Who makes the least expensive 1911

[jcn59]

American made, that is, a made in the USA 1911.   Who makes the least expensive one?  Cost? Pros & cons?

Thanks!

[Mikey]

jcn:  scroll right down through this forum and I will bet that you will find at least 2 or 3 complete threads on this subject but, no matter whatcha purchase, you will need to send me the pistol, all the magazines and alla yer ammo and when I've finished testing it I'll letcha know if it's the best one for the $, and you...... 

Yes Sir! Moderating the 45 ACP/1911 Colt Handguns Forum really has it's benefits (lol)...........................

[1911crazy]

My new auto ordnance army ww2 copy 1911a1 in 45acp has been flawless for over 500rds now.  We had it out for two outings at the range were we the 3 or 4 of us shot it with 250rds+ at each outing.  I'm not saying there all good but most of them have been so far.  There made right here in Wooster,Mass. These were under $400 but now i think there still under $600.  "BUT" the investment cast frames are imported from the phillipines.   Thats were most of the casted frames come from.

I believe the springfleld armory's 1911's are mainly manufactured in Brazil now.  My 2005 SA is stamped made in Brazil.  But all the SA's are a forged frame and slide.

I think the Colts are still manufactured in Hartford,Ct.

Then we have Kimber and wilson combat and one more i believe thats made in the USA but there over priced on what you want.

Now my choice would be the SA 1911a1 with the forged frame and slide even though its imported springfield armory headquarters is  still here in Mass. too.  Even though its not the orginal springfield armory company there just using there name.

Your only other choice is finding a used one but its harder today because the used stuff in my area moves quickly. Our used gun case is bare most of the time here.

[jcn59]

I have an early Auto-Ordinance 1911 from NY I think that functions perfectly with anything.  I am thinking about a nicer one, maybe SS but not buying an import.  Period.

[1911crazy]

A non import in stainless i think would be a Kahr  Thompson TC 1911 with some goodies in stainless for around $800+ i believe.

I don't think there are any made here thats cheap or affordable.  I new springflied armory G.I.  or a Mil-Spec or a loaded in stainless is probably our choice in a certain price range.  All of these have forged frames.  I retired from a company who did all the engineering here in the USA and sent everything over seas to be manufactured under strict supervision.  We did test everything they put our name on to make sure it was a quality product.  Thats the only way we could keep a handle on what they manufactured.

I have a chinese norinco 1911a1 in 45acp thats equal to any 1911 out there.  They say its made from our scrap railroad track and its a forged frame and slide.  I think its the best 1911 out there if you can find a good used one.