charlesquik
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Quebec....
just stay away from para and overated kimber. I own a ruger sr1911 great gun for 700$, the remington r1 is also good. You can also look the the sam one like the other said.
1911? Which one to avoid a like a psycho ex-girlfriend?
- Thread starter TheAntler
- Start date
SIG still has a unique slide profile for their standard line of 1911s, but they also offer their "Traditional" line with a standard slide profile. Some holsters made for a standard 1911 slide profile will fit SIG 1911s if they're not too tightly molded.
I hear good things about the SAM and auto-ordnance USGI 1911A1 clones. They are a very basic 1911 though - if you want something nicer, you might be into bigger money.
The Norinco used to be the go-to for the basic GI, and they are still great forged guns if you think of them as components to build on, but if I was going to buy a budget 1911 today, I'd probably go with the Auto-Ord. RIA is also not bad, but the fit and finish is less than the SAM or AO from my experience.
I have to agree that the older, made in Canada Paras were very good, and many of the IPSC shooters at our club love them. The first run of Appreciation for Service guns were among the last made in Canada, and again were fine. I have a 9mm LDA and a.45 double-stack from that batch and like both. As you have read above, the made in USA models have some QC issues, very well documented by several members of this forum. It was sad to see a respected Canadian firearm manufacturer leave the country (as we have so few) and then to see their product quality decline the way it has.
Para has problems since day one when they start the business, not just in the State. Some of you guys lucky enough to got one good but many don't. I don't want to comment about some brand over rate or over price because people willing to paid. Get a good used Norinco from EE here or tuned by Armco will be 100% good.
Trigun
Trigun
ambishooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southeastern Canuckstan
What about a gently used Canadian built PARA?
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
^I would have to somewhat agree with this. In opposition to my own AMT experience, the Colt Model 1991A1 has been pretty darn good. Magazine issues were my one and only complaint with this firearm. I bought better ones to replace one or two original factory magazines. No complaints here now from this recreational shooter. The only hitch is making enough handloads with 200 grain SWCs and keeping enough Red Dot powder on hand.
mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
Any 1911 maker that put firing pin safeties on any of their 1911s...
And the companies that do not are Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, Les Bear, Nighthawk, STI, etc.
And the companies that do not are Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, Les Bear, Nighthawk, STI, etc.
With firearms, I subscribe to this analogy: Buy once, cry once. Buy cheap, buy twice.
I have purchased an inexpensive model firearm, scoffing at paying more money for the better guns. In the end, I knew why the more expensive one cost more money, and went that route.
I will also say this; if you are thinking about buying a gun and making it good by sending it out to be modified/fit with parts, or even buying parts and smoothing it out yourself, you will end up dead heat with the cost investment compared to just buying a more expensive and high quality gun from the getgo.
That being said, find out what you want from a 1911, and choose which one you want from there.
What's the most important to you?
Looks? Function? Finish? Features?
Do you want a GI style pistol? a competition style pistol?
Personally, I'd go with something that deviates little from the original 1911A1 design, with a "series 70" style firing pin (no firing pin safety) and an internal extractor. That way parts are easier to find.
Find out what you want from it, and try to find out that already has it done. If you want a gun with the bells and whistles, the Ruger SR1911 seems to be great for that. If you want a high quality "GI" pistol that has excellent quality fit and finish, get a Colt. If you are short of money or really don't want to spend it, the Norincos are good guns, especially for builds, but once you bring it up to the finish level of American brands, you will likely spend the same amount of money.
I have purchased an inexpensive model firearm, scoffing at paying more money for the better guns. In the end, I knew why the more expensive one cost more money, and went that route.
I will also say this; if you are thinking about buying a gun and making it good by sending it out to be modified/fit with parts, or even buying parts and smoothing it out yourself, you will end up dead heat with the cost investment compared to just buying a more expensive and high quality gun from the getgo.
That being said, find out what you want from a 1911, and choose which one you want from there.
What's the most important to you?
Looks? Function? Finish? Features?
Do you want a GI style pistol? a competition style pistol?
Personally, I'd go with something that deviates little from the original 1911A1 design, with a "series 70" style firing pin (no firing pin safety) and an internal extractor. That way parts are easier to find.
Find out what you want from it, and try to find out that already has it done. If you want a gun with the bells and whistles, the Ruger SR1911 seems to be great for that. If you want a high quality "GI" pistol that has excellent quality fit and finish, get a Colt. If you are short of money or really don't want to spend it, the Norincos are good guns, especially for builds, but once you bring it up to the finish level of American brands, you will likely spend the same amount of money.
Man...he spoke for all what was to say , agree i am, like some are paying a glock 750$ and ending up later up to 1200$ with upgrade... Not for me ...(and they Will tell you that glock are cheaper!!?! 1200$ and up with upgrades,,,,
- Location
- PRINCE GEORGE, BC
Buy a Norinco 1911. The price-performance ratio of these guns is probably the best out there.
