Question for proficient 1911 users...

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TheGent

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I just picked up a Colt New Agent w/ a 3" barrel and LOVE the hell out of this gun. Awesome shooter and great concealed carry piece. But, I still want a full size 1911 with a 5" barrel. Not really intended for concealed carry, well, maybe every once and a while ;) so it will be a budget gun since I just dropped $850 out the door on the Colt New Agent. So, 1911 users. What would be a good budget, full size 1911 that you have used? Looking at something from $500 - $550 and would prefer that you don't have to have a tool to field strip it. Thank you for your advice,

TheGent
 
Concealed

I won't comment on the pistol. However, there is practically no difference in concealing a full size 1911 versus a smaller one. A full size 1911 is absolutely not difficult to conceal at all. A full size will (in my opinion and experience) last longer, be more reliable, more accurate, probably less expensive. The down side of smaller 1911's just does not allow me to keep one. And I've owned a few. There's just no "plus" side to the smaller weapon. Your mileage may vary.
 
At the risk of sounding iconoclastic, I will simply offer that after having owned 1911s over a span of more than thirty years, this is a game one does NOT pursue with economy in mind. Like a Series I Jaguar Type E, this is not a sport for the lame of wallet.

Enjoy, spend money, experience frustration, hand load, tweak, spend more money and enjoy some more.

Good luck.
 
Concealing a 3" to a 5" is really no big deal in differences. The hard part to conceal is the grip. If the grip is the same length the barrel is tucked away. The only difference is the weight.

Thats just from my experience.
 
Kingofthehill great post and Pics. Where are you looking to purchase your Trophy?? I have a full size 1911 in the Metro Arms American Classic ll and see no reason to purchase any other brand. Like the looks of the Trophy but have a problem finding them.
 
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I found a Trophy at a local gun show that the guy regularly stocks for $575 and that seems like a good price to me. They are amazing 1911's for the money.

I also just love how they offer it in a blued finish. So many now are weird Ion Bond, Cerakote, Parkerized, blah blah blah. Something so nice about a Blued 1911 and a very well done one at that.
 
The hard part to conceal is the grip.
Click to expand...
So yeah if you get an Officer frame, (what's on the RIA compact, with 3.5" barrel), the grip is shorter, thus a bit easier to conceal. I was concerened the shorter grip on my Springfield Ultra Compact would bite my palm. it does NOT.
My Ultra Compact (3.5" barrel, short grip) fits a LOT of places my 5" won't.
 
At that price point you really do not have a lot of options. RIA and other Armscor guns are IMHO the only choice at that price point. People like the Spartan. I personally do not like the looks of it but it is a solid enough gun.

I personally think that you should save your money. You bught a quality piece when you bought the Colt New Agent. Why cheap out now?
 
Springfield Loaded (model 9109) is an excellent value. I have had excellent luck with Colt XSE series. Some guys really like the SIG 1911's.

As for the lower end guns...good luck with that. I seriously considered getting an RIA right up until I took a close look. The monkeys that made my Romanian SAR-1 with a chisel also did the fitting on the RIAs I looked at. There were dents around the mainspring housing, as well as a large gap on one side. Several others were fitted better, but not much.

Research these guns on M1911.org forum and forums.1911forum.com.

Personally, I think it's better to save up and get a good 1911 rather than a low priced 1911. They are not easy to make properly and you will pay for the difference in some way. I've thought I had made a good deal, but ended up paying extra range fees, ammunition for "break-in" (when it really needed repair), shipping, gunsmithing and so forth. Be quick to send it back to the factory on their dime for repair.
 
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American classic Deluxe in your range. We stopped the importation of the Metro Arms Firestorm in Jan 2010 . Trophy run around 600 . American classic also now has Commander size and hopefully soon the new Officer size will be out their
You can keep up with these pistols at their present home board

http://bersachat.com

Home of the Bersa and American Classic pistols
 
i own 3 rocks and love em all i know that arent bares browns kimber e.t.c fit and finish
yadda yadda i understand that but for a true work horse mine do just fine.
total rounds in all 3 11k and no probs. used fs 5.5k used 4in over 5k no probs,
the new nickel 300 rds need to more to break it in and it will do her part in edc rotation.
imho in expensive yes cheap not on your life
 
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