1911 recommendation

[Paints-n-cows]

I have both a S&W and a Ruger 1911. The S&W is the 4.25" scandium, bobtail and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

But for the price point, you can't beat the Ruger. They are all AMERICAN made.

 

[ptgarcia]

If you like the GI style but want a gun that has incorporated some of the advancements made over the years take a look at the Springfield Mil-Spec. It has the GI look but with the lowered and flared ejection port, a beavertail-like grip safety to fix the hammer bite issue, and improved 3-dot sights. My neighbor just bought one and it is really nice. I haven't shot it yet but I have played with it a bit and the fit and finish is great and it feels really good in my hand.

In defense of the Kimber bashing that always seems to raise its ugly head in threads like this, I have a 3" Ultra Carry II that has run flawlessly, even with the so-called crappy Kimber mag.

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

Colt Colt Colt. Made in America. . I own 2 would like to own more have a Kimber Custom II do not like it at all.

 

[Grayfox]

Lots of folks and lots of opinions. Everybody has their favorites.
I happen to own about a dozen 1911s and have had more. So I'll throw my 2 cent in.
First choice would be a used Colt. Preferably at least 10 years old. Frankly, I haven't been too impressed with their more recent offerings, but they are Colts.
2nd choice Sprinfield Mil-spec for what you want to do with it. Excellent pistol, lifetime warranty and the best customer service in the business. You can't go wrong with a Springer.
3rd would be the Remington 1911R1 Standard Model. Fit and finish are excellent, great accuracy and the best out-of-the-box trigger pull I've ever felt. Personally, I think the Remington is the best deal going right now in a basic 1911.

 

[Squarebutt]

Among the current guns I was very impressed by the Remington basic model as an all-around 1911. I've heard good things about the Dan Wesson guns, but they may be out of the OP's budget. In my experience, many new 1911's need to pass through the hands of a good gunsmith for a little touch-up and tuning.

 

[EMT_SAR]

If you are looking for a GI spec model specifically, the "enhanced features" listed below will disqualify most of these models. You would then want to look at Springfield GI, Para GI, or RIA GI. I don't have a lot of experience with these... Here you have no beveled mag well, iron sights (not 3 dot white nor novaks), no extended beaver tail, no flared ejection port, no skel ham nor trig.

The Smith SW1911 is an excellent gun. Have to add that considering our awesome webhost.... Beavertail, skel ham, skel trigger, flared ejection port. Series 80 firing pin safety, but it works off the grip safety instead of trigger so you may like that trigger better for range use. It has an external extractor, which some people don't like. It's probably closer to $750 - $800 new right now.

The Remington R1 ($600 or so) is a cross between GI spec and enhanced... series 80 safety, larger ejection port. Dovetail iron sights, which may be better at the range for accuracy, but personally I like the 3 dot / combat sights myself. There are enhanced and other models now of the R1.

I would highly recommend the Ruger SR1911 (650 - 700). Ruger is made entirely in USA. It is a 70 series gun, no firing pin safety. This may be better for target shooting, as dropping and carrying isn't a large concern. Extended beavertail, skel round hammer, skel trigger and crisp for out of the box non-PC Smith

Also the STI Spartan (about $700 I think) is a consideration. I have heard awesome thing about this gun, but never shot it.

MOST models are on the 1911 buyer's guide. Check that out here:

Buyer's guide for all you 1911 addicts......

 

[Wee Hooker]

What about a S&W 1911, I didn't read any comments on them.

I've had 8 different S&W 1911's and still keep 4 (An E, a Pro and a pair of original series.) Love them all and feel they are the best bang for the buck in the industry.
I recommend them more than any other brand. That said, I originally passed on doing so here as the OP indicated that he wanted a basic GI style without upgrades. To each their own.
In that class, I'd recommend the Remington R1. Very tightly put together for a 1911 in the lower price ranges.

 

[Barrie]

I also own a Norinco 45APC in the TT model. It comes decked out with the trick trigger,hammer and spring setup for no extra cost. Under $400.00 here in Canada and it actually shoots extremely well for the price. I have around 2000 rounds thru it already and do enjoy shooting it. The only thing I added was a set of nice target sights. Up here we call them our Chinese Kimbers.

 

[Freeway]

I don't remember the model, but the 1911's I qualified with in both the Army, and Marine Corps were old, rattled, and were not very pretty. Yet, you could pick one up from out of the mud, and immediately qualify.

I would like one like that someday. Combat accurate and dependable. The RIA seems to get a lot of recommendations.

 

[A10]

you can't beat the Ruger. They are all AMERICAN made.

The Sig is made in Exeter New Hampshire.........just sayin'

 

[Sal1950]

Springfield Arms Range Officer.
The most well built and accurate 45 you'll find in it's price range..
Sal

 

[G35JIM]

S&W FOR S&W

Hi,
Read lots of great advice. I have the same needs, and bought a couple used .45acp for the same purpose. My favorite is the S&W model 4506-1. Shoots great with all kinds of ammo, even reloads. These reliable pistols can be bought from as low as $400.00 and up as some were police issue. I have one of each, and prefer the updates on the 4506-1 to the 4506.

 

[GKC]

Springfield Arms Range Officer.
The most well built and accurate 45 you'll find in it's price range..
Sal

It's a great gun, set up just the way I like a 1911, except for the sights. They are plain black, and adjustable. I bought one, figuring that I could easily change the sights to fixed white dot, or night sights. What I didn't know was that the sight cuts are not the standard size/configuration, and replacement sights are limited in selection, and expensive.

It is a great gun, but you might want to check the prices on the available replacement sights, if you think you may want to replace them. They may have more options now than they did a couple of years ago, when I had mine.

 

[PJS50]

I've had great luck with all 3 of the Springfield 1911's I own. I sold an older Champion model recently, but only because it was a blued gun and I went to stainless on all my carry guns, so it just sat their lonely and unused in the safe.

I'm not sure if they sell for "cheap" but I've also had good accuracy/luck with my Para Ordnance P14, but that is a high-capacity gun with the fatter grip profile, so it's probably not what you are looking for... Para does make single stack guns as well. I can be found carrying one of theiR officer-sized 1911's with the LDA trigger format. For a 3-1/2" barrel, it shoots pretty well too...

Many guys at my shooting club also rave about the inexpensive quality of the RIA 1911's, but I've never fired one, so I can't give you a first-hand endorsement on that brand... I should buy one, as one can NEVER have too many 1911's ;-)

 

[GKC]

Many guys at my shooting club also rave about the inexpensive quality of the RIA 1911's, but I've never fired one, so I can't give you a first-hand endorsement on that brand.

I've owned a couple of them, and a couple of Citadels (also made by Armscorp.) They aren't too pretty (parkerized finish isn't, anyway) but they sure do function well. Plus, RIA has a lifetime warranty and great CS. If you do buy a Citadel, it says on their site that the warranty is 1 year, but Armscorp will take care of it for life.

They sure are hard to beat for around $500.

 

[awaveritt]

Here is my Remington R1, purchased back in January. Was under $700 even after things went crazy. This is my first 1911 so I don't have any other experience to compare, but, I really really like mine. Functions perfectly, decent trigger, shoots my .452 sized cast bullets with NO leading. Plus, like others have said, I really like it's classic looks with vertical slide serrations, traditional grips, and flat mainspring housing. A real classy-looking piece, to my eye. Can't go wrong with this one.

 

[arjay]

I have several series 70 colts,a Kimber and a customized Springfield.They are all good shooters,but if I did it again,Id take a Colt Government and checker the front strap,Give it a flat mainspring housing with a lanyard loop,add beefy fixed sights and install a lanyard loop.
Just like this springer

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

I'd get a Colt re-issue series 70, blued, 5''

 

[spad124]

The Norinco is a very often overlooked 1911. They are made supposedly of stronger steel than most any other brand. They are supposedly completely interchangeable with Colt parts (older models). Were used by many to make custom 1911's. And have a reputation for feeding anything. They can be found cheap. They have good, three-dot sights.

+1 on Norinco. I have a basic 1911A1 I bought new when they were imported into the US in the early 90s. Still have it, still enjoy it- and i envy the Canadians who can still buy one new. Wonderfully reliable with good accuracy--just like a WWII service 1911A1. Not a tack driver, but it is about as accurate as I can shoot a handgun.

It has 3 dot sights that are a little larger than GI sights but still look "right" and a lowered ejection port. These are the only changes from GI. So, it basically looks GI. They seem to go for about $500 now.

Glad to hear the good reviews on the RIAs--kind of thinking about an enhanced 1911 with a beavertail and commander hammer just to expand the collection, but would like it to be affordable.

 

[therevjay]

You might want to check out Colt. I believe they have some experience with the 1911 platform.