? 1911 to buy

[loose_holster_dan]

never tried smith or ruger, but i have owned and have friends who have owned colt, springer, sti, kimber, sig, para, taurus, and probably a few others i'm forgetting. all the colts and sti's have been flawless. the higher end springers have been good. sigs have all had feed issues. kimbers have had feed issues and poor tolerances and quality control. taurus, like all taurus, are terrible in all aspects except maybe looks. para is just ok. nothing special.


i have personally only kept my colts (gold cup trophy and defender), my sti (spartan v 9mm), and my custom build. i have shot friends' colts and sti's as well. everyone seems to have good luck. the higher end sti's are amazing.

 

[Hunter Customs]

Colt or Springfield.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

 

[mySig229]

SIG all the way...one of the best manufacturers in the world. Not to mention they have lots of models to choose from

1911 Extreme?

Scorpion?


Many more than these...

 

[west5757]

I assume you are looking for a .45 full size but if not I would suggest a Springfield EMP. I've had mine for a few years now and it is a great shooter.

 

[Firefighter88]

I have a Taurus PT1911AL. So far after 500 rounds, which isn't saying much, of several different brands of ammo, no problems. The trigger is kind of stiff, but it groups very well. I paid close to $600 for it and it hasn't given me a reason not to like it yet. I don't know how many rounds it takes for you to trust your life with a gun, but for a, so far, reliable low end 1911, it's worth the money I paid for it.

 

[dgludwig]

I've always thought that the Taurus 1911 was a lot of pistol for the money.

 

[vyse.04]

I've always thought that the Taurus 1911 was a lot of pistol for the money.

It is, but if you are able to spend $800-$1000 on a 1911, I would look at something a little nicer. And yes, I also have a PT1911. No issues in the last five or so years that I have owned it.

 

[grubbylabs]

Thanks for the responses every one,


I have gotten a lot of what you would by but very little as to why, what features does your recommendation have that you think puts it above the rest?

Thanks.

 

[Mrgunsngear]

I have gotten a lot of what you would by but very little as to why, what features does your recommendation have that you think puts it above the rest?

Reliability and customer service. 1911s are kind of a gamble in terms of reliability (that's right, I said it ). For instance, I have 5 SA 1911s. 3 of them have performed flawlessly from day one. 1 just had a sticking safety and way too much overtravel, otherwise worked fine. The other had trouble feeding JHPs. I called SA about both guns, they paid shipping both ways, fixed the guns just as I requested, and now both function flawlessly.

 

[vyse.04]

what features does your recommendation have that you think puts it above the rest?

As far as features, you will have to determine which "upgrades" are necessary. I like checkered front straps, and that is about it as far as "custom options" go. While I like beavertails, I have no problems shooting a GI style 1911. I also do not care for extended safeties/slide stops, but that is just me.

Luckily most of those things can be changed to fit the end user. I would try and handle/shoot as many as you can to get an accurate look at what you want... especially if it can save you a couple hundred dollars going with a lesser model of the same brand. Colts entry/midrange guns are priced very close to each other. Brands like STI and Kimber have more of a spread. I haven't seen a value priced 1911 from Springfield in a LOOONNNNGGG time, but their prices are pretty close outside of one or two models.

 

[AZAK]

If you had 800-1000 give or take a few, what 1911 would you buy and why?

I want a 1911 for both fun and a ccw.

I personally am a big Colt and Wilson Combat fan; have and shoot both. For your money that leaves Colt.

I would look for a NIB latest release of the Colt Combat Elite; they seem to be pretty scarce at the moment, but worth looking for.

It really depends on if you have any experience carrying a 1911; a Government model can easily top 40 ounces unloaded. I often carry one all day long; but, it really is different than throwing a LCP in my front pocket!

Should be able to find a Colt 1991 Commander fairly easily. Some really like the balance of the Commander better than the Government. And they are a bit lighter; even in all steel, they also offer a light weight version.

I would stay with either the Government or the Commander as a first 1911; anything smaller is a different "experience" (and I have had a number of different 1911s in different sizes and configurations and still enjoy carrying an Officer's model - just a bit more of a "high maintenance" version that takes a bit more to maintain and to shoot.)

Of all of the "bells and whistles" available, my favorite is having an undercut trigger guard; allows for a higher grip and thus lower bore axis relative to the hand (even if it is just a little higher/better grip I personally value this.)

 

[ripnbst]

I am in your price range as well and considering a 1911. I had a Para Ordnance CCO model that was nothing but problems. Nearly every trip to the range resulted in a breakage. Talk about mad...

I will be picking up a S&W E series scandium model, not sure exactly which one yet. I'd like to get something in CCO size but I'm not sure S&W offers a CCO sized model at this time. The reason I decided on S&W is their CS is awesome, every other firearm I have from them (M&P 9c and a couple J frames). Have been great. And their options on their 1911's for the money I find to be a great value.

 

[erob3]

Thank you for the correction Grubby....I should have been more attentive to your post. As to a .45, I have owned the Ruger SR1911, it's SS so that one is out since you are looking for a blue finish. I also have owned a Springfield Mil-Spec, it was very reliable and accurate but the trigger was awful out of the box. After a trigger job I was able to reduce the pull down to around
5 lbs, much nicer after that. As mentioned previously check STI pistols, why is because the attention to detail for fit. The STI finish is more towards the parkerized type than blue, therefore, I would believe it to be more durable. STI offers several pistols with a variety of options so a person could probably find most any combination they are looking for. Colt speaks for itself. I would even recommend the Springfield again, as long as the trigger is good it is a very high quality pistol. Mine was very accurate and never had a FTF.....ever. Again, Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

have gotten a lot of what you would by but very little as to why, what features does your recommendation have that you think puts it above the rest?

I thought I covered the "whys" in my post, but let's try again.

Your price range is up to $1,000, which would allow you to get beyond the entry-level pistols from the Philippines or Turkey. It gets you into Colt territory. THAT gets you a forged frame and a forged slide. That gets you fewer MIM parts than any 1911 other than the more expensive custom and semi-custom brands that are well beyond your price range. And that gets you a Colt, which has a name that will always be worth something, and customer service that few other handgun companies can match.

I suggested a Commander because that seems to be the best size for the purposes you said you intend to use it for.

I suggested the 1991 series, which has NO "features," first because I don't think most people need the so-called "features" found on the more expensive XSE series and, second, because I think an XSE would be over the $1,000 price. In particular, the XSE has front cocking serrations, which I think are useless and which shred leather holsters. The XSE also has an undercut trigger guard where it meets the front strap. I've been shooting 1911s that DON'T have that since 1967. I think it's ugly, and I don't think it makes any substantive difference, so why pay money for it?

 

[QuakertownRich]

Colt=paying for the name. Period. A basic colt with nothing extra like improved sights/grips/trigger/lowered ejection port goes for at best $900...hence paying for the name. You can buy the same basic model made by Springfield for several hundred less and still get great cs and reputation gun. Colt snobs have drank the kool-aid and want you to buy into it as well to help reassure them they didn't. To spend the extra money on a basic model JUST to say you have a colt, to me, is assinine. There are better offerings for the money out there. Springfield, Sig, S&W are just a few.

 

[AZAK]

You can buy the same basic model made by Springfield for several hundred less and still get great cs and reputation gun.

Perhaps so, perhaps no.

And where are these Springfields being made? There seems to be a reason that some of the folks who purchase Springfields talk about the "NM" designation.

So, you can spend a little more and have a made in the USA 1911 with a high resale value; doubtful that you can really find many NIB Springfields for "several hundred less", several to me means more than a couple, for a comparable model to a Colt.

But, variety is the spice of life and as always YMMV

 

[QuakertownRich]

Took me a whole 15seconds of searching of gunbroker to find 5 NIB Springfield Mil-Spec 1911's, some being ss, for under $700. Some even had buy-it-now for under $700. FWIW, I don't currently own a Springfield. I did own a Springfield Loaded 1911 in ss I bought a few yrs ago for $700, had it for a yr or two and sold it quickly for $600 due to financial issues.
I just bought this for $899 delivered to my FFL:

A Sig 1911 Extreme.

 

[tnelson31]

RIA 1911

I have a RIA 1911 9mm. I love the gun--shoots great, feeds well with Springfield magazines. I hate the finish, however (parkerized) and will replace it someday (at least with a twin in function.)

This might be duh! for you but if you want a blued gun stick to that. I do not think RIA sells those.

 

[grubbylabs]

Aguila Blanca I was just making a generalized blanket statement. Some did some did not. But your last post included some really good info, like made in America, forged frame and slide. Plus I am looking for something that is simple, I just need it to work, and be reliable. I don't want a bunch of serrations, accessory rails and what ever else some mall ninja thinks a gun needs. If I could find a good used WWII gun I would buy it in a hart beat. For all the 1911 bashing you would think that it has not been an effective side arm for just over 100 years. I have not made up my mind, but I can't imagine that the company that has been building them for 100 years does not build a quality 1911.

I just have no experience with them and basically know nothing about the 1911.

 

[QuakertownRich]

Aguila Blanca I was just making a generalized blanket statement. Some did some did not. But your last post included some really good info, like made in America, forged frame and slide. Plus I am looking for something that is simple, I just need it to work, and be reliable. I don't want a bunch of serrations, accessory rails and what ever else some mall ninja thinks a gun needs. If I could find a good used WWII gun I would buy it in a hart beat. For all the 1911 bashing you would think that it has not been an effective side arm for just over 100 years. I have not made up my mind, but I can't imagine that the company that has been building them for 100 years does not build a quality 1911.

I just have no experience with them and basically know nothing about the 1911.

After reading this I actually DID laugh out loud. You seriously need to educate yourself on not only the 1911, but guns themselves. First off, serrations and accessory rails are not "mall ninja" options. Serrations give you a more positive grip on the slide when racking the slide. The more aggressive the serrations, the better the ability to grip it. As for the accessory rail, some ppl will use their 1911 and would like a laser or light on it to aid in their self-defense. This doesn't make them "mall ninja's". I hadn't planned on doing that, but liked the look of it just the same and appreciated the ability. Other options on an upgraded 1911 are also for function, not "mall ninja", such as lowered ejection port which helps prevent stovepipes during firing. Ambi-safety for left handed shooters. Also improved sights over the standard low-profile sights which are difficult to pickup sight picture quickly. Front checkering on the front strap which aids in positive gripping during firing of the weapon. Improved grips over the standard smooth grips which also aid in more positive grip during firing. The forged slide and frame remark is ok, but most have them anyway, and unless you plan to put beau coup +p rounds through it like in 100's of thousands, it wouldnt matter anyway. The "made in America" bit sounds good, but how many ppl who blather about it turn down a Glock because it isn't? Some of the best weapons in the world are not made here like H&K, Glock and Sig, and to turn your nose at them for that reason is foolish.
Edit to add: Just where was this 1911 bashing you refer to? If saying something is overpriced is "bashing", then there is something ELSE you need to research more into.