Most 1911 for the money

[Kiln]

Springfield's 1911 pistols are awesome, one of the better ones I've shot. They also have that lifetime warranty which I've heard is excellent. Your experience may vary here but stay clear of Kimber, for the price you pay you might expect a functional pistol but I've fired two and neither worked well through the range session. Once again just my opinion but from the experience I've had with them they're just not a good gun for the insane price you pay.

I've also heard alot of praise from the guys at the local gun stores about Rock Island's 1911 too but haven't ever gotten to use one myself.

 

[BRE346]

What a fool thing to do

Why would I buy this gun?

'Cause it's a 1911, it's $599 at Academy and

It wuz the purtiest thing in the whole case.

Should I shoot it or boot it?

 

[soapboxpreacher]

Do what I did, call a gunsmith or go to your local shop and ask their smith what they see repaired the most. My local shop is one of the biggest in the state. Their smith said they see more kimbers in than any other 1911. To be fair they also sell more kimbers then any other 1911. They like the springfields the best. I am also quite a fan of the springfields too.

As for those that bash the Ruger. They have (4) SR1911 as rental guns and have had every type of ammo through them not to mention ever mag in them (wilsons included)...not one issue and as new as these guns are they still have had far more rounds thru them then most of us put thru our in a lifetime.

To my surprise I went in to buy a SW1911. External extractor done right. Fit and finish nice great warranty and customer service that is among the best But also it is a very accurate 1911 one of the best out for a stock 5"! I compared the 2 and yes I think the SW1911 was a better gun but when I can get the ruger at 600 and the SW at 865 the difference can buy a lot of ammo! The were very close and the surprising thing about the ruger was how tight it was...and I am talking about rental gun that has a few thousand round through it and certainly not cleaned well! I absolutely couldnt believe it...so I checked another one...as tight as the first. And both tighter then the SW1911. Yes it has MIM parts and yes the frame is cast. But ruger seems to know how to cast. And at its price point being stainless skeletonized trigger, hammer, novaks, etc this is a very good bang for the buck. RIA and STI arent in stainless and not plated! Knock it all you want you even get a very good customer service that backs it. But my favorite...is 100% american made. I love the smith but as much as I will use this the SR1911 is more then fine! I will put on a soft rubber finger groove hogue and a hienie or 10-8 rear and I am done. I dont collect nor do a plan on competition shooting with it so this is more for a fun 1911 for recreation. For most it is a great choice! I will eventually save for a Dan Wesson or an Ed Brown for now this is a great way to learn about a 1911 and not worry about banging it up or breaking something. Just my 2 cents

 

[forddave]

got my ruger sr1911 for $610 + tax- money well spent.fit and finish is on parr with my mid 70's production colt. first 3 mags had a jam every other shot, after that it has eaten every thing, 250 rds of ball(win,fed) 100 rds of rem hollow points and also 100 rds of gun show reloads. i would put it up against any current production gun out there right now and yes that includes those at a higher price point. don't like mim parts? swap them out and you still have alot of money left over for ammo.myself, if it aint broke not gonna fix it.

 

[whalerman]

Haven't heard much about the new Remington R1. How do you guys feel about that offering? I'm here to learn. I've been reading the posts and appreciate all the free education.

 

[Fishslayer]

The Ruger may end up being a great 1911 but at this stage I am not sure we can make a call it.

I'd be happy to step up & be one of Ruger's beta testers! Sure, it's a "new" gun but the platform's been around for a little while () and there aren't too many real secrets to 'em. It doesn't appear that Ruger has tried to do anything earthshaking. Looks like a nice, simple handgun.

...that unfortunately will not be offered behind the tofu curtain.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt, Colt.

 

[Skylerbone]

Sure, it's a "new" gun but the platform's been around for a little while () and there aren't too many real secrets to 'em.

Unfortunately, even with all its secrets laid bare for the past century, there are any number of manufacturers who disregard specs and ignore what used to work. I have read reviews that point toward Ruger taking the right path with their offering but I wouldn't be too quick to say that about every 1911.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm basically looking for as much 1911 as I can get for around $800.00

Sig 1911 Railed TACPAC - $850 (What I paid but seen some online for less).

- 1911 Nitron rail pistol
- CPL-1 Compact pistol laser
- 1911 Holster with integrated mag pouch
- Two (2) magazines
- Speed loader

- All stainless steel frame and slide
- Premium match grade barrel, hammer/sear set and trigger
- Finished in black Nitron
- Novak contrast sights
- Checkered front strap and mainspring housing
- Ergo Grip XT Extreme-Use Grips
- Hand-fitted to insure reliability and performance
- Frame and slide are de-horned for comfortable full-size carry

 

[LiveLife]

I guess I should have been a little more forthcoming with the info. The 1911 I'm looking for will be a present for my dad. He's a Viet nam vet. in his 60's and used to be a drill instructor in the army. Suffice it to say, he's old school!! I'm looking for the most 'quality' in fit and finish I can find in an $800.00-$900.00 1911. He learned and trained others (including me) on basic 1911-a1 platforms. In his mind it just needs to go BANG every time he pulls the trigger! So reliability is paramount, but I'd kinda' like it to look 'pretty' as well.

Sorry, I just read the rest of voluminous 5 pages of thread.

For your "old school" dad, Colt may be the "correct" option.

If you are looking for accuracy around $800-$900, Springfield Range Officer may be a good option. If you can stretch to $1000, then STI Trojan.

I would recommend the Sig 1911 for accuracy/price around $800 if he doesn't mind external extractor.

If he doesn't mind external extractor and rail, then how about Sig 1911 Scorpion? It's in your price range.

 

[fatmanonabike]

I'm bumping 300 rounds with my SR1911, glitchless. Stainless wouldn't have been my first choice. Very happy with its performance. Now if I can just improve mine...

 

[vvanders]

Another vote for the E-Series here, mine's been flawless and couldn't be happier.

 

[RoboDuck]

Colt , Kimber or Springfield .

 

[War Eagle]

I asssure you that you will not find a 1911 with the fit and features of this pistol for such a great price (seen them for $600-$650 in stores): http://gunzoo.com/gun/STI/Spartan-45-ACP

I've shot both the 9mm and .45 versions and they are amazing. The action is buttery smooth and it is insanely accurate and reliable.

...

 

[powwowell]

American Classic II

Metro Arms American Classic II might be the best value in 1911s. I have one that is an absolute delight. The gun is tight and very accurate. Great blue finish and three dot sights. The blue finish and the sights, are why I picked this over another RIA. The three RIAs that I previously owned, were fantastic also. The latest edition of American Handgunner magazine has an article titled "Beer Budget 1911s" on page 50. Metro Arms American Classic II is on page 88. The author liked everything about it, except the grips. The author states that he "eventually bought this gun".

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I am highly interested in where all these people saying "Oh, there's a TON of LNIB Browns, Baers, and Wilsons for $1500, I see them all the time..." are buying their guns.

 

[rellascout]

I am highly interested in where all these people saying "Oh, there's a TON of LNIB Browns, Baers, and Wilsons for $1500, I see them all the time..." are buying their guns.

I see them all the time. You just have to know where to look and have cash in hand and a FFL ready to receive the gun if you are buying outside your state.

I paid about $1300 for my Les Baer TRS LNIB...

I saw a Les Baer CCO model go for about $1400 last month.

There is a UTC right now in the for sale section here for $1700.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=632337

 

[jahwarrior]

Metro Arms American Classic II might be the best value in 1911s. I have one that is an absolute delight. The gun is tight and very accurate. Great blue finish and three dot sights. The blue finish and the sights, are why I picked this over another RIA. The three RIAs that I previously owned, were fantastic also. The latest edition of American Handgunner magazine has an article titled "Beer Budget 1911s" on page 50. Metro Arms American Classic II is on page 88. The author liked everything about it, except the grips. The author states that he "eventually bought this gun".

i agree with this statement. my girlfriend had one, and it was a joy to shoot. she paid $300 for it. we're looking to get another one.

 

[ET]

Springfield Range Officer

This is what I ended up with after my search for my first 1911. I didn't need a carry gun or a gun for the nightstand. I needed a 1911 that performed well on the range as a competition gun. So the RO was perfect for me. There are so many good 1911s out there at this price. You would have a hard time screwing this up.