Suppressors Best 1911 for the money

aqualung

aqualung

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 9, 2008
517
3
58
Co. Durham, North of England
#1
Hi Guys,

Before we start, I do have some experience of the 1911, but my beautiful Roger Stockbridge custom colt got put in the crusher 10 years ago, when handguns were banned in the UK.

What I want to ask is this;

For around $600 what is the best .45acp 1911 on the market?

I've looked at the Taurus PT1911 and the Para USA GI Expert.

Any other options at this price point?

I think I'll go old school, and go single stack.

There are a few dislikes I have with both of these pistols, I see no reason to have a full length guide rod a la the Taurus, but I like a nice wide beavertail, missing from the GI Expert.
I would <span style="font-style: italic">prefer</span> to have adjustable sights, but as long as they are nice and big and easy to see fixed is not a really big issue.

Cost <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: 11pt">is</span></span> an issue, but I can afford $600. I kind of plan to use this to buy a base model, and then to have some work done to get the pistol to my specs.

Obviously, the less I have to do later, the better.

Thanks for comments, help and advice.

Neil
 
#8
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Paduan Learner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Guys,

Just been on the Springfield Armoury web site.

Why is it that all of the 1911's I like (and come closest to the spec of my old gun) cost twice what I can afford??

N </div></div>

Funny you should say that, I thought the UK>US exchange rate was like almost double? If it costs us $500 it should only run you £250 ish...right?
 
#11
Re: Best 1911 for the money

+1 more for Springfield. Taurus has the Series 80 style firing pin stop, and I wouldn't use a Para for a paperweight if you gave it to me free.

I'd say get the best used Springfield you can find, and tailor it to your preferences as time and money allow.

I've heard good things about the STI Spartan, but have no experience with them. I've also heard they have cast frames (not necessarily a deal breaker) and I think they're ugly.
 
#13
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Another vote for the Springfield Mil-Spec if you are buying new. Make sure it's the "Mil-Spec" and not just the "G.I." model. The Mil-Spec adds better sights, lowered/flared ejection port, and a beveled mag well.

If buying a used, a Springfield Loaded might be in your price range.
 
#18
Re: Best 1911 for the money

I like the Series I Kimber if you can find them. They're probably going to be used though, and if you're lucky enough to find one new, you're going to pay a quite a bit for it.

New, the STI would be my choice. I do like the SA's though.

Rock Island Armory is another maker who deserves to me mentioned. I might get flamed for mentioning them, but they do make a good base 1911.

Just a suggestion.
 
#21
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Honestly, have you guys ever seen a Schwartz style safety break? I wouldn't accept a Kimber if John Moses Browning himself came down from Heaven and handed it to me.

Why would you use something that is designed to break by reassembling the weapon? Especially when, if it is broken, the only way you will know is when you get a "click" instead of a "bang". That isn't the time I want to find out about a problem.

Sorry for the rant. I had a Kimber that had the Schwartz safety break do to the web of my hand activating the grip safety while re-assembling the slide. Took it out to the range the next day and "click"...Tap, rack, "click", etc etc.

Had the POS fixed and sold it that same day.
 
#22
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Springfield Armory for sure as a base model. But if you know you are going to upgrade, why not just save a few dollars more and get a Kimber? That way its all done at the factory, there is no guesswork, its done right the first time, and if it dosnt work you have recourse.
Buy once, cry once.
 
#24
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tomcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Springfield Armory for sure as a base model. But if you know you are going to upgrade, why not just save a few dollars more and get a Kimber? That way its all done at the factory, there is no guesswork, its done right the first time, and if it dosnt work you have recourse.
Buy once, cry once.

</div></div>

Because new Kimbers are junk.

Cheap Springfields are sloppy pieces of shit, too, but at least they don't have a bunch of extra bullshit parts.

I love my Series I Kimbers, but the new ones are crap.
 
#25
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tomcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Springfield Armory for sure as a base model. But if you know you are going to upgrade, why not just save a few dollars more and get a Kimber?</div></div>

This has all the cool features too:
ricerlogo.JPG


But I'd still rather have one of these:
ff4-8.jpg

even if I do have to spend a little extra and do some work on it.

Kimber's got the best advertising department in the world. If they put all that effort into their product instead of it's hype, they might have something.
 
#26
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Mumbles said it best! Personaly, I enjoy building my guns piece by piece. It imparts a familiarity that you can't get any other way. I also enjoy the thought, my son will inherit guns hand buil by his father.
 
#29
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steelcomp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How about Rock River Arms.</div></div>Have only heard positive things from owners of the RRA 1911's. Too bad they aren't currently producing any and don't really seem to have plans to do so. Once in a while you see some come up for sale.
 
#30
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Springfield, tight frame to slide fit, solid gun.

New Kimbers are crap - and I own a few, so experience talking. My old, old Custom shop is great, the new stuff (all the II series) suck.


Haven't seen an STI for $600, have an SVI (lots more than $600), great gun.

Taurus is generally regarded as garbage, don't buy taurus.
 
#31
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Paduan Learner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Why is it that all of the 1911's I like (and come closest to the spec of my old gun) cost twice what I can afford??

N </div></div>

buy a Springfield gi and build it up
mine when i bought it:
1234802937-1.jpg


now:
HPIM1038.jpg
 
#35
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Springfield. I had a Loaded; loved it. Sold it to a friend and bought an Ed Brown, which is a whole different ball game sort of pistol. I'd buy a Milspec if I were buying another 1911. A Colt Series 70 would be my choice in used.
 
#36
Re: Best 1911 for the money

spring field... its not the gun has any one else had a very hard time getting .45 ammo ? i cant find it any where. a few places on line have it like gun broker but some sites are sold out and trying to get it in a store is imposable

IMG_9972.jpg
 
#37
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: epdesign</div><div class="ubbcode-body">spring field... its not the gun has any one else had a very hard time getting .45 ammo ? i cant find it any where. a few places on line have it like gun broker but some sites are sold out and trying to get it in a store is imposable</div></div>

Try these guys: http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/pistol-ammo-45-acp

I have no interest in the company, just a satisfied customer.
 
#38
Re: Best 1911 for the money

I have a Citadel 1911. Never had any issues with it and it shoots terrific!! I replaced the grips with a pair of Tiger Stripe G10 Alien grips from VZ Grips.

The only other thing I want to change for now are the sights.
 
#40
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Just as an aside, I bought my Surgeon action while the £ was worth 2 of your Yankee $'s. Hence the limited budget now!

The idea is to have a plinking gun in the US for my many frequent visits there, and then if I can eventually afford a house in Az, to have the gun permanently, and go the full CCW route, so the work can take time, but I would like something which is going to WORK now, and LAST, so that my kids eventually get it.

N
 
#41
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Paduan Learner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Guys.

Price point on one of these anybody?

N </div></div>


I just bought a Springfield Mil Spec from onlinegundeals, and he has a pretty big selection of HG's at good prices
 
#47
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: G21322635</div><div class="ubbcode-body">but I would like something which is going to WORK now, and LAST, so that my kids eventually get it.

Why not get a Glock?
Meets your criterior.
G21 tough and reiably accurate. </div></div>

Because if I had wanted a fucking Glock, I would have asked about a fucking Glock!

Read the OP. It SPECIFICALLY asks about 'the best 1911, get that <span style="font-size: 14pt">1911</span> for the money.

You people that think Glock is the be all and end all, you exasperate me!

Lets see if Glock is the "Ne pas ultra" of defensive handguns in 100 years time, like the 1911 is!

Rant over.

N
 
#48
Re: Best 1911 for the money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZOMBIE101</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington is also comming out with a 1911 soon....@ $600.00 </div></div>

That could be a very good thing.
 
#50
Re: Best 1911 for the money

Since you are often in the US and will be leaving the pistol here used makes even more sense. Despite what some of the people above think, I have had very good luck with a Kimber SII that that I bought used, for slightly less than $600.

Welcome to the US we can use some more people who can speak English and are gun lovers.
 
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