Author Topic: best 1911 for around $500.00 (Read 21221 times)

lonewolf5348 · « **on:** April 21, 2007, 08:04:26 AM »

I am interested in buying a 1911 45 auto for range shooting and was wondering which one is the best bang for your buck?
I had a colt government back in the 70's think it was the mark IV shot excellent but like anything else sold it.
I was out the other day at the range and pick a 45 colt 1911 belongs to a Buddie of mine and got the bug again.
I was at a local gun show today and seen the Taurus 1911 for about $540.00 but read some review on feeding problems.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2007, 10:55:32 AM »

best bet for 500 bucks is a used kimber target or springfield loaded.

richardoldfield · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2007, 02:15:08 PM »

You may get lucky and find a Springer 1911 in that price range. Another choice is the Rock Island Armory 1911A1, I paid $370 for this one on Gunsamerica.com. Regards, Richard

When I bought it:

It now looks like this:

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2007, 01:08:59 AM »

For $600 you can get an STI and I think they are the best choice.
Blessings

J-Train · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2007, 08:18:06 AM »

For my money, the Taurus is the best value in that price range. It has so many standard features that you won't have to spend money on later. Don't worry about an isolated report of feeding problems--any 1911 can have feeding problems, usually magazine-related. I'm very happy with my PT-1911.

Savage · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2007, 11:05:11 AM »

The PT1911 I bought for $485, is a good reliable pistol with a lot of extras for the money. It has a forged frame and slide, ambi safety, frontstrap stippling, and decent sights. It performs as well as some of my much more expensive 1911s.

J-Train · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2007, 05:03:32 AM »

Cool grips on that Taurus, Savage! The plain old plastic grips were the only thing I didn't like about the PT1911. I got a pair of cocobolo wooden grips from Midway for about 30 bucks, and mine looks 100% better than when I bought it.

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2007, 11:33:25 AM »

I stop at bass pro today and did check out the Taurus 45 ,was speaking the gentleman behind the counter about 45's.I myself seem to like it but then again the only draw back was the rear sight,was wondering if there are any aftermarket type of sight that can be upgraded?
I don't understand the front white dot and the one white dot on the rear blade,anyone have any comment on the factory sights?

Broom Rider · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2007, 02:40:27 PM »

I'd go for the RIA 1911 in that price range. They have a Tactical & Match model as well, I'd prefer the Match.

Savage · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2007, 12:34:20 AM »

Lonewolf5348,

Stock sights on the Taurus are made by Heine. Those are their "Straight Eight" sights. To use them properly, they say to stack the dots where they form the fugure 8. They are then properly aligned. I'm still not sure I like that arangement. I like my guns to shoot to the top of the sight. I'm sure there are plenty of sights out there that fit the dovetail cuts. Just haven't gotten around to checking it out. I don't care for white dot sights anyway, I'll most likely black out the rear dot, and replace the front with a fiber optic, or go for cheap and paint it neon orange.
If you like the Mil Spec type guns, and plan to leave them that way, then buy one and leave it alone. I see little logic in buying a $350-400 pistol and then investing another $200-300 in it to add on what the Taurus already has. Unless of course, you enjoy tinkering and changing parts to get the look you want. Most would be best served by buying a range ready pistol with all the features they want, rather than ending up with $700 in a $400 pistol.
J-train,
Those grips are from Ajax, had them laying around and thought they might dress up the Taurus a little. I admit to being a little bit of a grip junkie. I don't have stock grips on anything I own, well other than one Sig 220.
Any pistol is a great choice! Hope you all enjoy you choices.
Savage

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2007, 05:09:36 AM »

Savage: thanks for that update on the sight set-up,I had a colt 1911 back in the early 70's did replace the sights with an up grade but been so long ago I can't remember the name,think they were BOMAR BUT WERE ADJUSTABLE REAR.
I also did improvements on the feed rail up graded the clip,upgraded the trigger assembly and so on,seem after a long layoff with the gun did sell it.I would like to purchase a 1911 with all the bells installed,I do like them grips you have something to look into.
I just want the gun for range use no need to carry for me it is a little to big .I think after20 years of police work I prefer to carry my little Berta auto don't laugh it is only a 22 cal. love the little gun fits in my back pocket.
when I get back to N.Y.S. I have a few pistols I am going to part with and purchase the Taurus I see the going price runs around the middle of $550.00 a little under at some shops.

Savage · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2007, 02:26:03 AM »

LW,
After carrying 25# of vest and gear for so long, I like small and light in a carry gun too. My always gun is a P-3AT in .380. I only carry a larger gun if the situation dictates it. The grips on the Taurus are from Ajax, they are the
Genuine, simulated pearl.

. One thing I found out yesterday, the Taurus magazines don't work in my Kimber Pro Carry. The locking notch in the mag is too low. Funny tho, the mags I use in the Kimber *McCormics) work fine in the Taurus. I learned that little goodie yesterday at a pistol match. It only cost me about 5 seconds to learn! Still happy with the gun. Other than that, no problems at all to date.
Savage

J-Train · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2007, 08:04:04 AM »

Lonewolf, for what it's worth, I like the Heine straight-8 sights on my Taurus. Actually the sights were the deciding factor in getting the PT1911 rather than another brand. With my aging eyes, I can't focus very well on the front sight. I personally find it easier to align two sights vertically than to align three dots horizontally. Might not work that way for you.

As for grips, in another thread, Broomrider mentioned grips by Esmeralda. Check out her web site. Your pulse rate will quicken. Her grips are beautiful, too!

randy45 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2007, 03:19:49 PM »

The RIA is the best buy for the money on the market. Try one. They have a lifetime warranty and the customer service is the best in the industry. I know this as I have had contact with their rep and he is the best. I have two Rocks and both are great guns, and the price is right. For around $400 you can get the tactical with most of the bells and whistles you could want, sans grips. Then you can buy some ammo with the rest of your funds. Just my two cents.

petepaaz · « **Reply #14 on:** May 07, 2007, 03:00:55 PM »

Lonewolf,
I purchased my only 1911 to date 3&1/2 yrs ago in a Springfield Armory 1911A1 Mil-Spec ($450). With Hogue wrap-around grips as my only modification, it has shot flawlessly with all types of factory ammo including shotshells. My only displeasure is with the authentic, but crude sights which are difficult for my 50yr old eyes to pick up on. At some point will probably change the sights.
It was my first venture into the world of semi-autos, having always been a revolver man; especially single actions. Springfield Armory so far has been impressive to me.

akr · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2007, 09:42:21 AM »

Quote from: randy45 on May 01, 2007, 03:19:49 PM

The RIA is the best buy for the money on the market. Try one. They have a lifetime warranty and the customer service is the best in the industry. I know this as I have had contact with their rep and he is the best. I have two Rocks and both are great guns, and the price is right. For around $400 you can get the tactical with most of the bells and whistles you could want, sans grips. Then you can buy some ammo with the rest of your funds. Just my two cents.

Amen, Brother. I second that!

greener · « **Reply #16 on:** June 14, 2007, 12:52:53 AM »

I've had a Taurus for a few weeks. No complaints other than it didn't shoot Independence ammo all that well. Other than that, I'm darned happy with what it will do at 15 yards.

williamlayton · « **Reply #17 on:** June 14, 2007, 02:28:20 AM »

There are two questions which I keep asking myownself each time I visit this conversation.
Keep in mind my train of thought and conditions I require of any weapon.
1) It works--without reservations.
2) I can trust it too work when I wish it to.

Now--$500 for such a weapon is pretty cheap, and, I don't trust cheap---not under the conditions above.
Can it be made to work under the conditions above? YUP! A Timex can be made too work as well as a Rolex--but then, it won't be a Timex and it certainly won't still be in the original price range.
I may not have time too consult customer service at the time of failure to fire---or find a gun that will work.
I don't know any that carry a race gun as a personal protection weapon.
I have found, the hard way, that I always end up spending the same amount too get one to fit my needs and criteria no matter the base cost---and then I have a second choice weapon which operates like the one I wanted in the first place.
I don't trust the lowest bid to give me the quality I want.
You folks do it your way.
I don't trust your way.
Blessings

Savage · « **Reply #18 on:** June 14, 2007, 02:37:11 AM »

Just hang in there William, the price is going up! Maybe you'll like it better around the $700 mark!

Savage

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** June 14, 2007, 05:24:29 AM »

WL , ain't that why ya test the gun and load before ya depend on it ? remember , colt SSA , Glocks , ak47 and many other weapons that have been the choice in their day were not as expensive as contemporaries !

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2007, 04:53:30 AM »

probably the best advice here. Buck up for another 100 bucks and buy an sti spartan. Probably the best bang for the buck in a 1911

Quote from: williamlayton on April 23, 2007, 01:08:59 AM

For $600 you can get an STI and I think they are the best choice.
Blessings

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:13:37 AM »

whats so good about the sti ? just asking , never had one in my hand ? saw a few pics !

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #22 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:28:27 AM »

Ive got a trojan 9mm. they run around a grand and in my opinion its as well fit and built as guns costing twice as much. Its also not only the most accurate 9mm ive ever shot. (more accurate even then the 952 smtih i had) but one of the most accurate 1911s ive ever shot. Not only is it accurate but was completely reliable out of the box and thats odd for a 1911 in 9mm. The spartan that sells for 600 is basicaly the same gun. Cost was saved by importing frames. Somethng im not a fan of and reason enough for me to buy a trojan. But if your comparing it to rock island and tauras guns they are imported too as are springfields.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:33:29 AM »

thanks , do they make a 38 super ?

major257 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2007, 11:58:33 PM »

I have Charles Daly that seems to work just fine for me. I am still getting used to it but so far no problems. I don't know what they get for a new one but I paid well under 5 bills for this one in like new condition.

williamlayton · « **Reply #25 on:** June 16, 2007, 12:26:29 AM »

STI is a small manufacturing operation in Georgetown, Texas. This was, originally, an association with SVI but that fell apart.
STI started building race guns. Frames and components are first class.
I own two, Trojans. They make a classic single six also.
Wring all of them out, test their mettle, you bet.
You can get them in 9MM, .38 Super, 9X23, .45.
Fit and finish are good--hate the plastic grips, but I have never had a pair of factory grips I cared for--from anyone---especially SIG.
They make a long-slide, commander and several specialty guns.
They rank right up there with SIG in out of the box reliability and accuracy.
You can easily order and converse with them or there are two local dealers, Brazos custom and Dawson Precision (who I use) and these boys know what they are doing.
I have a friend who was given a race gun built by Dave Dawson for his birthday--he loves it.
SVI will allow you to build a gun to specs and I would love one but the STI does the job I want for less,
Blessings

Myron_Holley · « **Reply #26 on:** June 24, 2007, 04:33:56 AM »

Quote from: lonewolf5348 on April 27, 2007, 11:33:25 AM

I stop at bass pro today and did check out the Taurus 45 ,was speaking the gentleman behind the counter about 45's.I myself seem to like it but then again the only draw back was the rear sight,was wondering if there are any aftermarket type of sight that can be upgraded?
I don't understand the front white dot and the one white dot on the rear blade,anyone have any comment on the factory sights?

It is the Number 8 sight. You put the white dot under the front white and then on target. Works very well.

Myron_Holley · « **Reply #27 on:** June 24, 2007, 04:45:36 AM »

I took a chance and bought one off the pt 1911. Liked the feel of it. We My sons and I try'ed every type of ammo we could think of with reloads to boot. Worked perfect. Chunk of wood size of my arm from wrist up to elbow at 25 yards and chewed it up. Went to Texas and visited a friend there following week. Went to the range for spot on spot test. Again used any type of ammo with now jam. At 25 yards out of box was 2 inches to left and 3 inches low for exact pistol rest. Accuracye test. Adjusted sight and shot 24 rounds of different manufacture and all were with in my palm of hand. That was 8 same ammo. Each group was the same. shift for hight in different types of ammo of course. And I have small hands. So am very happy with it. Thats out of the box.

Myron_Holley · « **Reply #28 on:** June 24, 2007, 04:46:36 AM »

that was NO jam typo

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:08:50 AM »

I just went and did it today and purcased a 1911 mil-spec springfield 45 cal.seem the decision was tuff to make due only reason was I also held a real nice taurus 1911 side by side.The Taurus was super nice and tight as a drum had a lot of extra options ,seem it was the best one I seen so far on display.
The SA had the upgraded barrel and bushing up graded sights and like the dealer said the warranty it the best there is no questions asked don't even has to pay the shipping springfield takes care of it all the way..
The price was $599.00 for the SA and the taurus was $615.00 just could not see spending the extra $$ bucks for the taurus,hope I made the right choice