Which modern 1911 clone is closest to the GI original?

[AlexanderA]

I'm looking for parts interchangeability with original M1911A1 parts. Particularly the frame.

Also, how would we rank these in terms of price versus quality?

I've heard good things about the Philippine-made guns.

 

[Hacker15E]

In terms of "parts interchangeability", they pretty much all are.

If you want to make a USGI clone, most folks start with the Springfield GI or the RIA or the High Standard.

The Springfield is the most similar externally, but has several significant differences internally (which, for the most part can be swapped out to GI standard parts).

The Philippine guns have external differences (like a flared ejection port and a beveled mag well), but are pretty much internally identical.

So, it really all depends on what your real objective is.

 

[MAKster]

The closest to a USGI made today is probably the Kahr-built Auto Ordnance. For instance, the RIA GI has a larger thumb safety and the Remington R1 has 3-dot sights. These features make the pistols better to shoot, but they aren't USGI. If you want to shoot it a lot the tiny GI sights are no good.

 

[Onmilo]

The Colt re-issue 1911A1 is THE closest you will get to a genuine USGI Mil-Spec gun, period.

 

[JTQ]

The closest to a USGI made today is probably the Kahr-built Auto Ordnance.

The Auto Ordnance certainly looks more 1911A1ish than nearly everything, and I always recommend it for those looking for the most GI looking gun, but I doubt it is the most ...

...parts interchangeability with original M1911A1 parts

since it has a firing pin safety.

Colt will be the most "interchangeable". The current production Series 70 gun would probably be the best choice.

http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Pistols/Series70™.aspx


The most important thing for the OP to understand though, is the 1911 is not a Glock or AR15. You don't just grab some 1911 parts and put them together like a Lego set (or Glock or AR15). It is often said, other than springs, there are no drop in parts on a 1911.

 

[JR24]

I'd say of the modern ones I've seen the Auto Ordinance is pretty darned close (and excellent). I have a Springfield GI that's close too, so close I hate the way it murders my brass. Love the slight changes the R1 made, makes it feel close but with the few things I prefer, namely better sights and the flared and lower ejection port.

 

[agent109]

The Armscor Rock Island 1911 is real close from what I can tell. They won't cost you an arm and a leg either.

 

[AlexanderA]

Thanks everybody, so far. I have a GI slide/barrel assembly that I would be using with this, so the top half of the clone doesn't concern me too much. Basically, what I'm looking for is a fairly inexpensive (but well-made) frame that can stand in for a WW2 gun. It looks as though I might as well buy the whole gun, since a new loose frame would be difficult or impossible to find.

Minimal markings on the frame would be a plus. (No "read the manual" warnings, for example.)

 

[maxxhavoc]

Thanks everybody, so far. I have a GI slide/barrel assembly that I would be using with this, so the top half of the clone doesn't concern me too much. Basically, what I'm looking for is a fairly inexpensive (but well-made) frame that can stand in for a WW2 gun. It looks as though I might as well buy the whole gun, since a new loose frame would be difficult or impossible to find.

Minimal markings on the frame would be a plus. (No "read the manual" warnings, for example.)

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/frm-rockislauto1911parkerizedframe.aspx

 

[gunlaw]

I have only seen pictures but the 1911 made by Turnbull looks the most authentic.

 

[Gun Master]

1911 Clone & GI Original

The Colt re-issue 1911A1 is THE closest you will get to a genuine USGI Mil-Spec gun, period.

You are correct, Sir, but that is not a "clone". It's the real deal Colt.

Hard to say which is closest clone. Norinco or RIA probably.

 

[dogmush]

Caspian sells frames in both M1911 and M1911A1 flavors. Less then $200 each.

http://www.caspianarms.com/RC.php#

 

[Otto]

Do it right the first time and buy a Caspian gov't standard frame. They're US made and the quality is impeccable. Cost is around $170

 

[bannockburn]

I have an older SA M1911A1 that is pretty close to MIL-SPEC with all the internal parts, along with the frame and slide, being interchangeable with that of an original M1911A1. Only cosmetic difference would be the slanted slide serrations.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I asked just this same question of a friend. He was one of the MEU-SOC armorers at Pedleton and I wanted him to build me a couple of MEU-SOC clones. One was a rebuild of an existing pistol, the other I wanted to start from NIB.
He told me without thinking: SA 1911-A1

Got it, had it built love it to pieces. It takes everything GI where currently applicable, was stone-axe reliable before the build and still is, though more accurate now. Definitely one of my "last to go" guns.

 

[1911Tuner]

I have an older SA M1911A1 that is pretty close to MIL-SPEC with all the internal parts, along with the frame and slide, being interchangeable with that of an original M1911A1. Only cosmetic difference would be the slanted slide serrations.

That hearkens back to a day when Springfield was building real pistols. They nearly snaked the market from Colt with those things.

There were zero cast or MIM parts. Everything was machined, right down to the grip safety...and the triggers were milled from one solid piece of steel.

And they sold for about 50% less than a Colt.

 

[bannockburn]

1911Tuner

Yes those were the not so good old days when Colt was the only game in town and their Government and Commanders were always in short supply and typically sold at a premium price. I believe when the Springfield Armory M1911A1s first hit the market (1987-88?), they were priced at $249 and they sure went fast! Just about every review I read about them said they were a great buy for the money because they were so solidly built and perfectly suited for customizing while keeping the cost of the new gun to a minimum.

 

[1911Tuner]

. I believe when the Springfield Armory M1911A1s first hit the market (1987-88?), they were priced at $249 and they sure went fast!

They go back farther than that. They started producing the M1A rifle in late '74 or early '75...and the 1911A1 pistol shortly after.

 

[bannockburn]

1911Tuner

According to Springfield Armory's website they have their 1911s as being introduced in 1985. I think I saw my first one a couple of years later as I recall they didn't last long once they hit the dealer's shelves.

 

[1911Tuner]

According to Springfield Armory's website they have their 1911s as being introduced in 1985.

Odd.

The first one I ever saw was in a gunshop where I was working as a contract gunsmith...and that was from 1982-1983.

 

[agent109]

Would that be the Imbel production from Brazil?

 

[spence]

I just picked a norinco 1911a1. I like it a lot and it shoots very well. How does it stack as a clone?

 

[1911Tuner]

The early Norincos had some barrel fit issues that were apparently straightened out pretty quickly

A little rough around the edges, but they're all machined steel and as tough as a chunk of pig iron.

The weakness is the soft barrel...which is likely the reason for the hard chrome plating. Headspace is usually pretty loose, and a few will accept a NO-GO gauge with a little forcing.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

I'll cast another vote for the Auto-Ordnance 1911A1. Other than the "semi-long" trigger, the "in-the-white" barrel hood (which is easily blued), and the Series 80 firing pin block (which you can't see, anyway), it's spot-on (as well as being a very well made pistol).

 

[Tallball]

I have one of the Turkish ones (Tisas, I think). It fufunctions perfectly. I did did not notice any difference from my friend's old Colt, though I have heard that the grips and sights aren't interchangeable.