What's a good 1911 in the $700-$800 range?

[Gato Montés]

So basically I was dead set on picking up a Ruger SR1911 Government, but with availability so low I've only seen ONE, ever, and that was a rental. I'm pretty ignorant to all the different models of 1911's out there, so I was looking for some comparable models that stack up well with the Ruger both in features and price. From the small amount of research I did, it seems 1911's weren't shielded from the mass buying panic either so I know pricing as of right now will reflect that, but I'm fine at waiting things out until the prices come back down. The Rugers are stainless but I'd be fine with simple parkerizing as well.

Oh, and one last thing. Usually not an issue with me, but for this there is a strong preference for American made. Not a deal breaker but certainly a consideration.

Thanks guys.

 

[bainter1212]

I bought my Springfield Mil-Spec a couple years ago for $650. I has been a GREAT gun. Super reliable. Slide and frame made in Brazil, other parts made in U.S. assembled in the USA.

 

[jmr40]

All the guntores I go in recently are pretty well sold out of anything holding 10+ rounds, but there are plenty of 1911's on the shelf. I'd bet a little looking around will turn up a nice used Colt, Kimber or other good quality 1911 at a good price.

I picked up a couple of used S&W 1911's under $800 a couple of years ago. I bet you could still find one in that range. I've had pretty much all of the 1911's in the under $1200 range, the S&W version impresses me the most.

 

[bannockburn]

I would say that Remington and Ruger would fit your criteria in terms of your price range and having been built in the U.S. Other than that you might try looking for a used Colt, S&W, Kimber, or SIG though you still might have to increase your price range a bit.

 

[Gato Montés]

How are the Remingtons in terms of quality? Beyond having my own experiences I've seen many a post regarding an apparent drop in quality from a broad range of their offerings.

The Springfield Mil-Spec was a consideration but the extended beavertail is something I want. Never fired the Springer, but I have a bad history of hammer/slide bite so it's a big deal to me.

 

[farm23]

There are many good 1911 and Ruger is one of the best [Ruger now has a Commander size 1911]. It may be more than your budget but I like Kimber and I agree on USA made. In fact it is a deal breaker for me. I do not know for sure but have been told Springfield is made in Hungary / Croatia.

 

[tarosean]

Springfield is made in Hungary / Croatia.

Their XD line (poly guns) are, but their 1911's are assembled here with slides/frames from Brazilian forgings.

 

[SDGlock23]

Find an "NM" Springfield model PX9109LP, those are pretty dang nice in that price range, even comes with night sights.

 

[g_one]

I think Remington's 1911 don't get quite as much praise as they deserve. While they're not on par with a Kimber or a high-end Springfield, they're definitely a step above the RIA, or Springfield mil-spec line of things. The Remington R1-Enhanced I had the opportunity to shoot had one of the best factory trigger jobs I've ever felt on a 1911

 

[tuj]

I like the STI Spartan.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I bought my Springfield Mil-Spec a couple years ago for $650. I has been a GREAT gun. Super reliable. Slide and frame made in Brazil, other parts made in U.S. assembled in the USA.

but their 1911's are assembled here with slides/frames from Brazilian forgings.

The lower end SA pistols are not brought in as forgings to be assembled in the US...only the $2500 Professional and other Custom shop 1911 come in that way. Most SA slides and frames are imported as finished parts. Some, like the Mil-Spec, are completely assembled in Brazil.

Not that there is anything wrong with them...IMBEL is an highly respected manufacturer...but, not falling in line with what the OP asked for

I like the STI Spartan.

I really like STI 1911s, however the Spartan in produced and assembled in the P.I.

 

[Gato Montés]

Like I said, country of origin not a deal breaker, just would be nice to have an American firearm full of American history produced by an American manufacturer.

Pardon my ignorance, but when looking for a model similar to Ruger's offering you say you'll have to spend a bit more, how much more are we talking? I understand the cost behind a Colt because, well, it's a Colt, but the others?

And here I thought $800 was a decent amount to spend on a single handgun, this thread is making me feel poor, and stupid.

 

[9mmepiphany]

And here I thought $800 was a decent amount to spend on a single handgun, this thread is making me feel poor, and stupid

You shouldn't feel that way.

When economy models start around 500 and go over $3000 for production models, $800 is an entry level. The sweet spot in 1911s is in the $1500 range.

Based on the Ruger SR1911s I've shot and and others that I have handled, it is a very nice entry level 1911...if you like the features it comes with...but it doesn't have much of a track record yet. Folks said the same thing when Springfield Armory came on the market to challenge Colt and it has now become an industry standard

 

[Gato Montés]

Well, I suppose I now understand the attraction and the demand that follows an American made 1911 at that price point, given the other offerings.

Ruger it is then. Least there won't be any buyers remorse like I usually get when debating what to buy, can't afford anything else.

 

[Fishslayer]

Like I said, country of origin not a deal breaker, just would be nice to have an American firearm full of American history produced by an American manufacturer.

The Rock Island Tactical has a solid reputation. It's made in the Phillipines. The Tactical model has most of the upgrades most people have done to a GI. Better sights, better trigger (mine is outstanding) ambi safety, beavertail. At around $550 OTD it's a steal, IMO. Especially in California where the 70 type 1911s that are rostered are few.
A lot of people knock the finish. It's Parkerized. I'm not sure what they think a Park'd pistol is supposed to look like but mine looks just fine.

This is the part where the Kimber guys chime in with "You get what you pay for etc etc etc." Haters gonna hate. Owners love the Rocks and should you need customer service their center in Nevada is reputed to be top notch.
With $800 you would have enough left for a box or two of ammo...
...if you can find any.

 

[Girodin]

I will tell you my theory when it comes to buying production 1911s. I think it makes sense to do the following:

1) Decide your budget

2) Sit down and list the features that are important to you

3) Look at what guns offer those features

4) Identify which guns on that list are in your price range.

With production 1911s it is generally cheaper and easier to buy something out the box with the features you want then it is to add them after the fact. A lot of what people like and want in a 1911 is simply personal preference as well.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

If you have more patients than I do, then the Ruger is well worth the wait. I own, shoot, and gush over the SR1911 as often as possible

If you need a 1911 RIGHT NOW - a feeling I know all too well - then Springfield would be a great buy. The gun shops in my area always have one in stock. I used to think that the Remington R1 was something worth looking into, but there was a recent thread posted on this forum where someone had a really bad experience with one.

Of all the Ruger 1911's out there, I have YET to hear something extreamely negative about them.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Kimber Custom II can usually be had for around $700. I think a good quality 1911 for the price. Been very happy with the reliability and accuracy of mine.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Of all the Ruger 1911's out there, I have YET to hear something extreamely negative about them.

We can take care of that easily.

I was at Gunsite a couple of years ago taking the 1911 Centennial class...needless to say, all 1911s...and there were a couple of SR1911s on the line. (The Ruger plant is local)

During a string of fire, one of the SR1911s had a stoppage. Turned out that the Firing Pin Stop had slipped out the bottom of the slide during recoil and the firing pin took flight (no FPS to catch it)

 

[bainter1212]

+1 on the Rock Island suggestion. $500 for a good parked 1911 with all the upgrades you could want, plus enough $ left over for ammo. Their CS is great and they make compact models as well. They even make their Tactical model in 9mm if you're into that.

 

[blkbrd666]

I bought a S&W 1911 about a year ago for $600 and it's an awesome shooter. Stainless and came from the factory with most of the "upgrades" people do to the basic 1911. It's a keeper.

 

[HKGuns]

There are a lot of good options for you already mentioned. Some of them didn't exist when I purchased this one. However, I would still recommend this as a great 1911 for the money. No reason for ANYONE to feel poor and stupid. There are a LOT of excellent options available in this price range, I just happened to land on this one. You don't need to spend $2500 to get a decent running 1911.

 

[Rancher5]

I have a kimber pro carry 2 like it allot, though it needs better sights,I picked up a Remington A1 Enhanced recently ,is one of the best balanced and user friendly pistols I ever shot out of the boxs ready, Great sights, grip, and a perfect balance for a 1911, great looking and handling shooter,The Kimber has a weight issue though lighter, its a great CC gun though nothing beats a steel framed 1911 as they feel very balanced, Also have a Tactical Practical Glock 34 Gen3 shoots great not as balanced as the Remington or the Kimber though its a different shooting gun in a 9 caliber verses other 2 as 45's, all in the 800 or less price range.

 

[joecil]

I sold my full size Springfield PX9109LP shortly after getting a RIA/Armscor 1911 CS. I had the same type of night sights put on it that was on the Springfield under factory warranty and never looked back or regretted it. The CS has been my daily carry now for 2 years.

 

[Maj Dad]

I just acquired a ParaOrd GI Expert from a THR member for $500 + $20 sh. I was kind of leery of what I had bitten on, but on receiving it, I think it is worth the money. I got a few extra quality mags with it, which sweetened the deal, but the pistol seems solid, and though the factory finish is less than "haut qualité", I think it will do exactly what I wanted: be a M1911 and fire when the trigger is pulled and hit the object at which I aim. I have a Colt, and have had several Colt 1911s and 1911A1s over the years, and I know what is and what isn't a 1911. This seems to be a solid 1911 until disproved.