looking for a good 1911
- Thread starter whitetailwoodsarcher
- Start date
For the quality of fit and finish I'd also suggest the STI Spartan. Another excellent value for fit and finish and quality is the Remington R1 in either GI model or their Enhanced.
While I have not handled either a SAM or RIA they do have a wide range of faithful followers. But while the guns may shoot I don't know what the fit and finish is like.
I have personally seen and shot Regent and Iver Johnson 1911's. Neither one did much for me due to poor fit and finish in both cases.
Trigger feel counts for a lot on any 1911. Again the more you pay the better they will be directly out of the box. The Regent and IJ were both gritty and heavy with more than normal creep for a 1911. Mind you a bigger than NOW acceptable amount of creep used to be normal for service style 1911's. So it's a bit like comparing apples to oranges.
A 1911 isn't normally the sort of gun you buy with economy in mind. It tends to be a treat and fulfill a bit of a dream. For those of us on a budget the amount we can set aside for fullfilling this dream varies. Some may well be on a Norinco budget and others can step up to a $3K+ Nighthawk. I feel the key is to reach a little and buy the top end of what you can justify. That way you get a gun which makes you smile more often when you handle and shoot it. And over time the cost of the ammo passed down the barrel will quickly make the extra you spent against your better judgement seem like a pittance and you'll nod at your brilliance for reaching up that next rung on the ladder to get the gun you were able to lust after.
While I have not handled either a SAM or RIA they do have a wide range of faithful followers. But while the guns may shoot I don't know what the fit and finish is like.
I have personally seen and shot Regent and Iver Johnson 1911's. Neither one did much for me due to poor fit and finish in both cases.
Trigger feel counts for a lot on any 1911. Again the more you pay the better they will be directly out of the box. The Regent and IJ were both gritty and heavy with more than normal creep for a 1911. Mind you a bigger than NOW acceptable amount of creep used to be normal for service style 1911's. So it's a bit like comparing apples to oranges.
A 1911 isn't normally the sort of gun you buy with economy in mind. It tends to be a treat and fulfill a bit of a dream. For those of us on a budget the amount we can set aside for fullfilling this dream varies. Some may well be on a Norinco budget and others can step up to a $3K+ Nighthawk. I feel the key is to reach a little and buy the top end of what you can justify. That way you get a gun which makes you smile more often when you handle and shoot it. And over time the cost of the ammo passed down the barrel will quickly make the extra you spent against your better judgement seem like a pittance and you'll nod at your brilliance for reaching up that next rung on the ladder to get the gun you were able to lust after.
The 1911 platform is finicky to begin with. As a previous poster has mentioned, the crisp trigger pull of a tuned 1911 is second to none. It is perhaps the single most outlying reason (function-wise) why the 1911 is so sweet to shoot.
As far as recommending one ... The STI Spartan also gets my vote. It is by far the best 'bang for your buck' 1911 one can pick up. Like RIA and Shooter's Arms MFG, STI contracts Armscor to manufacture the Spartan in the Philippines. The workmanship is top-notch.
Good luck on your search for a 1911.
As far as recommending one ... The STI Spartan also gets my vote. It is by far the best 'bang for your buck' 1911 one can pick up. Like RIA and Shooter's Arms MFG, STI contracts Armscor to manufacture the Spartan in the Philippines. The workmanship is top-notch.
Good luck on your search for a 1911.
- Location
- British Columbia
With out a doubt........get a Remington R1 ......even if you're budget was $2000.
whitetailwoodsarcher
CGN Regular
whats so great about the remington?
jonnyblaze
Regular
- Location
- Sutton, Ontario
I have heard the Ruger SR1911 are pretty damn nice for the money. I'm pretty sure they are 100% american made. Also you could get a Kimber custom II for around 900.
The fact that he bought one..lol
I think BCrider has really made an important point here. Years ago I was researching buying a mucho nice camera, I came across a blog where the guy said "come up with your budget and shop for the best equipment you can in that budget...... then buy 1 level higher than that" Sounds foolish at first but I'ved followed that advice and it's a surefire way to avoid that "I should of spent a bit more" feeling.
Just got back an hour ago from putting 200 rounds through my new Gold Cup Trophy and man am I happy
actually followed my own advice
Original Colt 1911 on the left... made in 1917 .... someone added target sights and reduced it's value to the range of your budget.
On the right a Commander length SAM paid $400 to my door in new condition and after many range trips it still is.
Both great shooters.
With your budget, and if I had it to do over I would get a Military SAM .45 ACP and reloading equipment to bring the cost of shooting down.
On the right a Commander length SAM paid $400 to my door in new condition and after many range trips it still is.
Both great shooters.
With your budget, and if I had it to do over I would get a Military SAM .45 ACP and reloading equipment to bring the cost of shooting down.
ROOOGGGer, $700, stainless, 100% American Made. For the price hard to beat, however I would only recommend actually handling the pistol before purchase as I have heard of QC issues. I got lucky I guess, but some have not been happy. Yep, Ruger SR1911 get's my vote for the money. Para is a no-no (I only mention, as a used one is often in the OP's price range, for those that are happy with theirs, that's great no need to flame.)
.)
I think BCrider has really made an important point here. Years ago I was researching buying a mucho nice camera, I came across a blog where the guy said "come up with your budget and shop for the best equipment you can in that budget...... then buy 1 level higher than that" Sounds foolish at first but I'ved followed that advice and it's a surefire way to avoid that "I should of spent a bit more" feeling.
Just got back an hour ago from putting 200 rounds through my new Gold Cup Trophy and man am I happy
I couldn't agree more with that theory. When I was looking for a 1911 I originally set a budget of $1000. After countless hours of window shopping, I decided to up the budget and get a Kimber TLE/RL and I couldn't be happier. Definitely don't have the feeling I should of spent more. Besides its just money, you'll make more.
... or an STI Trojan or even a S&W 1911.
WHen I was shopping around the S&W struck me as a superbly finished gun with good fitting rails. The ONLY thing that put me off is the external extractor. I wanted a more "traditional" 1911 so I passed it by. But in every other way the S&W at a little under $1200 is a fantastic looking gun with lots of very nice detail features. But it's WELL over the budget if you're looking at $800 as a top end.
WHen I was shopping around the S&W struck me as a superbly finished gun with good fitting rails. The ONLY thing that put me off is the external extractor. I wanted a more "traditional" 1911 so I passed it by. But in every other way the S&W at a little under $1200 is a fantastic looking gun with lots of very nice detail features. But it's WELL over the budget if you're looking at $800 as a top end.
