Author Topic: Looking for a 1911 my 1st I have 700.00 or less to spend so (Read 2974 times)

bigleo18 · « **on:** June 05, 2010, 05:17:49 PM »

can you all rank the top 6 makers in my price range and the gun needs to have a LH. safety on it and would like a 3 or 4 inch barrel also would like to know what to look for in upgrades to the gun. dont know much about the 1911 guns so all the info you all can give would be great.

FourBee · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2010, 05:47:22 PM »

May be hard to find a Springfield for less than that, but in reference to your post that would be a good starter for upgrade. Then there is the Rock Island that you could check out. They range around $400 and up. They are a good basic 1911.

drdougrx · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2010, 03:44:58 AM »

Auto Ords are about $500.

Jay, Tx · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2010, 09:07:41 AM »

Ditto, Look up Rock Island Armory 1911's. Nice pistols, especially for the money. I don't own one myself, yet. But know two people who do, and they are happy with them. And have seen good reviews of them as well.

FourBee · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2010, 09:42:13 AM »

Quote from: Jay, Tx on June 06, 2010, 09:07:41 AM

Ditto, Look up Rock Island Armory 1911's. Nice pistols, especially for the money. I don't own one myself, yet. But know two people who do, and they are happy with them. And have seen good reviews of them as well.

For sure; I've never seen so much expression of glee over a 1911 as I have of the men who's 1st is a Rock Island. I'm sure low cost has a lot to do with it, but then, they discover its good qualities and have to brag a little

.

Savage · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2010, 10:25:06 AM »

I have a RI "Tactical" 5". (Bought it as a favor from a friend needing money) Certainly not anything to brag about IMO. I suppose if I had never handled or owned a 1911 before it'd likely be an improvement over other pistols in it's price range. Better ergonomics and looks for sure. I have owned and used 1911s for 50yrs, and currently own several. I would recommend buying something in the $800-$1000 range from Colt, Kimber, STI, Springfield, Smith & Wesson, or even Taurus. In that price range you can get a 1911 with decent sights and controls that will perform as a quality pistol should. Lots of first time 1911 buyers buy the basic pistol only to find they need to replace many of the milspec parts to get what they really want in a 1911. To each his own, I guess.
Savage

Bigeasy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2010, 10:29:00 AM »

Yea, another vote for the Rock Island. Mine is the basic "military A-1" model with the parkerized finish. Paid about $350 if I remember right. About 800 or so rounds of mostly hard ball thru it without a jam. The skinny military type Iron sight were dead on from the factory. Seems very well made, close to my Kimbers and Colts. I have a Burris holo sight on it now, and its a fun & reliable gun. Unless you get a great deal on a used Kimber or Colt, this is a lot of gun for the money. They make several variations, including a model with an ambi safety (left side) and better sights for only a few bucks more. The Rock Island is the gun on the right. (Comes with wood grips) Leaves you enough left over for a couple extra magazines, a holster, and say 500 rounds of Winchester hard ball at Wally World at $34 per hundred.

Larry

Bitterroot Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2010, 04:48:03 PM »

Howdy,
My first was a bone stock Norinco 1911A1 that eats everything and launches it accurately. It was about $350, but that was a long time ago, and it doesn't have a left-hand safety.
I bought a new Taurus 1911 .38 Super in January. It is a LOT of gun for the money. The trigger is awesome, and the Novak sights are clear and easy to find. It is equipped with ambidextrous safety levers, which are okay, but can be a little much for carry. It was $525 and came with a bushing wrench and two magazines. Not the short Commander that you mentioned, but it is quite a nice pistol.

Bitterroot

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2010, 02:26:25 AM »

I bought a new Taurus 1911 .38 Super in January. It is a LOT of gun for the money.

I agree.

Savage

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2010, 12:46:42 PM »

if it were my 700 bucks and i was insisting on a new gun it would hands down be a sti spartan. Personaly with that much to spend id probably look for a lightly used colt or kimber.

Beans · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2010, 06:45:04 PM »

I have both a Rock island GI model with replaced sights (King Hardball fixed sights) and a Kahr Auto Ordnance which is a stock Gi model. I rate them up with my Colts except for resell value. I would not hesitate to rely on either for SD

v-man · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2010, 10:07:38 PM »

Don't forget the very nice basic 1911 that Para USA came out with a couple of years ago. It's well within your price range and my experience with the company and all their products is great.

dieselman · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2010, 06:03:45 PM »

Love my RIA as well, it shoots as good or better than I ever thought it would.

1911crazy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2010, 01:02:29 PM »

Quote from: drdougrx on June 06, 2010, 03:44:58 AM

Auto Ords are about $500.

I really like my new AO WW2 copy 1911a1. Right out of the box its been flawless. I know the price and availability is getting tough too. These are selling out as fast as AO can manufacture them from what i'm hearing.
Bill

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2010, 10:28:02 AM »

I've got a RIA Tactical and I'm pretty impressed with it. Very accurate, it came with extended beavertail, skeletonized hammer and trigger, ambi safety, and a sweet trigger just under 5 lbs.

MH

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2010, 10:36:58 AM »

Find a good used Colt or Kimber in your price range . Many of the less expensive guns work for a time but the parts in a better gun are well better . I have proven this to myself more than a few times . I see several people at every gun show sacking a nice 1911 to pick up some combat tupperware no where near the quality . Saw it with 44mags then revolvers when the wonder 9 arrived something new comes out and the rush is on .

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2010, 01:14:03 PM »

Actually, a very well respected gunsmith in our area has seen a rash of problems with the new Kimbers. His words, "If I was buying a new 1911 right now, it would be an American Classic, or a Rock Island." He has taken many apart, and has found that the RIAs are very well made.

MH

Keith L · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2010, 02:54:14 PM »

Quote from: Maryland Hunter on June 30, 2010, 01:14:03 PM

Actually, a very well respected gunsmith in our area has seen a rash of problems with the new Kimbers. His words, "If I was buying a new 1911 right now, it would be an American Classic, or a Rock Island." He has taken many apart, and has found that the RIAs are very well made.

MH

He is welcome to his opinion, but I will keep my Kimber. It is beautifully made and functions flawlessly.

Savage · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2010, 03:07:28 PM »

Quote from: Maryland Hunter on June 30, 2010, 01:14:03 PM

Actually, a very well respected gunsmith in our area has seen a rash of problems with the new Kimbers. His words, "If I was buying a new 1911 right now, it would be an American Classic, or a Rock Island." He has taken many apart, and has found that the RIAs are very well made.

MH

Hmmmmmmm. Just the opposite of my experiences and observations. In my area a new Kimber with problems would be returned to the factory for repairs. I have owned more than a few Kimbers, none with problems, and one RIA "Tactical". A search of this site should find my posts on the RIA. I will say that the majority of RIA owners who post on this forum like their pistols. It seems the average pistol owner who will likely shoot less than a couple boxes of ammo a month would be well served with one.
Savage

saddlebum · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2010, 07:29:24 PM »

http://www.gunsamerica.com/985051223/Guns/Pistols/Kimber-of-America-Pistols/CUSTOM_II_5_45_ACP.htm

I like mine so much that I wouldn't consider anything else.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2010, 02:32:26 AM »

My Kimber has been perfect as have the Colts I have owned , none of the problems some have .

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2010, 05:00:04 PM »

No offense meant to the Kimber owners out there. I was speaking more of the recent guns that have been put out, or at least what has been told to me. Maybe a bad parts supplier, or a QA issue, but I've heard it now from two different sources, and it seems to be a recent problem. Sorry, I should have clarified better.

MH

saddlebum · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2010, 05:20:34 PM »

Quote from: Maryland Hunter on July 01, 2010, 05:00:04 PM

No offense meant to the Kimber owners out there. I was speaking more of the recent guns that have been put out, or at least what has been told to me. Maybe a bad parts supplier, or a QA issue, but I've heard it now from two different sources, and it seems to be a recent problem. Sorry, I should have clarified better.

MH

No offense taken by this Kimber owner. Truth is you can get a bad one no matter what brand you buy. And I have seen some pretty shotty looking finishes on new Kimbers, so maybe there is a problem there. I don't know.
Mine is an early Kimber. Pre-firing pin safety. I would still buy another if for no other reason because I like the features on it best.....But thats just me.

Old post;

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,198596.msg1099034612.html#msg1099034612

torpedoman · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2010, 06:49:41 PM »

Quote from: FourBee on June 06, 2010, 09:42:13 AM

Quote from: Jay, Tx on June 06, 2010, 09:07:41 AM
Ditto, Look up Rock Island Armory 1911's. Nice pistols, especially for the money. I don't own one myself, yet. But know two people who do, and they are happy with them. And have seen good reviews of them as well.

For sure; I've never seen so much expression of glee over a 1911 as I have of the men who's 1st is a Rock Island. I'm sure low cost has a lot to do with it, but then, they discover its good qualities and have to brag a little .

Have 2 love them never a hiccup with either

Savage · « **Reply #24 on:** July 02, 2010, 01:47:01 AM »

Quote from: Maryland Hunter on July 01, 2010, 05:00:04 PM

No offense meant to the Kimber owners out there. I was speaking more of the recent guns that have been put out, or at least what has been told to me. Maybe a bad parts supplier, or a QA issue, but I've heard it now from two different sources, and it seems to be a recent problem. Sorry, I should have clarified better.

MH

No offense taken here either. The conventional internet wisdom is: "Repeated enough, any thing becomes the truth".
Savage

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** July 02, 2010, 03:10:27 AM »

Quote from: Maryland Hunter on July 01, 2010, 05:00:04 PM

No offense meant to the Kimber owners out there. I was speaking more of the recent guns that have been put out, or at least what has been told to me. Maybe a bad parts supplier, or a QA issue, but I've heard it now from two different sources, and it seems to be a recent problem. Sorry, I should have clarified better.

MH

None taken but be careful those selling other guns and parts may have other motives . The mechanic where i buy some trucks says Amszoil is not worth the money but since switching to it engines last longer and repair cost are down . He was the only one to lose really .

v-man · « **Reply #26 on:** July 02, 2010, 03:51:34 AM »

It's interesting to me how common it is to hear the high end brands of anything, Kimber, Leupold, etc. constantly being trashed. My experience is that most the critics are either dealers who don't sell that brand or consumers who can't or won't spend the extra dollars. Too often the anecdotal account of one person gets passed around like Holy Writ. If someone buys low end and has trouble it doesn't make a good story. Most will be too embarrassed to tell about the economy gun they bought that gave them problems, DUH. But when a high end brand has a problem it's instant headlines. I and 2 of my friends all carry the Ultra CDP II which may be the most ctiticized of the Kimbers and yet our experince is that it is a perfect piece of work in form and function. Mine is 9 years old and the other 2 are 5 and 2 yrs old. All of this is human nature of course and I''ve done it too. I just find it interesting and even a bit humorous. God Bless you all.

FourBee · « **Reply #27 on:** July 02, 2010, 04:50:25 AM »

Quote

But when a high end brand has a problem it's instant headlines.

The high end brands aren't fail proof, just better quality material incorporated into the product along with some refining labor. That makes for high cost to the consumer . So, I can see why a person would get hot-under-the-collar if his new high dollar weapon mal-functioned.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #28 on:** July 03, 2010, 02:42:06 AM »

well said and just for point i have own a cdp and had two at one time and they both were flawless running guns and the litte 3 inch gun would shoot groups that made a lot of 5 inch target guns green with envy. Ive owned a pile of 1911s through the years and out of the bunch kimbers have been hands down the best ready to go out of the box brand.

Quote from: v-man on July 02, 2010, 03:51:34 AM

It's interesting to me how common it is to hear the high end brands of anything, Kimber, Leupold, etc. constantly being trashed. My experience is that most the critics are either dealers who don't sell that brand or consumers who can't or won't spend the extra dollars. Too often the anecdotal account of one person gets passed around like Holy Writ. If someone buys low end and has trouble it doesn't make a good story. Most will be too embarrassed to tell about the economy gun they bought that gave them problems, DUH. But when a high end brand has a problem it's instant headlines. I and 2 of my friends all carry the Ultra CDP II which may be the most ctiticized of the Kimbers and yet our experince is that it is a perfect piece of work in form and function. Mine is 9 years old and the other 2 are 5 and 2 yrs old. All of this is human nature of course and I''ve done it too. I just find it interesting and even a bit humorous. God Bless you all.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #29 on:** July 06, 2010, 02:21:10 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on July 03, 2010, 02:42:06 AM

well said and just for point i have own a cdp and had two at one time and they both were flawless running guns and the litte 3 inch gun would shoot groups that made a lot of 5 inch target guns green with envy. Ive owned a pile of 1911s through the years and out of the bunch kimbers have been hands down the best ready to go out of the box brand.
Quote from: v-man on July 02, 2010, 03:51:34 AM
It's interesting to me how common it is to hear the high end brands of anything, Kimber, Leupold, etc. constantly being trashed. My experience is that most the critics are either dealers who don't sell that brand or consumers who can't or won't spend the extra dollars. Too often the anecdotal account of one person gets passed around like Holy Writ. If someone buys low end and has trouble it doesn't make a good story. Most will be too embarrassed to tell about the economy gun they bought that gave them problems, DUH. But when a high end brand has a problem it's instant headlines. I and 2 of my friends all carry the Ultra CDP II which may be the most ctiticized of the Kimbers and yet our experince is that it is a perfect piece of work in form and function. Mine is 9 years old and the other 2 are 5 and 2 yrs old. All of this is human nature of course and I''ve done it too. I just find it interesting and even a bit humorous. God Bless you all.

So true !