1911

[soccerguy83]

Thinking about getting a 1911.
What I'm looking for:
Under $1000 would prefer $700 (Don't mind used)
Full-size
Decent trigger
Thinking not a series 80 style (see point above)
extended trigger
single sided safety
three dot sights
match barrel and trigger if possible
would prefer front strap checkering
flat main spring housing
extended beaver-tail
stainless if possible

I really like the Remington R1 Enhanced, though I am not crazy about the series 80 design.
I don't need a high end gun hence the desire to stick around $700, but I don't want a budget gun either.

Suggestions?

 

[OldChief]

You might check Rock Island they have a few models that may fit your requirements. The biggest being, not overly expensive.

This is a bit expensive but here's my favorite, the Kimber Target II.

 

[rickflst]

Just picked up a Colt competition 70 for 850. A real nice gun.

 

[C Islander]

Ruger SR1911 fits most of your wants.

 

[joeintexas]

I have to agree on the Rock Island. You can get one with a lot of features for under $700. 3 dot Novak style sights, skeletonized hammer and trigger, good grips, you really do get a lot of gun for the money. For a bit more the Ruger SR1911 also offers lots of options and shoots very well. Moving up, the S&W 1911s are more pricey but the lines are slick and rounded and they shoot wonderful. If you look around a bit you can find used Rock Islands for $400 in good shape. Good luck and get ready to get hooked once you own a 1911.

 

[jimbo728]

I have had a standard Remington 1911 R1 for five years and can give mine a positive review. I was lucky to get mine at cost.
It is reliable, accurate and holding up nicely. Excellent trigger and good sights, fixed. If you see one below your price range, very likely, it would be a 1911 I think you would enjoy.
Good Luck on the hunt.
Jim

 

[Fishinfool]

There are a wide variety of quality 1911's available new for $1000.00 and under. Some have already been mentioned. Frankly, it is hard these days to find a 1911 that is not well made. Competition is fierce in the 1911 market, and sub-par guns don't stay around long.

Based on my personal experience, Colt, Kimber, RIA, Springfield Arms, are all quality makes available in your price range.

I would look at what is available from all the makers I and others have listed, paying particular attention to the features you are looking for. One is sure to float your boat. When checking a 1911 physically before purchase, pay particular attention to bore condition, trigger pull, and fitting (tight) of the barrel link / locking lugs, and the front bushing for maximum accuracy. Slide tightness alone is not a good measure of a potentially accurate 1911. For mostly range use, I would look at an adjustable sight gun like the Springfield Rangemaster, or the Kimber Custom Target. Depending on bullet weight and velocity, 1911's can vary where they place their bullets. Nothing (almost) is more frustrating to me than a handgun that does not group to POA with loads I like. If you go fixed sights, look for a model that has a dovetailed front sight. It makes it easier to change if a different height is needed to bring your favorite load to POA.

Larry

 

[Collo Rosso]

There are a wide variety of quality 1911's available new for $1000.00 and under. Some have already been mentioned. Frankly, it is hard these days to find a 1911 that is not well made. Competition is fierce in the 1911 market, and sub-par guns don't stay around long.

We had a thread not long ago about this and like fishinfool said, it's kinda hard to buy a bad 1911 now.
I've had a fair amount of 1911's go through my hands and the keepers for me are a Springfield R.O. in 9mm and 2 Sigs. Let us know what you come up with.

 

[reddog81]

I really like the Remington R1 Enhanced, though I am not crazy about the series 80 design.

Suggestions?

The series 80 design should have no noticeable impact on the trigger pull. There are many other more relevant variables that go into a good trigger. You can replace the series 80 parts with shims if you so desire. The only thing I dislike about the series 80 setup is that reassembly of pistol takes an extra minute.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Strongly recommend Ruger SR1911. Been shooting one in competition
for two years. Accurate and 100% reiable. It is a series 70 w/all you
need and nothing you don't. Never talked to an unhappy owner.
I started w/a new Colt series 70 but it did not have a lot of the upgrade
the Ruger has.

 

[GKC]

It might be difficult to find all of your requirements at or below $700, but there are a couple that meet most. The one I'd recommend is the Ruger SR1911. Not only is it a great pistol, but Ruger has excellent customer service, should you need it. The only thing missing from your requirements is the front strap checkering and a match barrel. I have a SR1911 CMD now and really like it. I've had the full size in the past.

I don't think you'll find a Colt in your price range with your requirements, except maybe used. I wouldn't recommend Kimber. You can also check Springfield. RIAs are good 1911s, but I don't know if they have a stainless model...nickle, maybe, but not sure about stainless.

 

[ky wonder]

ruger night watchman, picked up one last week used in lnib condition for $550, love it great trigger,ships with tri nite sights
Ruger SR1911 Night Watchman Commander 45ACP Centerfire Pistol (TALO Exclusive) | Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore)

I own and enjoy my kimbers, Sig 1911s, as well as my colts but I like the little ruger as well

 

[Packgoat]

Just picked up a Springfield Armory Mil Spec 1911 A1 used for $600. It is a blued gun with dovetailed front and rear 3 dot sights. It is marked Springfield Custom on the slide. The trigger is real nice. What you want is out there.

 

[Funflyer]

This

Kimber America Stainless II .45 ACP 1911 Handgun

 

[Hairtrigger]

I think you are making too big of a deal out of the 80 series, Not like it has a mag disconnect or chamber indicator

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

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.

 

[American1776]

I would get the current Colt basic government model. Every new Colt 1911 I've owned, including the short Defenders, worked flawless from the box. I can't say the same for other brands 1911 I've owned.

You could get a basic blued 1991a1 new for around 800. Not a bad deal, and it's heirloom quality.

 

[Warren Sear]

Get a Colt. You will not regret getting the real deal.

 

[vonn]

Get one and you will get more!

 

[soccerguy83]

Wow, so many good responses in such a short time, first off, thank you guys!

I'll respond to a few particular posts below, please don't feel slighted if yours isn't picked haha.

I have had a standard Remington 1911 R1 for five years and can give mine a positive review. I was lucky to get mine at cost.
It is reliable, accurate and holding up nicely. Excellent trigger and good sights, fixed. If you see one below your price range, very likely, it would be a 1911 I think you would enjoy.
Good Luck on the hunt.
Jim

There is a very nice stainless R1 (not enhanced) with box, three mags, and holster at my local range under my price range that I'm considering.

There are a wide variety of quality 1911's available new for $1000.00 and under. Some have already been mentioned. Frankly, it is hard these days to find a 1911 that is not well made. Competition is fierce in the 1911 market, and sub-par guns don't stay around long.

Based on my personal experience, Colt, Kimber, RIA, Springfield Arms, are all quality makes available in your price range.

I would look at what is available from all the makers I and others have listed, paying particular attention to the features you are looking for. One is sure to float your boat. When checking a 1911 physically before purchase, pay particular attention to bore condition, trigger pull, and fitting (tight) of the barrel link / locking lugs, and the front bushing for maximum accuracy. Slide tightness alone is not a good measure of a potentially accurate 1911. For mostly range use, I would look at an adjustable sight gun like the Springfield Rangemaster, or the Kimber Custom Target. Depending on bullet weight and velocity, 1911's can vary where they place their bullets. Nothing (almost) is more frustrating to me than a handgun that does not group to POA with loads I like. If you go fixed sights, look for a model that has a dovetailed front sight. It makes it easier to change if a different height is needed to bring your favorite load to POA.

Larry

Thank you for the wonderful response!

The series 80 design should have no noticeable impact on the trigger pull. There are many other more relevant variables that go into a good trigger. You can replace the series 80 parts with shims if you so desire. The only thing I dislike about the series 80 setup is that reassembly of pistol takes an extra minute.

Agreed that I could shim, just if I don't need to from the start the better. Though I agree that it may not have an effect on pull, it also adds unneeded parts to an already proven design.

It might be difficult to find all of your requirements at or below $700, but there are a couple that meet most. The one I'd recommend is the Ruger SR1911. Not only is it a great pistol, but Ruger has excellent customer service, should you need it. The only thing missing from your requirements is the front strap checkering and a match barrel. I have a SR1911 CMD now and really like it. I've had the full size in the past.

I don't think you'll find a Colt in your price range with your requirements, except maybe used. I wouldn't recommend Kimber. You can also check Springfield. RIAs are good 1911s, but I don't know if they have a stainless model...nickle, maybe, but not sure about stainless.

I am giving the Ruger a hard look, it does seem to meet most of my wants and comes highly recommended here and other places.

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.

There is actually one for sale at my LGS for about $800 or there was last week. Though I would love to have one one day, this current itch is for a 1911. Thanks though!