Need a 1911

[deadin]

My 1911 is an original made in 1918.
I'm confident that it, unlike the clones, will continue to increase in value as time passes.........

 

[lrrifleman]

Rick,

I have 3.9 1911s (I'll explain in a moment) covering 4 different manufacturers.

Colt Mk IV Series 70 in 45 ACP - my first 1911, purchased used in 1976 for $125. Nice, reliable shooter, suspicious of the four finger collet bushing.

Springfield Armory Trophy Match in 45ACP. This is the carbon steel model. Purchased new in the late 1990s when the QC at Colt was questionable on the Gold Cup.

Ruger 1911CMD in 45 ACP. Recently acquired for about $650. Impressive fit and finish, questionable front sight durability.

ATI FX9 Commander in 9mm. Purchased for $400, waiting to pick up due to one pistol per month rationing. Manufactured in the Philippines by SAMI (not the company that makes the RIA pistols). Went into this pistol with the fore knowledge that replacing parts with after-market may require hand fitting. [This pistol was purchased with the intent of being the chassis for a switch barrel pistol in 38 Super.]

Both Springfield Armory and Ruger have demonstrated great customer service. I have had minimal experience with Colt CS, only because I haven't had issues with either Colt I own. I have yet to have any dealings with ATI CS.

If I were looking to add another 1911 to the collection, it would be influenced by the finish that I preferred. If you don't mind stainless steel, I would jump on a Ruger. [Actually contemplating a 10mm 1911.] If I wanted either blued steel or parkerized, I would look at either a Springfield Armory or Colt. I have little experience with Kimbers. On fixed income, finances tend to influence my purchase decisions.

I would suggest that you first decide what mission you want your 1911 to fill. Then let the mission and your finances influence the caliber. Then let the mission, caliber, preferred finish then finances influence the make and model you purchase. Typically, I would have difficulty looking to purchase any handgun that costs more than about $800.

Best of luck in your search!

 

[Engineer1911]

I have a 4 digit serial number series 70 Colt gold cup, a second one that is 4 years older, and a Series 80 stainless steel Colt gold cup. Also included are 2 custom built, Remington R1, Sig target elite, Kimber, two S&W, 4 Para Ordnance, Rock Island, American Tactical (both RI & AT are Philippine manufactured), and two Springfield Armory. All were bought because the seller was offering a "good deal" on price. The Colts are over rated.

For Money spent versus value received, the Rock Island Target (gold cup) is the best one of the bunch. It has billboard slide, adjustable rear sight, excellent trigger, smooth frame/slide fit, and matte black finish.

The oldest Colt is 1971, the Remington R1 was bought just after release to dealers, AT and RI were current production 2018 /2019.

EDIT: My American Tactical 'Thunderbolt' came with adjustable rear sight, ambidextrous safety, full length recoil rod, beaver tail grip safety, checkered front strap, 3-dot sight, and light rail on dust cover for about $550, new. I would say that has the bells and whistles at a bargain price.

 

[BC38]

Since your poll is worded as BEST VALUE, I have to say RIA.
They are not a high end gun by any means. But for $300-$400 they are a great functional 1911. No bells and whistles, but for VALUE for the dollar I can't see how they could be beat.

 

[Westie1]

Best value has to be one of the RIA's. If you start out with the basic GI version, you can tweak it any way you want or leave it stock. And the tweaking is simple to do.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

A rock island can polish up nice, but a colt will already be nice. I would personally start with a stock colt and upgrade from there. You'll already be ahead.

 

[tlawler]

I presently own a S&W 1911SC, a Kimber, and an RIA. I'm the past I've had Colts, Springfields, and a Para P-10(piece of junk). Of all, my favorite is the 1911SC.

 

[RobertHOH]

I'm surprised at the love the Remington 1911 is getting. Given the track record of Freedom Group, and all their other poorly received handgun offerings, they must have some good people on their 1911 product team. About time!!

Robert

 

[md_shooter_rick]

Rick,

I have 3.9 1911s (I'll explain in a moment) covering 4 different manufacturers.

Colt Mk IV Series 70 in 45 ACP - my first 1911, purchased used in 1976 for $125. Nice, reliable shooter, suspicious of the four finger collet bushing.

Springfield Armory Trophy Match in 45ACP. This is the carbon steel model. Purchased new in the late 1990s when the QC at Colt was questionable on the Gold Cup.

Ruger 1911CMD in 45 ACP. Recently acquired for about $650. Impressive fit and finish, questionable front sight durability.

ATI FX9 Commander in 9mm. Purchased for $400, waiting to pick up due to one pistol per month rationing. Manufactured in the Philippines by SAMI (not the company that makes the RIA pistols). Went into this pistol with the fore knowledge that replacing parts with after-market may require hand fitting. [This pistol was purchased with the intent of being the chassis for a switch barrel pistol in 38 Super.]

Both Springfield Armory and Ruger have demonstrated great customer service. I have had minimal experience with Colt CS, only because I haven't had issues with either Colt I own. I have yet to have any dealings with ATI CS.

If I were looking to add another 1911 to the collection, it would be influenced by the finish that I preferred. If you don't mind stainless steel, I would jump on a Ruger. [Actually contemplating a 10mm 1911.] If I wanted either blued steel or parkerized, I would look at either a Springfield Armory or Colt. I have little experience with Kimbers. On fixed income, finances tend to influence my purchase decisions.

I would suggest that you first decide what mission you want your 1911 to fill. Then let the mission and your finances influence the caliber. Then let the mission, caliber, preferred finish then finances influence the make and model you purchase. Typically, I would have difficulty looking to purchase any handgun that costs more than about $800.

Best of luck in your search!

At least marylandistan allows you to become a "Designated Collector" and bypass the 1 a month rule.

I don't enjoy the modifying/customizing part myself. I am looking for a target shooter primarily while building a "collection" of good quality guns. It just seems wrong that i don't have a 1911. I typically don't buy expensive either since it is my fun money but selling my bike sure seems a good time to get the right 1911 even if a bit more expensive. I don't have a problem with Stainless Steel but it also isn't a preference. I will definitely look more at the Ruger offerings. Colt was in the list mostly from the historical perspective but the responses here have made it a real possibility.

 

[Collo Rosso]

If I can make a suggestion to the OP, don't buy a mil-spec. I find the original beavertail painful when it bits, and the sights are milled one piece with the slide. There small and hard to see. Plus you have to have dovetail cuts machined into the slide to upgrade to aftermarket sights.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

If I can make a suggestion to the OP, don't buy a mil-spec. I find the original beavertail painful when it bits, and the sights are milled one piece with the slide. There small and hard to see. Plus you have to have dovetail cuts machined into the slide to upgrade to aftermarket sights.

I have shot beaver tail and totally understand what you are saying. The machined rear site is a killer, somehow i missed that description. THANKs

 

[bmcgilvray]

I enjoy owning and using Colts, both military and commercial, old ones and new ones.

 

[ContinentalOp]

If I can make a suggestion to the OP, don't buy a mil-spec. I find the original beavertail painful when it bits, and the sights are milled one piece with the slide. There small and hard to see. Plus you have to have dovetail cuts machined into the slide to upgrade to aftermarket sights.

I can understand what you're talking about with regard to the grip safety. That's an individual preference.

But I have no idea what you're talking about with regard to the sights. They're not milled one piece with the slide. I've never seen 1911s made that way. The rear sight is dovetailed and the front sight is held in place with a tenon. The rear sight can be replaced with any sight that fits the dovetail. The front sight may require a little bit of know-how to replace, but it can be replaced if needed/wanted. On older guns, or reproductions of older guns, the sights may be small, but the modern versions have good, high-visibility sights.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

I can understand what you're talking about with regard to the grip safety. That's an individual preference.

But I have no idea what you're talking about with regard to the sights. They're not milled one piece with the slide. I've never seen 1911s made that way. The rear sight is dovetailed and the front sight is held in place with a tenon. The rear sight can be replaced with any sight that fits the dovetail. The front sight may require a little bit of know-how to replace, but it can be replaced if needed/wanted. On older guns, or reproductions of older guns, the sights may be small, but the modern versions have good, high-visibility sights.

Thanks for this, i feel a bit vindicated in not seeing that the mil-spec had milled rear site. I would be happy not to have a beavertail safety but i will not make a choice based on that alone.

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

THE BAST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK IS THE ROCK RIVER ARMS CARRY PISTOL. IT RETAILS FOR $1650.00. NOT A BUDGET GUN BY ANY MEANS. BUT WHAT YOU GET IS A PISTOL GUARANTEED TO SHOOT A 2.5 INCH GROUP FROM THE RANSOM REST AT 50YDS. NO OTHER MANUFACTURER HAS A PISTOL AT THAT PRICE POINT WITH THAT TYPE OF PERFORMANCE . MANY OTHER PISTOL MANUFACTURERS SHOOT THE PISTOLS AT 50FT. ANY CHEAP 1911 WILL SHOOT OK AT 50 FT. 50YDS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE STANDARD.
BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE. JP

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I have owned six 1911s over the years, but my Ruger Night Watchman has impressed me the most at about $700. My Springfield EMP has impressed me the least; I just don't think it should be a $1k gun. I picked up a Rock Island Ultra for less than $500 OTD and have been impressed.

 

[BE Mike]

All the Colts I own are accurized for bullseye pistol competition. I own a Springfield Armory Loaded and a Springfield Armory Match Target. All are great pistols. The "best value" these days seems to be the SA Range Officer. It has good adjustable sights and the out-of-the box accuracy for most of them, with the right ammo, can shoot the in the 10 ring at 50 yards. The slide and frame are forged, rather than cast. That being said, most all factory mass produced 1911s need trigger work.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

I have owned six 1911s over the years, but my Ruger Night Watchman has impressed me the most at about $700. My Springfield EMP has impressed me the least; I just don't think it should be a $1k gun. I picked up a Rock Island Ultra for less than $500 OTD and have been impressed.

What is the model number on the Night Watchman, i don't see anything on Rugers site that says "Night Watchman". Is it an older model??? Is it Talo Exclusive 6709, Ruger(R) SR1911(R) Standard Centerfire Pistol Model 6709

 

[Farmer17]

Springfield Armory PBD9108L 1911 Defender Mil-Spec 45 ACP Single 5" 7+1 Fully Checkered Wood Grip Black Parkerized Carbon Steel Slide | BattleHawk Armory

Rock Island M1911 FS FDE 56415 | Kansas City Firearms

 

[REM 3200]

I checked none of the above as you did not list Remington-Rand 1911A1 as an option
or any other 1911/1911A1 for that matter.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

What is the model number on the Night Watchman, i don't see anything on Rugers site that says "Night Watchman". Is it an older model??? Is it Talo Exclusive 6709, Ruger(R) SR1911(R) Standard Centerfire Pistol Model 6709

Mine is the 6720 which is the lightweight commander. What sold me was the integrated titanium feedramp. Otherwise, I would have went with a steel frame.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Ruger SR1911.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

I checked none of the above as you did not list Remington-Rand 1911A1 as an option
or any other 1911/1911A1 for that matter.

I didn't specify any specific model number at all. Just manufacturers of NEW handguns. Springfield armory has what they refer to as a Mil-Spec 1911 so doesn't that qualify??? There are even a couple posts talking about Mil-Spec.

 

[Peakes]

I Run Kimber and S&W. Love them all. It is all about Personal Preference. Clean Em and Shoot Em

 

[ContinentalOp]

I checked none of the above as you did not list Remington-Rand 1911A1 as an option
or any other 1911/1911A1 for that matter.

I didn't specify any specific model number at all. Just manufacturers of NEW handguns. Springfield armory has what they refer to as a Mil-Spec 1911 so doesn't that qualify??? There are even a couple posts talking about Mil-Spec.

It would appear that REM 3200 may be one of the "purists" I mentioned previously.

 

[walter o]

I have Colts ,S&W,KIMBER"S REMINGTON.STI , ATI ,SPRINGFIELD,,
FUSION,And RIA for an entry level i think the RIA can't be beat for cost effect.Other makes are great but are something to upgrade to as you progress in the 1911 field

 

[md_shooter_rick]

I have Colts ,S&W,KIMBER"S REMINGTON.STI , ATI ,SPRINGFIELD,,
FUSION,And RIA for an entry level i think the RIA can't be beat for cost effect.Other makes are great but are something to upgrade to as you progress in the 1911 field

I may be the oddball type collector but i don't have multiples of many guns (ar-15's, so many options). I am planning on a single 1911 but from a lot of the posts here that may be hard to do

 

[Collo Rosso]

But I have no idea what you're talking about with regard to the sights. They're not milled one piece with the slide. I've never seen 1911s made that way. The rear sight is dovetailed and the front sight is held in place with a tenon.

My bad! I thought original issue 1911's had the sights milled one piece with the slide.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I moved away from 1911s and cocked and locked carry in the mid-80s....... in favor of the Sig 220 family.

That said if I was only going to have one 1911 pattern gun....it would have to be a full size Colt.


I only have one 1911 pattern gun .... a Sig C3 with a Officer's model frame mated to a Commander length slide.... IMO the best concealed carry configuration..... still 7+1 with Wilson mags.... Wilson also makes a slightly extended 8 round mag for the Officers model... which I'd carry as a spare.

 

[oink]

..... Have carried Springfield Micro Compact daily for the last 16 years.........

Have you found any 7 round mags that are reliable?