Need advice, cheap 1911 black friday sale

frzburn

frzburn

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Hey,
I'm in the market for my first 1911. I wasn't in a rush, until I saw all those black Friday sales! Since I'd like to take advantage of the deals going on right now, I'm referring to you to make the best choice possible for me.

Here's the deal. I can't afford right now to drop $2000 on the "perfect" 1911 to my taste. So I got the wife to agree to buy a cheaper one, easing the pain, and I could always sell it later (or so she thinks :p) to get a better one...

I'm torn up between getting the cheapest Norinco I can get, or spending some more for a somewhat better 1911. But the goal is to spend the least possible, to get another (better) 1911 as soon as possible... But getting a crappy POS wouldn't make me happier either. :yingyang:


Some features I'd like to have:
Must have:
-Full size 5" barrel
-Beaver tail grip safety
-Skeletonized hammer
-Fixed sights (3-dot type)

Really, really wish I could have:
-Frame rail
-Straight MSH

Nice to have:
-Magwell
-8 rnds mags

Totally optional preferences:
-Ambi safety
-Front slide serrations
-GI style guide rod


I could still get the cheapest of the cheap 1911s, and change some parts... But that would somewhat defeat the purpose. If I can get a couple of features I'd like to have straight out, that would be better.

Here's what I found so far:

Dominion Arms Two Tone


Pros:
-One of the cheapest
-Has most of the features I'd like

Cons:
-No frame rail
-No magwell
-7 rds mags


Norinco
Norinco_45_acp_zpsgvznykmw.jpg~original

Pros:
-One of the cheapest
-Has most of the features I'd like

Cons:
-No frame rail
-No magwell
-7 rds mags




Shooter Arms Thunderbolt


Pros:
-Feature loaded!
-Has a rail, so I could buy a quality holster and keep it for my future order

Cons:
-250$ more expensive than the DA/Norinco
-Ugly as f*** hammer and trigger (replaceable, but adds even more to the price)
-Adjustable rearsight (again, still replaceable. I'm not sure, but it look like the frame as a cut-out at the back to make place for the sight? If anyone could confirm this. This would automatically reject that model for me.)


Girsan MC1911S

Pros:
-Feature loaded
-Has a rail

Cons:
-250$ more expensive than the DA/Norinco
-Round MSH
-No magwell




Right now, what I'm thinking is that I'll have to make compromises anyway, so I'd get the DA and live with it until I get better one and spend more on ammo.

Do you have any experience with these models?
Any other model you would suggest in these price ranges?
Any good advice for an impulsive buyer? :)


For reference, here's what I'd buy if I could afford it right now:
 
Canada Ammo has the Dominion Arms NP27 45 cal on sale fore $239 with free shipping. Other than being 4.5 inches, it comes with 8 round mags.
Can't beat that price. I ordered one.
 
frzburn said:
Here's the deal. I can't afford right now to drop $2000 on the "perfect" 1911 to my taste. So I got the wife to agree to buy a cheaper one, easing the pain, and I could always sell it later (or so she thinks :p) to get a better one...
Click to expand...

I have had 3 Norc 1911's (5" in 9mm and .45 Auto and a Commander in .45 Auto)and they have all been fine but the two 5" were tweaked before I got them, one by Joe Dlask and one by Gunnar at Armco before things fell apart there. I still have those two as I found the Commander length didn't really suit me in the end. The one big thing to consider if cost is an issue is the price of ammo. 9mm is vastly cheaper than .45 and no matter what gun you buy the cost of ammo will pretty quickly eclipse the cost of the gun if you do much shooting. If you want a 1911 to occasionally shoot then get the .45. If you intend this to be a primary gun that sees lots of rounds then think hard about how much more 9mm you can buy than .45 for the same cost.


Mark
 
MuthaFunk said:
I just got one with 500 rounds shipped and tax in for under $400! It's a no brainer.
Click to expand...

I did the same, it was just too hard to pass up. I'd would have jumped on a SAM as well if they were on sale. Probably for the best anyhow, this weekend is hurtin' the wallet.
 
Hey
I have two one nor and one DA...for me I don't get to go shooting much so ammo isn't too much of an issue as I have a 1911 in 22lr aswell...the Girsan is probably my next 45acp but still on the fence..if I get another nor/DA in 1911 it will be in 9mm as stated already cost of ammo is better.
depending on the finish go on you tube now and see the different guys that have the norinco's and the buffing that is needed to prevent the scratch when racking the slide...you'll see ...my chrome raced it I think twice out of the box to check it and two small scratches
norinco/DA are great for what they are...some are hit and miss but remember you get what you pay for and for people like me that can't spend 1000 for one pistol and choose not too norincos work..
let us know what you choose...
Glenn.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far! Seems like a 50/50 split! :) :HR:


Airbob10 said:
Canada Ammo has the Dominion Arms NP27 45 cal on sale fore $239 with free shipping. Other than being 4.5 inches, it comes with 8 round mags.
Can't beat that price. I ordered one.
Click to expand...

mmattockx said:
I have had 3 Norc 1911's (5" in 9mm and .45 Auto and a Commander in .45 Auto)and they have all been fine but the two 5" were tweaked before I got them, one by Joe Dlask and one by Gunnar at Armco before things fell apart there. I still have those two as I found the Commander length didn't really suit me in the end. The one big thing to consider if cost is an issue is the price of ammo. 9mm is vastly cheaper than .45 and no matter what gun you buy the cost of ammo will pretty quickly eclipse the cost of the gun if you do much shooting. If you want a 1911 to occasionally shoot then get the .45. If you intend this to be a primary gun that sees lots of rounds then think hard about how much more 9mm you can buy than .45 for the same cost.


Mark
Click to expand...

Happypillz said:
Why 45? Go for a 9mm. You will get more PEW PEW Time. 45 is expensive as hell.
Click to expand...


I seriously considered going with 9mm, but, no. Not an option. It's just... to me, a 1911 is in .45. And truth be told, I don't shoot THAT much, so I'm OK with the higher prices for .45 ammo.



thegrandpoohbah said:
You list the 7 round mag as a con. Not really as big deal as you WILL end up buying more mags eventually. Just get 8 rounders when the time comes.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the reason why it's in the "nice to have" features. I'd be fine with 7 rounds mags, really. But to my taste, an 8 rounds mag in a 1911 with no magwell looks weird, and pretty much every ones with magwells come with 8 rounds mag.

But you're right, it really isn't a big deal. I'd be plenty happy with a 1911 that comes with 7 rnds mags. :)




GunsNotPuns said:
Mr. OP, the world isn't divided between cheap and expensive 1911s -- there is the middle way as well. Save a few more dollars and avoid some Communist made out of spec garbage like Norinco or Dominion Arms.

Cheap handguns are cheap for a reason.
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Indeed. I looked for a decent 1911 in the $700 to $1000 range, but didn't find anything really that was worth that much more money (compared to those cheapos). Or am I wrong? What would be your suggestion? (I'm being sincere, no arrogant tone)

And in the $1000 - $1400 range, I've found nothing that would match my perception of a perfect 1911 without compromise. I wouldn't put a single dollar over $1000 if I had to do a compromise, swap some parts, etc. That's just too much money. At that price tag, I want something "perfect" out of the box.
 
Buy this or one like it. A Springfield 1911 is good to go, and I've ever only seen one issue with anything of this brand (sometimes the plunger tube is poorly staked but that's an easy and free fix. Of all my Springers I've had to do it to 2 of them). There are often gently used Springfields that come up on the ee, most are probably low round count and babied. I would buy it myself if it wasn't for the railed dust cover and the fact that I just spent a pile of money on my car. The wife is spitting rocks this week!

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1263845-Springfield-Operator-Full-Rail-1299

Just my opinion but they are a first rate production 1911. As good as the Colt which is the standard, and head and shoulders above all of the entry level 1911 pattern pistols out there.

Skip the SAMS, Norincos, etc. Buy once, and spend the rest on ammo.
 
Yessssss I always wanted a full length dust cover Springfield.

My path was I picked up a stainless colt on the EE and modded it to my liking. Didn't need a rail so it was perfect for me.

Picked it up around $700 iirc.
 
frzburn said:
Indeed. I looked for a decent 1911 in the $700 to $1000 range, but didn't find anything really that was worth that much more money (compared to those cheapos). Or am I wrong? What would be your suggestion? (I'm being sincere, no arrogant tone)
Click to expand...

I bought a Kimber Custom II for the top end of that range and its a solid and reliable pistol.
 
Your better off getting the GI norinco and adding high end parts to it. The sport norincos kind a suck. I might be interested in the girsan.
 
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