With limited experience with 1911's, I currently have a Remington R1 Stainless and LOVE it, I bought it because I couldnt find the SR1911 when I was in the market for a 1911. I have probably 700+ rounds through the R1 and its an awesome gun. I paid for a SR1911 last night priced at $699 and will be able to give a good comparison once I put some rounds through it. I will say that both are beautiful pistols, and both have their pros for overall appearance, I think the R1 has a every so slightly fit and finish just from handling the SR quickly at the gun shop. Cant wait to try out the new one!!!
Seeking advice on entry level US made 1911
- Thread starter pete_viking
- Start date
OccasionallyOnTarget
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Burnaby, BC
Nice
- Location
- Burnaby, BC
American made or American brand? STI Spartans have Phillipines made frames but are assembled in USA with US made slides and internals. STI make awesome 1911s
I just came upstairs from fondling my Remington R1 Enhanced and Ruger SR1911. My R1E has more rounds thru it but it feels much slicker than the SR1911 - maybe the SR will feel just as nice after a few hundred more rounds.
Both great guns, you just have to decide what you want on your 1911?
Blue or stainless?
GI model or some bells and whistles?
Shooter or safe queen?
I assume your first gun must be NEW? If you want stainless with most bells and whistles - R1E stainless can be had for $950 I believe. If you are on a budget - the SR1911 with 1000 rounds from CanAm ishard to beat. I love the SR too, I think it's well made and looks fantastic. 2 stainless mags it comes with - very good quality. But if you are a shooter - the R1 will be the better 1911 IMO.
Never shot an STI in .45 but my 9mm Ranger was the best quality 1911.
I just came upstairs from fondling my Remington R1 Enhanced and Ruger SR1911. My R1E has more rounds thru it but it feels much slicker than the SR1911 - maybe the SR will feel just as nice after a few hundred more rounds.
Both great guns, you just have to decide what you want on your 1911?
Blue or stainless?
GI model or some bells and whistles?
Shooter or safe queen?
I assume your first gun must be NEW? If you want stainless with most bells and whistles - R1E stainless can be had for $950 I believe. If you are on a budget - the SR1911 with 1000 rounds from CanAm ishard to beat. I love the SR too, I think it's well made and looks fantastic. 2 stainless mags it comes with - very good quality. But if you are a shooter - the R1 will be the better 1911 IMO.
Never shot an STI in .45 but my 9mm Ranger was the best quality 1911.
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
ive got the Ruger SR1911 and the Kimber Custom, paid 700 for the ruger and 780 for the kimber.
both are fantastic guns.
the fit and finish on the kimber is hands down better.
but the ruger is more accurate and i kinda like the stainless look.
keep in mind your getting a mid range ruger with novak sites and such where the kimber is their entry level, so the sites are black iron and suck.... big time.
so youll probably replace those and thats another $200 touch.
so out of the box id go with the ruger.
but if your looking for a gun to work on and add onto over the years the kimber.
both are fantastic guns.
the fit and finish on the kimber is hands down better.
but the ruger is more accurate and i kinda like the stainless look.
keep in mind your getting a mid range ruger with novak sites and such where the kimber is their entry level, so the sites are black iron and suck.... big time.
so youll probably replace those and thats another $200 touch.
so out of the box id go with the ruger.
but if your looking for a gun to work on and add onto over the years the kimber.
bigrevolver
Regular
bigrevolver
Regular
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/1242/norinco-1911-government-model-1000-rds-combo-deal/
$499 Norinco 1911 Government Model + 1000 rds Combo Deal
1911A1 Government Model, Blued
7+1 Capacity
45 ACP
2 Mags
Cleaning Rod
$499 Norinco 1911 Government Model + 1000 rds Combo Deal
1911A1 Government Model, Blued
7+1 Capacity
45 ACP
2 Mags
Cleaning Rod
that BY FAR is the best choice if you want to buy RIGHT NOW.
I have the ruger and a sig scorpion, and shot my friend's Trojan. the ruger is good, but hard / harsh. definitely not as smooth (slide racking, trigger pull) as either the sig or Trojan, but it's around $500 less, so - FOR THE MONEY - it's pretty good and looks very nice.
I got the ruger for $790 total, the sig for $1250 total, and the Trojan goes for $1200 plus tax/ship. their fit/finish/performance matches the price points quite well.
i'd avoid the Norinco at all costs, unless you can still get that Norc+1000rounds for $500. then sell the Norc or use it as the "hey, can I try your 1911?" gun.
I haven't touched a Spartan, but if it's 80% like the Trojan, i'd say it's worth it and probably just a notch above the Ruger (at a half-notch higher price)
I bought a Ruger earlier this spring and quite like it. It is well made and functions 100% so far. It seems that QC is all over the map with this gun so I would recommend you handle a few first. Mine is tight and does not rattle except for the trigger, but some guys say they have seen some of these pistols that were unacceptably loose. Just a little word of caution, but like I said mine is a fine pistol.
If you look down a dozen or so threads there is a complete review of the SR1911
If you look down a dozen or so threads there is a complete review of the SR1911
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heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Abbotsford
Ruger
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Ruger of course! It has everything you need, nothing you don't.
So with a wealth of knowledge that stems from owning 2 1911's and having shot another, you're willing to recommend that someone not buy a pistol that you yourself do not own? Fascinating. There are folks around who have owned dozens of 1911's who would not recommend against the Norinco. Personally I've only owned four or five 1911's and haven't put much more that 25,000 rounds through them (so I'm not an expert on the gun) but I wouldn't recommend against a Norinco with some judicious tuning as a first 1911. Incidentally, I paid close to $1000 (1980's) for my first Colt 1911 and then spent close to another $1000 to get it to do tricks like feed semi wadcutters and have a trigger break under 8 lbs and have sights that my then 19 year old eyes could see.
huh... well, i actually DID own a Norinco. and i've shot a bunch of other guns, like a Trojan, Valtor, old Cdn Para doublestack, new Para (expert), S&W, etc etc etc.
don't worry - i'm not dumb enough to offer an opinion on something that you ASSume i never owned. i only offer views on stuff i've owned, shot, or at the very least handled. the Norc quite honestly IS crap. oh sure, lots of people say it's good - but usually with the disclaimer "as long as you replace all the guts and/or send it to a gunsmith and give him $100-plus to make it not feel like gravel"
sorry if you don't agree with my view of Norinco "quality", but there's a reason i feel that way. i had one, and i got rid of it. i would have happily melted it or thrown it into the trash. but i sold the POS for $100 or so.
lastly - the 1911 was never designed to feed SWC or anything other than ball ammo, so there is absolutely NO SURPRISE that a replica doesn't feed SWC all that well. cuz, bloody hell, it wasn't designed to do so. my truck wasn't designed to float, so i'm not miffed that it doesn't float. drives awesome in the snow, though. better than most boats do! i wonder why.....
I think the issue of Norc 1911's closely mirrors the discussion about Norc M14 type rifles. Political considerations aside, there will be many who do not like the Norinco products because they generally do not meet US or European standards of fit and finish. Furthermore, some Norinco's appear to need some end user fine tuning to work properly ( not to make safe - they all seem safe enough but to work like an American or European product ). Some other buyers can see past the fit and finish issue, don't mind to do some work if required and see tremendous value in the guns at the price they are sold at.
It appears to be the feeling amongst most 1911 owners who actually have owned or at least handled the Norinco offering that they are great value buys - perhaps even more so than the M14 as, in the main, they require even less work to make as good as the more well-known brands.
It appears to be the feeling amongst most 1911 owners who actually have owned or at least handled the Norinco offering that they are great value buys - perhaps even more so than the M14 as, in the main, they require even less work to make as good as the more well-known brands.
- Location
- Burnaby, BC
Norinco - not a gun for gun snobs.
Norcs are not great out of the box, true. But they can be easily tuned to shoot great by your self with a few simple tools. If you are not mechanically inclined, best to stay away and let the big boys play. I am not a gun smith but I love to tinker. The NP29 was my first Norc - terrible trigger out of the box, but it shoots straight and never stopped working for any reason. I spent maybe an hour tops to get a lighter and smoother trigger pull - works even better. Will I buy another? - yes I did, CanAm deal. Would I buy this as my only 1911 or pistol? No, I love 1911s too much to own just one. I'm a bit of a gun snob but I am not afraid to say I own a Norc and how great they are to get some people started. You get what you pay for with a Norc - sometimes more!
But OP wants American - Ruger, Remington, or STI Spartan. But if you only plan to buy one gun - get what you really want, not what you can afford. You'll save and be happier in the long run.
Norcs are not great out of the box, true. But they can be easily tuned to shoot great by your self with a few simple tools. If you are not mechanically inclined, best to stay away and let the big boys play. I am not a gun smith but I love to tinker. The NP29 was my first Norc - terrible trigger out of the box, but it shoots straight and never stopped working for any reason. I spent maybe an hour tops to get a lighter and smoother trigger pull - works even better. Will I buy another? - yes I did, CanAm deal. Would I buy this as my only 1911 or pistol? No, I love 1911s too much to own just one. I'm a bit of a gun snob but I am not afraid to say I own a Norc and how great they are to get some people started. You get what you pay for with a Norc - sometimes more!
But OP wants American - Ruger, Remington, or STI Spartan. But if you only plan to buy one gun - get what you really want, not what you can afford. You'll save and be happier in the long run.
Um, it was a Colt that required work to feed SWC's - the Norc ate them from day one, and the '80's weren't Colts best years. As for the OP - we haven't heard anything incurable about the Ruger, other than generalized comments about "looseness" and the finish can't chip like the Remington, and it doesn't have a series 80 safety like the Remington. The Spartan is, to be fair, made in the Philippines (that is under no circumstances a knock - the 1911 is an article of religious veneration in the Philippines) so if you want a real deal American 1911 that is as close to JMB's intent for the gun as you can get - Ruger seems to be it.
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