Want a decent 1911... What do ya say?

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beeenbag

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Well I have searched the threads and found alot of similar talk but nothing really framing my train of thought.

So if you don't mind beating a dead horse here... I found my self recently drooling over several 1911s and have made the mental commitment to push it to the top of the "want" list.

I wan't a decent gun for a decent price. Bells and whistles are not a necessity but are nice.

I would prefer something american so im not really looking at ria 1911s, but can't afford something custom like wilson combat.

I would like the best gun in the $600 to $1200 range. Wide range I know but lets see what you 1911 pros can do with it.
 
Springfield Mil-Spec in stainless steel.

Good sights with a traditional 1911A1 look but in stainless so you can get away with a little neglect.

This is my favorite current production 1911. They run around 700-750 I think.
 
I got my (factory new) Colt Combat Commander for around $800 (with the tax) last year. Been extremely pleased with it and have had no issues or problems at all. It is still pure stock as it came off the shelf, including still using the factory mags at the range (I already had numerous Wilson 47DC and Chip McCormick power mags for when it's loaded off the range).

Colt_2.jpg
 
I would prefer something american
Springfield 1911's are from Brazil. That doesn't mean they are bad in any way. They are very fine pistols. However, at the most, the boys from Geneseo, Ill., assemble some of their higher end pistols in the USA. Springfield 1911's are made by IMBEL in Brazil.

Colt, S&W, Dan Wesson, SigSauer, Auto Ordnance, ParaUSA, Kimber, and STI (except for the Spartan) are all made in the USA.
 
They're all good. Any of the brands JTQ listed would fit your needs. I only have one 1911, a Kimber, and it has been great.
 
You can get a better gun in the under $1200 range than a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec made in Brazil...

Some of the cheapest prices can be found on Budsgunshop.com, go there and look up:
Springfield Armory Loaded (made in Brazil)
Kimber
SW1911

Yeah, JTQ has good advice.
 
Springfield 1911's are from Brazil. That doesn't mean they are bad in any way. They are very fine pistols. However, at the most, the boys from Geneseo, Ill., assemble some of their higher end pistols in the USA. Springfield 1911's are made by IMBEL in Brazil.

Colt, S&W, Dan Wesson, SigSauer, Auto Ordnance, ParaUSA, Kimber, and STI (except for the Spartan) are all made in the USA.
They make equally good US made guns in that range too. Buy USA, help the economy.

That said, the only 1911's I have had issues with were the 3 Springfields that I have owned.
 
I'd recommend a Rock Island Armory Tactical model as a starter, probably under $450 depending on the source. Yes, they're made in the Phillipines, but excellent quality for that price range. You can always buy more expensive and nicer 1911's, but RIA's are great to start with. And you could buy two for the price of some of the others with the same features and quality, just a better name.

The Tactical has the custom features, but their GI models are very good too. Also have 'em in Midsize (Commander), Compact (Officers) and 9mm versions. Doublestacks too.
 
Well I have searched the threads and found alot of similar talk but nothing really framing my train of thought.

So if you don't mind beating a dead horse here... I found my self recently drooling over several 1911s and have made the mental commitment to push it to the top of the "want" list.

I wan't a decent gun for a decent price. Bells and whistles are not a necessity but are nice.

I would prefer something american so im not really looking at ria 1911s, but can't afford something custom like wilson combat.

I would like the best gun in the $600 to $1200 range. Wide range I know but lets see what you 1911 pros can do with it.

There is a lot in that price range. American is not necessary, as much as the company who stands behind it. Kimber, Smith and Wesson and Dan Wesson are made in the USA. That is pretty much a production gun price range. If you are open to used, then there are a lot of choices. You didn't specify but I presume you want a Government sized 1911.

Springfield Armory Loaded 1911
Kimber Crimson Carry 1911
Kimber CDP
Kimber Raptor
Colt Gold Cup
Sig Sauer XO
Sig Sauer RCS
Smith and Wesson Pro Series 1911
Dan wesson Heritage

For used prices you can find some great deals. That's how I grabbed a Pro Raptor and Ultra Raptor.

Not too many negatives about Colts. They are solid performers. Same goes for the Smith and Wesson Pro. The slide of the Sigs are a little wider than conventional 1911s but the newer models have been more reliable. The earlier Sigs weren't worth a darn. Springfields are solid but made in Brazil. Known for their customer service, none of my friends are dissatisfied with their SA products. Kimbers get a lot of negative press but I personally like them given that they have a lot of options included: skeletonized hammers, ambi safeties, night sights, skeletonized triggers, match grade barrels, etc.

Only you can decide what suits your budget and your skills as a shooter. Good luck.
 
Im really starting to like that Para GI expert ESP. Any body know much on them
The ESP is going to be nice with the extended beaver tail and fiber optic sights but I believe it'll run about $100 more than the standard GI Expert... Is worth it? only you can decided ;)
 
Not really a 1911 guy although one is def. on my short list, everyone says, springer, RIA STI, and colt of course. One can be had from any of these manufactures in your price range.
 
I wan't a decent gun for a decent price. Bells and whistles are not a necessity but are nice.
Based on that, get a more basic model with a good frame & slide so you have a foundation you can build on later if you want to customize. Along that train of thought a Springfield GI or Mil Spec are going to give you the best bang for the buck. Yes, they're made in Brazil, but by IMBEL, and that forged frame & slide are amongst the best in the world. After that a Colt Series 70 repro is the next best thing. The Filipino guns are pretty good for cast frames & milled slides. The Para GI Expert is not a good deal - many standard 1911 parts will not fit because they use a non-spec frame. I've yet to get my hands Remington's new R1911, so I can't tell you anything on it yet. If you want more bells & whistles than what's on standard Gov't. Model / GI Style all the folks here will be happy to lend experience should you shift the discussion that way.

You may also want to take a look at the articles by Hilton Yam over at 10-8 consulting to further educate yourself on range toy 1911s vs. fighting 1911s.
 
Thanks for this thread. Lots of 1911 threads of course, but I'm looking for something like this

get a more basic model with a good frame & slide so you have a foundation you can build on later if you want to customize.

something that can be built on, for which parts are interchangeable, that's "standard", etc.
 
My shooting buddy,m Ralph, is on the cusp of getting a 1911. His budget is less than $700 so he's looking at an RIA Tactical or a Springer Mil SPec. I told him if he just wants a range gun with some bells and whistles to get theRIA but if he wants to get a 1911 at his budget price get the MIl SPec for a forged frame and slide etc tbuild on.

A Springer Mil SPec has #1 higher sights than a GI and the enlarged ejection port price that from a gunsmith and it's +$100 at least over a Gi Standrd ejection port.... then price adding a beavertail grip safety $175 as
well as a new commander syle hammer to go with beavertail and heck if you
do that buy the sear hammer and other parts that are forged cylinder and slide or egw for $150

it goes on and on....

or get a S&W 1911 it has
beavertail, long holed trigger
novak low mount sights white 3 dot - send a Mil SPec to
Novak for those sights +$200 includes sighting it in


I have a S&W 1911 base model in stainless
got it for $less than $800 3 years ago and now buds
has them if in stock for more than that. so they keep their
value. and S&Ws usually run out of the box,.

However if you want a keep forever and tweeak or build gun
get a Colt repo 70 Series - that's my next 1911 for a barsto
barrle I have

I( agree with buying american - I went to buy some camping gear a
couple of years ago and found Coleman now is all imported Chinese I
am not or try not to buy from our economic enemey

So I googled and found some camping stuff from an outfit in Arkansas
but that's another thread


Randall
 
Be like me and go buy a High Standard Camp Perry model 1911 for 400 dollars out the door. It shoots dead on. Finish is fine for what it's worth.

You buy cheap, you don't have to worry about scratching the gun or holster wear. Because scratch it down to the metal and your gun still worth the price you paid.
 
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From research I say springfield, smith and wesson, colt, or for around 1200 Dan wesson, sti, Les Baer, or fusion/ custom Springfield or colt.

From experience I say stay far away from para ordnance. Unless reliability and customer service don't matter.
 
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