Need help with first 1911 purchace

[NebraskaHunter]

I want to buy a 1911 style 45. But I know nothing about them. I want to spend the least amount possible to get a good quality accurate pistol. I see so many out there in such a wide range of prices. My use will be to carry as a field gun while hunting and fishing or hiking. I know I don't want anything but steel. I also need good sights for my old eyes. The one that I have been looking at is a springfield stainless. They want $600 for it. I think it is just a standard model. Although I don't know what to look for. I don't want to buy something then be disappointed in the accuracy of the piece. This is where your advise is needed. I need a cheap accurate field piece. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. I need a 1911 education.
Nebraska Hunter

[Mikey]

Nebraska Hunter:  I think you know exactly what you want and if you are looking at the Springfield line then look more closely - a number of their models have very good carry sights with nice big square front blades and nice open square rear notch sights.  Just look at the different Springfield models and you should find the one you want.  Get onto their website and review their offerings.

You can also get a nice selection of trigger styles and grip safety styles that can confuse the eye even further.

I would suggest, as the moderator of this site, that you peruse the last few pages of this site to see what others have said in response to similar questions. 

We have a couple of posters here whop have an incredible experience with the 1911, including putting together some fine pistols, and these folk have provided a long list of great information for those who ask.  In fact, I think that just a few posts down are a couple of good threads that should help provide some solid suggestions. 

Also, further up the line in the General Handgun forum is a post about the RIA 1911s and it is worth reading.  When you have finished with that thread check back here for what SharonAnne and willianlayton, and others, have written and then you should have enough information to make your decision.  Hope this helps.  Mikey.

[poncaguy]

I'm very pleased witn My Taurus PT 1911............good sights, trigger, and very accurate.

[poncaguy]

and I might add my RIA 38 Super, but it will need sights, having some put on now by my pistol smith........

[torpedoman]

i used to shoot bulleye competition for the nave and i own and carry a rock island gi 45 with aftermarket sights (old eyes) super gun and a lot less costly than most. Great trigger feeds everything never fails to fire and is very accurate just what else do you want a pistol to do?

[SharonAnne]

The .45/1911. Designed by John Moses Browning. Inspired by God. Made in America.

What else do you need to know?

[mcwoodduck]

Any of the GI issue guns would be a good place to start.
The only down side would be the small fixed sights.  You can always have a gun smith add adjustable sights.
The new guns are all able to shoot both ball and hollow points.
If you are looking at older Used guns then you may have to tune the gun to the ammo you want to use.  All will use ball.
If you look at the Kimber  or Springfield sites they have guns that go to and from every option out there.
What is cool about the 1911 is that it is modular and if you want it as an oprion they make it.
Look in www.brownells.com  for you different options and you can take the basic gun and build it into what you want.
A guy I shoot with has built a 1911 with lowered slide release and safety with a flat back strap and installed thin grips for his petite wife to shoot.

[Lloyd Smale]

I would go a differnt route. Id look for a better gun used. FOr what you can buy one of the cheap ones for new you can buy a used bottom end kimber or even a springfield. I bash springfield all the time but there still a better bang for the buck then some of the cheaper models. What you have to keep in mind with buying imported guns is first there are no americans that have gotten jobs building them. Sure some of the big companys like springfield and sti are importing parts but there still put together here. Second is what kind of service department is backing them? Usually an importer of guns has a few very inexperineced people for warantee work and if your lucky they have that part. If not your going to wait for that slow boat from china to bring it. they just start changing parts and hope it fixes a gun. A company like springfield or kimber has top shelf gunsmiths in there employment.

[kyredneck1911]

LOVE my Smith & Wesson 1911PD which is the gun in my avatar to the left!!!  Could not ask for a better 1911, no jams or problems after 1100+ rounds including all makes of hollowpoints, lifetime warranty and AWESOME customer service, couldn't be happier!! 

[federali]

I second the S&W 1911s. They're ready to go right out of the box and they work every time. Best of all, you can find them used for around $5-550.00. I feed mine factory and handloads and the gun is certainly more accurate than I am. While I have not fired mine extensively, I have yet to have a stoppage of any kind. For home defense and as a spare carry mag, you can get a Chip McCormack 10 rounder. Hangs out of the gun a bit but this isn't a problem if you're in your home or you've exhausted what's in the gun and need to go to the well.

[Curt Dawson]

Another vote here for the RIA

[NebraskaHunter]

Thanks all. I have yet to purchace a 45. I did however pick up a CZ75 sp-01 Tactical 9mm. Always liked the CZ feel. I saw several 45's on the table at the gun show. They went from cheap to very expensive. I saw the smith 45's there.  I also saw the taurus.  After reading your post I think a Smith&Wesson 45 may be my next purchace. They were mid priced. I can afford them.

[1911crazy]

The CZ's are a very good choice for the 9mm pistols. I have a few of them.  Checkout the used pistol section at your local gun shop too and paw on the CZ83's and the CZ82's too. You can get a great pistol at a used price too and save some $$. But for a first 1911 in 45acp i'd look at the new  Auto Ordnance Army WW2 copy its an awesome shooter and its at an  affordable price.  Mine has been flawless on ever trip to the range so far right out of the box.