Author Topic: Lowest price for decent 1911? (Read 6392 times)

Questor · « **on:** November 06, 2006, 09:44:20 AM »

Of course we all want a totally custom 1911 with all the features we dream about, and we want it for free.

But realistically, what's the lowest price we can expect to pay and get a gun that is reliable and reasonably accurate, and is built to last?

I know it's possible to pay $400 for a new 1911, but those brands don't seem to be very highly regarded. But if we pay $600, we can get a really good gun that's worth owing and shooting for a lifetime.

Heavy C · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2006, 12:09:02 PM »

American Handgunner just had an article in their most recent issue dealing with this same topic. They chose the Springfield GI Mil-Spec and the High Standard Mil-Spec GI. Both were rated best bang for the buck for accuracy and reliability. Of course, there are probably 101 opinions as to what constitutes decent too. I own the Springfield and it certainly fits the bill.

Broom Rider · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2006, 12:46:26 PM »

I think for a good 1911 that the Rock Island Armory guns are getting good reports for the most part. The ones I've handled at gun shows seem to be well fit up and they go for under $400.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2006, 03:23:21 PM »

I have a mil spec 1911 and am very happy with it, also hear a lot of good things about the taurus 1911. Both go in the 400's somewhere.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2006, 11:58:01 PM »

im not a big sprinfield fan but for the money the GIs are hard to beat.

williamlayton · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2006, 11:58:57 PM »

Well, let's see here.
if I miss the mark please give me a heads up.
Knowing before purchase is not a possibility.
the SA is generally recognized as being a good choice--but it can be one that takes some tweaking.
The sig is not a 1911, however; I use it as an example. generally the weapon is considered to be as reliable out of the box as any one can buy. It can have issues.
STI and SVI are two of the better 1911's one can buy and the SVI's are more costly than the STI's. They both can have issues.
I, when I buy, rely on the dealer and the company to make a weapon good for any concerns.
I like SIGS and STI. The STI is on par with Sig, cost wise.
SA is a good choice, a real good choice. There are things which you can do to it to make it more reliable---after you buy it.
There are no guarentees of utter reliable function. There are those who can give any/most a better chance of reliability.
If I said "you get what you pay for" I could be accused of being an elitist. I still think this is a good choice of words if you take in a strict meaning of the word reliable.
Blessings

corbanzo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2006, 06:56:07 AM »

You can get the new Taurus for $450, that is a dang good price. Also look into the Charles Daly's, very functionable and low prices, comparatively.

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2006, 02:24:17 AM »

I'll tell ya what folks - it won't matter what the lowest price any gun is because after January when the newly elected are installed, every single draconian, communist inspired gun control effort to disarm American gun owners will easily pass the house of shame and the congress of cowards and be sent to the president's desk.

If you wait to purchase another gun you may not be able to. The tide has washed out leaving gun hating flotsom in the elected offices and you had better believe that the cowards, communists and tyrants are already working to limit your access to firearms and take them from you forever.

Buy now, make sure they work, hide them and stockpile parts and ammo. JMHO. Mikey.

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2006, 04:23:36 AM »

Mikey:

I believe the republicans were voted out because of too many concessions to the left, because of poor performance on key domestic matters like health care, because of inaction on the critical situation with our Mexican border and the resulting illegal immigration, and because of excessive spending. They didn't do what we elected them to do. People like me, who have done volunteer work and put up lawn signs simply didn't do that this time. The party got what it deserved.

Now here's what we get in return:

John Murtha was interviewed on NPR this morning and said that we can expect his Iraq plan to be adopted. The plan is "troop re-deployment", which means leaving Iraq. And "...leaving the problem for the Iraqis to solve." This is the Democrat vision of our defense in the Middle East: No defense at all.

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2006, 01:44:56 PM »

Questor - go figure, huh. The republicans get voted out for making too many concessions to the left and in return the country elects the left. Go figure: in nys they re-electred a thief as state comptroller, and elected a communist and tyrant as attorney general and a liberal coward for governor. I think the next couple of years aren't going to be very pleasant. And that's jmho. Mikey.

Questor · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:59:22 AM »

Mikey:

By the way, if the Republican party tries to run somebody like Giullianni or McCane, then I'm not voting for people like that. It looks like I'm going to have to get more involved in politics again for the next couple of years to do something so that doesn't happen. As much as I'd like to temporarily retreat from the party, it's really time to work for change.

One radio commentator said yesterday that the "Republicans lost more than the Democrats gained". I have to agree. The "Contract with America" ended abruptly yesterday and it will be a long time before popular opinion can be built up again.

arky65 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2006, 08:02:29 AM »

Questor, I own three of the RIA 1911's and the fullsize has never given a lick of problems. I have tried to make it fail but it keeps going, 1500 rounds mostly handload through it. Their customer service is the best I have experienced. I had a problem with a compact and they offered replacement or money back. They can be found for around $315.00 dollars. two years ago I paid $273.00+transfer fee. Great pistol for the money.

arky65

RicMic · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2006, 07:17:34 AM »

I just saw a High Standard NIB for $345. Nice looking gun!

huli · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2006, 10:35:22 AM »

I bought a Auto Ordnance, It functions well and was around 500.00. I guess everyone to there own lol

CharlieinKansas · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2006, 04:54:33 AM »

Also keep in mind a good used piece, I found a series II Kimber at a gun show fpr 650.00 and she shoots point of aim. And she's not a rattletrap.

CharlieinKansas · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2006, 12:56:19 PM »

If you could bring one in from Canada, Norinco's are going for 285.00 USD.

Savage · « **Reply #16 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:03:32 AM »

Bought a Charles Daly Officer's size about three years ago, ($320) looks good on the outside, looks really rough on the inside. Function has been 100% to date, but only about 700rds fired. Bought a Taurus P-1911 a few weeks ago, ($485) looks decent on the outside, no serious tool marks on the inside. After 300rds or so, it has been 100% reliable, and reasonably accurate. Both do the same job as my Kimbers, and cost half as much. At this point, I would reccomend either one to anyone on a limited budget that wants an entry level 1911. The SA Mil Specs cost about as much and need another couple hundred bucks invested to make them serviceable in my opinion. The very minimum I do to a Mil Spec is replace the sights, safety, grip safety, hammer, and guide rod. Aren't 1911s fun!!!!!
Savage

doctor p · « **Reply #17 on:** December 10, 2006, 04:04:27 AM »

CharlieinKansas:

What you said about Canada caught my eye. What's the deal on bringing handguns into the US from there?

1911crazy · « **Reply #18 on:** December 10, 2006, 07:18:28 AM »

I purchased an Auto-Ordnance Army WW2 copy 1911a1 for $389 lastyear. I changed the recoil spring to the 18# one and added the full length guide rod. The pistol is flawless, we hammered over 250rds thru it without a hickup. I also have a norinco 1911a1 with the same setup and my new auto ordnance shoots and handles the same as my norinco does. I purchased the Springfield Armory G.I. WW2 copy 1911a1 too but i haven't shot it yet. I believe my dealer now gets $450 for the auto ordnance army ww2 copy 1911a1's now too. Some dealers are closer to $600 too. I think its the hottest buy on the planet for a no frills, just a dependable shooter, 1911a1 right now.

ken2222 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 25, 2006, 07:57:09 PM »

I have bought 3 Kimbers in 45cal for around $500. in the last year! These are serious GREAT 1911's.....you should be able to duplicate my good fortune!

rio grande · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2007, 04:06:21 PM »

A friend bought a Rock Island plain-Jane 1911 - he's shot it over 1500 rounds (I helped!) - all with Rem. hardball. ONE jam. great pistol.
Smooth action, no sharp edges, tight enough. I'm thinking after tax refund I may buy one.

J-Train · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2007, 08:41:41 AM »

Well, I finally sold another pistol and went shopping for a 1911. I've decided on the Taurus. Problem is, nobody can keep them in stock and the price is beginning to escalate (market demand). I was quoted a price of $550 yesterday, but none were in stock.

One shop that had quoted me $460 before Christmas has sadly gone out of business. I'm going to keep looking. The only one I've found in stock so far was priced $525. As one gun shop told me, "They fly off the shelf as quick as I can get them in."

Barbegris · « **Reply #22 on:** February 07, 2007, 08:46:16 AM »

Quote from: doctor p on December 10, 2006, 04:04:27 AM

CharlieinKansas:

What you said about Canada caught my eye. What's the deal on bringing handguns into the US from there?

Importing guns from Canada is not to hard, but Norinco is a no go because they can not be imported into the US from anywhere.....the result is good prices in Canada on guns from China.

The Norinco 1911's are solid as are the M-14's both can be had in Canada for less then $400.00Cdn

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2007, 01:40:20 PM »

theres a new kid on the block of best 1911 bang for the buck if i was limited in money id seriously look at an sti spartan. I have a trojan and the internals are suppose to be the same and if they run and shoot anything near as well as my trojan a guy should buy 2 of them!!!

J-Train · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2007, 04:40:33 AM »

See my report on my new Taurus PT1911 in the Taurus forum, under the thread "Artciale (sic) in American Rifleman." A number of evaluations of the Taurus 1911 are on that thread.

RangeMasterTX · « **Reply #25 on:** February 14, 2007, 07:36:16 AM »

As a former Range Officer I have had the oppurtunity to try just about everything out there. or at least everything cheap and although between me and my wife we own 5 kimbers 3 colts and a para the two 1911's that see the most use are a plain jane hihgstandard and our " dirty little secret" a Griffon combat commander 489 NIB with novak night sights ported slide and all the other "must have" features. I load and shoot 1000 - 1500 cast bullets a month and the griffon is the most reliable 45 I own.

1911crazy · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2007, 12:47:51 AM »

Quote from: Barbegris on February 07, 2007, 08:46:16 AM

Quote from: doctor p on December 10, 2006, 04:04:27 AM
CharlieinKansas:

What you said about Canada caught my eye. What's the deal on bringing handguns into the US from there?

Importing guns from Canada is not to hard, but Norinco is a no go because they can not be imported into the US from anywhere.....the result is good prices in Canada on guns from China.

The Norinco 1911's are solid as are the M-14's both can be had in Canada for less then $400.00Cdn

If you can find an affordable used norinco 1911 in good condition buy it. Its the first 1911 to function properly for me before i purchased the new Auto ordnance army ww2 copy.

rio grande · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2007, 01:25:08 AM »

I've seen a couple of new condition Norincos lately - up around 450 dollars. But they are great performers.

irold · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2007, 04:02:51 AM »

I just purchased a Springfield GI , parkerized (sp), so far I really like it. It cost me 449 plus the usual background ck , 5 bucks, and tax. Haven't shot it much, but for the price, I'm happy. Seems tight, and the fit is decent for the price, AND I can buy a lot of ammo with the extra $ that I didn't spend for an upper end .45 Good Shooting

bustedknee · « **Reply #29 on:** March 01, 2007, 08:12:54 AM »

The problem with buying a 1911, that is not a Colt, is this:

Aa little boy walks up and says, "Hey mister, that looks like the army gun in the movies. Is that a Colt 45?"

And you have to tell him, "No".

He will hang his little head in disappointment and dejectedly walk away.

It doesn't matter if you paid 10,000 bucks for it. If it ain't a Colt, it ain't a Colt.

Hahahahahahahaplop (Laughed my butt off)