Which 1911?

Travis Bickle said:
The current Norincos floating around from the last big import are better made than any of those modern hack jobs with plastic parts and bloated price tags.
Every single part is made of solid steel. They are basically exact copies of the old 1911A1 WWII era production pistols. The steel is exceptionally hard and very high quality as well.
Read up on them on US forums. They are highly regarded even down in the States where the 1911 is a symbol of the size of Americas #####. So that is saying a lot.

Unless you're looking for a modern, tactical, "upgraded" version then obviously a standard A1 isn't your thing.

I just picked one up for $285 like new in the box off the EE.
That's a lot of money left over for expensive pistol ammo or expensive reloading supplies. I know you aren't interested in Norinco but I'm just saying is all......
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I agree wholeheartedly. With a little work they make a very nice, reliable pistol. I shoot a Norinco 1911 GI Style for Traditional Wild Bunch, and I love the thing. It's had a little trigger work, a little feed ramp work, wood grips installed and I have tuned the recoil spring for the loads I shoot and it's an excellent shooter. Ive never had a failure that wasn't my fault. It also seems to not be too picky on mags. I am now looking to get another 1911 that I can take to the US for shoots, but if I could take the Norinco I would. Even as a platform to build from they are great because they have a forged frame and all-steel parts.
 
New, SAM 1911s - Love mine and services has been great from wolverine. Fit and finish is miles above the norincos and rivals 1911s at twice the price. Used deals can be had and allow you to purchase Sig/Springfields/colts for around $1000. Sig Scorpion 1911 is a great shooter and shows up for around $1k - Its my next 1911. I just picked up a Springfield Armoury Trophy Match for $1100. Deals do come up if you are patient. STI is another brand that I'd consider and they over several pistols in all price ranges. I've heard that they offer a top quality 1911 at reasonable prices.
 
Conscript said:
SAM's are hand fitted, custom 1911's. Everything else in the under $1500 price bracket is assembly lined, take your pick...
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Just to interject that Hand Fitted doesn't mean the labour is skilled. I've had one with a bushing so sloppy it wouldn't hold an 8" group at 10 yards, which also needed a much taller front sight fit, and another with non functional safeties. One more had mismatched grips even (gov cut on one side, magwell cut on the other) and such bad galling on the inside of the slide that even the Chinese would be embarrassed to send it out. I'm sour on Shooters Arms now: won't have another.

Best guns I've had for under a grand: Spartan, Ruger, Remington.
 
Mark-II said:
Just to interject that Hand Fitted doesn't mean the labour is skilled. I've had one with a bushing so sloppy it wouldn't hold an 8" group at 10 yards, which also needed a much taller front sight fit, and another with non functional safeties. One more had mismatched grips even (gov cut on one side, magwell cut on the other) and such bad galling on the inside of the slide that even the Chinese would be embarrassed to send it out. I'm sour on Shooters Arms now: won't have another.

Best guns I've had for under a grand: Spartan, Ruger, Remington.
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+1, also you will find that SAMs handfitting can also be a problem. As you will notice aftermarket parts will require much more fitting than usual to put in. I have 1 SAM with my other Brand name 1911's. I would have sold it a long time ago, but its one of the few 40's in 1911 I have.

I honestly wouldn't buy another, in 45 or 9mm.

cheap sub 1k gun I would recommend a Sig XO
 
Conscript said:
The ones that come in plastic cases are new production (Norinco doesn't ship any pistols in styrofoam anymore).
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I got one in a plastic box and it has a tighter fit than my Taurus and friends Colt.
Sure it's a little rough around the edges but I bought it specifically as a project gun. Polishing the internals, mating sear and hammer and I am losing the oversize thumb safety it's just TOO oversize.
 
What are you looking to do with the 1911? Do you want it in .45 or 9 mm? Take it to the range or compete? I know you don't want Norinco but I compete with a chrome 9 mm NP 29 and like it. Not pretty but not ugly. Economical, reliable and easy to customize. I never fret about the the holster wear and scratch marks from use. If you want pretty and a good resale value then SIG would be my first choice in your price range followed by Taurus and Ruger. They are also fine for competing though the more you spend the more you fret about holster wear and scratch marks. If you want to spend lots on improvements you will never get what you put in to it at resale. Just spend more up front and buy STI.
 
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