which 1911

[electrode1998]

I think I know the answer to the question but I have to ask. I am comming into a slight windfall and I am going to buy a 1911 pistol.

I had my mind set on a Taurus pt 1911 in blued. I am not a big fan of SS guns.

It comes with the bells and whistles. Hinie sights, matte blued finish, exteded bevertail, checkered plastic grips, vented trigger, etc. Local price is $549 + tax.

I like this gun but I have always had the lingering questions about Taurus in my mind.

Today I looked at the Taurus again and then I made the choice to hold the Springfield 1911 Loaded model.

I realy like this gun alot. It has walnut grips, adjustable night sights, blued finish- fully parkerized to boot, extended bevertail, etc. Local price is $829 +tax. I have the cash for the Taurus, but I am thinking of waiting a little while longer to get the Springfield.

I know both are good guns but is the Springfield worth almost $300 more? I know long term the I will probably love the Springfield more it is just my wallet having a slight stroke in the price difference.

I am only looking at these two models. I have looked at others and these two are my final contestants. Let me know what are your +'s and -'s for each model.

Thanks,
Electrode1998

 

[Big Boomer]

if it were me I'd say wait, Springfield does excellent work for the money right now.

That being said...the only thing that I have seen that was of "poor quality" or simply lacking a finish was the feed ramp, a few I have seen have some decent tooling marks on them. Nothing that a few minutes with some flitz wouldn't fix anyhow, and not that I wouldn't have done it anyway. The slide to frame fit that I have seen on most is a very quality job, extremely tight. Make sure it's one you can pick up and hold, each 1911 is different.

Look it over closely and read up on the smithing section in the sticky threads. This will give you a good idea of what to look for.

 

[RonE]

Then again, you might consider Colt.

 

[Grizfire]

I splurged for the Loaded and I could not be any happier, its awesome. It shoots good, and has never failed using the following ammo:

(winchester, american eagle, remington UMC, hydroshoks, golden sabers, that crappy unreloadable silver bear stuff, and even CCI shot shell ammo)

 

[HM2PAC]

Between those 2 I'd go with the SA Loaded. The loaded models are well-tuned by the smiths at SA.

The PT1911's I've encountered had problems with the hammer not releasing in the shop. While there are a multitude of happy Taurus customers there are also a multitude of unhappy ones that end up having trouble with customer service.

When SA has to fix something, the customer service is always outstanding.

 

[Firepower!]

Colt!

 

[weisse52]

I would vote for the SA as well, BUT a Colt would be great as well. A Colt is always the right answer.

 

[1911 guy]

Go with the Springfield.

For that couple hundred bucks, you're getting a lot of little things that add up to being well worth it in the long run. I've heard good things about the Taurus, but I also know Springfield builds one heck of a handgun in the Loaded line.

Yes, Primer and RonE, we're well aware that Colt makes a pretty good handgun, too. Some of us just don't like the flavor of the kool-aid.

 

[Texastbird]

I have found the Taurus at local gun shows about $100 less than what you are quoting. I haven't been to any shows in La. though. It is good advise to examine the pistol you are going to buy, since even the "big bucks" guns vary somewhat in fit and finish. I am one of the satisfied owners of a PT1911, use the money you save for more practice ammo and a nice set of wood grips. I did have some doubts about the Taurus brand but the Springers are mostly made in Brazil too from what I hear.

 

[possum]

if it is gonna be possible for you to wait and save up the money for the sa then i would do that. i have a sa 1911 and i love it. the sa is better quality, plus it has night sights which is a big deal to me, and a must have. though tarus has a lifetime warraty and all, i know how sa is bout custmomer service and that is one of the many reasons that i choose sa over other companies time and time again. i think the sa will serve you better and longer that the taurus will.

 

[tyler1171]

Look into the Rock Island Armory Tactical model. Same bells and whistles as the taurus for less money, better quality, and more reliability. I have two Taurus 1911s, my wife's is fine, mine is a basket base. Put it to the side to trade off and bought the RIA Match. EXTREMELY happy with it. pd $585 for it, the Tac is a bit less. My ONLY gripe about RIA is lack of finish choices, but I have experience with Duracoat and Ceramicoat, so all is good.

Biggest plus is that were you to have any probs with a RIA, they're CS quite simply can't be beat.

 

[HM2PAC]

I didn't want to bring RIA into it as you are decided on SA or Taurus, but......

My RIA Gov't GI is just as nice as my SA loaded Champion. In fact I like the RIA better, but for no good reason other than it cost less $$$.

Both are rock-solid performers.

The RIA is much more accurate, but then it is a 5" rather than a 4".

 

[gbran]

I recently bought the Colt Series 80 in blue. This thing is smooth and functions flawlessly. I paid about $800 and have no regrets.

 

[electrode1998]

Thanks for all of the great input. Ya'll have all reinforced what I was feeling in my gut. The taurus is a good (usually) gun but for my wants and needs the sa will be the way to go. Now I just need my funds to arrive so I can get the thing and start having some new fun.

Thanks again,
E'trode