which one should I buy?

[JonD.]

I know I'll get many mixed opinions here, but if you were going to purchase a new economically priced 1911, which one would you guys buy? Thanks.

[superdown]

I only have one it's a Kimber eclipse custom II in 45acp and it is by far my favorite pistol i have ever owned it is very accurate i haven't had any problems with it so far (2000rnds).

[Preacherman]

RIA
Preacherman

[dracphelan]

Since I have owned without problems, I recommend a Rock Island Armory.

[1911crazy]

I recently purchased a new Auto-Ordnance Army WW2 copy 1911a1 and its been flawless so far.  I went looking for a S.A.M,  a Charles daly or an RIA but only found the new AO.  We hammered it with wolf 45acp ammo for about 500rds now and its been flawless, no jams or stovepipes. This proves we don't need to drop big dollars on a 1911 to get a good one.  My dealer had stacks of these for $389 at the time.  He also had the new G.I. Springfield too.  I had my choice between the two and i chose the AO first and went back a week later and got the springer G.I. for $425 too. My next 1911 purchase will be the Auto-Ordnance the better model with all the bells and whistles(larger sites).

[Hawkster]

                I have a Colt, Springfield and a Smith & Wesson. All of mine needed some break in time but they all shoot and function great. I shoot IDPA and I get to chat alot with others about how their 1911's were out of the box.

[SHOOTALL]

Colt has some less expensive guns out now , basic guns and they seem a bargin ! They are fitted tighter than the old ones , I have a 400 cor-bon bbl that droped in my old Colt series 80 - not so with either of the 2 new ones i have tried . If you ever have to sell it , well its a Colt ! forged frame and slide etc. might take less of a hit with it .

[Savage]

This topic keeps coming up. I always advise the first time 1911 buyer to spend a little more money and buy a 1911 with a decent beavertail, hammer and sights as an absolute minimum. The government mdl clones are nostalgic, but not the best choice for a shooter due to the lack of the afore mentioned amenities. If you buy the GM clone, and plan to use it as a shooter, it will cost more to upgrade than the cost of a pistol that comes with these extras in the first place. Spend a little more up front, or spend a lot more later. The choice is yours.
Savage

[SHOOTALL]

some like um like JMB made um !

[Savage]

Most like theirs a little more refined than the original design. A lot of shooters new to the platform find that out afer the purchase that they do too. Must be the reason there's such a large market for aftermarket parts---------
Savage

[oldandslow]

You asked about "economically" priced 1911's. The Taurus PT 1911 is quite economical considering what you get. It has most of the bells and whistles of the higher priced versions available at a lot more affordable price. Of course you don't have the bragging rights associated with the names of the custom and semi-custom guns either.  That said, my grandson and I own PT 1911'S and love them. They shoot anything loaded in them, FMJ, HP, handloaded lead RN, and semi-wadcutters, both mild and factory velocity and never malfunction. Shooting from a benchrest my 70 series Colt Cup Nation Match will beat them in the accuracy department a little.

The only thing I would change is the rear sight to an adjustable although it hasn't been a problem. I just like adjustable sights. I know non adustables are supposed to be tougher than adjustable but I don't abuse my firearms enough for that to matter.

I know you will see a lot of negative posts about Taurus quality on this forum. I own three, PT 1911, PT 92, and a Gaucho in .45 Colt. None have had any problems and I haven't found the negative feeling about Taurus on other forums.

[Savage]

The PT 1911 is an excellent choice for an entry level 1911.
Savage

[SHOOTALL]

most ? never saw a chart as to such information being complied . The parts market is big and like a Chevy the 1911 is the cheapest to customise but that alone does not make all wish to do so .
For me i like it stock for the carry gun. no over sized buttons , extended anything , leave the grip safty stock no need to add a place to catch on a draw . If you want a game gun good , but less is better in a carry gun IMHO .

[Savage]

Shootall,
Don't know of any charts. But of the pistolleros I know and have know, none carry a 1911 in government configuration. Even Jeff Cooper said they need at minimum a good trigger and good sights. I stand by my statement that MOST 1911 shooters preffer those mods minimum on a working 1911. All based on my experience and observations. It would be amusing to see the data on how many GM are sold versus "Loaded" or otherwise modified 1911s. You're obviously happy with yours, so I'll assume it's a good choice for you. For me, and apparently most others, we'll have a few refinements, thank you.
Savage

[SHOOTALL]

for you yes as for most we will have to agree to disagree . most people buy them and seldom shoot them much less embellish them . you like myself most likely spend time with like minded people that shoot thus you see the upgrades but nither you nor i see even a modest number of the owners .
My point is the gun has and does work in original configuration and telling the new comer it doesn't is not fair to them or the gun . Every up grade comes at a cost . better sights even have a trade off .

its ok to disagree ! seems we both like the platform !

[Savage]

Shootall,
Well we agree that the 1911 is a great platform, and served well for many decades in it's original trim, and is still quite adequate for it's intended purpose. My point was: They can be purchased NIB with modifications that make them much better in that role. And-------it's cheaper to buy them the way you want them rather than buy the base model and change parts. I've done it both ways. That said: I usually shoot Glocks is competition! Forgive me John!!
Savage

[SHOOTALL]

Ok , my mistake so many drill people that they HAVE to mod. the new gun .  Guess we agree more than we thought !
the glock is still Browning lock up ! bet he would smile , can hear him now " whats plastic ? "

[Savage]

  Now ya got it!
Savage

[03A2]

I bought the springfield mil-spec and have been mostly happy with it, but if I was to do it over I would buy the cheapest springer I could find that came with a dovetail front sight.  The thing I really like about springfield is that they have no additional internal firing pin block dohickeys like most other major brands.   Also, after becoming a brownells junkie and swapping out various hammers, triggers, sears, mainspring housings, etc it would have been cheaper to simply buy what I wanted in the first place.  However, without trying all those different options I wouldn't have known what I liked.

[Lloyd Smale]

sti spartan

[v-man]

Don't neglect to take a look at the S&W 1911. In the mid range of price it's a heck of a well built gun.

[1911crazy]

New or used is the question?  I would never pass up a used norinco 1911a1 with its forged frame and slide.

In my area there are a lot of used pistols that were never shot, never seen the daylite and if they were shot they were shot very little.  You just have to look thru the batch of them to find that one jewel.

Seeing this it puts me on the fence of buying new again now too.  I have to look at my options and way the price tags too.

But i would still like to get one more new one with all the bells and whistles and i'm thinking of the new thompson 1911.  If not i'll buy a used one still in new condition and add what i want if it doesn't have what i want on it.  I just want the larger sites.

[JonD.]

Thanks a lot guys for your input. I drooled the other day at the local gun shop. He had a Kimber SS with a satin finish. It sure was nice, but it had nice price tag too--$1800. I don't shoot a lot, just lookin for something to plink with every once in while that will double as a self defense weapon. I don't go to shoots or anything. A 1911 is my favorite, but I may look at other auto pistols to fit my billfold.

[williamlayton]

Honestly, the first one is just a throw down. That just gets you hooked.
There will be many more too come.
Blessings

[His lordship.]

After wanting a 1911 for 20 years I bought a new RIA.  I am used to the limited GI sites as I shoot alot of historical guns.  With the cost of .45 ACP limiting my use of the gun, I chose to leave it alone as is, although I put better GI pattern grips on it.  Overall, the dove tail sites are my only complaint.  The GI Springfield and the Taurus make me nervous as the steel quality on those is open to question.  There have been some cracks with the rails on the Springers (made in Brazil), and anything Taurus is not on my purchase intentions.

My RIA has around 500 rounds put through it, very reliable gun, but did have 2 stove pipe jambs using Wolf ammo.  The steel case is obviously more rigid.  Have shot most brands through it and have been satisfied.  As I recall, RIA made a fancy model with better beavertail attachment and sites. 

[JonD.]

Honestly, the first one is just a throw down. That just gets you hooked.
There will be many more too come.
Blessings

Explain that to my wife...

[Heavy C]

You asked about "economically" priced 1911's. The Taurus PT 1911 is quite economical considering what you get. It has most of the bells and whistles of the higher priced versions available at a lot more affordable price. Of course you don't have the bragging rights associated with the names of the custom and semi-custom guns either. 

+1 if you are buying new.  If you are okay with a pre-owned gun; then you owe it to yourself to look at a Kimber.  My first 1911 was a used Kimber and I will swear by it - it's my carry gun.  I own 3 Kimber's now and one Taurus.

[torpedoman]

RIA
Preacherman

yep a fine, trouble free ,accurate firearm. fired a few wwb then started semi wadcutter handloads and hollow points and it feeds them all without a problem. great trigger light pull, very crisp,  clean let off, put pretty grips and trijicon sights and called it good.

[williamlayton]

JonD
I believe in honesty.
I will tell if asked.
I do not volunteer all information.
A good solid marriage is built on trust and the Hen has learned too trust that I will tell the truth---if she asks---, she has also learned that there are somethings she just doesn't ask.
I, also.
Blessings

[1911crazy]

Is there any affordable 1911a1's right now?  I'm seeing prices at $500 and over for a basic 1911.  Is there a low priced no frills/bells or whistles 1911 right now for a new shooter looking to get his foot in the door on his first 1911 purchase?

My first norinco was only $300 and my new Auto Ordnance army ww2 copy was only $389.  I'm not seeing these kind of prices anymore of course its a year or so later maybe 2 years. I've never seen prices change so quickly.