- Location
- British Columbia
Last edited:
Looking into a 1911
- Thread starter c0ntract
- Start date
Range Officer
Regular
- Location
- Sunny Okanagan
Very nice!
So during my trip to the Philippines, I got to handle my grandfather's issued Remington (UMC or Rand, not sure) 1911. It was rusted to hell after being buried under the house for a while, many years ago, and I had to assemble it upon my arrival, but seeing and handling it really made me want one of my own. Here's my Lolo's gun, pictured below:
Like many others on CGN, I want the Ruger SR1911, as it seems like a great value and I've turned out to be quite the Ruger fanboy, but given its current rarity, I'm considering the Remington R1 for my first 1911. I've grown to like how it is very close to GI spec and reminiscent of my grandfather's sidearm. Perhaps I can get the Ruger later, but the 1911 bug has bitten me hard, and it feels like an itch I need to scratch soon.
Like many others on CGN, I want the Ruger SR1911, as it seems like a great value and I've turned out to be quite the Ruger fanboy, but given its current rarity, I'm considering the Remington R1 for my first 1911. I've grown to like how it is very close to GI spec and reminiscent of my grandfather's sidearm. Perhaps I can get the Ruger later, but the 1911 bug has bitten me hard, and it feels like an itch I need to scratch soon.
Agreed. A tuned Norinco for under $500 will likely compare very well with any 1911 selling for under $1000, and a good few over that figure. Unless you want something particular in a .45, that's what I'd recommend.
Unfortunately, the Trojan is considerably above my current budget. I'm looking to spend <= $800 before taxes for a new, American made (at least for the most part) 1911 and currently, the R1 seems like the only readily available choice. My mind's pretty much made up; just sharing my recent story, I guess. Thanks for the suggestion though.
- Location
- south of Detroit
I have a Sparton from STI in 9mm that I paid $749.00 Can't beat that. There is not a better 1911 out there for that money. I am not familliar with the R1 but I did alot of research before choosing and the Spartan was the only one I could not find ANY negative reviews about. I have not been disapointed. I will say the R1 was a contender, just didn't win against the Sparty.
Well if money is a concern get yourself a Norinco NP29. For the money they are excellent shooters and every bit as good as the Spartan. One of our shooters had a 9MM Spartan and finally gave up on it. A Trojan will last you a lifetime so factor in what the extra cost really is vs the cost of ammo and travel to shoots etc and the slightly longer wait for the Trojan might well be worth it.
There are pistols for around $550 - $600 that will give you a more versatile shooter, with less potential problems and a greater re-sale market if you decide to move on to something else. GP-6, Glock, and M&P come to mind.
Take Care
Bob
If you want a pistol that is "close to GI spec" (or looks like a WW2 pistol like your grandfather's Remington Rand), there are a few options that I'd consider.
RIA-I've only used one but its a good pistol.
Springfield GI-my first pistol purchase and a keeper. Hard to find these days, but worth grabbing if one pops up.
Auto Ordnance-looks like a decent GI type pistol, they are more accurate in the little details than some of the other offerings. Haven't used one myself but have read good reviews.
Of course there's also the Colt repro, but you're getting into a whole other price bracket with that one.
If you aren't fussy about it being an "accurate" repro of a real M1911A1, there are many other options, such as the Remington R1.
Someone recently told me that the old term G.I actually stood for Galvanized Iron, not General Issue. I am not certain if this is 100% true, just something I was told by a collector.
Anyway the Ruger and the R1 are both stellar 1911's for the money and both have the old school feel and look to them with their traditional hammers and full faced triggers. Much better representations of a "GI" compared to some other GI type 1911's like Para's GI Expert (yeah I know they claim GI stands for "Get Innovative") but they market it as a GI despite the skeletonized hammer and plastic competition style tirigger.
I like the value you get from the R1 and SR1911 with the classic looks.
Anyway the Ruger and the R1 are both stellar 1911's for the money and both have the old school feel and look to them with their traditional hammers and full faced triggers. Much better representations of a "GI" compared to some other GI type 1911's like Para's GI Expert (yeah I know they claim GI stands for "Get Innovative") but they market it as a GI despite the skeletonized hammer and plastic competition style tirigger.
I like the value you get from the R1 and SR1911 with the classic looks.
Range Officer
Regular
- Location
- Sunny Okanagan
For what it's worth, if $'s are an issue, don't hesitate to consider a Norinco. With a trigger job and a couple of decent mags you will have a nice solid good shooter that will rival those two or three times the price!
Steve David
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Oshawa, Ontario
I have owned a pile of 1911's, Para, never again, Norcs, great starter or project gun, Kimber, great gun, customer service not the best, recently sold a Remington R1, looked like a nice gun and the buyer is very happy with it, but for me, STI is tops. I started with a Spartan, upgraded to a Trojan, then bought a 9mm Trojan, then upgraded to the Lawman which I currently shoot. The product is wicked and the customer service is second to none with Freedom Ventures and STI. In your budget, I would seriously consider the Spartan.
