Best 1911

[hardluk1]

smoothshooter If I paid any attention to what forum members that said was a bad brand of firearm I would not have a few of the very reliable handguns I have now . I have been buying handguns for 42 years and have yet to but a bad one .

I have bought a couple that gave other owners fits and offered them for sale at a range I visit and picked up 2 great pistol for me , one that went home for some tlc and came back reliable too some 7 years ago .

Your looking at production handguns so your NOT looking to buy a wolrd class finely fit and finished weapon but a handgun . You best learn to look at weapon , feel it ,cycle the action , look inside and make up your own mind as you can buy anything and find the occasional **** that gets out the door . I had several colts over the years good and in need for some tuning , perhaps a mag change or better ammo . a ria that shoot well but fit and finsh could be better and after picking thru some kimbers I pick me a sweet little 0mm ultra to buy and my wife claimed it as her so I went back and stumbled into a Colt wc lw commander that very nicely fit hat I carry . Oh some here have issues with MIM parts . Like steel machined billet parts there are good and bad parts but remember aircraft turbofan engines in commercial aircraft use MIM blades . Theres at less 7 or 8 brands that can fill good basic 1911 needs reliable but of coarse some or made in the Philippines but before you look past them STI uses a basic model from RIA and 1911's from American classic/metro arms are rather good 1911's . Look around the house to see whats really American made today .

 

[American1776]

Hilton Yam, a top trainer and 1911 gunsmith, wrote up a piece where they had 10 new in box Colt 1911's, and they tested them. They had a 90 percent success rate, with one of the guns needing an extractor tensioned.

Yam recommends the Colt for the most reliable out of the box production 1911. All the Colts I owned (more than half a dozen) have been 100 percent out of the box.

 

[bushmaster1313]

It all depends on what you want it for

For me it's a 1943 Ithaca

Your mileage may vary

 

[Marshal Tom]

There are many pretty good production 1911's. In most cases they are good enough for the task and will shoot as well as the operator. The best are the true customs not the semi customs built by Les Bear, Wilson etc. Many of them are really good as well. I have had three full customs built for me over the years and they have all been superb weapons. 1911's can be extremely reliable as well but they generally need a bit more TLC than most of the modern striker fired wonder nines to ensure reliability. I own several semi autos but the 1911 is still one of my favorites.

 

[sigp220.45]

I’ve owned two Remington 1911R1s, and they have been flawless.

Every brand of 1911 will have its fanboys and its detractors. Look at one, shoot one if you can, and make an informed decision.

I also own Colt and Sig 1911s. The Remington is just as good, and quite a bit cheaper.

 

[amazingflapjack]

***night hawk***

 

[CH4]

I own 1911s ranging in price from $400 to $4,000 and to my mind DW is the best bang for the buck in the 1911 world above $1000, under a $1,000 it’s RIA. I don’t find enough difference between 1911s in the $400 to $1,000, unless you want to spend the extra $600 on a name.

 

[sheppard]

My experience with basic model 1911s made by Colt, Remington, Ruger, RIA and Smith and Wesson is that they are all reliable with 230 grain ball and 200 grain lead SWC reloads. I can recommend them all.

 

[S-W4EVER]

While most of my 1911’s are Colt’s I believe Springfield Armory sells some of the nicest 1911’s for the money.

 

[oink]

I have a Kimber a Springfield and a RIA Officers Model. I like all three and all have been reliable. The RIA has never had a single malfunction of any kind since new out of the box. None! I do think it gives up a little accuracy for that 100% reliability. Granted the ammo through it has mainly been the 200gr cast lead SWC and ball. But it has had some Hydrashocks through it too. RIA definitely earns the bang for buck award. Sleek and pretty it isn't. Pull trigger/go bang.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have been told by more than one owner, that for out-of-the-box performance and features, the Remington 1911 is hard to beat.
For American-made guns.

Is that anywhere close to factual information?

For what purpose...... target gun, shooting games, range fun, home defense, concealed carry???????????

I had several Colt 1911s in the 80s. Full size and Commanders.... steel, alloy and stainless........ fixed and adjustable sights. All good guns but didn't like carrying Cocked and locked.......

I moved away from the 1911 style .45 back in the late 80s in favor of newer DA/SA guns..... Sig 220 for general purpose .45 (mine is a W. German gun)....... in the mid-90s got a 245 for concealed carry...... a few years back found a used Sig C3 1911 CCO model ( officers frame w/ 4" slide).

 

[joeintexas]

I don't own a Remington so I can't say on that make. I do own a S&W1911, Ruger SR1911, Colt Commander 1911, RIA Tactical 1911, and my daughter just bought a Tisas Commander 1911. You could do a lot worse than any of these, they all shoot and cycle like they are supposed to. Quite a gap in price range here also. My favorite? The Ruger SR1911, it never misses a beat and just feels good in my hand. Good luck in your search.

 

[Grayfox]

Let me clarify my previous answer. You asked specifically about the Remington. I do own one and it has been an excellent pistol. I do recommend it in its price range. Best bang for the buck here.
However, I own a bunch of 1911s. They come in all makes, quality and prices.
Honestly, at my age, there's very little difference between a budget pistol and the several thousand dollar guns. You have to be a competition level shooter to really bring out the best in those top end guns. The truth is that most of us average shooters can take a budget 1911, put just a little work and money in it and shoot it just as well as we can any $2000-3000 or up gun for a whole lot cheaper.

Can't go wrong with a Colt. Especially if you buy an older used one. Colt IS the 1911.
Now if you want a good, accurate 1911 that you can just shoot the snot out of and never look back, I'm quite fond of Springfield Armory. Outstanding guns and if ( and that's a BIG IF) you ever need it, Springfield has the best customer service in the industry.
If you're just looking for a good range gun, Springfield's Range Officer model is hard to beat for its price.
My favorite shooters are Springfields.

 

[REM 3200]

It all depends on what you want it for

For me it's a 1943 Ithaca

Your mileage may vary

Chuckling as I write this. Mine is a 1943 Remington-Rand. Like yours, a real deal 1911-A1.

 

[noro]

Smooth,

Think the first thought should be how much you can afford. One poster said they'll vary from 400 to 4000 which is a good approximation. Also
what do you want to do with it? Carry, target, plinking? Both of these
thoughts will point you in the right direction. As the price varies, so does the quality in most cases. Also a great aftermarket exists so you can customize the pistol to your needs. I certainly wouldn't ignore RIA or Tisas if you're open to non-US made pistols.