

[Coyote3855]

You might also look at the basic MilSpec models from Rock Island Armory.

 

[Tcruse]

Agreed. Just added the Ruger Sr1911 light weight commander. I recommend them. All US made and with a company that has a proven track record of support.

 

[bannockburn]

Milkmaster

If you're looking for a new all steel 1911 a Colt Government might work, as would a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec or a Remington R1.

There are also some less expensive guns available from RIA, Girsan, Iver Johnson, ATI, and Kahr Arms which do a decent job of replicating the M1911A1 at a more affordable price.

 

[Zerodefect]

I wouldn't accept MIM as "steel".

Dan Wesson Valor. I believe the trigger shoe is aluminum. You don't want a ton of weight there.



-The DW Specialist is handy if you need a rail.
-Les Baer.
-Colt's fullsize models (a few easy to replace garbage parts in those, don't sweat it).

-CZ1911.

 

[Milkmaster]

The milspec Springfield looks like it could be what I am looking for with a price just over $600 at Buds for reference. I might could do that. I love the look of the Ruger SR, but I was looking for a more traditional material and feel for my uncle.

 

[bannockburn]

Milkmaster

I think for your purposes the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911 would make for a great gift for your uncle. I have an older version from them and it very much looks the part of being a G.I. M1911A1. Let us know what you end up getting and post some photos of it when you get the chance.

 

[WVsig]

I would get a Colt 80 series for $700 and swap the mainspring housing, which is plastic, with a Colt one that is metal. Honestly if you didn't tell him it was plastic I doubt he would ever notice. Lots of people use them.

He carried a Colt in the army why not get him a Colt now?

The CZ would also be a good choice. No mim all steel but I am not a huge fan of the rollmarks and if I was going to have only one 1911 for nostalgia reasons I would want the Pony on it. Thus is a 70 series but you get the picture lol.

 

[JTQ]

I would get a Colt 80 series for $700 and swap the mainspring housing, which is plastic, with a Colt one that is metal.

Don't forget to swap out the long trigger, that is either plastic or aluminum.

I'm a Colt fan myself, and neither the Series 80 firing pin safety or the poly mainspring housings bother me, but if you want a GI looking gun, the Series 70 is a much better starting point than the 1991.

Colt Series 70 http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Pistols/Series70™.aspx

Colt 1991 http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Pistols/1991®Series.aspx

 

[WVsig]

Problem is the 70 series will push you closer to the $850 mark by the time you are OTD.

I have not seen a plastic Colt trigger for a while. Again like the mainspring housing if it is an alum trigger if you didn't tell him I doubt he would notice.

You can get 70 series for $789 plus shipping and transfer. I personally think it is s better gun than the SA and I would not take an Auto Ordance 1911 if you gave it to me.

 

[JTQ]

Problem is the 70 series will push you closer to the $850 mark by the time you are OTD.

How much in time, effort, and money would it cost somebody not familiar with 1911's to source and change a trigger and mainspring housing?

If you're really on a budget, the AO or Springfield are going to cost less. I suspect to the OP, if he wants a Colt, the extra money spent on the Series 70 upfront, is probably money well spent simply because you don't have to change anything.

 

[joem1945]

Check out Colt Sistema. All steel if you can find one. Might save a few bucks.

 

[1KPerDay]

Rock island GI with no billboard. I got mine for $319 shipped a couple of years ago.

 

[Winkman822]

In price order from low to high, I'd recommend looking at the Springfield Mil-Spec, Colt Series 70, or the first generation Turnbull 1911 (the current ones are the "modernized" type with beavertails, bull barrels, etc).

 

[WVsig]

Check out Colt Sistema. All steel if you can find one. Might save a few bucks.

Good choice but not cheap anymore. They are hard to find under $700 these days for a well worn out of warranty pistol.