Starter 1911

[Odd Shot]

I bought a used Norinco 1911-A1 off the EE for $350 iirc to "test the waters". Fit and finish was a bit on the rough side but it shot well and reliably.

I liked the style enough to upgrade to a SAM version from Wolverine for about $600 after taxes, etc.

 

[Hitzy]

Commanders are nice in 9mm, prefer them over full size in that chambering.
The 2 45 1911's I kept are a SAM stainless thunderbolt and an STI Spartan IV, the SAM is full size target type, the Spartan is commander size with bull barrel (no bushing) and fixed sights. The Spartan is probably by far the most accurate 45 I have ever shot, put a slightly heavier recoil spring in it and it's a joy to shoot. Both are Philippines made and a good bang for the buck.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Buy a $500 handgun and $1000 in practise ammo. Go to the range and learn how to shoot it as well as you can. Then upgrade to a better gun.

Would you give your teenage driver learner the $50,000 family vehicle or a $2500 beater?

 

[saskcop]

Buy a $500 handgun and $1000 in practise ammo. Go to the range and learn how to shoot it as well as you can. Then upgrade to a better gun.

Would you give your teenage driver learner the $50,000 family vehicle or a $2500 beater?

x2. It is hard to argue with this.

 

[ted_dent]

I started with a Norinco, and it was a good starting point. It went bang when you pulled the trigger and was not a big investment. I then got a Ruger sr1911 and really liked the upgrade. It is a nice gun for a little more money. Don’t know about anything about higher end 1911s.

When the SR1911s came out they were a great deal. i bought a brand new one for $700. Now they are in the $1300 price range or about triple the cost of a Norinco. It's no longer "...a little more money".

 

[RK99]

I also say Norinco. I got a slightly used one for $300 and put another $200 in Wilson Combat, Dlask etc bits and springs in it and some nice Hogue grips. Polished the feed ramp and did a trigger job and polish of some of the internals. So all in for about $500 and it shoots really nicely with a much improved trigger feel compared to stock. It's more accurate than I am right now.

 

[gooch]

If you’re the type who likes to tinker go with a Norinco.

If you want something more reliable and good to go out of the box then step up to something like the Ruger SR1911.

 

[turbo_bird]

The Norinco 1911's are generally a solid pistol that works fine but is just a bit rough around the edges. It's pretty easy to fix that though. Here a before and after of my latest one, a 9mm NP29. It was under just $300 new with taxes and shipping, and the only parts replaced were the plastic mainspring housing, mag release, and the trigger to match my other 1911's. I even already had the parts I'm my stash. The metalwork and refinishing I did myself with hand tools, a Dremel, and a $15 sandblast gun from amazon. Then I parkerized it on my kitchen stove in a cheap stainless bowl. It's not the tightest 1911 in the world, but it's at least as accurate as I can shoot it, functions great, and now looks pretty good too, for under $400.
From this.

To this.

Kristian

 

[like45's]

Shooter Arms Manufacturing (SAM) makes a GI 1911 and an upgraded 1911 in both 9mm and 45ACP. Wolverine has them

 

[old303]

Norinco's a great "learner gun" if you want to learn how to clear jams, minor issues, maybe even some parts breakages. It will not be issue-free! But dealing with those hitches will make you a far more knowledgeable shooter and apprentice gunsmith than if you buy something that "just works". And there's the earned feeling of accomplishment when it's running smoothly. And it's inexpensive enough that there's far less hesitation to take tools to it, though note they're very hard metal to be taking a file to. Even if you accidentally convert it to a paperweight, hey, it was only a Norinco.

Start with a Norinco and later upgrade to something good and you'll have far more appreciation of the later gun. Plus you'll have a gun's worth of spare parts!

 

[45C]

Pick up a used RIA, they're a series 70 and can be had for less than $500 ,used.
Shoot it for awhile.

If you like it,you can add a new trigger,beavertail, hammer,and dawson adjustable sites for $500.

My trigger breaks like glass at 3lbs and is very reliable and accurate.
For a $1000 you'll have a way better gun,than the ruger SR 1911, Remington Enhanced, Springfield etc.

And yes,I've owned them all.

 

[Ganderite]

I have a number of Norc 1911s in a variety of calibers. And some SAMs, some Colts, some Rock Islands and others.

The Norinco is a great place to start. The later models, with forward serrations are better made than the older ones with no front serrations.

It is a good place to start learning the nuances of a 1911. How to tune the extractor and ejector. Change the grips. Better sights. How to improve the trigger.

I suggest you buy the 5" version. Maybe watch EE for the model that comes with adjustable rear sight.

 

[medvedqc]

i owned few norinco in the past and we sold all of them: except a double stack one in 45. now i have a tisas blued in 9mm well finish that is maybe another option to consider. nothing to compare with the dan wesson lasd i offered to my wife after christmas but not the same price as well...

way nicer and finish than a norinco and i really like the trigger, the sights and all the finish and parts are easier to put in if needed.

 

[saskcop]

I have owned a couple of Nork's - all 5" guns. They both shot extremely well - in fact they were way more accurate than any gun their price should have been. Both were extremely reliable as well. A few sharp edges, but I have owned sharp guns for three times the price.

 

[mikeyb]

My Nork was like a shotgun. Holes everywhere. I swapped the bushing out and it did fine after that. Sold to play with other things, but fun to play with.

 

[kthomas]

When I was in your shoes, I went with a Dan Wesson Valor. Not inexpensive, but I figured it was probably going to be the only 1911 I own, that I will own it for life, so may as well make it a good one.

For the price point, there's a lot of value to the Dan Wesson's. They compare well with 1911's that are almost double the price. I would imagine resale value would be very good as well, I would bet they retain their resale value higher then lesser quality 1911's, if you ever did wanted to sell.

Just a thought.

 

[kthomas]

Buy a $500 handgun and $1000 in practise ammo. Go to the range and learn how to shoot it as well as you can. Then upgrade to a better gun.

Would you give your teenage driver learner the $50,000 family vehicle or a $2500 beater?

The car analogy makes absolutely no sense. A grown adult that purchased their firearm with their own hard earned money is not comparable at all to a kid and a ~$50,000 vehicle.

However, I certainly won't disagree with ~$1,000 of practice ammo (which unfortunately probably doesn't get you very far today).

I don't understand why people on CGN are happy to give their dollars to a CCP company though. That boggles my mind.

 

[Planetmail 12]

Rock Island Stuff is pretty top notch for what you pay....

My first RIA I sent back due to quality, fit & finish issues - was replaced with another, which has almost similar issues. But I'm going to deal with the fit & finish issues myself. Honestly I find RIA to be like Norinco in terms of fit & finish quality....based on my ownership experiences.

 

[Batboy]

Lots of good advice here. My experience is that I’ve never regretted spending a little more, but I have regretted compromising on quality and spending a little less. Used can be a crap shot..

 

[Janeau]

Get a gun that you know will work. Your are new to 1911, get one you will enjoy.
Stay with proven, reliable brand : Ruger - Remington - can be found at great price used or new.
Many choice used around a $900-1000. Sig -S&W.
Look for a gun with rear adjustable sight if you can.

If you buy used - buy from a dealer or make sure , the gun you choose is unmodified and not monkeyed. Get it inspected if you not sure and do not know what to look for.

Stay away from Norc and cheapo, you will regret it in the long terms.