Shopping for a 1911 GI bare bones model, any tips?

[G-ManBart]

Dollar for dollar it's hard to beat STI's Spartan. Hand fit frame and slide, adjustable rear sight, fiber optic front sight, high rise beavertail, full length guide rod, front and rear cocking grooves on the slide and a bunch of other small details (like checkered MS housing). Street price is about $600....well worth it. R,

 

[Curt Dawson]

Picked up a RIA new from a local shop last year for $318 including tax.Shoots more accurate then me and over 500 rds. through it without a hitch.

 

[haggis]

If you want a pre-70 1911A1 type pistol with forged frame and slide, and machined internal parts, you have three choices (ignoring custom built guns):

1. Used pre-70 Colt Government Model.
2. Used Norinco 1911A1 (they're still made but our government doesn't want you to have a new one).
3. Any WWII 1911A1.

Everything else has either a cast frame and/or some cast or MIM internal parts.

I personally don't have any problems with MIM or investment casting, but some folks think they're the end of civilization as we know it.

Buck

 

[Beaver]

Several years ago, I was in the market for just what you seek. I bought a bare-bones Springfield Armory 1911, my only thrill was to get a SS. My gunsmith friend said shoot 500 rds and then he'd do his reliability package. I shot 500 Remington greenbox, and did not have a single failure to feed/fire/eject/function. The gun has been one of my best buys. I paid $519. I highly recommend this product

 

[Meztiso]

Okay so I think I am leaning towards the Colt for a few reasons. Its got the history behind it which is always nice. Its made by the originator of the 1911 design. Most of you guys agree it helps with the overall value. I love the idea of a back to basics 1911. Kimbers are works of art but I want what grandpa had. (for now anyway lol!)

My only worry is that will I be breaking some kind of "Gun God" code if I swap out the hammer and duck tail on the old Colt? Will that take away from its old school value? I dont want a pimped out custom gun, I just dont want to get bit by the old style duck tail/hammer setup that I remember dealing with back in the 80's.

 

[Bruce51]

Go for the Colt if you can find one that suits your needs. We prefer to call the duck part a beavertail. You can change out the grip safety to anything from a high ride to a low ride beavertail to suit your needs. I have guns in several configuations and I like them all. Bruce

 

[Meztiso]

Sorry, I only called it a duck tail because someone pointed out to me once that the old GI 1911's had a very small tail compared to the modern and popular beaver tail which is very big and wide and channeled to protect the web of the hand better.

See the size difference in this pic of the old vs the new styles of tails. I guess the guy figured the smaller tail looked like a duck tail? Its not so much hi or lo ride but actually a smaller size.

I think I am going for the Colt and just install a larger beaver tail just for my own comfort. I can always put it back if I sell it or hand it down to my son.