New to the 1911 Seeks Advice

[jeffthewookiee]

I'm not a new shooter, but I'm new to the 1911. I've shot revolvers and auto handguns, shotguns, rifles, but until a few weeks ago, I hadn't had the pleasure of trying a 1911.

I tried out a Sig (R?)Evolution 1911 at the range and loved it. Felt great, pointed very naturally, and I had fantastic groups with it right from the start.

So I'm kind of in the market for an entry-level 1911. I'd read a lot of articles about Taurus's 1911 being a fantastic buy for the money, and the 500 dollar price range is about what I was thinking. However, the guys at the gun range swear up and down that Taurus guns are completely crap. One in particular claimed he'd seen 3 PT1911s lock with a case in the chamber so tight it was impossible to open. I don't know how true the stories are but I wanted to get a second opinion.

The other option is a baseline Springfield GI 1911A1. I heard that these are very solid guns right out of the box and that you can customize them later.

Price is an issue, so I was hoping for something no more than $550, which doesn't leave many options in the 1911 world. I was hoping there were some surplus ones out there for less than that, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I'd also like to know which 1911 would be easiest to customize later. I'm definitely a gun tinkerer, so I would like something that would be easy to accessorize/customize later. The 1911 seems to have plenty of after market stuff for it; having never worked on one, I don't know if any 1911 part will go with any 1911 or whether you have to be picky about things like ambi safeties, match barrels, etc.

Any info from experienced folks would be much appreciated!

 

[txgolfer45]

Check out the STI Spartan. It is around $600. www.stiguns.com

 

[loki.fish]

Heard good things about the Taurus and Rock Island Armory. Seen that some people build off the RIA frame. Most will recommend the Springfield Milspec over the GI version because of something to do with the sights, I think, don't remember it very well. But like txgolfer said, the STI Spartan is the best of the best in entry level 1911's.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Falling for the (relatively new) SIG 1911 is going to present you with a problem finding a "entry level" equivalent. Colt, Kimber, Springfield, Para Ord, STI, Rock River, etc. are all EXCELLENT choices. Personally, no thank you for me on the Taurus. If you're a tinkerer, gun plumber AND a 1911 fan...you're DOOMED! (Welcome to the club) You'll be buying parts & swapping-out stuff FOREVER! My advice? Find yourself a used, solid, basic 1911 from ANY of the above mentioned manufacturers (if the finish is bad - even better) and begin your adventure. One word of advice from an old 1911 builder...ALWAYS carve, polish, blend & checker on the least expensive of two fitting parts. 'Cause, Bless your Heart, you're GONNA' screw-up a few. Good Luck!

 

[ulflyer]

Norks

Theres still a few Norinco 1911's around for about $400-450. They've been used extensively for upgrading into competition pistols because of thier highquality steel. I have several and love em. Never an issue
with any, right out of the box.

 

[MarshallDodge]

You may want to look in the used market also. Pre-series Kimbers are good, Colt 70 series, STI, and some Springfields.

The thing I don't like about the Taurus is the firing pin safety system. This maybe the cause of some of the lockups the range is talking about.

 

[TX1911fan]

Get a Springfield Armory. Whatever model fits your budget. If you start with the GI, you can make it into something you want, like I did, or you can keep it stock and enjoy it for a long time. If you go with the Mil-Spec for just a bit more, you'll have many of the features that people add and still have an inexpensive gun. With SA's customer service backing you up, should you ever have a problem, you can have confidence that they will treat you right.

This is my modified SA GI

 

[Crazy Uncle Al Gore]

Hey, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm looking for and entry level 1911 in the same price range. I love everything about them lol.

 

[Texastbird]

Ok, I have a Taurus and it seems good so far at about 2K rounds through it. Has a lot of nice features for the money. Spend a few bucks more and get the Stainless one, though. I hear the RIAs are good for the money. But this is a sickness that you will never fully recover from. I fondled a Kimber SIS yesterday, and I'm still not over it.

 

[rollback88]

Rock Island Armory is a great entry gun. I've had 3 and would have another. I'd go for the Tactical model since it has most of the features one would want (beavertail, ambi-safety, adjustable trigger...)

A tick up the $$ line, I have really come to appreciate the Para LTC from Bud's for right at $600.

 

[mpmarty]

I bought a Taurus 1911 and it had some problems with the safety not holding. I sent it back to Taurus and bought an RIA Tactical immediately planning to sell the Taurus when it came back. That was several months ago. The RIA was a nice enough pistol and I had no complaints but then the darn Taurus came back. It seems that the folks at Taurus sent it back to Brazil (based on the stickers on the box) and it went through some sort of custom shop at no cost to me and they even sent back an extra Novak magazine. That darn Taurus is the nicest, most accurate, prettiest (they did some sort of highlighting of all the lettering) best polished etc. I have now competed in a few matches (IPSC) with this darn Taurus and either it is the "luckiest" gun I've ever owned or the folks in Brazil did some real magic to it. Everything works and feels great. The safety, mag release, slide lock, barrel bushing, it just seems to be a confluence of the right parts all coming together and performing like one would hope a 1911 would. Anyone up for an RIA Tactical? LNIB $450 ftf in Oregon.

 

[Mainsail]

First, pass on the ambidextrous safety. If the gun is on your right hip the safety will be covered by your body or the holster lessening the chance it will snag on something and be disengaged. With the gun in your left hand it’s very easy to flip the safety off with your left thumb if it should ever come to that. The safety on the outside (away from your body) can snag on your clothes during concealed carry and you may suddenly find your concealed carry is not. Second, you don’t want the full length guide rod, it’s far more trouble than it’s worth. Unfortunately, I think both of these are standard on the Taurus.

If you are military or in LE (or retired military/LE), Sig usually has some sort of special pricing that can bring the price down a bit. If the Sig, that you seemed to like, is priced too high, look at one of the name brand makes previously mentioned. Get it in their cheap version like a mil-spec and then slowly race it up. If you go the mil-spec route, find a good gunsmith (ask at the gunshops, they know who the good ones are) and have him put some sights on first, like a set of Novaks and do some reliability work. If you don’t have fat ham-hocks for hands, you don’t need the beavertail grip safety, so do that last or not at all.

 

[denster]

Get the Taurus you won't regret it. Great pistols with a lot of features for very little money. The usual caveats apply check it out before you buy no matter what brand it is. Every maker lets a booger slip through occasionally. With Taurus you have a lifetime warranty. They are a bit slow at times but they will get it done.

 

[littlegator]

Hey TX1911 - great job on the mods to your SA GI. I like the absense of front serrations on the GI and milspecs myself.

 

[BigO01]

I would get the Taurus in stainless as a matter of fact when they get the "Commander" sized one out I intend to buy one .

Personally I am so sick of hearing negative stories of Taurus I doubt the vast majority are even true .

I own 2 Taurus guns and know 3 people who own them that and combined with seeing them on the ranges all the time and they have all run just fine .

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=92965370

That link is to a brand New Stainless PT1911 on Gunbroker with a buy it now price of $574 , I suggest you jump on it .

 

[2nd 41]

Norks
Theres still a few Norinco 1911's around for about $400-450. They've been used extensively for upgrading into competition pistols because of thier highquality steel. I have several and love em. Never an issue
with any, right out of the box.
____________
My friend has been shooting his Nork for years. I never heard him complain about it. Shoots it weekly. He is a fussy person that would have dumped his if it were problematic. It's not fancy looking but it's a good shooter

 

[XavierBreath]

Now that the STI Spartan is seeing more ownership, folks are beginning to recognize it often has a problem with the magazines it was shipped with to meet a price point. MSRP is $660. A Wilson magazine generally straightens it out. Other than that issue, it seems to be a good deal. Expect to special order it. It is made in the Philipines, by Armscor.

The Springfield Mil Spec generally sells for around $550 to $600 in a parkerized Government Model nowadays. It's a bit more in some places. It is the standard of comparison, a solid gun with excellent factory backing. The Springfield GI45 is similar, but without the lowered and flared ejection port or larger sights. In a parkerized Government Model, the GI45 usually goes for around $500 or so today. Here's more.

I have seen a SIG GSR Revolution for sale in a factory refurbished blue wrap. It was $679, so they are out there. The Revolution had some problems initially. The rail on some of them makes it not fit most 1911 holsters. 1911 shooters have not really taken to it. It's too different, and Sig shooters seem to want the double action Sigs. I took a look through my blog pics and found the refurbished one I saw. Here it is.

If you are interested, PM me, and I'll give you the dealer's address. I bet he still has it. He is reputable. Heck, I might get it myself......

Colt makes a 1911 designated the 1991, a Series 80 model in blue. It usually sells for about $700 or so, it seems. They are excellent guns.

Taurus does make a decent 1911, the PT1911, with the gee gaws, with a MSRP of $719. They seem to sell for $550-650. Not to start a Taurus flame fest, but Taurus has a history of cheap revolvers that cause some folks to talk smack about anything Taurus. The jury is still out on the PT1911. It's common for folks to refuse to accept, much less admit and write that they purchased an inferior pistol. As far as I know, the PT1911 seem to be performing OK, holding up OK, but time will tell. Like I said, some folks just like to talk down Taurus. Other folks are very happy with Taurus. Here's a review.

The Rock Island Armory 1911 seems to get fair and good reviews. It is also made in the Philipines like the Spartan, by the same factory. It is a very basic 1911, selling for about $350-$370.

Other possibilities include a used 1911. If you are the sort that likes to tinker with stuff, chances are you can recognize problems as well. Go here to learn how if you want to consider a used 1911. That is where the deals really are. That will open up a whole realm of possibilities.

Consider that on resale, you will lose about the same percentage off any new 1911, except you lose more off the less expensive ones. The ones in the $600-$1000 range hold their value best in the used market. Some even increase in value. Thus, it might be a wise idea to save your nickels and dimes and buy the more expensive model you really desire. The sting of money leaving your pocket is momentary. The ache of regret from not owning what you desire lasts as long as you own something "almost as good."

 

[berkbw]

Get some "Tuner approved" mags from Checkmate.

b-

 

[Pat-inCO]

The other option is a baseline Springfield GI 1911A1. I heard that these are very solid guns right out of the box and that you can customize them later.

I have only had one Springfield and I was a bit unimpressed.

I would suggest waiting a month or three longer and get at least one grade higher gun to start with. In doing that you will end up spending far less to get where you really want to be.

If what you are - really - doing is getting something to tinker with that you shoot during the interim, try a Norinco. The are very inexpensive (relatively) and are reasonably safe to shoot while you get it really put together.

 

[presspuller]

If it was my money and I was wanting in on the cheap I would go with the RIA.
Doing that was my first plan of attack of getting into the 1911 jungle but then I ran into the problem of not finding any. Then I deceided to step up and get one with all the stuff on it that I was gonna put on it later so I decieded on a SA stainless Loaded. But then I learned that they are few and far between and one dealer even told me he dropped the SA line because of all the work they had to do to them before they went out the door(still don't know if I believe that but its his story not mine) Then I found a Kimber stainless II within 15 bucks of the SA. It was love at first sight and we have been together every since.
Not one problem out of it and am tickled to death with it.
Good luck with whatever you get.

 

[Corbo]

"Then I found a Kimber stainless II...." Same thing happened to me; the first pistol I trully loved.... spend the few extra dollars. Anything else can come and go, no regrets; a Kimber is a keeper. No rattle or roll and so tight they're a bitch to disassemble till broken in with a few thousand rounds.

 

[1911 guy]

Solid "entry level" 1911's

Look at the Springfield and the Rock Island. Of the two, I'd go with Springfield.