Recommend a 1911 for $500
- Thread starter mcsewnab
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yeah, i can't imagine my champion operator shooting more accurately than my gi expert, considering the gi shoots one hole out to 20 yards!
haven't fired the champion yet, i assume it'll be about the same in accuracy.
and in response to previous posts-yes the Philippine's is a third world country (half the people there live in huts and use yams for money lol)
and not all springers are made in brazil. ha!
haven't fired the champion yet, i assume it'll be about the same in accuracy.
and in response to previous posts-yes the Philippine's is a third world country (half the people there live in huts and use yams for money lol)
and not all springers are made in brazil. ha!
I've been reading. Looks like there is more information on the Taurus and the Springfield over the Para.
I like the look of the Taurus, specifically the beaver tail, the ambi safety, and the two tone. I've never owned a Taurus but it seem there are two types of opinions for the PT1911. Either people say that Taurus got it right with this one or they say all Taurus gun suck. Very black and white.
I've also read a lot of posts about them having bad customer service. That makes me nervous.
Springfield seems to have more middle ground comments. Reliable, good quality, with good customer service. Nothing fancy on the Mil-Spec model.
I guess I have a while to decide.
I like the look of the Taurus, specifically the beaver tail, the ambi safety, and the two tone. I've never owned a Taurus but it seem there are two types of opinions for the PT1911. Either people say that Taurus got it right with this one or they say all Taurus gun suck. Very black and white.
I've also read a lot of posts about them having bad customer service. That makes me nervous.
Springfield seems to have more middle ground comments. Reliable, good quality, with good customer service. Nothing fancy on the Mil-Spec model.
I guess I have a while to decide.
Ill tell you something else about the Taurus you may not like if its not been said already,it has issues with the ambidextrious saftey breaking and may just be a weak part.But i love shooting mine and couldnt ask for a better weapon for what i paid.Ive been reading latley people dealing with Taurus CS and it not being so bad.But there are posts on how to fix it on www.taurusarmed.net and usually a smith isnt needed.Id not send mine in and do it myself so i know the part is stronger than the old one.
What ever issues they had in the past with thier guns i dont know,But yeh they got this one right.
If they made a Compact 1911 id be trading my G20c in tommmorow.
What ever issues they had in the past with thier guns i dont know,But yeh they got this one right.
If they made a Compact 1911 id be trading my G20c in tommmorow.
Thanks for the Taurus reply. I have nothing bad or good to say about Taurus. I've never owned or fired one. That's why we have these forums. I am just asking for everyone's real world opinions about each firearm.
I expect this to be the 1911 I will own for a long time so I want to make sure it's a quality item even if it is $500.
If I researched and couldn't find a quality 1911 for $500 I would buy an XD or Glock .45.
I expect this to be the 1911 I will own for a long time so I want to make sure it's a quality item even if it is $500.
If I researched and couldn't find a quality 1911 for $500 I would buy an XD or Glock .45.
A lot of companies use parts made elsewhere, or just plain aren't made in the US anymore. I believe STI uses Armscor built frames. RIA 1911s are built by them also. Springfield has pistols built by IMBEL and I believe they use IMBEL frames and other parts to build some of their higher end models too.
$500 range 1911s aren't perfect. If you rule out foreign built 1911s and companies using foreign parts in their 1911s, then rule out MIM components and cast slides...you aren't left with any $500 price range 1911s..that I know of anyways.
$500 range 1911s aren't perfect. If you rule out foreign built 1911s and companies using foreign parts in their 1911s, then rule out MIM components and cast slides...you aren't left with any $500 price range 1911s..that I know of anyways.
atomd- I agree each one is differant and all have pros and cons,and none are perfect.
But you cant pull one out of the list and say its junk either,the $400-$600 range of 1911's its almost hard to not pick a winner.
Of course lemons happen anywhere.
I know i had a hard time picking one out of the lot when i bought my PT1911.My choice had alot to do with what was available locally and how they were priced.
The RIA i found was $489 and wase serously overpriced.
The Springer and Para were to plain imo.
and the STI Spartan was a bit over my budget,but if i had to do it over again i would pick the PT1911 since it does offer so much more than the others at a low price.But it has flaws too,some of wich i pointed out.I think they use a bit more MIM parts than id like.But if one fails i can replace it myself.
Now im no expert authority on 1911's,let alone guns.I have my CCW class in about 1.5 months and id like a compact 1911 to carry as i think the size of a 5" 1911 may be a bit much.Ive made a list again of affordable compacts and the RIA,Detonics and Springer top the list.I would buy a Taurus compact for sure if they only made one
Anyhow the 3 i listed are the cheapest compact 1911's made and all of them are great in thier own ways and none are junk.
Too bad buying any other style of gun isnt so easy.
mcsewnab-Remember the Glock and XD's have no manual safteys to carry in condition 1 "cocked and locked" like the 1911 can be.
Alot of people dont mind that,but it makes a big differance to me,matter of fact my G20 is listed in the classifieds.Im not say one way is better than the other,im saying i prefer a manual saftey.
But you cant pull one out of the list and say its junk either,the $400-$600 range of 1911's its almost hard to not pick a winner.
Of course lemons happen anywhere.
I know i had a hard time picking one out of the lot when i bought my PT1911.My choice had alot to do with what was available locally and how they were priced.
The RIA i found was $489 and wase serously overpriced.
The Springer and Para were to plain imo.
and the STI Spartan was a bit over my budget,but if i had to do it over again i would pick the PT1911 since it does offer so much more than the others at a low price.But it has flaws too,some of wich i pointed out.I think they use a bit more MIM parts than id like.But if one fails i can replace it myself.
Now im no expert authority on 1911's,let alone guns.I have my CCW class in about 1.5 months and id like a compact 1911 to carry as i think the size of a 5" 1911 may be a bit much.Ive made a list again of affordable compacts and the RIA,Detonics and Springer top the list.I would buy a Taurus compact for sure if they only made one
Anyhow the 3 i listed are the cheapest compact 1911's made and all of them are great in thier own ways and none are junk.
Too bad buying any other style of gun isnt so easy.
mcsewnab-Remember the Glock and XD's have no manual safteys to carry in condition 1 "cocked and locked" like the 1911 can be.
Alot of people dont mind that,but it makes a big differance to me,matter of fact my G20 is listed in the classifieds.Im not say one way is better than the other,im saying i prefer a manual saftey.
biblefreak
Member
In regards to the cocked and locked comment only relating to 1911's,, I can assure you my Glock is Cocked AND Locked!! I love 1911's though and highly reccomend STI. Maybe you can find a Spartan in your price range if you get lucky. I had a Springfield Mil-Spec and while it was a good gun, I wouldn't reccomend it for a guy looking for a single 1911. I would go old school and get the GI for the retro aspect, or go all the way and get a decked out pistol with all the bells and whistles. My plan? Get 2!! I have my STI Trojan and now I only need a GI model, which is in my current top 3 shopping list!
DasFriek, don't get me wrong..I'm not saying any of them are junk. I'm saying that when you spend $500 you have to make some concessions. Anyone who loves 1911s can nitpick the heck out of any $500 1911 all day long...so we can expect to see some negative comments. It's no big deal, sometimes it's even splitting hairs really.
Oh, and for CCW I think you'll find that you'll have a bigger problem with the grip length and the overall weight rather than the barrel length when you're trying to be discreet. At least I do.
Oh, and for CCW I think you'll find that you'll have a bigger problem with the grip length and the overall weight rather than the barrel length when you're trying to be discreet. At least I do.
Ill readily admit im no discerning gun enthusiest,meaning its not hard to please me.If i owned a DW im sure id see alot of nice things in that my PT1911 couldnt even touch.And a DW is just a mid range priced weapon.I guess i was getting at is if you want a reliable low priced 1911 its not hard to find a good one.
biblefreak-STI makes a few i just love,mainly the ones with full dust covers and the slide looks like one big long piece of stock.I dont wish to get into a big discussion over "cocked and locked" as its someone elses thread,but how can you say a Glock is "locked" when it has no manual saftey? To me i dont consider the 3 internal safteys as a lock.
Anyhow im one of those guys who prefers a manual saftey,its just a mental thing for me.
But i too own a Glock,its a great weapon but i cant say ill be carrying it when i get my ccw classes finished.
biblefreak-STI makes a few i just love,mainly the ones with full dust covers and the slide looks like one big long piece of stock.I dont wish to get into a big discussion over "cocked and locked" as its someone elses thread,but how can you say a Glock is "locked" when it has no manual saftey? To me i dont consider the 3 internal safteys as a lock.
Anyhow im one of those guys who prefers a manual saftey,its just a mental thing for me.
But i too own a Glock,its a great weapon but i cant say ill be carrying it when i get my ccw classes finished.
CarolinaCrazy
Member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2009
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- 21
Save your money and get a Springfield Armory 1911 A1 Milspec not the SA GI.
Thanks for everyone's input regarding this. After researching everyones suggestions I am 90% sure I am going to get the Springfield Mil-Spec. It seems like the safest choice all around when considering quality, reliability, and customer service.
Springfield Mil-Spec? 
That's a nice gun but with the Taurus you get all this for the same price...
TAURUS PT 1911 FEATURES
Full length guide rod & reverse plug
Heinie Straight Eight Sights
Serrated slide rear and front
Checkered 30-lpi trigger guard
Checkered 30-lpi mainspring housing
Checkered 30-lpi frontstrap
Ambidextrous safety
Beavertail grip safety with memory pad
Skeletonized hammer
Skeleton serrated trigger
Trigger job
Custom fit barrel (air-gauged bushing)
Custom slide to frame fit
Polished feedramp and barrel throat
Lowered and flared ejection port
Custom internal extractor
Extended mag release button
Beveled mag well
Extra 8-round magazine
You're going to want those features. All of them... If it was my first 1911, I'd get the Taurus with all the goodies and if I felt like going retro and mil-spec later, I'd buy a RIA for 395.00 and have both.
Don't worry about Taurus customer service, chances are you won't ever need it but do remember, Taurus is guaranteeing the weapon for LIFE...
So what if you have to wait an extra week or whatever people are scared of from Taurus CS, your weapon is covered for life. Springfield doesn't offer that. I don't think anyone offers that in a 1911.
That's a nice gun but with the Taurus you get all this for the same price...
TAURUS PT 1911 FEATURES
Full length guide rod & reverse plug
Heinie Straight Eight Sights
Serrated slide rear and front
Checkered 30-lpi trigger guard
Checkered 30-lpi mainspring housing
Checkered 30-lpi frontstrap
Ambidextrous safety
Beavertail grip safety with memory pad
Skeletonized hammer
Skeleton serrated trigger
Trigger job
Custom fit barrel (air-gauged bushing)
Custom slide to frame fit
Polished feedramp and barrel throat
Lowered and flared ejection port
Custom internal extractor
Extended mag release button
Beveled mag well
Extra 8-round magazine
You're going to want those features. All of them... If it was my first 1911, I'd get the Taurus with all the goodies and if I felt like going retro and mil-spec later, I'd buy a RIA for 395.00 and have both.
Don't worry about Taurus customer service, chances are you won't ever need it but do remember, Taurus is guaranteeing the weapon for LIFE...
So what if you have to wait an extra week or whatever people are scared of from Taurus CS, your weapon is covered for life. Springfield doesn't offer that. I don't think anyone offers that in a 1911.
I really do like the look and features of the Taurus but the thought of a nightmare support process had really scared me away. It would be great if I never have to warranty the gun but what if I do and it's just a terrible experience? I know that can be said about any company but the overall opinions on Springfield's support have been positive and it seem Taurus has been the opposite.
I just have this fear of buying a gun that I can't get repaired, it is worst case but it's still possible.
The Taurus isn't totally out but I am really leaning towards the Mil-Spec.
I was under the impression Springfield had a lifetime warranty. I will need to read the fine print.
I just have this fear of buying a gun that I can't get repaired, it is worst case but it's still possible.
The Taurus isn't totally out but I am really leaning towards the Mil-Spec.
I was under the impression Springfield had a lifetime warranty. I will need to read the fine print.
It appears they do, I wasn't aware.
I'm trying not to be a Taurus fan-boy just because I own one but I'm trying to consider what I wanted and expected when I bought my first 1911. My first was a Colt Sistema Argentine military-spec model. I really liked the gun and completely stripped it, cleaned it and replaced all the pins and springs in it.
It was even OK when that gun removed some skin from my hand, I just ended up bobbing the hammer.
Then I remember reading about modern 1911's and how slick they looked and ran and I went and lowered and flared the ejection port on my Sistema, as well as doing a throat and ramp polish... I still need to change out those mil-spec sights but I haven't really shot it much since I got the Taurus and don't want to either. When I get the time and money to buy a nice pair of sights and the staking tool to install them, I'll start shooting it again. It is in remarkable shape and has probably had very few rounds put through it when I first got it.
So my opinion is formed from having a mil-spec gun first and finding I wanted to have more modern features and reliability mods on the gun. Since I fancy myself a table-top gunsmith, I fooled around with the Sistema myself and thats why I don't really worry about Taurus CS cause I won't need them unless something really big breaks. But again, exactly how bad can it be? Taurus is a MAJOR manufacturer of guns and while their CS may not be wiz-bang, they do a very high volume business and you will get your gun fixed.
Now when I got that Taurus, I did intend to buy a RIA but the guy behind the counter showed a Taurus and explained all the differences and it looked like a great deal. I thought such a hand gun was out of my price range. Since I trusted that fellow and was a regular at the shop, I bought the Taurus that very moment, all without having ever heard about it and have not been sorry. It is a wiz-bang gun that has the modernity and features of guns costing many times its prices and I haven't had any trouble from it, at all.
Anyways, that's where I am coming from. Either way, you won't go wrong and you'll end up buying another. You'll be surprised at how many times the only answers to these delicious quandaries are simply to buy both.
HZOX221
Member
At that price range, I would only look at an STI Spartan. It is a hell of a lot more of a gun than any Springfield GI or Mil-Spec.
uh-oh
Member
Having owned the PT1911 (yes, past tense), owning a S&W, a Springfield Loaded, and an RIA, the SA is your best choice as far as reliability, fit, AND customer service should you need to use them. The RIA is second banana, it's an inexpensive gun that works, but it aint winning any beauty contests.
Any park'd or blued finish will wear, especially if you do a lot of holstering and shooting and it just adds to its character. Just keep the gun well-oiled and it won't let you down.
If $500 were the spending cap, I'd get the RIA tactical and spend the rest of the money on ammo.
Any park'd or blued finish will wear, especially if you do a lot of holstering and shooting and it just adds to its character. Just keep the gun well-oiled and it won't let you down.
If $500 were the spending cap, I'd get the RIA tactical and spend the rest of the money on ammo.
kentucky_smith
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- Oct 6, 2005
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- 1,686
uggh
Just say no.
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