1911s in the $600 range?

[CM1021]

I'm thinking about picking up a Para GI expert ESP and I can get it for about $600 OTD...So i'm wondering if there's any other 1911s in this price range? This will be my first 1911 so frills and highend guns aren't really what I'm looking for as I don't know how I will shoot the pistol...Wouldn't mind spending +/- $100

[Sandman]

The sky is the limit my friend. I would put in the +100 and get a nice Springfield. You can also find used kimbers, springfields for about that. I have heard good things about rock island, but never have shot one.

[Lumber_Jack]

The sky is the limit my friend. I would put in the +100 and get a nice Springfield. You can also find used kimbers, springfields for about that. I have heard good things about rock island, but never have shot one.

+1 You've heard enough of my gas on other threads, but never underestimate the value of a used gun! I bought my first 1911, Kimber Eclipse Pro II, used for just a little more than your talkin. Its my EDC now

[Guest CK1]

(1) Buy STI Spartan (2) Do not look back.

[Guest eyescream]

(1) Buy STI Spartan (2) Do not look back.

What he said.

[CM1021]

Looked at the spartan looks pretty decent... what do springfields go for? I figured they were way outside my range so I didn't even look at them

[Jonnin]

1911|GI Champion with GI Package at my LGS is $570, springfield & new. There are a few models in that price range.

[Guest spoolie]

Springfield Range Officer fits that price range....very nice weapon.

[Lumber_Jack]

Springfield Range Officer fits that price range....very nice weapon.

CM, if you can get one of these, I would buy it any day over the PARA. Im not sure where the price falls though. The GI would be on the lower end of your price range but has the standard GI grip safety, not the beavertail.

EDIT: I see some on Gun Broker for $759, might call you LGS and see what they can get

Edited January 10, 2011 by Lumber_Jack

[CM1021]

The range officer looks nice but I love the loaded and some were on gunbroker for round 800 but idk if I'm really ready to drop that much on a pistol. Haha

[Dolomite_supafly]

For the money the STI Spartan's are decent and they hold their value well so when you sell it to upgrade, and yes you will, it will be easier to sell. Most of the Para I have seen for sale used are no where near the cost new. Not that they aren't decent guns but they just don't seem to hold their value like some other brands.

If you are planning on doing a lot of custom upgrades I would look at something a bit cheaper then install the parts you want. That way you don't have to settle for what the maker wanted you to have. It is also easier on the budget as the upgrades can be done as funds allow. It doesn't take a high dollar gun to have a accurate, reliable and nice looking gun. It does take sensible, quality upgrade parts. After all the STI Spartan is a worked over Rock Island Armory gun.

I really like my Metro Arms with the worth of $150 parts I installed bring the cost to a little over $600. I am able to do the work myself so I saved money there. I have no intentions of selling it so I didn't worry about resale value when I bought it. It didn't need the parts but I wanted to get rid of the MIM parts inside and it has been extremely accurate from the first shot. It shoots better than most guns in the same price range and even a bit more. The slide to frame fit is tighter than my Colt and the Metro shoots better as well. Most makers today are using MIM parts so you are not going to find one that doesn't use MIM until you get into the thousands of dollars spent or do the upgrades after you purchase the gun. Even spending a lot of money doesn't gurantee the gun you buy doesn't have MIM parts.

Whatever brand of 1911 you decide to get you will be amazed at the amount of customization that can be done. They are like the 10/22's of the pistol world and can become very addictive.

Dolomite

[Zeus]

+1 You've heard enough of my gas on other threads, but never underestimate the value of a used gun! I bought my first 1911, Kimber Eclipse Pro II, used for just a little more than your talkin. Its my EDC now

Me too.....well almost.

My first 1911 was a used (barely) Kimber Eclipse Custom II that I got for $600. Probably one of the best deals I've ever made.

Don't discount the used gun market. I've noticed that most used guns have been shot very little. That is unless you buy one from me. Then it's probably been shot like crazy.....lol But I haven't sold or traded a gun in some time. Do your homework and you'll be fine.

[clarky07]

For that price range I like the new remington r1 or a rock island for a bit cheaper.

[crossfire]

1911 Rock Island Match. Alot of gun for $600. Check out Bellshire on Gun Broker.