Best 1911 for the $$$

Mister Donut said:
There's no such thing as the best with so many 1911 owners out there and so many opinions. Just go out and buy a bunch of 1911s like the rest of us, in various price ranges and makes, and decide which ones are your favourites and flip the ones you don't like. I doubt you'll be happy with just one.
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Thats the easiest way, There are so many choices available it boggles the mind if you try to narrow it down.
 
Mister Donut said:
There's no such thing as the best with so many 1911 owners out there and so many opinions. Just go out and buy a bunch of 1911s like the rest of us, in various price ranges and makes, and decide which ones are your favourites and flip the ones you don't like. I doubt you'll be happy with just one.
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Some of us can't just do that..
 
Ok, I admit I've gone overboard but I've got 1911s from Norinco, Sam, Ruger, STI, Colt, Kimber, SIG and Springfield Armory.

In the low price range it's SAM all the way. Excellent fit, finish and accuracy. In the mid price range (around $700) the Ruger has a ton of extra features and the stainless is a bonus. At the $1000 mark I prefer the Kimber only because I could get it in stainless. My STI Ranger II is very solid and accurate as well. My only knock on STIs is that as far as I know they aren't available in stainless (just limited versions in hard chrome) and their standard finish doesn't seem to hold up that well. I have probably only holstered the gun 20-30 times and I can already see the finish wearing.

My Colt Gold Cup is at the top of the list for accuracy but it has been worked on so I don't know if that counts. As it sits it's probably in the $1500 range. The Sig has never turned my crank (80 Series with crappy trigger) and the Springfield is an old GI model so it doesn't compare well to the others which are a lot newer.
 
silverfoxdj said:
Some of us can't just do that..
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I guess I'm just speaking from personal experience back in the day when I promised myself and the wife that I would only need one pistol (haha, who was I kidding), the pistol and that was the 1911. I was looking at the Norc's because they were the most affordable, but ended up getting a Remington R1E because it came with all the bells and whistles that I wanted. It was costly (for me anyway) but it was silky smooth, had everything I wanted and I told myself since it was so awesome, I wouldn't need to ever get another one.

http://1.bp.########.com/-L1ib2WRcDIk/UfT29wLXCNI/AAAAAAAAR7Q/4zF3yScm1pc/s1600/P7261653.JPG

After a few months, I decided that .45acp was getting expensive to shoot so I picked up a GSG 1911 .22lr. It was fun to shoot, and I could do mag dumps all day without breaking the bank, but at the end of the range day, I always went back to my .45

http://1.bp.########.com/-PnZES3MrwLM/UfTz4ba97PI/AAAAAAAAR5g/t9N0xKYC-9E/s1600/P7261699.JPG

Then the Canada Ammo deal popped up and I just HAD to get one. It came with 1000 rounds of ammo and a basic 1911A1 Government style model. It was perfect because I always wanted a beater gun that I wasn't afraid to toss around and get scratched up. Surprisingly, it didn't feel like previous Norcs, and it certainly didn't feel like a $200 or even $300 pistol, it felt like at least $600 or so (at least my example did)

http://1.bp.########.com/-rihiuLmiPZQ/UeULB2RlFSI/AAAAAAAARmA/041IIj8gWuw/s1600/P7141150.JPG

With the combo, the way I looked at it was I got a crate of ammo and a $200 1911, or a $300 1911 (see EE, there are tons) and a $200 crate of ammo. Either way, I wasn't afraid to "tinker". It started with a complete strip and polish of the interals. By the end of the session, I was online racking up the credit card on aftermarket parts:

http://4.bp.########.com/-utNrrsafIyo/UfT4i0MeATI/AAAAAAAAR8g/LA1d0Mn53k4/s1600/P7261629.JPG

I ended up buying a few more combos just for the ammo and when I stumbled onto a Norc Police model, I decided that I would tinker with that one instead, swapping all the aftermarket parts over:

http://1.bp.########.com/-TWdU1QnUpoQ/UhTjWb50ivI/AAAAAAAASPg/0XbXULoAaBs/s1600/P8190048.JPG

and return my other Norc to a stock appearance:

http://4.bp.########.com/-UkCdZudSn-w/UgS9AQHG-EI/AAAAAAAASMI/dxrbi8m2I1U/s1600/DSCN3989.JPG

Anyway, long story short, I started off thinking I would only ever get one. I told myself that's all I could afford, that's all I would ever need, and that's all I would ever be able to buy without the wife cutting my balls off. But somehow, I have managed to find funds for several and keep my balls.

The 1911 is such a simple, yet versatile platform with various manufacturers and a TON of aftermarket support. I have kept four of all the ones I have purchased, of various makes and price points, and I wouldn't rule out buying more.
 
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Mister Donut said:
I guess I'm just speaking from personal experience back in the day when I promised myself and the wife that I would only need one pistol (haha, who was I kidding), the pistol and that was the 1911. I was looking at the Norc's because they were the most affordable, but ended up getting a Remington R1E because it came with all the bells and whistles that I wanted. It was costly (for me anyway) but it was silky smooth, had everything I wanted and I told myself since it was so awesome, I wouldn't need to ever get another one.

http://1.bp.########.com/-L1ib2WRcDIk/UfT29wLXCNI/AAAAAAAAR7Q/4zF3yScm1pc/s1600/P7261653.JPG

After a few months, I decided that .45acp was getting expensive to shoot so I picked up a GSG 1911 .22lr. It was fun to shoot, and I could do mag dumps all day without breaking the bank, but at the end of the range day, I always went back to my .45

http://1.bp.########.com/-PnZES3MrwLM/UfTz4ba97PI/AAAAAAAAR5g/t9N0xKYC-9E/s1600/P7261699.JPG

Then the Canada Ammo deal popped up and I just HAD to get one. It came with 1000 rounds of ammo and a basic 1911A1 Government style model. It was perfect because I always wanted a beater gun that I wasn't afraid to toss around and get scratched up. Surprisingly, it didn't feel like previous Norcs, and it certainly didn't feel like a $200 or even $300 pistol, it felt like at least $600 or so (at least my example did)

http://1.bp.########.com/-rihiuLmiPZQ/UeULB2RlFSI/AAAAAAAARmA/041IIj8gWuw/s1600/P7141150.JPG

With the combo, the way I looked at it was I got a crate of ammo and a $200 1911, or a $300 1911 (see EE, there are tons) and a $200 crate of ammo. Either way, I wasn't afraid to "tinker". It started with a complete strip and polish of the interals. By the end of the session, I was online racking up the credit card on aftermarket parts:

http://4.bp.########.com/-utNrrsafIyo/UfT4i0MeATI/AAAAAAAAR8g/LA1d0Mn53k4/s1600/P7261629.JPG

I ended up buying a few more combos just for the ammo and when I stumbled onto a Norc Police model, I decided that I would tinker with that one instead, swapping all the aftermarket parts over:

http://1.bp.########.com/-TWdU1QnUpoQ/UhTjWb50ivI/AAAAAAAASPg/0XbXULoAaBs/s1600/P8190048.JPG

and return my other Norc to a stock appearance:

http://4.bp.########.com/-UkCdZudSn-w/UgS9AQHG-EI/AAAAAAAASMI/dxrbi8m2I1U/s1600/DSCN3989.JPG

Anyway, long story short, I started off thinking I would only ever get one. I told myself that's all I could afford, that's all I would ever need, and that's all I would ever be able to buy without the wife cutting my balls off. But somehow, I have managed to find funds for several and keep my balls.

The 1911 is such a simple, yet versatile platform with various manufacturers and a TON of aftermarket support. I have kept four of all the ones I have purchased, of various makes and price points, and I wouldn't rule out buying more.
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I hear yah but I'd like to start with an STI and see where it takes me..
 
Any 1911 under $1000 is going to be a compromise. Depends if you are looking for a back to basics, ala Series 70 G.I. look alike.... Remington R1 or STI GI.
or do you want something thats a little bit more blinged out like the Ruger 1911 which has fibre optics and bbeavertail, and more for the same $$$
You just gotta touch and feel them and find the one that is YOU
 
FWIW looking at it analytically and without emotion, my answer to the OP is the best 1911 bang for the $$ is the Norc.
It fires 45ACP reliably, accurately, and it's all steel construction is robust.
Pay 2x, 3x, or more, if you want refinement.
 
WAREWOLF said:
Rem R1 enhanced is what I have and love it
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tazik said:
Remington R1 enhanced, mine works flawless, very smooth action, for a price of $800, that or a Ruger SR1911.

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This is what I have, and it has never ever jammed or given a bit of trouble. That being said, I have two Norcs that have never jammed either or given any trouble, however the Remington is much tighter ;)
 
Another vote for STI.

These are the most popular 1911 in IPSC - specifically the Trojan model. Excellent value for the money and have a proven track record. I recently picked up a Trojan as a backup to my STI USPSA model and I'm very impressed with it.

I'm certain the other manufacturers are decent (and I base that comment on nothing...), but none of them have the track record of STI.
 
Of my fifteen 1911's here are my thoughts. This advice is worth exactly what you've paid for it

Quantity owned and in no particular order

Three Sigs. Nice fit and finish, they've always been reliable and in my opinion are one of, if not the best value in 1911's

One Colt. Don't need to say much here....rock solid

One NHC. The finest 1911 I currently own.

One Para. Meh....not great reliability.

Three Kimbers. I like them and have experienced no reliability or accuracy issues.

One Norinco. Bought it with the ammo deal.....at least I got ammo...I hate this ####ing gun...

One S&W. Haven't shot it yet, fit and finish seems nice.

One Ruger. Very nice gun, very good value.

One Taurus. Bought it one a whim (wanted something in 38 super). It has become one of my favorite guns to shoot.

Two GSGs. Nice little .22lr 1911's

They get all kinds of ammo, from Norc to Win Clean


In almost all cases, there are no bad 1911's...just ones I have yet to buy!
 
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