1911 Recommendations

[Vegaslaith]

I tried a .45ACP 1911 for the first time today, and I must say it wasn't bad. It was a Springfield armory single stack which said ".45 Longslide" on the slide.
Although I love my Glock 19, diversifying my portfolio may be on the horizon.

Sooo...Anyone have any 1911 rocommendatons? I'd like to keep it around 800 (less if at all possible), .45 is a must, and none of that 4.25 in barrel nonsense. It won't be for carry anyway, that's what the G19 is for.

 

[tlen]

Take a look at the S&W SW1911 line. Many options at reasonable prices. I recommend the #108284.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15709&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15708&top_category=15708

 

[BamBam-31]

If you liked the Springer, why not get the Loaded? Very good value at your price point.

 

[CWL]

Get the Loaded for around $700.

If you can pay ~$950, you should upgrade to a Dan Wesson Pointman or DW Commander Bobtail. Either of these are the best built M1911s right now for quality parts and fit of gun.

 

[loop]

The STI Spartan is the best entry-level 1911 on the market today.

It is built an a Philippine cast frame, but is fitted with high quality parts throughout.

Springfields, aside from coming from Brazil, are not mil spec. When you go to do certain upgrades they simply cannot be done.

You should be able to pick up a Spartan for $650 or less. It is built to mil spec so if you decide to upgrade you can do so without fear the gun will not accept the parts.

If you just want to get your feet wet, check out the Rock Island or Charles Dalys for $450 or less. If you decide you like the format they make for good traders.

 

[rollback88]

Since it is not for carry, I recommend S&W 1911 108299. Full size with adjustable rear sight, $814 at Bud's.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/18170

--jcd

 

[2nd 41]

If you liked the Springer, why not get the Loaded? Very good value at your price point.

Springfield Loaded. S&W( I have the 1911DK) or Colt Gold Cup

 

[tbtrout]

Springfield loaded would be good or the RIA line. They are under $500 which leaves more money for ammo.

 

[weisse52]

Loop


Can you please share what mods just cannot be done on a Springfield?

Lots of custom gunsmiths use the Mil-Spec and GI as basis for their work. So I am confused?

 

[camacho]

Springfield. Great guns, great company, reasonably priced. The fact that they are made in Brazil means nothing. They are great guns for the price.

The 1911 market is pretty saturated, everyone makes them this days, and you probably can not go wrong with any of the big manufacturers (even some small ones), but for the money the SA is probably the best bang for the buck.

 

[Old Dog]

It is built an a Philippine cast frame, but is fitted with high quality parts throughout.

Springfields, aside from coming from Brazil, are not mil spec. When you go to do certain upgrades they simply cannot be done.

Gee, what is this prejudice against Brazilian guns on THR?

Apparently, Loop, you're not aware that several of the biggest-name 1911 pistolsmiths (all members of APG) have no problem using Springfield Armory pistols as the base for custom guns.

Yes, SA uses a smaller, titanium firing pin. But what mods cannot be done with an SA? I've found that I can do anything I need, or want, to do to a 1911 with an SA GI or Mil-Spec.

For 800 smackers, SA, Kimber, S&W, STI, Para-Ordnance and Colt all offer worthy 1911s.

If it's not for carry, I'd probably go a little over 800 and pick up another Colt Series 70 Re-issue. Concur w/others that for under 800, an SA Loaded is a terrific option. I also like the Kimber TLE.

 

[possum]

i am a huge sa fan, and i own 3 sa handguns, one being a 1911 and i love it, though it is out of the price range that you have here, there are many great models at many good price ranges in the sa line up. i agree with the above poster look at the sa loaded series there are many great options, and they are awesome 1911's.

if you want to spend less than you could go with a gi or milspec model, and have money left over, but i think you would be pleased the most with one of the loaded models, has the ambi safety, beavertail etc.

 

[eatont9999]

It looks like we are in the same boat. My thread may help, here it is:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=387611

Let me know what you get and vote for its reliability!

 

[weisse52]

I forgot. Get a Colt!

 

[JoeSlomo]

Dawson precision STI Spartan for around $600.

They are made overseas, but the crew at DP do a good job of quality control and the 3 I have seen have been as tight as any custom I have ever seen.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a SW1911 5: Bbl. Stainless Steel w/fixed sights
it has a good set of features, and good fit & finish. Got it for
$720 + $20 S&H + $25 Transfer = $765 I had a few FTF
with some questionable ammo, but no problems with JHPs and
some purists decry it's external extractor but it's never FTE'd.

THe Springfield Armory Loaded series is good value and the
Ti firing pin is the only non Mil Spec in the gun. WHen I hear
some people poo poo SA's or RIAs I really think they just gave
the gun to a hack gunsmith who blamed the gun.

STI Spartan gets only the frame and slide from Armscor in the
phillipines. It runs appprox. $650 it is said they use all their own
parts top quallity then why is the trigger made of a glass filled polymer
as well as Main Spring Housing?

Rock Island Armory.
FS Match is also $650 and it is hand fitted in the Phillipines with
like features to the STI Spartan
RIA Tactical - has fixed dovetailed Novak like plain sights, ambi safety
beavertail grip safety, skeleton'd Commander style hammer, three
hole skelton trigger, beveled mag well entrance at $489 in a
shop near me. I handled it and checked it, nice slide to frame fit, and the
trigger is better out of the box than my S&W1911.
RIA G.I. is exactly that pretty much like an SA GI at $389.

But I'd also recommend a Colt new build '70 Series.- forged and the
internals aren't MIM.

Randall

 

[Vegaslaith]

Great advice guys. I'll look at the S&Ws and Springfieds because they're more in my price range.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Colts and Kimbers are the only ones that find their way into my safe, but you'll most likely be happy with a SA, S&W or one of many others available.

 

[jaholder1971]

Springfield Mil-spec will have all the stock M1911A1 parts you want, the high quality barrel and bushing you need and a set of fixed 3 dot sights that are better than the GI.

Yeah, not 100 percent G.I., it's better than.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Colts and Kimbers are the only ones that find their way into my safe

Mine too, so far.

 

[mljdeckard]

I use my Kimber custom II for concealed carry, open carry/hunting, if I find time to start competing, I will use it, if the army would let me carry it to war, I would.

I will probably be buried with it.

 

[HM2PAC]

Check out Fusion. A little bit pricey, but people do tend to like them.

http://www.fusionfirearms.com/

 

[weisse52]

Agree. Colts and SA


Still waiting to hear what mods "just cannot be made on a SA"

 

[dmazur]

+1 on Fusion.

I have Colt 1911's, but I'm seriously looking at Fusion after reading about the history of the company.

They offer a lot of options. I happen to like the Commander length, as it is offers slightly more comfort when carrying than the 5" versions. I happen to prefer the balance, too.

Anyway, if you look past their "4.25 in barrel nonsense", you'll see plenty of longslide versions.

 

[krs]

Colt or Springfield for their forged frames. S&W are fine pistols if you can live with their stupid warning indelibly engraved into the left front of the frame telling you each time you look at it that the pistol might still have a live round in the chamber even after removing the mag......duh.