The first 1911 we buy

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My wife and I did a basic handgun class yesterday, she fell in love with a old Colt 1911, 45acp.
Now this leads to a problem for me, I'm not a 1911 shooter, my hand gun of choice is CZ75.
So this will be the first 1911 we buy. Springfield's Mill-Spec sound OK,
STI Spartan is another in the $500-750 range.

Is there any other 1911 makers worth looking into?
 
SA's Mil-Spec and the STI Spartan are both sound choices for a first 1911. Of these, I'd vote for the Mil-Spec. It's a solid pistol and is a good base for customization later on.

You may also want to look at the Dan Wesson 1911's. They are a tremendous value and use top-quality small parts.
 
In that price range, the SA Mil-Spec, STI Spartan, and the Taurus PT1911.

No 1911 in my stable yet, but for me it'll be the Mil-Spec since I can get it in stainless and I like stainless. Until the "coming soon" Taurus 1911 Stainless shows up, it'll be SA.

If you want something a bit cheaper, look at Rock Island Armory (RIA). Very good bang for the buck. You'll see as much bad press about them as you do guns that cost 4x as much.
 
Is the pistol for you or her?

What type of "old Colt" is it?

Did she form her opinion by looking at the gun or by shooting it?

Answer these questions three, and the answer ye shall see..........

Answer 'em and I'll attempt an answer as well, along with an explanation.

Also, if you would like me to move your thread to the Autoloaders Forum, I will. You might get more concise answers there. Your choice.
 
+1 for the Rock Island Armory/Charles Daly guns.

I have a Charles Daly, which is their "slightly-higher-grade" version, but either type is a great buy for the money. I paid a little more than $400 for mine, which was actually higher than most places will charge, especially for the Rock Islands.

Great guns for the money - basic, but well made and sturdy. They also have an excellent lifetime warranty, just contact the factory (or Ivan, over on the m1911.org forum) and he'll take care of any issues you might have.
 
Id get the Spartan or maybe the Taurus 1911 with that light-rail.
 
The Springfield Mil-Spec is an excellent entry level 1911 for a new 1911 shooter.
 
<<+1 for the Rock Island Armory/Charles Daly guns. >>

I second what Kingpin008 said.

The RIA's are a good value. And you can have one out the door for less than 4 bills.
 
Just ordered myself a Rock Island Armory tactical model - comes with Novak sights, etc. Hate the ugly-looking trigger, though - going to be replaced with a Wilson.
 
I got a SW1911 5" Bbl. Len. Stainless Steel
fixed ( Front white dot, rear Novak "Carry" twin
white dot notch rear ) sights. IT comes with a
beavertail grip to protect the web of the hand &
has the external extractor last month for $ 720
w/ shipping and transfer. IT has a very
good trigger w/little over travel, crisp

Nice features and quality for the $$$ imho.

only one range sesion, 120 rounds fired & just
one FTF of 200 gr. SWC I think I didn't load the last
round of that magazine corrrectly
 
The Spartan is pretty new - not sure how much feedback is available.

Perhaps call Fuzzy Bunny and see what their take is - one of the mods here runs STI group buys on occasion - it's probably pretty good for zombies and the like.

From what I gather, it's a Rock Island with STI parts. I can't see that being a bad thing.
 
I have the Springfield "Milspec" bought it 13 years ago. Has been a great gun. What sold me at the time was the small touches that Springfield put into it. Mine has a lowered ejection port, beveled magazine well and the feed ramp and barrel appear to have been polished. Some have military type sights which I do not like, mine came with a 3 dot set up which has worked out very well. Totally reliable even with hollow points. I have not seen the need to sink any money into it, its not a match gun but a good basic .45. LOL Bill
 
Another to add to the list but may be a couple hundred more than what your comparing too. Give a good look at the Kimber Custom.

Good luck :)
 
my first 1911... and "real" gun for that matter was/is the Mil-Spec. Couldn't be happier with it. If its for target I would definately recommend the Gov't model.
 
my very first 1911 i ever bought was a colt 1991A1 from there i now own 39 1911's and it is still growing. but for a first i say go with the Taurus they are very nice shoot great and are one of the better 1911's built for the 500-600 dollar range.now if you want to part with about 2,000 dollars i will sell you my NightHawk custom that i dont want anymore, i bought a Les Baer and wont look back. go with one of the Mil-Spec or the lower priced you can always ad custom touches as she wants. the Roc Island is a great choice.
 
Colt. Often imitated but never duplicated. Colt.jpg

I like Colts. You can pick one up for $600-$700. Colt's consistantly hold their value better than any other 1911.

I paid $600 for this one.


IMG_9274.jpg


The Springfields are nice. I wouldn't shy away from them. I picked up this lightweight Loaded model for $465 but it will never be a Colt.

DSC02934.jpg
 
buy what she fell in love with the Colt !!!!!
Can not go wrong with the Pony
 
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

She had it right the first time.

Go Colt series 70 or Colt World War I Replica.


:evil:
 
Love my Spartan

399.00 for my barely used one. I still can't believe it.

I was looking at a Milspec, but then the Spartan appeared. I think the Spartan would be easier to upgrade.
 
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