Walking Dead
Member
Criteria:
1) has to be brand new.
2) under $600.00
3) reliable
4) traditional 1911 style
1) has to be brand new.
2) under $600.00
3) reliable
4) traditional 1911 style
Who makes the best budget 1911?
- Thread starter Walking Dead
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tmoore912
Member
I have had good luck with my RIA Tactical. It has somewhere around 1,700 rounds through it with no failures. Paid about $450.00 out the door.
Creature
Member
By the looks of it...perhaps maybe Ruger! (given that the price of their SR1911 will likely come down)
Omaney
Member
RIA
Iron Sight
Member
mljdeckard
Member
I'm not sure it's under $600, I would look at the STI Spartan.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Price and Quality of <$600 model 1911's seem too be up in the air right now~!
American Classic ll in my opinion has a better finish than the RIA. Have only shot a few RIA's but their owners seem to be satisfied. My friends who own the American Classic ll's have been very pleased and since I own one I may have the rose colored glasses on but I think you can spend much more for much less.
non2os13
Member
i have never had a problem from my RIA tactical. it isn't as pretty as my other 1911's but it does the same job just as well.
S.A. GI full size has MSRP at $656, it shouldn't be a big deal to find one new for under your $600 limit. They are good pistols, and about as classic as it gets without buying an old colt. R.I.s are good too, but the frames are cast instead of forged in their guns.
What type of ammo are you wanting to shoot reliably? Some 1911s have been known to require a little tuning to run with hollow points.
What type of ammo are you wanting to shoot reliably? Some 1911s have been known to require a little tuning to run with hollow points.
colt1911fan
Member
Rock Island Armory does both a blued or a nickel finish and both SHOULD be under $500 and I had the chance to look at a Kahr Arms (Auto Ordinance) GI 45 it had the low profile GI sights and the spur hammer for under $600
rellascout
member
New or Used? If you are willing to shop smart for a used gun you really open up your choices.
bdb benzino
Member
American Classic hands down IMHO. I have had 2 different RIA's, a Springfield loaded model, and my Metro Arms American Classic, and the MA American Classic was the nicest fit and finished as well as tight of all of them. Mine is flawless and I have begun putting high quality parts on it as well. The slide is also forged on the AC, not something that alot of budget 1911's have.
Zerodefect
member
Pick two.
Glocks and M&P's are 3 times cheaper to produce than a 1911, yet they still run $450-600. I have to be the opposite of most here and recommend upping your 1911 budget.
Jed Carter
Member
Under $600 it is a crapshoot, some work, some don't, just over $600 there is the STI Spartan http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=6DC0000-1161707138. Or a so called match grade RIA http://centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911MATCH-5.aspx for around $580. You really do get what you pay for in a 1911, there are some great pistols in the $800 to $1200 price range, and a lot of cheaply built 1911 type pistols that actually work and shoot OK. $800 may be a cheap price for a good 1911 and $600 an expensive price for a pistol that does not perform well. If I had to buy a cheap 1911 I would get a Norinco, forged beats cast in my experience.
harmon rabb
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,699
pretty freakin hard to beat a ria for the price. mine (and yes i own higher end 1911s too) is tight like prom night and has never malfunctioned.
helitack32f1
Member
I love the feel of the ATI FX45. Feels very well made with very smooth slide action. I really want one, and it was only $400.
blackspyder
Member
I love my RIA 4". Gave just under $500 OTD local with overnight shipping because I'm impatient. The ATI's seem to have the same quality from what I've seen of them.
modifiedbrowning
Member
American Classic.
www.americanclassic1911.com
www.americanclassic1911.com
MICHAEL T
Member
American Classic Blue or Hard chrome Gov or Commander You should be able to find what you want for under 600.
I spent a lot of time this week end showing the new American Classic Compact Amigo at the NRA show and every o0ne loved that little officer size Compact.
I spent a lot of time this week end showing the new American Classic Compact Amigo at the NRA show and every o0ne loved that little officer size Compact.
Stringfellow
Member
I have been pretty happy with my RIA Tactical. I took it to the range today, along with Dad and his brand new ATI Commander.
I hate to say, it is not even a close comparison. The ATI was significantly better in almost every respect. Someone said something about getting what you pay for with 1911s. This is absolutely not the case. The ATI was a $700+ pistol for $400.
- Less play in the slide, barrel, and bushing than the RIA
- Buttery action, without all of the rough tool marks/grain that the RIA has on its slide
- Absolutely perfect trigger--smooth and light, but with a quick, crisp snap
- No sharp edges or dehorning needed--in contrast with my RIA needing massive dehorning.
- Perfectly blended beavertail--in contrast with the rough, sharp, uneven seam on my RIA that needed to be filed down so it wouldn't cut my hand.
- Much blacker, thicker, more even parkerizing--in contrast with the RIA's thin, two-tone grayish finish.
- Slide release and safety were parkerized. Can you parkerize MIM parts? MIM parts are often painted to cover up the MIM grain, so if they are MIM they are very good. But I suspect they may be machined.
The RIA is still a solid pistol, but other than RIA's stellar customer service reputation, the ATI is in another league than the RIA. As such, I cannot recommend them if at the same price, let alone that the ATI is often a bit less expensive currently.
If I hadn't customized my RIA perfectly to my liking, I would immediately sell it and snag an ATI.
I hate to say, it is not even a close comparison. The ATI was significantly better in almost every respect. Someone said something about getting what you pay for with 1911s. This is absolutely not the case. The ATI was a $700+ pistol for $400.
- Less play in the slide, barrel, and bushing than the RIA
- Buttery action, without all of the rough tool marks/grain that the RIA has on its slide
- Absolutely perfect trigger--smooth and light, but with a quick, crisp snap
- No sharp edges or dehorning needed--in contrast with my RIA needing massive dehorning.
- Perfectly blended beavertail--in contrast with the rough, sharp, uneven seam on my RIA that needed to be filed down so it wouldn't cut my hand.
- Much blacker, thicker, more even parkerizing--in contrast with the RIA's thin, two-tone grayish finish.
- Slide release and safety were parkerized. Can you parkerize MIM parts? MIM parts are often painted to cover up the MIM grain, so if they are MIM they are very good. But I suspect they may be machined.
The RIA is still a solid pistol, but other than RIA's stellar customer service reputation, the ATI is in another league than the RIA. As such, I cannot recommend them if at the same price, let alone that the ATI is often a bit less expensive currently.
If I hadn't customized my RIA perfectly to my liking, I would immediately sell it and snag an ATI.
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