1911 pricing vs quality sweet spot

Shanks4300

Shanks4300

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Wanting to replace my 1911 9mm that I sold and it got me thinking as to what the ideal price vs quality intersection might be. I had a SAM, so I have experience there, but was wondering what one gets for the price bump to go to other manufacturers.

You can get into STI for the $800 range, are they 60% better than a $500 SAM? More than that? How about the STI's or Colts that go for $1500? 3 times as good?

I like quality, and don't mind paying for it, but this process just made me think about the value of what I'm getting.

What do you guys/ girls figure?
 
Shanks4300 said:
You can get into STI for the $800 range, are they 60% better than a $500 SAM? More than that? How about the STI's or Colts that go for $1500? 3 times as good?
I like quality, and don't mind paying for it, but this process just made me think about the value of what I'm getting.
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Good for you to give this some thought...although it is a pretty subjective question to be sure. I also find it interesting when folks indicate they can can get 2 or 3 of "the cheap" gun for the same price as 1 of "the expensive" guns. If you are outfitting 2 or 3 people, this is a valid point. Or if you can use one until it wears out or breaks and you still have two others...and the three of them will outlast the one expensive gun (who knows). However, for the connoisseur, or for someone who wants a particular feature or quality of build, 2 or 3 or 10 of the cheap guns will never amount to 1 of the more expensive guns.

Good luck with your determination. I think in the long run, you need to look at the more expensive guns and decide what it is about them or it that you (personally) are willing to pay for, and which cannot be had on a less expensive gun.

Have fun with it. Let us know what you decide on...there is no right or wrong...just what is right for you...but you know that anyway :)
 
STI is THE 1911 company...that's their specialty, and their number one priority. Lots of other companies dabble in many different types of firearms and have jumped on the 1911 bandwagon in recent years. What you get from them is an accurate reliably tuned 1911 out of the box, backed up by the best after sale service as well. Keep in mind $800 is the Spartan line which has a frame slide and barrel made in the Philippines so decent quality, tight fit, but not as nice as the US made stuff of course
 
Cost v 'quality' is not a linear relationship. After a certain point, you start paying a lot more for only incremental differences or 'improvements'. Where that point is depends on what you personally like and value (and can afford) so it is subjective.
Some will say you hit diminishing returns after 350 with the norinco, others 800 with ruger, sti spartan etc. others will say it is at the point where you get a hand fit / finished pistol and don't blink at 3000 for Wilson or Les Baer.
 
Hitzy said:
STI is THE 1911 company...that's their specialty, and their number one priority. Lots of other companies dabble in many different types of firearms and have jumped on the 1911 bandwagon in recent years. What you get from them is an accurate reliably tuned 1911 out of the box, backed up by the best after sale service as well. Keep in mind $800 is the Spartan line which has a frame slide and barrel made in the Philippines so decent quality, tight fit, but not as nice as the US made stuff of course
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Have to agree STI is my sweetspot gun.. 1 Spartan in 45ACP and 1 Trojan in 9MM..
 
I was in your position a year ago. Even though I went with a CZ my research told me the best 1911 for MY money (re: very little available) was by far the STI. Manufacturing process, tolerances, reputation, and customer service are all reputed to be excellent.
It's the little "extras" that start appearing as you incrementally increase the price that will get you. Do you prefer target sights? Do you want front serrations or not? etc.
 
By far the sweetest shooting 1911 I have shot that was in stock form is the STI Rangemaster. It came up for sale shortly after I shot it and I kick myself for not jumping on it.

And yes, at $1600 it is very much worth 4 times what a Norinco costs.

The problem is that some Norincos are a bargain and others are grossly overpriced. Due to the loose tolerance control you might get a gun where everything is snug and it's so good that it rivals the finest Colt Gold Cup. And the one in the very next box might be so loose and filled with parts that rattle around that it's more like buying a loosely assembled DIY kit. When you pay more you reduce the gamble on this aspect. If you're in a position to know what to look for and you can personally examine the one you are looking at buying then they can be superb guns if it checks out.

I know that if you want to KNOW you got a good gun that the price point is right where the Ruger, Remington and Spartan are priced. I can't comment on the SAM or others since I have not handled them. I do know that I would not buy the Regent 1911 unless I could personally evaluate the specific gun I was looking at buying. Again the fit and finish on the ones I've seen and handled was spotty.

Yes, the Ruger, Remington and STI Spartan are double or double and a bit the cost of a Norinco. But if you have to buy sight unseen then consider the extra cost as being like quality insurance.
 
I got a little crazy and picked up a STI USPSA in 9mm. I was not concerned about the right caliber for resale or the name brand for that matter. All I can say is after shooting a few before buying I just had to have it. I have let several people give it a go at the range. I already know what they are going to say when I see their face after they shoot it. Most don't like the price but their expression tells me they wish they had it in their collection. It is the nicest one in mine but also the pricest.
 
Spend $1,300.00 all in, and grab yourself a Quality COLT Government Model .45 Auto (01991) blued. Amazing pistol for the $$$ , take care of it, and in 5 years down the road if you wanna sell, have factory case, manual, etc, and get $1,000.00 back if in flawless / excellent condition, and un-altered factory condition.

Colt 1991 .45 Government :)
 
it depends what type of person you are really. If you are the type of person who really appreciates a fine piece of machinery (nice power tools, bmw m3 vs mustang, ect) then you can never spend to much on a 1911.

price vs quality, under $1000 STI spartan or ruger sr1911 (if you can handle the ruger, some are pretty crap apparently) are hands down the best. $1000-$1500 STI Trojan is my choice there although a SIG would not be a bad choice if you want a unique look and "tactical" features (only down side is that SIG is series 80)
 
bjhill said:
LOL i would take a gunsmith messaged Norinco over an STI any day do the math.
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Problem with Nork is they are so far out of spec and loose it takes way too much work to get it to even to STI Spartan level of fitting and accuracy. It just isn't reasonable to dump that kind of money into a Nork....you would be way over the cost of already decent guns and in the end its still a Nork.
The hard steel they use is kind of moot if they are all cut sloppy and loose.
 
heavenIsAlie said:
it depends what type of person you are really. If you are the type of person who really appreciates a fine piece of machinery (nice power tools, bmw m3 vs mustang, ect) then you can never spend to much on a 1911.
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I do like well put together/ designed machinery; on that note, I just got rid of my 335i not because it wasn't a beautiful automobile, but because for the price it wasn't proportionally better than some other less expensive quality offerings.

For me this question is similar to how I view a good bottle of wine or scotch; for $100 a bottle (wine) it had damn well better be great, in fact I expect it. I have always been far more impressed with the producer that can put out a bottle for $20 or $25 that is almost as good as the high end product. For me if demonstrates that the producer has achieved that sweet spot of value for money.
 
LOL I don't think it would be a the question of integrity Base nork 350 My Sig 1911 1350 My Nork 1911 plus 400 gun smith enhanced thousands of rounds. My Sig 1911 1 box.
 
I have found after LOTS of rounds through various 1911s that STI is the way to go.
Best overall value is the Trojan or Lawman for a couple additional features.
These are well built and nothing in it's price range will match the fit of componants, however they don't offer much 'flash' if you're in to looks before function....you can have both, but you need a few more $$ for a USPSA or the likes.
I would live to say Colt is the way to go just with the heritage factor, however they are a decade behind with available features/options.
Lots of other decent ones out there, but haven't seen one match the round count while maintaining the STI fit.
 
For ME, the quality versus price is around 1300$ for modern 1911.
I find that my Kimber Custom II TLE fits my bracket. Really tight and precise handgun. Nice finishes available from Kimber.

Mush
 
bjhill said:
LOL I don't think it would be a the question of integrity Base nork 350 My Sig 1911 1350 My Nork 1911 plus 400 gun smith enhanced thousands of rounds. My Sig 1911 1 box.
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If you're happier with a tuned Nork than with a Sig, then you're lucky, sell the Sig and buy more ammo !!

OP, at 7-800$ you should get a good 1911, then the extras add to the price : ramped barrel, SS vs blue, ambi safety, cosmetic or practical checkering/slide cuts, adjustable sights, etc.

I own 2 STI Spartan, one in 9mm and one in 45, I modified them to my taste and am very happy with both but even stock from factory I liked them. If you want a ramped barrel then go with the Trojan or the higher end models.

Lets add pics... a 1911 thread without pics is less fun :cool:

9mm_zpsee979098.jpg
 
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