1911
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Well, on my first I didn't want to spend a great deal of money in case I didn't like the platform, but I wanted a quality firearm.
Purchased a Rock Island 1911A GI for $419. I can't say enough good things about it. It's very similar to the original 1911 with slight mods. I just wanted something close to the original.
Purchased a Rock Island 1911A GI for $419. I can't say enough good things about it. It's very similar to the original 1911 with slight mods. I just wanted something close to the original.
Jlduke
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No such thing as entry level. Maybe you mean affordable so you don't tie a bunch of money up in a gun you don't know that you will enjoy? I would say get a Rock Island Armory. They are super affordable, very we'll made and have a lifetime warranty. Can't go wrong.
ditchcrussher
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X 3 on the RIA. ATI has a good one too. Here's my ATI. Paid $414 for it.
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JJEH
Member
There are a lot of topics like this here and even more over at the 1911 forum dot com.
I understand where ya'll coming from, but it's hard for me to type the same stuff over and over again. Therefore I just quote myself
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/380084-suggestions-1911-a.html
Hope this helps.
I understand where ya'll coming from, but it's hard for me to type the same stuff over and over again. Therefore I just quote myself
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/380084-suggestions-1911-a.html
Hope this helps.
I also like the RIAs. I could not decide on which size so I went with one of each of the two sizes I was interested in. I have not found any faults with either of them. These two was cheaper than a mid range model of other brands.
I have heard good things about the RIA's and others made in the Phillipenes. Last week CDNN had a big sale on Remingtons also. I have a Ruger that I have no complaints about, but it is more money.
bananaman
Member
This is Smith & Wesson Forum, not RIA! (just kidding!) I have a full-size 9mm. Tactical. NIB $425 & shipping. ( G.B.) Have a Sig 1911, 45 ACP.
Back to the RIA, it looks great, accurate, a few feed problems (is not broke in yet) low recoil. My shooting buddy liked it so much he got the 3.5", in .45ACP.
He really likes his too. Bob
Back to the RIA, it looks great, accurate, a few feed problems (is not broke in yet) low recoil. My shooting buddy liked it so much he got the 3.5", in .45ACP.
He really likes his too. Bob
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Go get a smith and wesson e-series 1911 so you can tell all your friends about a great 1911. Best of luck and hope it works out for you.
gwpercle
Member
Just got through reading a comparison of four 1911's.
Remington 1911 R1 ($729)
RIA 1911 A1 FSP ($529)
Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Mil Spec PT ($785)
Taurus 1911 ($684)
In this test, based on : ergonomics, trigger, recoil control, sights , grips, accuracy, and reliability. The Springfield Armory came out on top. It had the best trigger and was the most accurate with zero malfunctions. It's in the August/Sept. issue of Handguns magazine (it's a Guns and ammo publication)
If I were to buy one tomorrow I would be looking real hard at the Springfield Armory ( four and one-half stars) or the Remingington (four stars). The reviewer believed these two were better built and worth the extra money. Hope this helps.
Gary
Remington 1911 R1 ($729)
RIA 1911 A1 FSP ($529)
Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Mil Spec PT ($785)
Taurus 1911 ($684)
In this test, based on : ergonomics, trigger, recoil control, sights , grips, accuracy, and reliability. The Springfield Armory came out on top. It had the best trigger and was the most accurate with zero malfunctions. It's in the August/Sept. issue of Handguns magazine (it's a Guns and ammo publication)
If I were to buy one tomorrow I would be looking real hard at the Springfield Armory ( four and one-half stars) or the Remingington (four stars). The reviewer believed these two were better built and worth the extra money. Hope this helps.
Gary
AveragEd
Member
I read that same article and agree with their opinion of the Taurus. They appear to be a lot of gun for the money but I bought two stainless PT1911s for our son and myself a few years ago and found several disturbing things about them.
First, the trigger HAS to be worked on by a gunsmith as it is gritty and heavy out of the box. Next, neither gun shot anywhere near the point of aim (my son's was both several inches low and left at 25 yards) and no one, not even Taurus, makes an adjustable rear sight that will fit the Taurus dovetail. There are lots of other minor but nagging differences between it and other 1911s. Their ambidextrous safety, for example, won't work with grips that supposedly are cut for such safeties as Taurus' part is thicker than others so you're stuck with black plastic or woodworking some nicer ones. No manufacturer of rimfire conversion kits, a nice accessory for any 1911, states their kit will function on a PT1911; some even state in their advertising that their kit won't work on a Taurus. And the list goes on...
My suggestion is to buy as nice a gun as you can afford and even put the purchase off until you can save up what you need for a nice one. Remember, it costs a lot more to buy cheap only to sell and buy again than it does to buy a good one in the first place.
Ed
First, the trigger HAS to be worked on by a gunsmith as it is gritty and heavy out of the box. Next, neither gun shot anywhere near the point of aim (my son's was both several inches low and left at 25 yards) and no one, not even Taurus, makes an adjustable rear sight that will fit the Taurus dovetail. There are lots of other minor but nagging differences between it and other 1911s. Their ambidextrous safety, for example, won't work with grips that supposedly are cut for such safeties as Taurus' part is thicker than others so you're stuck with black plastic or woodworking some nicer ones. No manufacturer of rimfire conversion kits, a nice accessory for any 1911, states their kit will function on a PT1911; some even state in their advertising that their kit won't work on a Taurus. And the list goes on...
My suggestion is to buy as nice a gun as you can afford and even put the purchase off until you can save up what you need for a nice one. Remember, it costs a lot more to buy cheap only to sell and buy again than it does to buy a good one in the first place.
Ed
tompehret
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I've owned a few 1911's. Colts, SA's and Auto Ordnance. I wanted a stock but enhanced one for CCW and looked around. Heard nothing but good about the RIA's. Really liked the look & feel of the new Remington's but I bought a Desert Eagle 1911C.
It has a lot of features I wanted(beavertail safety, large thumb safety, pretty crisp trigger etc.) and cost me less than $700 out the door.
Did a break-in test fire (after cleaning) and went through about 225 rnds. of hardball 230 gr. with no problems. I like the "C" 4.3" barrel for CCW. Fits fine in my older holsters too.
Lots of good choices out there. Have fun.
It has a lot of features I wanted(beavertail safety, large thumb safety, pretty crisp trigger etc.) and cost me less than $700 out the door.
Did a break-in test fire (after cleaning) and went through about 225 rnds. of hardball 230 gr. with no problems. I like the "C" 4.3" barrel for CCW. Fits fine in my older holsters too.
Lots of good choices out there. Have fun.
How about getting one of the new Smith & Wesson 1911's? I like S&W's modern take on the 1911. I have an E Series fish-scale Commander and am taking delivery of the Performance Center version of that gun today. Holding the opposite view from some of the good knowledgable people here, I would say spend more and get the best deal you can.
S&W 1911's made in Houlton, Maine are high quality. You can probably get that all black E Series 1911 with the rail for about 850.00-900.00. S&W has spent big money on its new factory and ultra modern equipment. The guns they turn out have really tight tolerances in the bushing-to-barrel and slide-to-frame fit while at the same time being totally reliable. And that external extractor works well, probably helps my gun's 100% reliability. (I have never had an S&W revolver or auto fail to cycle.)
I have two other 1911's, more expensive than the S&W, a semi-custom production gun (Les Baer Premier II) and a full custom (early Colt w 1930's NM bbl/bushing) and I don't get appreciably better scores with these at 50' on a 3" black and they do not feed with 100% reliability. The S&W does. The S&W will hold the x-ring and feed and fire anything you give it. You will never be outgunned with the SW1911's. Just my two cents worth.
S&W 1911's made in Houlton, Maine are high quality. You can probably get that all black E Series 1911 with the rail for about 850.00-900.00. S&W has spent big money on its new factory and ultra modern equipment. The guns they turn out have really tight tolerances in the bushing-to-barrel and slide-to-frame fit while at the same time being totally reliable. And that external extractor works well, probably helps my gun's 100% reliability. (I have never had an S&W revolver or auto fail to cycle.)
I have two other 1911's, more expensive than the S&W, a semi-custom production gun (Les Baer Premier II) and a full custom (early Colt w 1930's NM bbl/bushing) and I don't get appreciably better scores with these at 50' on a 3" black and they do not feed with 100% reliability. The S&W does. The S&W will hold the x-ring and feed and fire anything you give it. You will never be outgunned with the SW1911's. Just my two cents worth.
I have had a mix of Remington (1943), Kimber, and Sig 1911's
I had a local add with a give-away price on the Taurus and a free 22 revolver to boot, but after a lot of searching comments on both, there were just enough issues (some warranty plan related) that convinced me to pass.
I fired the new Remington and a couple of very high end models a few weeks back, and had no issues, but none stood out. I'm always looking for a range gun as well.
I had a local add with a give-away price on the Taurus and a free 22 revolver to boot, but after a lot of searching comments on both, there were just enough issues (some warranty plan related) that convinced me to pass.
I fired the new Remington and a couple of very high end models a few weeks back, and had no issues, but none stood out. I'm always looking for a range gun as well.
James&theGiant1911
Member
CDNN had a weekend sale a couple of weeks ago for a Colt Government 45 ACP model for 500-600 bucks, I think it was 499 actually and I thought that was a steal.
AveragEd
Member
I'll second the recommendations for the S&W 1911s. I've had top-end Kimbers and like my S&Ws better.
The Performance Center gun is very accurate while the E-Series Scandium-framed carry model is okay in that department but was not bought to punch paper, so that isn't a great concern for me. Both are extremely nice-shooting guns and have been totally malfunction-free.
Ed
The Performance Center gun is very accurate while the E-Series Scandium-framed carry model is okay in that department but was not bought to punch paper, so that isn't a great concern for me. Both are extremely nice-shooting guns and have been totally malfunction-free.
Ed
boatbum101
Member
Best quality for the money IMHO are the Springfield Armory Range Officer or the STI Trojan or Spartan .
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wlp624
Member
There's no substitute for a hands on, see-how-it-feels-in-your-hand, inspection. If there is a large gun shop anywhere near you, go and take a look at everything. As for advice from the guy behind the counter, you can usually tell if its worth taking from what he says and how he says it. After that, go on Gun Broker and find the lowest price from a reputable dealer. If you find that you don't like the gun you can always sell it for a modest loss and try again.
One final note. I'm guessing from your post that you have no, or not much, experience shooting a full size .45 automatic. If that's the case, you have to understand that it take some time to get used to one, and even more time to get accurate with one, unless you start with a really fine weapon. There are certain techniques that will make you much more accurate, and certain flaws in your grip and trigger pull that will make accuracy impossible. So scour the 1911 forums and soak up some good advice, both on selection and shooting.
Best of luck, and be careful, 1911's are quite addictive!
One final note. I'm guessing from your post that you have no, or not much, experience shooting a full size .45 automatic. If that's the case, you have to understand that it take some time to get used to one, and even more time to get accurate with one, unless you start with a really fine weapon. There are certain techniques that will make you much more accurate, and certain flaws in your grip and trigger pull that will make accuracy impossible. So scour the 1911 forums and soak up some good advice, both on selection and shooting.
Best of luck, and be careful, 1911's are quite addictive!
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