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What is the best 1911 in the $500 range?

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I've made my decision on the Springfield Armory GI .45

stainless run around $530...

parked guns run around $400-$450

Chad
 
1911 Choices

I've owned several 1911's over the years, but currently own a Para 16.40 LDA and Springfield ss, loaded. The Para may be a little more than your wanting to spend but the Springfield is definitely in the "ball park".($599.00 new)

I've carried the Para as a "duty weapon" for about 5 years and it has functioned flawlessly (10,000 rounds +), I highly recommend these. The Springfield is fairly new (with only 500 rounds through it so far) but is a joy to shoot, and has been flawless (though not throughly "broken in" yet).

Springfield also makes a "GI" & "Mil Spec" which are well within your price range. I would be totally confident with any of these, although there are many reliable 1911's on the market these days.
 
goings_51

I read a GREAT article on the Taurus PT 1911, (I have it in front of me at this very minute), pages 66-70 in Guns & Ammo Annual: "THE COMPLETE BOOK OF THE MODEL 1911". They compared Kimber, Springfield, Para, Smith, Brown, Sig, Taurus and Colt. Happy reading and please let us know what YOU think. I can tell you that according to the article, the Taurus is excellent; the low price due to molten metal injection (I think is what they called it). Several companies use that, including Kimber. Again, happy reading and please follow up.

Happy new year all!

Doc2005
 
Those magazines rarely give a bad review. So, I will wait to see what others say. I must say, it's not a very pretty 1911. But, we'll see...
 
Magazines don't bite feeding hands

Shipwreck said:
Those magazines rarely give a bad review. So, I will wait to see what others say. I must say, it's not a very pretty 1911. But, we'll see...
Click to expand...


True dat, too bad Consumer Reports doesn't provide any reviews. That would be fun to test them without any recourse to your ad budget too.;) Just report the facts and nothing else. It would be real easy to conduct simple reliability and accuracy testing with different ammos. It would be an experiment nearly all of us would gladly help with....I know I would.

Is that 1911 new from Taurus? I don't recall seeing it when I was shopping for my poly gun. Had I known that, I might have bought myself one for christmas instead of my wife a PT111.

I'm new to pistols, but am currently a Taurus fan due to no issues with mine with 6 different ammo types through it thus far and over 600 rounds. I'll try not to become overzealous until it goes over a 1000 rounds without issue.

jeepmor
 
Shipwreck said:
Those magazines rarely give a bad review. So, I will wait to see what others say. I must say, it's not a very pretty 1911. But, we'll see...
Click to expand...

You think it's ugly? Hmmm...I thought it looked better than the SA 1911 Mil-Spec. I like the fact that it has serrations near the barrel. Makes it easier to grab for a pinch check or trying to clear a malfunction. I also like the fact that it has the large beavertail built in. Everyone replaces it -- why the other manufacturers don't do that I'll never understand

I haven't been able to find anyone that is carrying it yet. RSR lists it on their website, but I'm assuming they haven't started shipping yet or one of the online retailers would be listing it.

Has anybody actually seen/held one?

Jim
 
1) Find a really old Colt Gov't Model of 1911 that is original. Meaning some knucklehead did not monkey with it. Do not worry about finish, bluing wear or stocks. Just get this gun Made to specs as it was designed to be. Don't mess with it! Clean it, maintain it, use USGI or Colt 7 rd mags. Only option is the blue Metalform as close to original as can get.

2) Springfield GI

More monies:

3) The Colt GI

Even more monies

4) Caspian Frame and slide, Caspian internal and parts, these will build their GI version. Darn Nice gun with real bar stock and other steel parts. I've run about 3k rd personally thru one and not a problem. Total rds is about 8K thru this one so far...IIRC.

---
If...If you can find a OLDer Kimber Series I , because you have to have the doodads and all, get this.

I broke a new Kimber not long ago, I am NOT happy with the new Kimbers at all. They had a good thing back in the day - forget what brung 'em. I broke this Kimber again on its return. I broke a new Wilson too.

Broke meaning - the guns are not in spec, not finished out in fitting, and won't run...infererior metallury. I shoot - they quit. We investigate, "no wonder" and we cuss and package up for 'warranty service".

Contrast the Aforementioned Caspian, or the SA and Colt out of the box that run and continue to.

Funny, how that old Gov't Model $150 given for, worn bluing...has never failed, always runs.

$500 limit for a .45 ACP?

Buy a Ruger if you cannot live with a basic 1911. Seriously.
May be chunky and all, damn things run.
 
Doc2005 said:
I read a GREAT article on the Taurus PT 1911, (I have it in front of me at this very minute), pages 66-70 in Guns & Ammo Annual: "THE COMPLETE BOOK OF THE MODEL 1911". They compared Kimber, Springfield, Para, Smith, Brown, Sig, Taurus and Colt. Happy reading and please let us know what YOU think. I can tell you that according to the article, the Taurus is excellent; the low price due to molten metal injection (I think is what they called it). Several companies use that, including Kimber. Again, happy reading and please follow up.

Happy new year all!

Doc2005
Click to expand...

I've read that article, and was very impressed. That is what got me so interested in the Taurus in the first place. I believe guns are like cars. The Mercedes are nicer, but the Ford will get you there just the same. I'm just not willing to drop down to the Hyundai models. I only own one car, but I own multiple guns. I only buy them, and I only buy them new. I've never sold or traded one. Because of my collection requrements, I look for good values. I want to get the most bang for my buck. I have good luck with Taurus and Ruger. I also like revolvers, but don't own a Smith. I just can't see paying twice what Taurus charges for essencially the same thing. With semi-autos, there are so many more choices though...

Here's another article: http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/pt_080505/index1.html
 
What I know and what I've heard.

I have also heard good things about the Rock Island pistols. I own two Charles Daly Field Grade 1911's and they work fine. both are 100% with ball, one is 100% with Golden Sabers and is my carry pistol.
 
Since you're in TX too,

At the DFW gun shows I have seen Springfield GIs go for $409 for the Park'd and $439 for the Stainless. Also, I saw the Mil-spec stainless going for $499.
 
How about a used kimber? New 500 dollar 1911's would be reliable, but fairly innacurate, like my springfield GI.
 
4318re2.jpg


I broke down and got the Rock Island today for $295 plus tax. I'll try to shoot it this week and see how it does. I am very impressed with the fit and finish. Everything feels very tight. Not a rattle at all.
 
Last edited:
1911JMB said:
How about a used kimber? New 500 dollar 1911's would be reliable, but fairly innacurate, like my springfield GI.
Click to expand...

I had a stainless mil spec Springfield in the 1990s, and it was very accurate.
 
Another vote for the Springfield GI, I had one and loved it. Great gun for the money, and it NEVER failed / jammed / scratched or anything. It fired and fed every type of ammo i threw into it. Fantastic gun...
 
"the Taurus is excellent; the low price due to molten metal injection" uh- isn't that mfg operation normally refered to as :cuss: CASTING? Sanation worker= trashman: Sanatiry aide supply= toilet paper replacer. Come on~ how about we call them like they is. This IS called "The High Road"; isn't it? That soap box rant shall be ignored as I put on my political correctness face- "It is very American in a NAFTA sort'a way that I review and highly recommend a product NOT made in the United States of America." I'm sure they are great pistols, but sure don't help the bottom line. I'm guilty as charged- I love Italian women~ uh, shotguns
 
the Taurus 1911 isn't out yet.
Was supposed to be here the 4th quarter of 2005.

As for gun mag reviews......the only review I really trust are the one's posted here. Real people, real results and honest.

AFS
 
Rock Island Range report

I was hoping to have wonderful report, but I don't. I was using CCI ammo (I know, I know, cheap stuff) and had several jams and was shooting about 6" low at 7 yards, so I bought some Magtec at the range. It didn't jam, but I was still shooting low (small groups through). On about the 75th shot, the gun failed to cycle and was locked up. I field stripped it and found the barrel link to be broken. I was done at the range for that day.

I e-mailed Amscor and recieved a reply from Ivan within an hour. I think he is the same one who is always on the 1911forum.com. He said a new one is in the mail to me.

I'm thinking that maybe the link cracked early in my firing and that caused the other problems. I just didn't realize it was cracked until it actually broke and quit functioning. I would like to hear more opinions on that.

In any case, The gun seems to have good tolerances and good fit/finish. I've heard good things about the metelurgy (sp?) at Rock Island. I'm hoping that my experience is the exception rather than the rule. If the replacement part fixes the problem, I will still be very satisfied. I'll just wait and see.

I'm not much of a gunsmith. Can someone send me a message with directions on how to change the link? It looks like just one pin holds it in place. What's the best way to remove the pin and re-install it?
 
I'm hooked on the Springer GIs. Girlfriend is buying me a stainless model for me and hopes to have it here by the 18th of this month.
 
My GI has about 15k through it, and 4 malfunctions. All related to handloads that where not crimped. Also she is very accurate.. Using Lee Tumble lube 230 grain RN and 4.6 grains of Tight Group she will hold off a rest about 2-2.5 inches at 25 yards. Only bad thing I can say abou tit is that the Park finish wore off after about a year. Kind of like my 1990 silver Ford F350. Paint fell off after a year but 248000 miles she is still going strong.

Chuck
 
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