1911

[yeti]

Plenty of good suggestions here already. In that price range I would say look at lightly used stainless 1911's and let condition be your guide. With most of the features that you want the list could include the following in no particular order, but I would jump on the Colt first, if I saw one in good condition. Let condition be your guide.

SA Range Officer Stainless
Kimber Stainless II or Target
Ruger SR1911 Standard or Target
Colt S70 Govt Stainless
S&W E-Series (yes, external extractor but they run)

 

[GKC]

Why not get an S&W 4506? It is a newer design than the 1911. It is harder to find than a 1911. And though it does not have the history, it is a better gun than the 1911.

I'm not sure, but is S&W still supporting the 3rd Gen pistols? Since they are no longer in production, parts might eventually become an issue. The thing about 1911s is that even if the specific gun is no longer in warranty, 1911 parts are universal and widely available from a number of vendors.

 

[soccerguy83]

Went to Cabela's on lunch and handled the below (all full size):

Springfield Range Officer
Wonderful trigger! Really liked everything about it other than the sights, the black on black was just not something I'm crazy about. If I were to get it, the front sight might be painted.

Ruger 1911
This was a very nice gun that checked off a lot of boxes in my want list. Trigger was very nice. Over all there really wasn't much to not like! May have been just me, but it seemed noticeably lighter than the Springfield RO.

S&W E series engraved
Very nice looking gun, had a nice presentation box. The trigger was clean and crisp. I know it's nothing but in my head, but I don't like the external extractor. Not on the top of my list.

RIA GI
Not a bad gun, really smooth slide had nice three dots, decent trigger. Had a bit of rattle to it, but nothing unexpected for a GI 1911. Not bad, but prob won't go in this direction.

RIA Tactical 9mm
Really was amazed by how smooth the slide was and how well it was fit to the frame! Liked the aggressive grips and front strap serrations. Didn't like the ambi safety, nor the full length guide rod.

 

[GKC]

RIA Tactical 9mm
Really was amazed by how smooth the slide was and how well it was fit to the frame! Liked the aggressive grips and front strap serrations. Didn't like the ambi safety, nor the full length guide rod.

I'm with you on this...I've never liked ambi safeties nor FLGRs (full length guide rods.) I've always changed them on 1911s I've owned that came with them.

The FLGR is very easy to change to a GI guide rod and plug (assuming this model doesn't have a "bull" barrel that won't accept a GI plug.) The ambi safety can be changed to a single safety, but if you aren't proficient in doing so, get a gun smith to do it for you...it's pretty easy for someone who knows what they are doing, but if it's not done correctly, it can lead to some problems.

I wouldn't let these two things stand in the way if you like everything else about the pistol.

 

[ky wonder]

I was just on wikiarms they were showing the sig tacops available at a vendor new for 716

 

[BigBill]

First Remington is in financial trouble. No way I’d buy. I don’t like Remington’s quality.

My last 1911@1 purchase is a colt series 80 in 45acp used in nickel. It’s awesome.

I couldn’t understand why so many buyers put a number out there on how much they want to spend. There are a lot of great buys, way cheaper new or used. Just inspect it to make sure bubba didn’t work on it.

Now I could find a new decent 1911@1 for under $700. Is this your first 1911? I’d go entry level. A SA mil spec, usgi, would serve you well. The auto ordnance ww2 US Army is another good one. They both will function right out of the box.

 

[Mdclinks]

Went to Cabela's on lunch and handled the below (all full size):

Springfield Range Officer
Wonderful trigger! Really liked everything about it other than the sights, the black on black was just not something I'm crazy about. If I were to get it, the front sight might be painted.

You can get the stainless model. It'll have pretty much everything you are looking for and the front sight will be a red fiber optic(green if you change it out yourself, extras come with the gun). The hand fit match bushing & barrel seem to be pretty accurate. Available in 9mm or 45acp.

 

[GT_80]

I have a Auto Ordnance 1911A1, and a friend just bought a Springfield Armory, Range officer. Both fullsize, both functions perfectly, the range officer has a better trigger, better sights... The Auto Ordnance was $450, the Range officer was around $799. You can get many GREAT pistols with better sights and better triggers for the $600-$800 range and above mentions Rugers, Springfield Armory, even Sig I think has some really good ones inder $800... Try a bunch, buy what you like and feel comfortable buying.

I got the Auto Ordnance cause I wanted a Steel old looking GI model 1911 that was reliable and didn't care about the sights or a improved trigger. I wanted an old mil spec pistol, and Auto Ordnance has Kahr Arms fit and tune them, so they are great value for the money.

For the time I have shot this, it has been 100% reliable, has little recoil because it's a full size 5" all steel gun. It has the curved back strap and thick Rosewood laminated grips, so for me I have to shift my hand to release the magazine or slide, yet It is exactly what I wanted.

 

[soccerguy83]

You can get the stainless model. It'll have pretty much everything you are looking for and the front sight will be a red fiber optic(green if you change it out yourself, extras come with the gun). The hand fit match bushing & barrel seem to be pretty accurate. Available in 9mm or 45acp.

Now we may be on to something here!

 

[soccerguy83]

I think it’s down to the stainless SA Range Officer (would need to find it used) and the Ruger SR1911. I will say though I want to try the trigger on the R1 Enhanced and my LGS has a used SA Loaded in Stainless that I may go look at.


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[JayFramer]

Why not a Colt's 70?

 

[Mdclinks]

my LGS has a used SA Loaded in Stainless that I may go look at.

I don't think that the loaded will have the match bushing and should have an ambi safety.

 

[soccerguy83]

Why not a Colt's 70?

Not ruling it out, but with the frequency that they come up used around here I may not find one.


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[JH1951]

JayFramer and I seem to be thinking alike. The lack of frequency that used ones pop up may be an indication or hint that you weigh in to making your choice. There are a lot of Colt's 1911's out there, and patience will bring one to you.
The 1911 is by far a favorite of mine. For fit, finish, reliability, reputation, and resale value of a production piece, my choice would be manufactured by Colt's. I have owned and used many among your choices, and all are suitable and up to the task of delivering the joy of ownership. I have thinned the herd a bit, and among commercial 1911's remaining, a Colt's and a Sig remain.
Others may disagree, and ymmv. Enjoy your hunting experience, but, as suggested before, these things can be somewhat addicting.

 

[hoc9sw]

I picked up a Remington R1 mil-spec stainless for $650 (clearance at Academy), then got the end of year rebate of $100 (check has arrived). So there are some affordables out there. It shoots well.

You should also look at SA (as already noted). They also have a mil-spec parkerized that comes with both wood and black plastic grips. Again, on sale, it was out the door at less than $600.

 

[much ado]

s/g83,
Opinions on 1911s are as varied as the weather we encounter here in/around Richmond so if I were looking for a 1911 today I would look at the Springfield 9109 series (does have ambi safety but I think maybe one could adjust to that). I think it can be had no more than the 8ish range (although maybe not at Cabela`s). I own 2 Kimbers and although they are not for sale I would follow the same advice I`m giving you and almost certainly get the Springfield. Good Luck, John

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've got a good sampling of 1911 brands and work in a gun shop where I get to handle many brands regularly.
I'll add a few thoughts based on my experience.

-If you stick with a recent/new production 1911 from known a name brand (i.e Sig, Springfield, S&W, Remington, Ruger, RIA,Colt... ), it's hard to find a disappointing one (or even one that doesn't excel over what was available from the same companies just 15 years ago). CNC tooling has done wonders for all of them.
-Don't overthink the series 80 vs 70 thing. There are differences from gun to gun and brand t brand but they are minor and fixable. As per above, it's hard to find a bad trigger these days. Limiting your choice to one or the other will rule out some excellent guns!
-Don't overthink the internal vs external extractor thing. There are plenty of examples of both on the competition circuit.
-Do get good magazines. Mags can make the difference between loving your 1911 or tossing it into the woods.

hth

 

[hoc9sw]

...

-Do get good magazines. Mags can make the difference between loving your 1911 or tossing it into the woods.

I might say "will" instead of "can".

Some really good 1911s come with mags that I suspect are WWII surplus. Check and clean before use, or better, just buy some Wilson Combat mags. I've also had good luck with Mec Gar, but I grew up with a flush fit, and they are not that.

 

[soccerguy83]

s/g83,
Opinions on 1911s are as varied as the weather we encounter here in/around Richmond so if I were looking for a 1911 today I would look at the Springfield 9109 series (does have ambi safety but I think maybe one could adjust to that). I think it can be had no more than the 8ish range (although maybe not at Cabela`s). I own 2 Kimbers and although they are not for sale I would follow the same advice I`m giving you and almost certainly get the Springfield. Good Luck, John

That's the one Green Top has it's a SA Loaded, that I might look at today.

What part of town are you in? I only went by Cabela's as I hadn't been in there in a while and every once in a while the used section has some nice stuff.

 

[soccerguy83]

Well GT has a SA RO Stainless, now to see if I want to pull the trigger on that or a Ruger 1911. Not sure I have the fortitude to wait out a Colt.

I did just see the M1 CMP thread too, so that may put this itch on hold, too many guns not enough money!