Which 1911?

[blastfact]

The way I look at it. Everybody should have a 1911. They have never been my fav. pistol. BUT I need to get one. I have no delusions they are worth all the money folks are willing to pay for them now days. So I would like to keep it as cheap at possible, steel and just a notch above a GI version. In the running is Colt, Smith, Para's throw back pistol and I hate to say it the Taurus.

Thanks

 

[Marshal Tom]

I have owned many 1911's, including several very expensive customs by some of the top custom builders. The Taurus 1911 is really pretty good for the money. I do not own one but know several people who have purchased them and like them. There are several lower end models that are pretty good ones. I also hear good things about the Charles Daly. Good luck.

Tom

 

[230therapy]

Go high end. Fusion Firearms makes the gun how you want it. They have lower priced guns with fewer mods. Take a look on the 1911 Forum's Fusion subforum.

There's always Les Baer and so forth.

 

[mlk18]

I have owned a few and have several buddy's who love the platform. I was satisfied with my Kimber Classic and my Kimber Tactical Pro and not so pleased with my Springfield Armory Loaded in OD green. The latter just did not seem as well made nor was it as accurate as the Kimbers. One of my buddy's has a Smith & Wesson 1911 and loves it. The fit and finish is first rate and it is a great shooter. Another buddy has a Taurus and has had some troubles. I think what makes people love or hate a 1911 is very subjective and can be name brand driven (much like the Glock versus every other polymer pistol debate). In the end I decided it was okay not to love 1911's and they all went the way of trade bait.

 

[borntoraisehogs]

Used Kimber

The older the better .

 

[blaiwayw]

Nothing gives me more pleasure than my combat tuned Series 70 Colt Government. It's trip to Cylinder and Slide was worth the wait and expense. In a 1911, Colt is classic. Not flashy, just classy.

 

[pjpjr]

This is one of my favorites......

 

[R. G. Amos]

The first 45 ACP should always be a Colt.

 

[ballistic]

I have owned a 1990's Colt 1911 that was never very reliable. Had a Springfield 1911 that was OK but, the frame to slide fit was sloppy right out of the box.
My current match gun is a slightly upgraded Kimber Custom II and it runs like a champ. Great trigger and seems to shoot just about any loads very accurately.

 

[at-home-daddy]

Of the brands you mention, I would definitely suggest S&W. Para and Taurus are significantly behind the curve of the other two, and while Colt is apparently getting their act together again, I would still suggest S&W as the better built of the two, generally speaking. S&W has all sort of flavors, so you'll have a large menu to choose from (steel, scandium, carbon, stainless, blued, 5", commander, etc.). Your own purposes and preferences will determine the model.

 

[QuickSabre]

Maybe it's just me, but I think mentioning the price of all these fine pistols everyone is uploading would be a good idea, since OP mentioned lowest price possible as the prime consideration. I took it that he doesn't want to be spending multiple thousands of $$ on a pistol just so he can brag he has the best 1911 on the planet...

 

[smitty_bs]

Here's my S&W 1911. No forward cocking serrations, wood grips, Novak sights, and GI guide rod. It's more accurate than I am and utterly reliable. Looks good too.

 

[st regis]

Mr Smitty, I want your 1911! I cannot find anybody who has the "108285" that you just put on here....I had to "settle" for the melonite version with front serration....Good Lord willing, and the creek dont rise, it becomes my duty gun this Friday (maybe). It is replacing a glock 22. Let's see, wheres one of them happy icon things.......here we go...

 

[novalty]

I think the S&W 1911 is a quality gun, though I had heard of issues from time-to-time online with reliability, but S&W stands behind their guns which is reassuring. Probably the least expensive S&W 1911, would be the earlier versions--often referred to as the "billboard" as they had "S&W 1911" imprinted on the slide in large letters. Seen these guns run used in the $600-$700 range.
When I had gotten on the 45 kick, I really wanted a commander sized S&W 1911. The prices were to wild for me, even for used. I ended up with a NIB 4566TSW with 3 mags for $70 less than the lowest priced S&W 1911 I could find. Everytime I see pics of the 1911 Smith I get a hankering for one.

 

[SPDGG]

IMHO: LES BAER

 

[borntoraisehogs]

Excuse me !

By all means Colt ! I thought we might be talking gun/dollar . You can buy three old Kimbers for the price of my old Colt .There is a reason for that , not a sane reason , but a real reason .

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I have a Kimber and Colt. Colt is a range gun. It digests my 200gr SWCs real well. Kimber is Spec Ed Pro Tactical II.

If I was buying a 1911 today, I might take a serious look at the Para GI Expert. Right price and good reviews.

 

[smitty_bs]

St. Regis, thanks for the complement. I get many at the range too! That model is usually available at my local gun shop. I think a lot of people want the more fancier versions.

 

[Crazy K38]

I think all the brands you have listed are very nice brands, however if you are wanting to go cheap, go with the taurus, I have one and have been happy with it, I got it because it is a forged, not cast frame I can upgrade and swage the slides if need be without any issues, good gun to build on or just to play with

 

[LuddhaBuddha]

For a cheap solid gun I recommend a Rock Island Tactical, my dad got one for carry, it has been reliable, accurate, and it looks pretty good to. I was sceptical when he told me he was going to get one so, I went with him to look it over, I was very impressed with how tight it was and how good the trigger felt.