Thinking about a 1911

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I second the RIA/reloading press combo if you are so inclined.
RIAs won’t let you down, they just may not be as cosmetically refined as more expensive guns. Doesn’t affect how they shoot!
A reloading press/lifetime of good , cheaper ammo is hard to pass up!

It all depends on your time available and commitment to loading.

With all that said, the Ruger SR1911 is one sweet deal. My son has one and it’s a GREAT shooter.
 
Zerodefect said:
I recommend a bigger budget and getting a better 1911. $1800-2200 is the sweet spot lately.

Reliability has a lot to do with the shooters ability to mentally flex and adjust to what their 1911 needs. Too many shooters can't handle the simple facts that 1911's like certain ammo, mags, or require decent lube. Better trouble shooters can make most any 1911 run well.

My fav's ar Dan Wesson, Les Baer (give or take his obsolete sights), Colt, and Guncrafter.

The Colt Competition is a very nice 1911 near your price range:
http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2017/o1970CCS.pdf
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This is a joke, right ?
OP says that his budget is "max $850 for a budget gun" , and you are suggesting a $1800-2200 gun?
So far, I have seen many of those "advices" where OP's clearly say they want a certain gun type and what their budget is, but people would tell them "if you could only save $100-200, you could get a xxxxx gun" - but never anything like this.
I am sure that your intentions are good and you want him to have the best gun possible, but we need to be realistic.
 
Zerodefect said:
I recommend a bigger budget and getting a better 1911. $1800-2200 is the sweet spot lately.
Click to expand...

You have to be kidding. $1800 - $2000 to get a reliable 1911.

I brought my 1911's about 30 +/- years ago so at the time there was not the selection of tricked out factory guns as there is today.

One of my 1911's is a Springfield Armory. stainless steel, basic model. I followed most of Jeff Coopers advice. I added a new trigger, sear, hammer, short beavertail grip safety and better sights. It also has a extended thumb safety which I have since decided I do not like. I just have never got around to having a gunsmith fit the original safety back on it. I'll run this gun against any $1800 - $2000 1911.

Another 1911 is a Springfield Armory blue mil-spec model. Let's just say when you have too much time and money you can get carried away tricking it out. Among other things I have done to it is having a Bar-Sto barrel and bushing installed which gives 2" groups a 25 yards.

I have a weakness when it comes to 1911's. I just can't resist changing them. When it comes time to start changing parts high tolerances are important. I think the Springfield Armory is still one of the best choices.
 
Bones741 said:
70 series, ability to change sights (seen some non dovetail sights on cheaper models,45 cal,and leaning towards full size rather than commander. 9mm would be cheaper to shoot, but if im getting a 1911 I want a .45.
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That gives you something to go on as far as ruling some out. In my youth I used to be the same way about a 1911 needs to be a .45, but no longer. Sure love shooting 9MM in a 1911 these days, and semi hot .38 Super as well. In my first post, the S&W in the middle is a 9MM. Lots of cheaper fun to be had with it.

Hard to go wrong with a Colt, Smith, Ruger, Kimber, Remington or Springfield (INPO) with the features you want, just pick one out and go for it. The 1911 market is very confusing these days with all the options. Not entirely a bad thing though.

And of course there are other companies making 1911s these days that will work as well. But with your budget, any of the top names mentioned will have an option for you.
 
I have been very pleasantly surprised by Rock Island. Very good value for money. Accurate and well built, but several of the suggestions above offer more refined features apparently within budget.
 
For $850 I'd be looking at Ruger, S&W and Colt (the Competition model seems a decent deal, though I usually find Colt overpriced IMO). I've had great luck with Kimber, but you ruled them out.

Springfield makes a fine gun, but after their shenanagans in Illinois recently, they don't get my money or recommendations.

If you just want functional, RIA are OK but not my preference (though my 10mm RIA is just fine, and a tack driver)
 
My first 1911 was a full sized RIA in 9mm. Really shoots well and eats anything I load.
My wife shoots patterns with most guns but with the RIA she actually shoots groups. Needless to say, but I had to look for another 1911 for myself.

I purchased a full steel Ruger SR1911 CMD. It has a slightly better look but doesn't shoot any better. I had to do some trigger work on the SR to get it as good as the RIA.

I asked her once if she wanted to trade and she hid the RIA so I cannot even find it to shoot if she isn't around.
 
dekibg said:
This is a joke, right ?
OP says that his budget is "max $850 for a budget gun" , and you are suggesting a $1800-2200 gun?
So far, I have seen many of those "advices" where OP's clearly say they want a certain gun type and what their budget is, but people would tell them "if you could only save $100-200, you could get a xxxxx gun" - but never anything like this.
I am sure that your intentions are good and you want him to have the best gun possible, but we need to be realistic.
Click to expand...

I recommended a Colt that's darn good and with in reach of his budget. Go be poor somewhere else.

My recommendation stands. Save up more money. Skip the beginner 1911's, get a better one.
 
For your first 1911 go with RIA. They're cheap enough they won't break the bank and will definitely work right out of the box. If you like the 1911 after that first one, then step up to a "nicer" one, but for the money the RIA will not be beat. My first was a GI full size .45 RIA I bought 6 years ago. It has not malfunctioned once with countless rounds down the pipe.

I'm just about to pick up my 2nd 1911 in the next day or so, it's a Ruger SR1911 series 6700. After reading up on reviews it seems to best deal for a "nicer" 1911, I just hope I'm not disappointed when comparing it to my first one.
 
Zerodefect said:
Go be poor somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Well, that wasn't very nice.

Bottom line is the OP, like the vast majority of us, has a budget to stick with, so advise on pistols in that price range would be appreciated by him.

I've drooled over some high priced 1911s, and I am sure they are outstanding, but I don't have any. I'm very happy with the ones I have though, and enjoy them thoroughly.

The SA in my pic was in the $400/$500 range when I bought it, and I have had many enjoyable hours shooting it. It will feed empty brass from the mag. :)
 
Hey, two whol page and not one person suggest eithe a Glock or an AR-15 :rofl:

Let's see, I've owned Colt, Remington-Rand, AMT, Norinco, and even a Hartford-made Argentine--I may have been around this block a time or two. Owned standard size, Commander, and Officer sized, too.

Which is why I'd pile on the Rock Island/Armscor bandwagon here. If onty so that, after this initial one, you 'll still have budget to try out a Commander-sized or Officer-sized version. (Or one of the hybrids, like Commander frame and Offier's slide; or vice versa). And, for about the same starting price, you could try a 9 or a .38super--both are fun.

This way you can test the waters and have a base line in case you see a sweet deal on a Balister-Nolina, or a Systema 1934 (the Argies are really nice).
 
I asked the same question on here several years ago and was pointed back to Colt. Many variations for under $900 online. I took the advice and have enjoyed the Colts immensely. However, they are a gateway 1911..,. Soon comes DW...then Baer...then Wilson... and who knows was what lies ahead?!
 
I'm a Colt fan. I have several in several cartridges, each of them has worked out of the box. I also have a Springfield (9x19 RO), a Kimber (38 Super) and a Sig (40 S&W). All of them have functioned out of the box.

I have a mid-1990s vintage Auto Ordinance, a low cost M1911 at the time, that was not so reliable and needed some TLC. It works fine now.

I do not have any first hand experience with Ruger, S&W or Remington M1911s so I cannot pass any judgement on them. The manufacturers have good reputations so their M1911s should be good or I suspect they will stand behind them. I'm not excited about the external extractor but that is just me. I have a couple, including one of my builds, that work fine. I just like the internal extractor.

I've built three M1911s and I consider them the best, of course. But they were more expensive than the OP's budget even back in 2000 when they were built':)

I would think about any of the M1911s in the $850-$900 range would serve the OP well.
 
Walkalong said:
That gives you something to go on as far as ruling some out. In my youth I used to be the same way about a 1911 needs to be a .45, but no longer. Sure love shooting 9MM in a 1911 these days, and semi hot .38 Super as well. In my first post, the S&W in the middle is a 9MM. Lots of cheaper fun to be had with it.

Hard to go wrong with a Colt, Smith, Ruger, Kimber, Remington or Springfield (INPO) with the features you want, just pick one out and go for it. The 1911 market is very confusing these days with all the options. Not entirely a bad thing though.

And of course there are other companies making 1911s these days that will work as well. But with your budget, any of the top names mentioned will have an option for you.
Click to expand...

When it comes to 9mm in the 1911 are the majority of internal parts 9mm specific? just curious. Got me thinking about it and 9mm would indeed be cheaper to shoot. I have two .357's if i need something with snot .So I suppose .45 wouldnt really give me any advantage over 9mm. It also looks like you get 2-3more rounds in the mag if I did carry it. I dont want to get into a 9vs 45 stopping power debate because that has been beaten to death. 180 grain buffalo bore is what i will grab if I want stopping power from my hand guns.
 
Bones741

If you're thinking about going the 9mm. route in a 1911 you might want to consider getting one in .38 Super. Starting with a gun in .38 Super allows you to simply add a 9mm. barrel assembly and some 9mm. magazines and you're good to go with both cartridges in one gun.

TKOQiby.jpg
 
For that .38 super,is it just the barrel change to shoot 9? Or recoil spring too? I'm clueless about the topic
 
Bones741 said:
When it comes to 9mm in the 1911 are the majority of internal parts 9mm specific?
Click to expand...

Primarily, the slide, barrel, ejector and magazine are different between the 9x19 and 45 ACP M1911s. Also, the recoil spring is probably different but if you are shooting target ammunition in your 45, it may have a recoil spring similar to the standard spring for 9x19.

An M1911 can be made to easily switch between 9x19 and 38 Super, a barrel, spring (maybe) and magazine are needed. The ejector probably will need to be trimmed to allow for room of the longer 38 Super case to get out.
 
I have had fine service from my two 1911s from S&W. Feed them with Wilson Combat 47D mags and fuggetaboutit.

I am considering going halvesies with my son on a Colt Competition model in 9mm, if he keeps his grades up. He can shoot it cheap with wally world win white box and later soup it up to .38Super if he get the itch for more power.
 
Whoa! Did somebody say .38 Super?

vdGw5c.jpg

I've asked a gunsmith about adding a 9mm barrel to it at some point, it didn't sound too involved. Barrel, bushing, magazines, maybe a lighter recoil spring and the extractor may or may not work with both case heads without some minor adjustment. Given that .38 Super can use the same shell holder I use when reloading 9mm, the difference isn't extreme.

Unfortunately the stainless Colt Competition may be just outside the OPs stated budget. But I would definitely recommend a Super if you want a 1911 in something other than .45 ACP.
 
Bones741

The biggest plus in starting with a .38 Super is you don't have to replace the ejector as it will work just fine with the 9mm. case. I have always used the .38 Super recoil spring while shooting 9mm. I also like to use Colt 9mm. magazines with my conversion assembly as they have a spacer inside the back of the magazine to take up for the slightly shorter 9mm. case. Factory sights also work well with both cartridges.
 
Zerodefect said:
I recommended a Colt that's darn good and with in reach of his budget. Go be poor somewhere else.

My recommendation stands. Save up more money. Skip the beginner 1911's, get a better one.
Click to expand...
Zerodefect, I am glad you are not my car dealer, lol
 
^^
IN his defense, Zerodefect is typing from Russia. It's possible he's not making the currency conversions accurately when factoring cost of living measures in both countries. Maybe the guns that do go for nearly 2,000 USD in Yakutsk go for much less here.

I'll give him the benefit of that doubt for now, until he proves otherwise.
 
There's several good options that I'm aware of between 500 and 900 dollars.

Lower end of that is Rock Island. You give up something in the looks department, they charge you less for a functional. reliable and accurate pistol. I have two, I like them. But I also cannot pretend they are "pretty".

Then the Ruger 1911. All reports have been good, I personally have no experience.

Springfield has been my favorite maker of 1911's for a long time.

But this is the perfect time to buy a Colt if you really want the "prancing pony" on your gun. Right now they are building good guns at good prices.
 
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