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

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Auto426 said:
When I first got into the 1911 game it was with a Springfield G.I. I didnt know all that much and i wanted to sort of test the waters to see if 1911's are for me. That gun is now gone, and i think there are better options available since I first got into the game. Today, if I were in that same situation I would probably opt for a Ruger SR1911 if you can find one that hasn't seen a major price increase due to demand.
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This seems to be a nationwide problem with all handguns and hand gun ammo.
 
I think on my week off I'll go and try to find a Filipino 1911 to inspect. I considered that option before and ultimately decided to pass, but their 1911 Tactical model has all of the features I'm looking for at a price point that can't be ignored. Finish is on the low end I hear but so what, won't mind if I beat it up then.

Thanks for all the advice by the way everyone.
 
Gato Montés said:
I think on my week off I'll go and try to find a Filipino 1911 to inspect. I considered that option before and ultimately decided to pass, but their 1911 Tactical model has all of the features I'm looking for at a price point that can't be ignored. Finish is on the low end I hear but so what, won't mind if I beat it up then.

Thanks for all the advice by the way everyone.
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I know exactly what you mean that's why I want to get a RIA .45 1911 Tactical.
Imagine if you bought a Sig 1911 for what is the cost on that over $1,000? You would never want to get a scratch on that gun let alone get any kinds of blemishes you get on using these guns at the range. Too good of a gun to shoot.:eek:
 
In your price range Ruger, STI, Rock Island, Springfield, Magnum Research, Remington, Para. IMO this is the order of quality in 1911s under a 1K. I have not owned all of them but have shot all of them. I owned a Ruger, STI Lawman, 2 Springfields one GI customized and one TRP, and a RIA customized. The most accurate and reliable out of the box was the TRP but that is not in your price range. The second best was the Ruger, followed by the STI. After some good aftermarket parts were intalled the RIA and Springfield GI were great shooters. If you want a gun made for you, get a RIA GI for $500and buy the parts you like and put them on it making it yours.
 

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RIA before adding aftermarket parts
 

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Just picked up a stainless Remington R1. Haven't shot it yet but I like it so far. Was the only thing in the 1911 case for under a grand other than a Taurus. Should get out Monday and put a few rounds through it.
 
Originally Posted by Gato Montés
I like most have looked at the RIAs before as they are a great value. Hell, the Philippines have as much to do with the introduction of the 1911 as America, so they get a pass.

That being said, I think the Ruger is it. I've grown up with Rugers and have always been a fan, so if they're making one why not? For now that is.
This is true as the .45 ACP was used against the Moro warriors since the .38 caliber wasn't stopping them in time as they would die afterwards killing a few soldiers with them until they dropped.
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Close but no cigar. Although the last major battle with the Moro's was in 1913, the problems began there in the very late 1800's, well before the adoption of the 1911. It was Colt SAA's in .45 Colt that were pulled back into service. I don't doubt a few 1911's (or even a few privately owned Colt 1905's) it into the country before the end though.
 
I've read that while the .38 Long Colt was low on the power scale, the reputation it received because of poor results against the Moros is greatly blown out of proportion as the Krag rifle also had a hard time with those crazy buggers. Further, I've seen many who confuse the .38 Long Colt with the .38 Special, which of course is an entirely different cartridge. Still though, it seems the .45 ACP is excessively popular with Filipinos, at least from what I've seen/read.
 
Another vote for the ROCK. I bought the GI RIA's 1911 45acp. because I wanted a 1911 45 that was close to what I carried in the military. That and it does not have the firing pin safety, which makes for a very sweet trigger pull. I can say for sure the Rock will shoot ammo that the one I had in the military could't dream of shooting. I have never found a brand of 45 acp ammo it wouldn't shoot. (including JHP's) IMO if your looking for a good entry level 1911 the Rock is hard to beat.
 
Is the only difference between a series 70 and series 80 the firing pin safety? Is the series 80's additional safety even necessary? I only ask because it looks as if many seek out 70's over 80's for the trigger pull, which obviously has to do with the firing pin safety.

The Ruger I believe is a series 70 style, while the Remingtons are series 80, I think anyway. I'm guessing the Rocks are series 70's as well?
 
It is a similar arguement to the internal or external extractor. All boils down to preference. Me, I am a internal extractor series 70 kinda guy. Not right or wrong just preference. The RIA I had was a 70 series.
 
Roadking Rider said:
Another vote for the ROCK. I bought the GI RIA's 1911 45acp. because I wanted a 1911 45 that was close to what I carried in the military. That and it does not have the firing pin safety, which makes for a very sweet trigger pull. I can say for sure the Rock will shoot ammo that the one I had in the military could't dream of shooting. I have never found a brand of 45 acp ammo it wouldn't shoot. (including JHP's) IMO if your looking for a good entry level 1911 the Rock is hard to beat.
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I have heard the RIA .45 is accurate and feeds well different types of ammo.
 
A Rock Tatical Model I'm sure is as reliable as any 1911 out there in todays market. You do not have to spend a small furtune to have a good reliable 1911. I believe the Rock GI model is the only 70 series pistol they make. I could be wrong about that, but I thought I read that somewhere..
 
Roadking Rider said:
A Rock Tatical Model I'm sure is as reliable as any 1911 out there in todays market. You do not have to spend a small furtune to have a good reliable 1911. I believe the Rock GI model is the only 70 series pistol they make. I could be wrong about that, but I thought I read that somewhere..
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What is a 70 series?
 
Sig 1911 TTT should be about $850.-, nice gun and my second choice. I held out and finally found a S&W Stainless (non-rail) for $925.-, glad i did, i love this gun. The Sig at that price is a great deal IMO.
 
jim goose said:
Maybe a bit out of the price range, but anyone know how are the SIG 1911's are?
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Regardless of model/finish, all 5" Sig 1911s are built on the same stainless frame/slide and built in the USA with same internals/match grade barrel/trigger. For the best bang-for-the -buck, I would suggest the Nitron XO pistol that's well under $1000.

A friend bought a RIA Tactical same time as I bought my Sig 1911 TacPac and both have well over 5000+ rounds shot through them without issues or parts breakage.

RIA Tactical has more generous tapered chamber/mouth with slower start of rifling (longer leade) that will feed/chamer any reloads (particuarly SWC loads) even when really dirty and keeps shooting. The accuracy has been excellent and will keep up with the Sig TacPac out to 15 yards in shot group size (single hole shot groups are the norm and shot groups will open up wider than TacPac beyond 15 yards). The trigger has lightened up since new and feels very smooth. Even with the round count, slide-to-frame fit has remained tight (we used Hoppes #9 and Breakfree CLP).

Although we primarily used Chip McCormick 8 round mags, factory RIA mags have worked well without feeding issues. The parkerized finish is starting to wear on the slide edge at the muzzle end while the Sig TacPac's Nitron finish is still pristine.

I can't speak for other sub $600-$800 1911s but at the ~$550 price range for RIA Tactical, it gets my vote for "Must go BANG" 1911 that will produce some very accurate shot groups, even after 5000+ rounds.
 
bds said:
Regardless of model/finish, all 5" Sig 1911s are built on the same stainless frame/slide and built in the USA with same internals/match grade barrel/trigger. For the best bang-for-the -buck, I would suggest the Nitron XO pistol that's well under $1000.

A friend bought a RIA Tactical same time as I bought my Sig 1911 TacPac and both have well over 5000+ rounds shot through them without issues or parts breakage.

RIA Tactical has more generous tapered chamber/mouth with slower start of rifling (longer leade) that will feed/chamer any reloads (particuarly SWC loads) even when really dirty and keeps shooting. The accuracy has been excellent and will keep up with the Sig TacPac out to 15 yards in shot group size (single hole shot groups are the norm and shot groups will open up wider than TacPac beyond 15 yards). The trigger has lightened up since new and feels very smooth. Even with the round count, slide-to-frame fit has remained tight (we used Hoppes #9 and Breakfree CLP).

Although we primarily used Chip McCormick 8 round mags, factory RIA mags have worked well without feeding issues. The parkerized finish is starting to wear on the slide edge at the muzzle end while the Sig TacPac's Nitron finish is still pristine.

I can't speak for other sub $600-$800 1911s but at the ~$550 price range for RIA Tactical, it gets my vote for "Must go BANG" 1911 that will produce some very accurate shot groups, even after 5000+ rounds.
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That's the first choice for me whever I can find one. Where can you get extra RIA .45 ACP clips? I believe it only comes with one clip.
 
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.:rolleyes:
 
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