In the Market for a 1911-Do You Get What You Pay For?

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gerrym526

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Guys,

My current 1911 is a Colt Gold Cup Series 70 that I purchased in 1972. Love shooting it, great trigger and ergonomics. I had a little work done on it-beavertail safety, heavier recoil spring-which makes it feel even better to shoot.
Now, I'd like to get a new 1911, since I'm shooting more 45ACP (also have a Ruger SR45 that I really like). Have seen the cost range anywhere from $700 (Taurus) to $3,000 (Wilson Combat) for a 1911.

Would like your opinions on "do you get what you pay for" in a 1911-i.e. do I need to look at the $1,000-1,500 range for a gun I'll like? (in this price range Kimber and S&W look nice).

Or are there good 1911 values for less than that. (e.g. Ruger Rock Island Arms, Taurus, etc.)
I like to shoot (at the range almost weekly), I'm not a collector, and look for a well-made, and well finished, dependable gun-not hung up on brand names (e.g. Kimber, Dan Wesson, Wilson, etc.).
Thanks in advance for your help.
Gerry
 
There are as many definitions of value as there are people offering those definitions. I have a RIA Tactical .45 that eats everything I feed it and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. It also hits what I'm shooting at, so long as I do my part. To me, it's an excellent firearm. I paid $425 for it.

In my opinion, the more variety you can shoot, the more likely you are to make an educated purchase. Surely there are some of these other brands at your range at any given time. Talk to the shooters and see if they'll let you put a few rounds down range. Does your range or another nearby rent guns?

My opinion of my gun may be different than your opinion of my gun. But, yours is the only one that matters if you are the buyer.
 
The more disposable income you have, the more you'll feel that you "get what you pay for" in an expensive 1911.

Works the same way with cars, boats, and airplanes. Otherwise Ferrari, Hatteras, and Lear Jet wouldn't still be in business.
 
There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to tacking on options to a "basic" 1911. And a lot of it depends on your needs when it comes to what you add to the gun.

If it's your daily self-protection gun, it has to be reliable, and go "bang" every time. Tolerances which are too tight, can cause a jam, FTF, FTE, etc. Not good for a combat piece.

Do you want to shoot dead nuts bulls eyes at 50 yards. Very tight barrels and other parts are essential. A sloppy slide (relatively) detracts from overall accuracy.

If some backyard monkey smith butchers your prized 1911 by screwing up something, then you haven't gotten your money's worth. Occasionally, you get more than what you need. Better fit, finish, etc., are all bonuses.

I own a Springfield Range Officer, and for the money (+/- $750), you get a lot of gun for the money, and some things that normally cost a lot more, say on a Colt. Kimber packs a lot of gun into the price point.

People who pay $3K+ for Wilsons, Ed Browns, Les Baers' etc., know exactly what they want, and in the main, they get it. The questions and answers are in the minds and eyes of the consumers.

If you need just a basic "GI .45", beaver tail safeties, adjustable or night sights, and other extras can indeed be too much, but again it's in the eye of the consumer.

The beauty of the 1911, is that there's something for almost anyone who has the itch. You just need to decide your needs and budget. With so many options out there, it's hard to get "taken", if you keep your eyes open.

Just sayin'.
 
You'll get a ton of opinions, so I might as well give you mine.

If you want American made, get a Colt S70 repro ($950) +/-. If you don't mind some South American work, a Loaded Springfield ($775 +/-) is very hard to beat.

If was was going to drop 3K on a 1911, Ed Brown would have my money.
 
I just got a screaming deal on a Colt, and it now has me looking into more 1911s. I seem to have caught the bug.

It looks to me, like the sweet spot for me is the $800-$1,200 range for brand new. Of course, if you buy used those numbers change. But it looks like that price range has you in good quality, with pretty much any bells and whistles you want. I absolutely 100% see the value of guns that cost more. I just see that price range as being the point of diminishing returns FOR ME. (the S&W SC1911E that I saw today is SCREAMING to me)

You should go check out every single 1911 you can get your hands on, and really see what you like and what they cost. As said previously, only you can really decide where your sweet spot is.
 
I bought a Ruger SR1911 5" for my first 1911. It has been 100% reliable in 800 rds of FMJ, and is extremely accurate (I can hit clays offhand at 50 yards every second shot or so if I really try). Plus its stainless-steel, comes with a 7rnd and 8rnd mag, not to mention the Novak steel sights that are *standard*.

Of course, a shooting buddy of mine has a Les Baer. He has shot the crap out of that thing and I'm sure he will be buried with it. We havent found it to be any more accurate than the Ruger, but it does have a little more heft to it and feels a little more "quality"..whatever that means.

Perhaps check out the TISAS if you're really looking for a budget 1911. You have the option of 70 or 80 series slide, and Hickok45 (very popular YouTube channel) seems to like his. Here is a link to a video review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MK8ffcLL3A

Good luck!
- TNG
 
If I were going to carry it all day, I would get an Ultra size Kimber, like the CDP. But if I was looking for a range and carry combo, or a target /HD/occasional carry, gun, I really like the look of the E series S&W. Not to say that a lightweight Colt Combat Commander, wouldn't do all of those things well.
 
To a certain degree I do think you get what you pay for with 1911s. If fit and finish are important to you, I'd skip the budget 1911s and at least start out looking at mid-range 1911s (Colt, Kimber, Springfield, Sig, S&W, possibly Ruger). They all build pretty decent 1911s that won't break the bank, I'm a fan of Colts myself.

The really difficult part is gonna be figuring out exactly what options/features you want.
 
I think I read somewhere that you don't necessarily always get what you pay for, but you never get what you don't pay for--a variation on the "no free lunch" theme.

My friend just bought a Ruger SR 1911 (Commander size). It is a Hell of a gun for the money, but put it side by side with his stainless Kimber and the differences are apparent.

Over the years I've bought a bunch of 1911s and sold most of them. I still have a few, and for the most part, those will be the hardest to let go of. Included in that list is one Les Baer, one Kimber, and one S&W E-Series. Each was bought used, so I didn't pay MSRP on any of them.

If I were going to buy one new 1911, it would probably be the E-Series (scandium frame, bobtail Commander-size). IMHO, best combination of size, weight, features and value...and S&W's Customer Service (should that ever be required).

That assumes you have $1200 or so...if your budget is a bit smaller, I'd either buy used (if you know what you are looking at) or...did I mention that SS Ruger is a pretty great value at around $630? :D
 
Like PJSprog said:
My opinion of my gun may be different than your opinion of my gun. But, yours is the only one that matters if you are the buyer.
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I shoot a Taurus PT1911. I'd consider it a pretty good value. I've put at least 50 rounds through it every week for the past several years, and I've pretty much figured out what it likes (ball ammo and good magazines) and what it doesn't like (Hornady XTPs, worn out magazines, and limp wrists).

I trust my life with it, but only because I've invested time with it. I'm guessing there's a lof of people who wouldn't trust a Taurus for SD/HD, and I don't begrudge them for that opinion given Taurus's spotty reputation.

I have very little experience with other 1911s, but If I were to buy another one I'd look at a mid range american made ones. Not because they would be better or worse values than the Taurus, but because I'm developing a greater appeciation for things made in the USA.
 
The more disposable income you have, the more you'll feel that you "get what you pay for" in an expensive 1911.

Works the same way with cars, boats, and airplanes. Otherwise Ferrari, Hatteras, and Lear Jet wouldn't still be in business.
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I wouldn't compare those. The mindset is totally different. Apples and oranges.
 
You really do, up to about $2500...beyond that and you're looking at name and style.

I also think the "sweet spot" in the 1911 category is $1200-1500...and you can take one of these and eventually make it exactly what you want. In this mid-price range, I think the best values are the STI Trojan and the Dan Wesson CBOB/VBOB.

I think the best value in the budget category is the RIA Tactical.

Yes, I've shot (more than a couple of mags) all of these and most of the others already mentioned. Learning what you really want in a 1911 is a matter of trial and error...and really only comes when you have defined the role you're going to use it in.
 
I own 6 Sig Sauer products, 3 of them are 1911's. Each about $1000.

I would give them the once over if you will.

Be safe, happy holidays!
 
My opinion is that unless you're into some kind of match shooting and the ultimate is really needed to compete, then you don't NEED to spend a lot of money.

Sounds like all you need is something that's reliable, chews up pretty much whatever you want to target shoot with, and can actually hit what you're aiming at.

To that end you don't NEED to spend a lot of money (relatively speaking) on what you want.

BUT CERTAINLY if you DO spend a lot of money you would expect to get something that functions like greased lightening.

Establish a budget first (if you're like most of us and can't simply drop tons of money on a whim). Shop around for one that meets your needs and is within your budget and get it.

If you should find one that meets your needs but is slightly outside your budget, then decide whether or not it's worth the extra bucks to get it.

If what you want is more of a name brand (such as a Wilson Combat), then simply budget for it. And yes, for that kind of price I'd fully expect to get what you paid for.
 
You really do, up to about $2500...beyond that and you're looking at name and style.

I also think the "sweet spot" in the 1911 category is $1200-1500...and you can take one of these and eventually make it exactly what you want. In this mid-price range, I think the best values are the STI Trojan and the Dan Wesson CBOB/VBOB.

I think the best value in the budget category is the RIA Tactical.

Yes, I've shot (more than a couple of mags) all of these and most of the others already mentioned. Learning what you really want in a 1911 is a matter of trial and error...and really only comes when you have defined the role you're going to use it in.
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I mostly agree. I don't know if I can appreciate the change from a $1500 1911 to a $2500 1911. The $1200-$1500 price range seems to get you a great deal of bang for your buck. As well, the RIA line seems to be as solid of a budget model as you can get too.

For me, I'd grab either an RIA, an STI, or an Ed Brown, depending on the price I was looking to spend. Certainly all are a good value in their respective price brackets. With my financial situation and the desire to own many, I tend to find a better value in the RIA and STI lines than the $2500+ pistols. Can't knock a guy who buys something more expensive than I justify though.
 
I don't know if I can appreciate the change from a $1500 1911 to a $2500 1911.
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That would be the difference between a STI Trojan and a Springfield Armory Professional. The STI actually looks better, but the SA will hold up better under hard use...but if you never put it to hard use, it wouldn't make a difference.

I actually like the Trojan a bit better...I like the front strap texture better than checkering. I might change a few things to make it exactly how I want it, but I'd still be under $2k
 
My recent experience.... I bought a remington R1 for around $600 new. It had great reviews from Gun Tests, but when I started to play with it, I noticed that everything was loose....trigger was floppy, slide played.... I sold it before firing a shot. I'm sure it would have been fine, but I learned something about myself. I wasn't really wanting a value 1911. I was wanting a premium 1911, but at a value price.
 
I recently purchased a Smith Performance Center round butt Commander for daily carry that I am really happy with. It's in the $1300 range. If you're looking for just range duty you already own perfection in the Series 70 Gold Cup.
 
You'll be comparing anything you look at or buy to the Gold Cup you've had for 40 years and I'd say that most of the under $1250 offerings will come up short. Unless you're willing to accept that, I'd start around there, the Dan Wessons are probably as good as you'll find starting around that price point. Going up I think Les Baer offers a lot of gun for the money.
 
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I have bought several new Colts over the last few years and I have been very satisfied with their build quality and with their performance.
 
I think the key here is "gun I'll like"....only you can answer that question. I bought a Remington R1 about a year ago and like you I use it about every week. I play a few different games with that gun and have shot it a-lot....A-LOT. I have never had any ANY problems at all with that gun and like I said on another thread I have used the cheapest mags I could find as I did not want the "good" expensive ones hitting the concrete and getting torn up and busted up. (right now you know I am a tight wad)

I looked at everything in looking at a full sized 1911, Rock Island I did not care for because of the bill board on the slide....that was it. I also looked at Wilson, Nighthawk Custom....and many many others....I think I saw all of them. In the end I went middle of the road with the Remington. IIRC it was a tick over $800.

I think that in this day in age there are very few poor quality guns of any kind being made new anymore, sure you might have this or that bad but anything made by man can have an odd defect, but in the end by the one that speaks to you and you will be likely happy.

If you want a gun that you can ride hard and put away wet I can say that my R1 has never missed a beat.....It gets at least 50 rounds run in it every week and I can shamefully say that there have been months that I have not cleaned it. Sucker goes bang every time.

I figure it is pretty close to a WWII GI 1911 and I doubt they stopped after getting off the landing craft to clean the guns on the beaches in France, Italy, north Africa and hundreds of islands in the pacific then it should keep working if I am a lazy slob and don't clean it for a few weeks.

Seems to shoot the same too....sucks when I suck, is good when I am good, and I know it is accurate, I had others at the club play with it and they hit the same as they do with their super expensive models. I am sure you are paying more then a bit for that name.
 
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See post #3. Cars and guns are a lot alike. A Ford Festiva will get you from point A to point B just fine. A Lexus will do it with more bells and whistles. Do you need or want the bells and whistles? I own 1911 type pistols at both ends of the spectrum. They are what they are. All functional, some more "refined" than others. Yes, you get what you pay for, but you need to know what you're paying for and if you want that option.
 
Value is in the eyes of the person. The "best buys" are generally the minimum acceptable quality items, as higher quality costs more. The RIAs seem to lead this pack. They go bang, feed most ammo, and hit the paper when you do your part - and at very low price points. Which would be better - 5 RIAs or one Les Baer?

OTOH, once you've spent a little time with a high quality, tightly fit, superbly accurate 1911, it diminishes the satisfaction received from a value 1911. After putting 8 shots in the ten ring, 8 in the seven for a quarter of the cost just isn't a thrill.

Ask yourself - if I could buy my choice of DW/EB/LB guns for the same price as RIAs, which would I buy? Well, you can't. There is no doubt that the more expensive ones are superior, but after that it is a personal value choice as to if they are worth the extra $$$$ to you.

It's like drag racing. Speed costs $$$, how fast do you want to go?
 
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