1911 choice

Adam F85

CGN Regular
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Location
Surrey, BC
I would like another 1911...used to have a Norc and now that its gone I miss it. I love the 1911 platform like most of us....classic style and power. I would love a Kimber but cant afford one right now. What is your opinion on Springfield vs Para vs Regent vs Norinco, etc? Would like to keep it around 700 or less
 
Try a used STI Spartan or Taurus PT1911.

Roger at Shooter's Choice in AB has a sweet looking "lightly" used Spartan in your price range. I have purchased two guns from Roger, he is excellent to deal with. Always delivers the good goods at a low overhead price.

cheers
 
Honestly, in that price range your best bet is an Armco tuned Norinco. Under $500 but better than any 1911 that you will buy for $700.

I think Gunnar has both commander and government length Norinco 1911s in stock right now.
 
Spartans are great 1911s for the money for sure, but $799 is a bit more than the OP was looking to spend. Still though, if he's willing to spend a mere $100 more then he will be getting a great gun for the money.
 
STI Spartan, hands down, nothing else comes close for the price (~$800.....~$700 used). The Taurus PT1911 doesn't compare to the Spartan, feels like a toy when you have them side by side. Even if I had $1000 to spend on a Kimber I would take the Spartan.....once you start getting over $1000 then you can take a look at Dan Wesson (really nice) and other higher-end 1911's. But for under $1000, I really don't think you can beat the Spartan. In all honestly I had a tough time deciding on what 1911 to sell, my Spartan or DW PM7 (I needed money)....I ended up selling the Spartan, but it wasn't an easy decision.
 
Hmmm..I don't think mine looks or feels like a toy:




STI Spartan, hands down, nothing else comes close for the price (~$800.....~$700 used). The Taurus PT1911 doesn't compare to the Spartan, feels like a toy when you have them side by side. Even if I had $1000 to spend on a Kimber I would take the Spartan.....once you start getting over $1000 then you can take a look at Dan Wesson (really nice) and other higher-end 1911's. But for under $1000, I really don't think you can beat the Spartan. In all honestly I had a tough time deciding on what 1911 to sell, my Spartan or DW PM7 (I needed money)....I ended up selling the Spartan, but it wasn't an easy decision.
 
Got a lightly tweaked Norc 1911a1 and a completely worked over Colt Combat Elite with tons of bells and whistles.

Is the Colt smoother and more accurate, you bet your sweet a** it is. It was also more than double the 400$ Norc.

The Norc has never let me down, is smooth and accurate enough for everything I need it to do.

I don't plan on selling either but it pretty tough to go wrong with a good Norc.
 
You might also want to look at the Rock Island Armory 1911s that Arms East carries. They are all under $700 and are well liked south of the border where they have been around for a few years.

http://www.armseast.com/store/index.php?p=catalog&parent=48&pg=1

I might just have to try one out myself to see if they are as good as their die-hard fans say they are! At that price you really can't go wrong.
 
I just looked into Rock Island Armory which was originally Squires & Bingham and then Armscor in the Phillipines and now Rock Island Armory in the US, and Armscor produce the barrels for the STI Spartans in the Phillipines from what I have read. They seem like they may be well built
 
I got my STI Trojan for $1000 on the EE, came like new, with adjustable rear sights & recoilmaster. I love that gun. Nothing compares to a crisp trigger pull on a well-tuned 1911. Sure, Wilson Combat it ain't, but I am a realist... ;)
 
Your right, it ain't but it shoots every bit as good and is just as reliable and built just as good but for 1/3 the price.......! :D
Maybe... At 7-10 yards, I saw no difference. But at 25, Wilson Combat was superior. That's in my hands, YMMV. In fact, it was the best 1911 I ever shot, including Dan Wesson, Les Baer, and various Kimbers. Sorry for the off-top.
 
Maybe... At 7-10 yards, I saw no difference. But at 25, Wilson Combat was superior. That's in my hands, YMMV. In fact, it was the best 1911 I ever shot, including Dan Wesson, Les Baer, and various Kimbers. Sorry for the off-top.

For $3500-$4000 for a Wilson or a Les Baer, or a Kimber Custom, they better shoot that good. I would not expect a $1000 used 9mm Trojan I bought in the EE to shoot that good, but it did.
 
I just looked into Rock Island Armory which was originally Squires & Bingham and then Armscor in the Phillipines and now Rock Island Armory in the US, and Armscor produce the barrels for the STI Spartans in the Phillipines from what I have read. They seem like they may be well built

Actually Armscor produces and assembles the Spartan for STI, STI does the QC on them and provides Armscor with the parts for the trigger train (trigger/sear/ disconnector/hammer). The 1911 is close to being a religion in the Philippines, they know how to build them.
 
Actually Armscor produces and assembles the Spartan for STI, STI does the QC on them and provides Armscor with the parts for the trigger train (trigger/sear/ disconnector/hammer). The 1911 is close to being a religion in the Philippines, they know how to build them.

+1

I know this from personal experience because I shot IPSC there back in the late 80s early 90s. Had a full race 1911 built from a WWII Remington and three full mod Stock Colt Govs and Combat Elites. Their gunsmiths are second to none.

Having said that, Armscor is a huge factory...not a custom gun shop. They have their own separate investment casting shop. They are like the Ruger of the Philippines. They also produce Tanfoglio designs as well as polymer framed pistols, Colt inspired revolvers, 12gauge pump shotguns and .22 bolt rifles as well as the common ammo calibers including 5.56 for the Philippine miltary, IIRC. Their 1911 frame and slides are cast from 4100 series steel, just like a number of famous brands. Nothing wrong with cast...just saying.
 
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