What basic 5" 1911
- Thread starter venison
- Start date
Don't forget Tanfoglio (excellent track record of gun building) and STI. The STI Spartan is an Armscor slide and frame fitted at STI. Lots of STI internals replacing the Armscor MIM parts and assembled by folks who know their stuff. For the price it's an excellent deal, the talk on the 1911 forum is very positive. (and if you're the least bit snobby, it IS an STI - lol) That said there is nothing wrong with a Norc, especially if Gunnar has worked on it - my Commander will keep up with any comparable 1911 from any maker.
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RIA is an Armscor, and they are a terrific deal - again no complaints on the 1911 board, and Armseast have a great reputation. You're looking for a 1911 at the right time, it has never been easier to get a good quality 1911 at an affordable price. You would have difficulty finding a new 1911 for $600 15 years ago, and if you did it would still need $300 - $400 worth of work to make it what most of these guns are out of the box.
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ian is right
RIA is Rock Island Armory made by Amscor (Phillipines). They are allies, citizens are allowed to vote and they make one great 1911A1. I put them on par with Springfield and Kimber but still a $600 pistol. A fabulous product.
RIA is Rock Island Armory made by Amscor (Phillipines). They are allies, citizens are allowed to vote and they make one great 1911A1. I put them on par with Springfield and Kimber but still a $600 pistol. A fabulous product.
I'm unaware of any two piece barrels. I've heard that the Armscor (RIA) has MIM trigger group components (not a huge deal really). Norcs can be hit and miss with the QC, which is why I'd really recomend Armco (Gunnar) for that - mine is as tight as you would ever want. The STI Spartan has the Armscor cast frame and slide (cast is NOT a big deal) but fitted with STI parts (premium stuff). It's also worth getting from Armco as you'll get a 3.5 pound trigger job included. If I was looking for another affordable 1911, I'd go with either the STI or the RIA, based on sights (STI is adjustable, RIA is a Novak style) and safeties (STI single sided RIA ambi). If Iwas looking for a gun that would allow me to be competitive on a budget it would be the STI - all it needs is a mag well, and from all the range reports I've read it's accurate enough out of the box to do well.
agree with ian in vic, bought a colt series 70 in late 70's, and spent another $500 to get the damn thing to shoot and function reliably, and replacement sights, etc.
what is out on the market are of good to exceptional quality for the price.
for a basic 1911, my list of must have would be as prproulx said, minimum decent sights (fixed or adj), reliable ejection port, and i would toss in a beavertail grip safety and ambi sights, if buying a "basic" gun to use "out of the box"
to do these above mentioned add-ons, or mods later, is very costly.
take any $ saved and spend on good high quality mags.
anything more than that would strictly be for cosmetics, bells and whistles, and other personal preferences. regards
what is out on the market are of good to exceptional quality for the price.
for a basic 1911, my list of must have would be as prproulx said, minimum decent sights (fixed or adj), reliable ejection port, and i would toss in a beavertail grip safety and ambi sights, if buying a "basic" gun to use "out of the box"
to do these above mentioned add-ons, or mods later, is very costly.
take any $ saved and spend on good high quality mags.
anything more than that would strictly be for cosmetics, bells and whistles, and other personal preferences. regards
Nork is about the only affordable all forged and milled steel 1911. Anything else in the $600-$1800 range will have some MIM or cast parts. Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, and other high end 1911 makers put out all steel products, but cost $2000-$5000.
There have been a few smiths down in the states stating that the Springfield GI has a two piece barrel, the other models apparently have a 1 piece. General concensus is that there is no real problem to this as long as it's done properly.
The way I see it. You can spend $400 on a Norinco then you can spend another $600-$700 and replace everything inside leaving you with pistol that cost you 1k but has forged frame / slide and excellent internals.
(there is a thread started by me about this pistol and you can read the Norinco bashing there)
Or you can spend $1200 - $1500 for a mid priced 1911 - STI, Kimber, Springfield shoot that and replace worn out / broken parts as time goes.
I really like Ed Brown, EGW and Cylinder and Slide for their 1911 parts.
I'm in the process of getting another 5" 1911 build - started with Norinco frame and Caspian slide excellent internals, light rail and build a gun similar to the big name builders in the US - Rodgers Precision etc.
Paul
(there is a thread started by me about this pistol and you can read the Norinco bashing there)
Or you can spend $1200 - $1500 for a mid priced 1911 - STI, Kimber, Springfield shoot that and replace worn out / broken parts as time goes.
I really like Ed Brown, EGW and Cylinder and Slide for their 1911 parts.
I'm in the process of getting another 5" 1911 build - started with Norinco frame and Caspian slide excellent internals, light rail and build a gun similar to the big name builders in the US - Rodgers Precision etc.
Paul
