Yesterday I was at the LGS working a deal to buy a nice older S&W 28-2. He had in stock new 1911's by Rock Island Armory. I have one of the pistols. It has been very good. New ones are about $450. I bought a used one for $270. It is accurate. It feeds and functions very well. It came with one magazine. I bought another used magazine for $5 that works well. I am well pleased with it. If I had not been able to find one used, I would ultimately have put a new one on layaway and paid it out as I was able. Maybe that would be a good route for your friend to take. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.
1911 Recommendations, Please!
- Thread starter OLDFED
- Start date
Yesterday I was at the LGS working a deal to buy a nice older S&W 28-2. He had in stock new 1911's by Rock Island Armory. I have one of the pistols. It has been very good. New ones are about $450. I bought a used one for $270. It is accurate. It feeds and functions very well. It came with one magazine. I bought another used magazine for $5 that works well. I am well pleased with it. If I had not been able to find one used, I would ultimately have put a new one on layaway and paid it out as I was able. Maybe that would be a good route for your friend to take. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.
JcMack
Member
My Lavoisier wheel lock was very difficult to reload on horseback. "Sacre blu" I would always drop my balls.
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williamlayton
Member
HUMMMMM. I can understand budgets.
It does not have to be a .45---but I would stay with that thought and get a revolver--perhaps even a Ruger single six used---aught to be able to find one in that range.
I like all of my 1911's but I have much more into them in order to make them good shooters and reliable than his budget allows.
I understand all who like RIA's---but since this is to be used for protection in the home---I would look for first bang reliability.
Having been in a situation where I WAS concerned about this possibility with no chance for a back-up--though it never came to pass--it made me re-think what I was doing.
I like to have guns---though they may fail no matter what kind or who touches them (too include rollers)--which leaves me with confidence.
Ammo is another subject also---it can fail as quickly as the gun.
Blessings
It does not have to be a .45---but I would stay with that thought and get a revolver--perhaps even a Ruger single six used---aught to be able to find one in that range.
I like all of my 1911's but I have much more into them in order to make them good shooters and reliable than his budget allows.
I understand all who like RIA's---but since this is to be used for protection in the home---I would look for first bang reliability.
Having been in a situation where I WAS concerned about this possibility with no chance for a back-up--though it never came to pass--it made me re-think what I was doing.
I like to have guns---though they may fail no matter what kind or who touches them (too include rollers)--which leaves me with confidence.
Ammo is another subject also---it can fail as quickly as the gun.
Blessings
squidsix
Member
No way I can recommend a $400 1911 for defense. I couldn't sleep at night. Tell your friend to get a model 10-5 or newer (for price, not desireability) and four boxes of ammo, a holster, and two speedloaders. This is about $400.
gregintenn
Member
I bought a Rock Island Commander a while back for $300. It came with most of a box of ammo, the original box and paperwork, two sets of grips, and a Blackhawk holster.It is in like new condition, and I expect the missing dozen rounds were all that were fired in it. Much to my surprise, it shoots great, is very accurate, and has become one of my favorite handguns. I can definitely recommend a Rock Island.
kimporter
Member
i also have an RIA in 45 acp,i had heard horror storys about them and swore i would never own one,then got the 'to good to pass up' deal on one,it eats everything i feed it,its VERY accurite and yes its my ccw gun,on the other hand my wife got me a kimber pro carry compact,have had issues with it from the getgo,it is sitting in the safe now
The RIA offerings are (IMHO) THEE BEST deal in a 1911 < Period.
Go to the 1911 forum and read up on them. A factory rep used to hang out there and may still...
BUT - For home defense a 1911 is a VERY poor choice. During the day is one thing, but waking up at 3am and trying to clear a jammed semi-auto in the dark (it does happen) may well get your friend killed if he's not super familiar with the gun.
A nice short (legal short) Shot Gun is a way better choice for home defense anyway and even better as a first gun.
If a handgun is his only choice try to steer him toward a revolver. The manual of arms is MUCH simpler and when your adrenalin is pumping, you're half asleep, and scary, a gun without a bunch of moving parts and no safety is really a good thing.
Go to the 1911 forum and read up on them. A factory rep used to hang out there and may still...
BUT - For home defense a 1911 is a VERY poor choice. During the day is one thing, but waking up at 3am and trying to clear a jammed semi-auto in the dark (it does happen) may well get your friend killed if he's not super familiar with the gun.
A nice short (legal short) Shot Gun is a way better choice for home defense anyway and even better as a first gun.
If a handgun is his only choice try to steer him toward a revolver. The manual of arms is MUCH simpler and when your adrenalin is pumping, you're half asleep, and scary, a gun without a bunch of moving parts and no safety is really a good thing.
617X10
Member
Show me a picture of that Remington 1911R1 with a "Made in the Phillipines" rollmark underneath the dustcover. Mine sure doesn't have it.
GJH77
Member
Or a 4566, if not going for the revolver.
Got one of these for Christmas:
Cobra Force Pump Shotgun - Spring Loaded Forearm
http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/producttactical.html\
$294.00 + 7 % Sales Tax. = $315.00
TriStar's Cobra Force Pump Model offers the most features of any home defense shotgun on the market for a fraction of the price. The Cobra Force was designed for close quarters with a 20" barrel. Add the fixed pistol grip stock, picatinny rails on both the top of the receiver and the forearm, bridge front sight, and you get the ultimate in home defense.
I have other shotguns, also have two 1911's. This is what I will grab when things go bump in the night.
Guy22
sigp220.45
US Veteran
The man wants a 1911 - good for him. Maybe he has plenty of experience with one.
I agree with the Rock Island Armory advice. They seem to be good guns, and he should be able to get the gun and a couple of boxes of ammo for under four bills.
I agree with the Rock Island Armory advice. They seem to be good guns, and he should be able to get the gun and a couple of boxes of ammo for under four bills.
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