Best Cheap 1911

redlevel · Oct 11, 2023

I have been without a 1911 pistol for a few years now. I sold the three I had a few years ago to buy hay when drought reduced my pasture to stubble. I figured, what the heck, I didn’t carry one any more, and I have a couple other handguns that shoot .45 ACP, so I can get along without one.

Well, since that time, I have had problems. Can’t seem to go to sleep like I used to. Lost my appetite for certain foods I used to enjoy. Suffer from occasional bouts of melancholy. Catch myself thinking about Jeff Cooper and JM Browning.

I figure a sure cure for these maladies is to acquire another 1911. However, I don’t want to break the bank doing it. So I decided to poll the experts here.

ON THE USED MARKET, WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP, ENTRY LEVEL MIL-SPEC 1911 TO LOOK FOR?

I know there are a bunch of them out there. I’m talking in the $500-$600 used market. I see several listed on the state swap and sell page I frequent in this price range. Taurus, even an old mid-70s Auto Ordinance, and some I’ve never heard of.

Keep in mind, I’m looking for something to shoot maybe 500 rounds per year, not thousands. That Auto Ordinance really intrigues me. Asking less than 600, with 600 rounds of factory hardball. As I remember, these were all-steel, made in USA.

Any advice, Yes, no, what’s a good one, what to stay away from, based on personal experience.

glenncal1 · Oct 11, 2023

You can buy a new Tisas in any of many variations for between $350 and $600. I have two, one in .45 and one in 9mm both solid well made guns and have about 300 rounds through each without an issue.

Mule Packer · Oct 11, 2023

If you're talking inexpensive but still good, I'm going to have to go with the Rock Island Armory 1911. I had one years ago (I think I paid around $300 for it...if that) and it was a good gun. I had it slicked up a bit with a new trigger, etc. and it was even better. I later gave it to my son-in-law and he loves it. As he told me, "Dad, I will never get rid of that gun!"

I have Springfield 1911 Mil-spec, which is exceptionally good, but I think they're going for over six hundred dollars now new.

Those are the two that I've actually had personal experience with. Maybe some of the other folks can chip in with some information on other brands.

tt66 · Oct 11, 2023

I have two of the Rock Island Armory 1911's, both in 10mm. I recently added a Tisas 45 ACP. I have been extremely happy with all three of them.
The Tisa's trigger is amazing, right out of the box. The next picture is 10mm day at the range, the two RIA's and a Glock 20.

Ameshawki · Oct 11, 2023

Rock Island Armory. I have at least two. Probably the best selling 1911 on the market.

Six Gun Shooter · Oct 11, 2023

Ameshawki said:
Rock Island Armory. I have at least two. Probably the best selling 1911 on the market.

Best selling on the market? You're joking, right?

IAM Rand · Oct 11, 2023

Okay, taking a deep breath here. Cheap and guns are not supposed to go together. Value and guns is better. Semantics I know but........

You need to look to the secondary market. Auctions and estate sales. There are good used firearms that you can get at a good price for a brand name, Colt, S&W, Springfield..........

You really have to try to screw up a 1911. From what I have seen, they are all pretty standard. Having said that, I still would stay away from some of these off brand makers, just me. If you are looking for a plinker then by all means, have at it. If you may want to carry it then go for quality.

You can also look for firearms in Pawn stores. You can sometimes talk them down on the price. They just want to move product. Cash in hand talks over the possibility of someone coming in and offering more.

Just sayn

squidsix · Oct 11, 2023

The Tisas 1911 was a good enough base gun for the great Chuck Rogers to build several full house customs on.
Mine (9mm Tank Commander) has been surprisingly good.
All reports I have read indicate they are basically the best value going. Forged frame, slide, and barrel.
Only MIM part in the gun is the recoil spring guide. Everything else is stamped, milled, or forged.
Yeah, I get it, they are Turkish.
They are an awesome value.

erikpolcrack · Oct 11, 2023

I have several from Rock Island and have been pleased with them.

dmn57 · Oct 11, 2023

My current, and probably last, 1911's, are a RIA Officer's Model and a Tisas Service Special, both in .45 ACP. Can't imagine needing or wanting anything else.

Dump1567 · Oct 11, 2023

Current production Tisas or RIA.

But if you start hitting your local Pawns and Gun shops, you'll find plenty of decent name brand 1911's in the $500-$600 range.

Shoot, I picked-up this 74' Colt Commander for $699 last month. The gun market is dead right now. And shops are filling-up with used guns.

LVSteve · Oct 11, 2023

A 1911 from SDS Imports recently popped up in my email for $319. It's a very basic GI looking model, so I'd never buy one because of the sights and the tight ejection port. Guy I knew had a similar spec Springfield and it would eject a live JHP round.

Marshal tom · Oct 11, 2023

All of the above suggestions are perfectly worthy choices. As stated above, there are many name brands available on the used market, many of them have upgraded parts as well. I have seen Colt's and S&W's used in that price range as well. don't rush, keep looking around.

03hemi · Oct 11, 2023

Used or Tisas

deadin · Oct 11, 2023

Well, I hope you can get along with one of the replicas.
I had the same symptoms every time I sold/traded my existing 1911. (Over the years I've owned several) Unfortunately knockoffs didn't cure me, so I now have an original WW1 1911 and can sleep nights. It's been "re-configured" at sometime with Micro target sights for use as a target gun. I have shot it in league for a number of years and it is definately a better shot than me. (But no angst anymore!)

Miracle Man · Oct 11, 2023

Back in the 80's, 90's, even early 00's there were many basically junk knock off type guns. That you were better off to stay away from.

The current production Tisas is not among them. I highly recommend them!! The Rock Island's are right there as well.

Mblhopo · Oct 11, 2023

There are two thing's I would never buy on the cheap one is a PARACHUTE the other is a GUN. Two thing's you need to count on to maybe save your life.....gust my two cents worth....................................M*

MG34/bar · Oct 11, 2023

Redlevel, have both the TISAS and the recent AutoOrdnance 1911 pistols. Both are good value (if buying the AO make certain that it is the later one made in Mass., not the one made in NY). Note that all the new AO are “Series 80” guns with the firing pin safety, while the TISAS are the old style without that addition.

Dave_n · Oct 11, 2023

I'll stick with my Norinco 1911. If you find one it is definitely not in the Tisas price point. But metallurgically magnificent. Dave_n

SnidelyWhiplash · Oct 11, 2023

Tisas and RIA...at least current RIA...are very good value for the money. I have heard parts interchangeability with the Tisas isn't as good as one might hope but that's what I've been told...no personal knowledge of that. Some years back RIA pistols were a bit of a gamble as for quality control. The same can be for Auto Ordnance...under current ownership (Kahr) quality has stepped up enormously.

Best Cheap 1911

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Attachments

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads