Question on which 1911 you'd suggest for women (wife's Bday present)

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Hey guys,

I posted this on thefiringline as well, just wanted to get some suggestions on a potential purchase of a new pistol for my wife.

My wife and I have just gotten into shooting, it's been about 14 months now are we are really enjoying it. We've picked up a few pieces over the last six months including a glock 17 and a sig.

A few weeks ago my wife shot a Colt Delta Elite and loved it. I wanted to get her one for her upcoming birthday but the price tag is a bit much. :(

I'm just looking for some more affordable 1911s that don't compromise quality. Thus far I've been reading through this - https://gunnewsdaily.com/best-1911-money/ to get some ideas but would rather just ask for suggestions.

Looking to spend between 400-650. Thanks in advance.
 
I'm just looking for some more affordable 1911s that don't compromise quality.

Looking to spend between 400-650. Thanks in advance.
The 1911 is basically a $1,000 (probably really $1,500) gun. You're generally making some compromise in quality at you're desired price point. Hey, I get it, I'd like to get a Glock for $250.

Having said that, the RIA guns have a pretty good reputation, and their customer service is well regarded. There has been a lot of effort put into making the 9mm run in 1911's in the recent years, so you may want to look into 9mm options if that is something you're considering.
 
For that budget, it'd be a tossup for me between the Ruger SR1911 and the Remington R1.

It's a shame you didn't ask a few days earlier, the R1 had a $100 rebate that just ended.
 
I'd look at the Ruger 1911. If she liked the Colt Delta Elite in 10mm, you could always pick her up a Ruger 10mm 1911 down the line.
 
^^^ What he said, even though I don't particularly care for DW...

The most expensive 1911 made is still cheaper than a divorce. Whatcha gonna do when she makes her own account and finds out your budget shopping for her? :)
 
In that price range, one of the Armscor models would be a good fit. RIA makes a great product. I don't mean "great for the money" as I think that is sometimes taken as a backhanded compliment. I think a lot of the higher end 1911s obviously have a better finish and tighter tolerances to make them more aesthetically pleasing and more range accurate, but the RIA is a fine shooter.

I have an Armscor Citadel that is the most accurate 1911 I have ever owned. It's loaded up with pretty much every option short of front checkering. Actually, the only thing I don't like about it is that I'm not a fan of ambi safeties.
 
A couple more thoughts...

A 9mm 1911 will recoil very gently compared to the 10mm. A 45 will be somewhere in between.

If the gun is a little heavy for her, either a commander (4" barrel) or a lightweight may be the ticket to enjoying longer range sessions.

If the grip is a little large for her, slimer grips are an option but will most likely require new "slim" bushings. They're easy to change.

Just a couple thoughts to consider.
 
She likes Colts. So buy her a nice Colt. A stainless Government model sounds good.

Buy a .45 ACP. She can handle it, and women can shoot that caliber just as well as men.
 
This is something kind of hard to stay neutral about and respect other opinions as I feel strongly about this.

Keep it in .45 ACP...no need to do any other caliber. My woman has an officer size 1911. She shoots the usmc pistol qual course of fire with that thing better than a lot of marines. She is 110lbs. So gender and size have nothing to do with having a good isometric grip and use proper technique and fundamentals...if thats the kind of shooting you do.
Stay away from the aluminum frames..they break and they wear faster...and if she or you or both isnt very good with recoil management, the extra weight with help with that.
Rock Island with pppreettty much be you only price point for anything ....and they aint bad. I put wilson combat parts into mine..runs like a champ, then again im a colt armorer.
Other to look at is springfield
kimber can suck it
metro classic https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/can-expect-500-1911-metro-arms-review/
or citadel...which is still a rock island
 
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Remember you get what you pay for. Unless you can find a really good deal of course.:):D
 
Just make sure she shoots a revolver before you buy her anything. I know 2 people (1 being me) that bought their wife an auto before she tried them. My wife shot my bottom-rung Armscor M200 .38 just to try it. That ended my wife ever shooting an auto again. I ended up getting her a .357 snubbie, and that's all she ever shoots....and she shoots it well.

My friend had the same issue when his wife shot that same $199 Armscor. Now she has a J frame.

On to 1911's. Let her shoot an officers model. They are smaller, lighter, but harder to rack the slide. Also, consider buying her a stainless model. Not to be sexist (or at least not to try and be...) but the ladies generally care more about how nice guns look than men do. That would be over your price range a bit but the cheapest one I know still in production is the Ruger. I'm not a big Ruger fan, but they do stainless casting better than anyone else, and they will treat you right forever. And they make a very good looking 1911.
http://grabagun.com/ruger-sr1911-45acp-ss-wd-5-8-1-fs.html
 
I like the Colt Series 70. So, its used. I pretty much prefer older model firearms.
My wife has a Baby Chief she likes.
Don't get hung up on new. I have found that it does not mean better.
 
If you're trying to keep it at the low end of your budget then I would say go with something from RIA. A very decent gun for the money. If you're looking to go a little more upscale then I would say the Remington R1, or for a little bit more a Ruger SR1911, would be a great way to go as well.
 
Any steel frame commander or full size. Make sure she thinks it's "pretty". My wife loves her stainless combat commander with rosewood grips. Shoots like a pro.
 
I'm just looking for some more affordable 1911s that don't compromise quality. Thus far I've been reading through this - https://gunnewsdaily.com/best-1911-money/ to get some ideas but would rather just ask for suggestions.
I would run with the article in keeping with your price point. The Colt Delta-Elite is a sweet pistol and a fine pistol with a price to match. I have several Series 70 Colt guns and they are all sweet guns but like other higher end guns they do not come in inexpensive. As to bang for the buck? I like the Rock Island guns and some of the Springfield guns. I can't comment on the Ruger or Remington flavors as I have not shot or handled them enough. Whatever you choose may you both enjoy it! :)

Ron
 
I agree with the others on the Ruger SR1911 , but it is a little out of your budget at $689 plus shipping & FFL . If you are set on that budget then I would get a Rock Island . Used Ruger's are about $600 in my area , but I have bought 2 , one at $400 and one at $500 that looked like new .
 
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