I am currently in the market for a 1911 pistol. This will be my first purchase of a handgun. I know I want a 1911 and I know I want a .45. My question is what to buy? I had my mind made up to buy a Colt but after visiting a local gun shop I'm not sure. I assumed a Colt would have a better trigger, action and so fourth but the guy at the gun shop said even a Gold cup has a trigger that could easily be replaced with something better. So my Question is this, how much difference is there between a $800-900 1911 vs a $1400-1500 1911? If I were to compare it to rifles, would there be as much difference as comparing say a run of the mill Remington to a Sako? I am just trying to get some honest insight since I have no experience with Pistols. I am quite capable of doing some modifications myself. Am I better off buying a Ruger say for $850 and spending some money to upgrade it or just going out and buying a higher end Kimber or Colt or something along those lines. My Budget is pretty flexible. Thanks in advance.
What 1911?
- Thread starter HOSSONE
- Start date
Take a look at sig 1911's. I've got there traditional slide tac ops model and I find it to be a great gun all around. I wouldn't buy a kimber IMHO, I find they're over priced for what you actually get. My buddy has a series 80 colt, and as much as I like the gun, its a terrible shooter compared to my sig.
One thing I like to point out though, I'm a huuuge fan of front strap checkering. Also one of the reasons I don't like kimber's, is most of their lower priced models, and some of the higher priced, do not offer front strap checkering. Triggers and anything internal can be swapped with relative ease by most moderately mechanically inclined folks, but front checkering would be a task I wouldn't feel comfortable doing on my own. Just something to consider.
One thing I like to point out though, I'm a huuuge fan of front strap checkering. Also one of the reasons I don't like kimber's, is most of their lower priced models, and some of the higher priced, do not offer front strap checkering. Triggers and anything internal can be swapped with relative ease by most moderately mechanically inclined folks, but front checkering would be a task I wouldn't feel comfortable doing on my own. Just something to consider.
A 1911 is the product of the old hand fitted design school. When put together with generous clearances you get a typical military issue gun. When put together with care and attention and LOTS of hand fitting you get a gun that performs like it's magical. The sub $1K guns are no slouch. But when you handle and dry fire one of the $1500 and up guns that's when the unicorn horn dust they are imbued with really starts to show.
There's a book on smithing and improving the 1911 by Jerry Kuhnhausen. And trust me, after you read what is involved in slicking up a 1911 you will realize that only a few folks will work on enough of them to attain that skill level. And most of those work for the producers of the higher end 1911's.
I know there's a lot of trigger drop in kits and such. But those are only the tip of the iceberg for making a 1911, or any semi auto handgun for that matter, really sing in all respects. But while the more expensive 1911's are absolutely fantastic the sub $1K guns are actually not bad in many ways. But by the time you make a cheap gun feel and shoot as well as a $1500 gun you'll likely have had to spend a lot more money. So it's likely cheaper to start with a mid/upper end gun if you want to get there anyway.
Besides, legions of us have found that shooting handguns is not as easy as it seems. If you have a long history of rifle shooting that will help a little. But it's not going to help as much as you might think. By all means start off with a .45 1911. But when you almost certainly develop a flinch don't be afraid to go and buy a nice .22 to aid in working on the basics and the sense of detachment needed to shoot the bigger kicking handguns really well.
There's a book on smithing and improving the 1911 by Jerry Kuhnhausen. And trust me, after you read what is involved in slicking up a 1911 you will realize that only a few folks will work on enough of them to attain that skill level. And most of those work for the producers of the higher end 1911's.
I know there's a lot of trigger drop in kits and such. But those are only the tip of the iceberg for making a 1911, or any semi auto handgun for that matter, really sing in all respects. But while the more expensive 1911's are absolutely fantastic the sub $1K guns are actually not bad in many ways. But by the time you make a cheap gun feel and shoot as well as a $1500 gun you'll likely have had to spend a lot more money. So it's likely cheaper to start with a mid/upper end gun if you want to get there anyway.
Besides, legions of us have found that shooting handguns is not as easy as it seems. If you have a long history of rifle shooting that will help a little. But it's not going to help as much as you might think. By all means start off with a .45 1911. But when you almost certainly develop a flinch don't be afraid to go and buy a nice .22 to aid in working on the basics and the sense of detachment needed to shoot the bigger kicking handguns really well.
I think you should consider an STI in the $1000 plus range; I have a Ranger, a Trojan and a USPSA and all are great shooters and very reliable.
I have owned a Colt NMGC, a Clark Custom gun, a Kimber and Norinco.
In terms of the mechano set approach ( buying a lesser gun and upgrading) I think you would learn a lot about 1911s but you would end up spending more than you would if you bought a quality factory gun .
I have upgraded the Norinco with new STI parts and while it is much better than the gun as it came from the factory it is still not the equal of the factory STI.
I have owned a Colt NMGC, a Clark Custom gun, a Kimber and Norinco.
In terms of the mechano set approach ( buying a lesser gun and upgrading) I think you would learn a lot about 1911s but you would end up spending more than you would if you bought a quality factory gun .
I have upgraded the Norinco with new STI parts and while it is much better than the gun as it came from the factory it is still not the equal of the factory STI.
Thanks Guys, that's some great advice. A .22 is definitely going to be purchased as well. So its pretty much like everything in life....you get what you pay for. I'm not expecting to spend more on gun to make myself shoot better I just want to purchase a quality firearm that I can enjoy for many years to come and not want to upgrade in a year.
Best 1911 for the money , sti
Best 1911 for the money that still leaves money for ammo and a .22 1911, sam
Best 1911 for the man that loves the classics, colt
Best 1911 for the tactical mall ninja deep within, Springfield trp operator
Best 1911 to waste your money on and regret only to sell at a loss, kimber
Best 1911 to piss around and maybe try your hand at fitting parts, norc
Best 1911 for the money that still leaves money for ammo and a .22 1911, sam
Best 1911 for the man that loves the classics, colt
Best 1911 for the tactical mall ninja deep within, Springfield trp operator
Best 1911 to waste your money on and regret only to sell at a loss, kimber
Best 1911 to piss around and maybe try your hand at fitting parts, norc
I have Ruger SR1911 which I really like. Looks good, decent trigger. Presently selling for about $850. I can shoot a single 3" hole at 10 yards with 30 rounds. Magazine are pretty low quality. They worked ok for about 1200 rounds then spread at the feed lips and wouldn't feed properly. Changed the mags, back to a good solid reliable gun. I have heard very good things about the STI Trojan but I can't comment personally. I think that the Ruger is a pretty good value gun. Has all the main features without anything special and is more accurate than most people. Doesn't have the level of fit and finish of more expensive guns but is pretty decent.
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Go with the best you can afford within your Budget. I got SR1911 slightly used from here with good Price and very happy. I never thought I would buy a used gun because I intend to keep it forever(see my 10 must-have gun list post earlier), but really glad I did in this particular case.
Depending on what your goal and preference are, it could be from a Norinco all the way to custom build. It's a beautiful platform that can't do you wrong.
Depending on what your goal and preference are, it could be from a Norinco all the way to custom build. It's a beautiful platform that can't do you wrong.
Fixed it for ya
Disclaimer: yes I'm a total fan boy of Les Baer, but especially his TRS model.
To the OP, yes, you will find differences in the quality of a 800-900 1911 Vs 1400-1500, but it's up to you to decide if/how important they are for you. It's really the same as between a Rem 700 and a Sako; both will shoot (very accurately) and hit what you aim for, but they are definitely not the same thing in terms of overall quality/fit/finish and, lets face it, pride of ownership.
If you state a ballpark budget, you can get more specific recommendations.
If you state a ballpark budget, you can get more specific recommendations.
Have a look at https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/buyers-guide-for-all-you-1911-addicts.511/ (although prices will be different)
In the $1500-$2000 I'd look for STI/TRP/Valor/Les Baer (Baer would be used obviously); it really depends on what's important to you feature-wise. In that budget I'd definitely skip Kimber/Colt altogether...
In the $1500-$2000 I'd look for STI/TRP/Valor/Les Baer (Baer would be used obviously); it really depends on what's important to you feature-wise. In that budget I'd definitely skip Kimber/Colt altogether...
Yup.I got lucky doing so...not pretty but shoots damn straight, lots of work,around a 70 bucks for additional parts,done.
CG
Anyone besides Colt make a classic no frills "Government Model" with a polished blued or at least not a matte finish?
Seems most "GI" types are parked or bead blasted. So far the Remington is the only other one I've seen. SAM, STI, Springfield, Armscor - not good
Seems most "GI" types are parked or bead blasted. So far the Remington is the only other one I've seen. SAM, STI, Springfield, Armscor - not good
What about Jo Dlask? Screaming deal, for a hand fitted, hand assembled Canadian 1911.
http://dlaskarms.com/collections/dar-1911
http://dlaskarms.com/collections/dar-1911
I like them a little more GI than those but just as accurate, but it was all I could do to stretch to the Remington 1911 R1 at $600 after the $100 rebate (I received already).
The "memory bump" bugs me for one and I don't need the forward serrations just for starters, but if they SHOOT I would get one if I could afford it some day.
Delta, BC, hmm...
One thing I didn't see on their website was where the actual parts are from.
Just what do you want to do with this pistol? Shoot competition or home defense if home defense then a Rock-Island 399.00 pistol
will do everything a Colt or any other name pistol will do. They are about a Norco or such quality.
Bob
will do everything a Colt or any other name pistol will do. They are about a Norco or such quality.
Bob
