I have been looking at 1911's for awhile now and need some input. I don't want to spend anymore than 800 bucks on this gun. I've been looking at Springfield, Taurus, and rock island armory. Anyone have an opinion on which would be the best. I don't want just a GI model. I want the beaver tail and decent sights. Any opinions will be appreciated.
Which 1911 should I get?
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allaroundhunter
Member
This should probably go into the Handguns: Autoloaders section.... I'm sure it will get there soon.
If you can find a Springfield Loaded for your asking price, that would be my recommendation. Aside from that, many people are enjoying their RIA's and I have heard good things about the Taurus, but my experience with them has been too limited to give you a full assessment. I have shot about 30 rounds through a Taurus PT1911, and it was quite accurate (though I didn't measure for groups) and I did not get a malfunction (again, I only fired 30 rounds)
If you can find a Springfield Loaded for your asking price, that would be my recommendation. Aside from that, many people are enjoying their RIA's and I have heard good things about the Taurus, but my experience with them has been too limited to give you a full assessment. I have shot about 30 rounds through a Taurus PT1911, and it was quite accurate (though I didn't measure for groups) and I did not get a malfunction (again, I only fired 30 rounds)
My first 1911 was a Metro Arms American Classic II
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=273948420
I chose it because it was one of the cheapest options, and I like the way it looks. It's a fine gun out of the box for casual shooting with factory ammo. But it took a fair bit of work to make it function perfectly for IDPA with my reloads.
Next I got an STI Trojan which I love, but is a bit out of your specified price range
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=273993589
But another option from STI is the Spartan
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=273451481
I hear great things about it, and it falls well within your $800 price cap.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=273948420
I chose it because it was one of the cheapest options, and I like the way it looks. It's a fine gun out of the box for casual shooting with factory ammo. But it took a fair bit of work to make it function perfectly for IDPA with my reloads.
Next I got an STI Trojan which I love, but is a bit out of your specified price range
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=273993589
But another option from STI is the Spartan
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=273451481
I hear great things about it, and it falls well within your $800 price cap.
FloridaGix06
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I don't have a ton of 1911 experience but just my 2 cents, either by a budget 1911 or raise your price cap.
I went with the Springfield Loaded and while it is a good gun, I wasn't happy with it till I had Wilson do about $450+ worth of work on it!
Mainly the trigger and also some reshaping of the throat and feed ramp as I had poor consistency with HP's.
If I had it to do all over again I would've either bought the Metro Arms 1911 or bit the bullet and gone custom.
Just my thoughts though, let us know what you decide!
I went with the Springfield Loaded and while it is a good gun, I wasn't happy with it till I had Wilson do about $450+ worth of work on it!
Mainly the trigger and also some reshaping of the throat and feed ramp as I had poor consistency with HP's.
If I had it to do all over again I would've either bought the Metro Arms 1911 or bit the bullet and gone custom.
Just my thoughts though, let us know what you decide!
Byrd666
Member
Springfield Armory - any and or all models. I have an EMP .40 and it's an awesome little pistol. Quite a bit more than your budget though. And they have top notch customer support.
Ruger - I've read great things about the SR 1911 but I've never fired one. They also have top notch customer support.
Remington - I've read great things about the 1911R1 but I've never fired one.
American Classic line - quite a few of my "local" gunsmiths say these are the top of the lower end introduction type 1911s
Regent - they are now producing the Colt 1911 pistol
STI - my local gun guy has a couple of their pistols and does nothing but rave about them.
Some people will throw in a mark or two for the Taurus but, for me Taurus is a hit or miss company with lousy, I mean Lousy customer service.
Kimber - I believe they make a pistol in your price range but, once again, they are a hit or miss company with a poor reputation for customer service.
The one you feel most comfortable with.
Good luck
Ruger - I've read great things about the SR 1911 but I've never fired one. They also have top notch customer support.
Remington - I've read great things about the 1911R1 but I've never fired one.
American Classic line - quite a few of my "local" gunsmiths say these are the top of the lower end introduction type 1911s
Regent - they are now producing the Colt 1911 pistol
STI - my local gun guy has a couple of their pistols and does nothing but rave about them.
Some people will throw in a mark or two for the Taurus but, for me Taurus is a hit or miss company with lousy, I mean Lousy customer service.
Kimber - I believe they make a pistol in your price range but, once again, they are a hit or miss company with a poor reputation for customer service.
The one you feel most comfortable with.
Good luck
That's the second time I've heard that, but I've never been able to verify it.
I know that Umarex (the Regent importer) is making a licensed .22 1911 for Colt, but I'm pretty sure that Trabazon in Turkey is not making the Colt-branded .45 1911s.
Sauer Grapes
Member
LOL, last I checked, this IS the handgun "auto load" section.
Edit: sorry, maybe it was moved here. It's been a looong day!
I'll get beat up for this but I've got a Norinco 1911 A1 and I love that pistol. Paid $225 for it, it has never failed, jammed or stuttered. It is bone stock, original sights et. al. A lot more accurate than I can shoot. I would not trade it for some of the current 1911's going for more money.
My opinion, others will vary.
Loose
My opinion, others will vary.
Loose
allaroundhunter
Member
....it got moved...originally in General gun discussions haha
Zerodefect
member
Every 1911 in that price range is hit or miss.
If you're ok with the gamble, I recommend these cheaper 1911's:
Kimber TLE
Colt
Remington
Avoid the fancy, more expensive 1911's made by cheaper 1911 companies. For example the high end Kimbers are no better than the lowly Kimber Custom or TLE. In fact I'd rather have the simple TLE.
If you need 100% combat ready 1911 out of the box, look towards:
Les Baer
Dan Wesson
Colt
Ed Brown
DFW1911
Member
Check out the Springfield Armory 1911's. I have several of them and for me, they make one of the best 1911's out there (in their respective price points).
I have a lot of 1911's, and my 2 favorites are both Springfields. I carried both as CCW for years (not at the same time; chronologically).
Whichever way you go, have fun!
Take care,
DFW1911
I have a lot of 1911's, and my 2 favorites are both Springfields. I carried both as CCW for years (not at the same time; chronologically
).Whichever way you go, have fun!
Take care,
DFW1911
CheapFuneral
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Check out s&w 1911. Should be in that price range with what u want and heard awesome things about them.
Geckgo
Member
Find a used one with a little scratch near the slide-lock and get it refinished
In honesty though, I just got my first one a couple weeks ago, a kimber pro-carry II for about 880bucks (supposedly)brand new and in-the-box. Had some sitting time on that shelf though, I'm sure of it A couple days ago in OKC I saw a Springfield TRP used for for under 1100 at H&H. Point is, if you want to stay under 800 after tax/transfer and a couple of extra mags, might want to try shopping for a slightly used 1911 to get a nicer one.
RIA is supposed to be pretty decent if you want new, or go with a standard model from the bigger names without any frills and mod it later with all the fancy stuff.
my two coppers.
In honesty though, I just got my first one a couple weeks ago, a kimber pro-carry II for about 880bucks (supposedly)brand new and in-the-box. Had some sitting time on that shelf though, I'm sure of it
A couple days ago in OKC I saw a Springfield TRP used for for under 1100 at H&H. Point is, if you want to stay under 800 after tax/transfer and a couple of extra mags, might want to try shopping for a slightly used 1911 to get a nicer one.RIA is supposed to be pretty decent if you want new, or go with a standard model from the bigger names without any frills and mod it later with all the fancy stuff.
my two coppers.
Appreciate all the input guys, really helps. There is a gun expo this weekend and I'm gonna go check it out to see what they have. Of all the guns I've held the Taurus felt the best in my hands, it was solid and I like the way it looked. I'm gonna search on some used guns too.
Zerodefect
member
Ohio gun shows stink. But are good for seeing different guns and maybe picking up small parts. Nearly every price will be a complete rip off. Vendors don't go to gun shows to sell guns it seems.
Tons of regular Taurus and Ruger pistols at premium prices at the shows I've been to.
You can see and feel how the 1911's feel at the show. Twist the slide to feel the play between slide/frame. Rack the slide to feel how smooth or lack of smoothness. Check the trigger. Then swing by a store on the way home and do the same with some higher end 1911's.
What area are you in? The Riverside Range in Akron Ohio has Dan Wesson's in stock to give you an idea how much better certain 1911's are.
http://www.proarmament.com/firearms.html
Olympus
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In the $800 range you should be able to find a good 1911. You should look at the Springfield Range Officer. Taurus is a good gun, but you can probably do better for $800. I own a Taurus and its been a very good gun. If you like it, then get it. In the end, you're the one that has to shoot it. Not any of us!
Also check out some of the 1911s that Sig has to offer. They are very nice guns and reasonably priced because they are so underrated.
Also check out some of the 1911s that Sig has to offer. They are very nice guns and reasonably priced because they are so underrated.
Overkilll0084
Member
SA Loaded or Range Officer.
STI Spartan.
I'm not a Taurus hater, but I come at them with a skeptical attitude. I avoid spending money of something that is that controversial. YMMV.
Consider used guns as well. I picked up a sweet Dan Wesson PM7 at a price comfortably under your cap at my LGS.
STI Spartan.
I'm not a Taurus hater, but I come at them with a skeptical attitude. I avoid spending money of something that is that controversial. YMMV.
Consider used guns as well. I picked up a sweet Dan Wesson PM7 at a price comfortably under your cap at my LGS.
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