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

[stinger 327]

A quick update since this thread has chugged along WAY longer than I ever expected. Stopped by my local Gander and compared a Rem R1 to the Ruger, both of which I was surprised were in stock. The R1 was the standard version, which was a good thing as it was proof positive that I most likely would have some problems with hammer bite. A very pretty pistol overall and if I can say anything negative about the Ruger it is that I'm a little more partial to traditional parkerizing than stainless. $749 and $799 for the Remington and Ruger respectively, and I was severely tempted to give up and buy the Ruger right then and there but fortunately the very helpful sales clerk did nothing the entire time but show how inferior these two pistols were to his Ed Brown setting me straight.

Thanks for your input.
So the Ruger cost $749?

 

[Speedster00]

Ill second Fishslayer and the Rock Island. I have a tactical model I paid $400 for new and it shoots fantastic. great feel, light trigger, never had an issue.

 

[stinger 327]

Ill second Fishslayer and the Rock Island. I have a tactical model I paid $400 for new and it shoots fantastic. great feel, light trigger, never had an issue.

Initially that's the one I was going to get until this panic buying happened. Now there are no handguns available.

 

[BRE346]

I bought a Taurus , oh so shiny and gold trimmed for $695. It turned out to be a very honest straight-shooting piece, easy to handle and service. A very knowledgeable friend declared the trigger was perfect. It handles both ball and hollow point ammo.

So why should I spend any more?

 

[stinger 327]

I bought a Taurus , oh so shiny and gold trimmed for $695. It turned out to be a very honest straight-shooting piece, easy to handle and service. A very knowledgeable friend declared the trigger was perfect. It handles both ball and hollow point ammo.

So why should I spend any more?

I agree with you why spend more?

 

[9mmepiphany]

So the Ruger cost $749?

I'm just curious, how did you get that from this:

$749 and $799 for the Remington and Ruger respectively

...or were you being facetious and forgot the smilie?

 

[PabloJ]

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.

You can find something nice on used market for a lot less then one might expect. Latest sample was little used stainless .45 from Covina California. The name was 'Hardboiled', "Hardball" or something similar and tag was very attractive $450. That is not a lot more then parkerized carbon steel gun imported form country that has lower standard of living then ours.

 

[Nuclearmike]

I got a SW1911 E-series at the top end of the OP price range about 6 months ago. Base model, no rail, etc. It is a great piece for the money. Fit and finish is very nice. Has run well with everything I have put in the magazine. I think S&W really got their act together on the E-series.

 

[LiveLife]

You can find something nice on used market for a lot less then one might expect. Latest sample was little used stainless .45 from Covina California. The name was 'Hardboiled', "Hardball" or something similar and tag was very attractive $450.

You mean AMT Hardballer? The company was located in Irwindale, CA but now bankrupt (bye bye AutoMag).

 

[PabloJ]

You mean AMT Hardballer? The company was located in Irwindale, CA but now bankrupt (bye bye AutoMag).

I think it was marked 'Hardballer' on the slide and there was Covina California on the frame. It had same finish as the CA 'Backup' guns except it was 1911 chambered for .45ACP cartridge. It was very well made and well worth $450. Just look at prices of new stuff...... nearest competitor would be a Ruger 1911 at over $700. I didn't do the paperwork because I do not need another pistol.

 

[Auto426]

I'd stay far away from any old AMT 1911's.

 

[otasan56]

Agreed!