Best Value For First 1911?

[mhl6493]

I'm thinking about getting my first 1911.  It won't be carried all, unless I sometimes decide to take it with me in a Day Planner type concealment holster.  It will mostly be a nightstand/just plain fun to shoot gun.  I'm looking for the most "bang for my buck" -- I want a nice, reliable pistol, but I don't want to pay a premium price for my first one.  I guess I'm mostly interested in the traditional-sized government model, but smaller models aren't out of the question either.  

 

I'm a relative newcomer to shooting compared to most of y'all here, so I'd love to get your recommendations.  You've helped me a great deal with questions I've had in the past.  So, which 1911's should I be considering?

[Bad_Bowtie]

Gonna be hard to beat the Ruger Sr1911 and the Springfield Range officer for a first 1911. You get alot of bang for your buck with either.


Alot of people seem to like the Rock Island 1911s also. Edited April 8, 2015 by Bad_Bowtie

[res308]

I've had experience with Springfield. Think it was a Loaded Model, but it's been more than 5 minutes ago, so I don't remember. Never had any issues with it though. I hear the Ruger SR1911 is a good one as well. I know that's not much help, but you're doing the right thing - do all the research you can before you jump in and go with this or that model. There's not much worse than buying a brand new or new-to-you gun and have it turn out to be a piece of junk. I've had it happen. You might narrow down to a few different brands and then really dig in on the research. Sometimes I'll look up videos of torture tests on certain models, and look up all the reviews I can.

Just so you know, once you buy one, pictures and range reports are mandatory. :)

[Joe357]

What is your price point and caliber? Edited April 8, 2015 by Joe357

[mhl6493]

What is your price point and caliber?

 

Caliber is .45.  Price point is probably somewhere in the $600 range, maybe up to $800 or so.  I'd maybe be even a little more flexible on that for the right pistol.

[hipower]

Rock Island Armory.

[Joe357]

RIA series 70 on the low end, Ruger series 70, Springfield series 70, but have a mainspring lock which is easily replaced. You would be in the $450.00 to $750.00 range. These would be good starters in my opinion. If you like stainless steel at a good price look at the Ruger. I think Springfield and RIA has stainless versions as well but at higher prices.

[JPR1959]

I was right there with you.  I really wanted a 1911, but had never shot one.  I finally rented a S&W at Nashville Armory.  My first shot was a bulls eye, so i was hooked.  At the low end of your price range, a Springfield or Ruger would be excellent choices.  When you get up into the upper ranges, it brings in Sig Sauers, S&Ws, and even Colt.

 

You need to decide if you want a standard mil spec weapon, or one with a lot of the goodies.  I ended up purchasing a Colt XSE for around $900 plus tax.  You can get mil spec Colts for around $700.  I just like the all blue 1911.  Good luck.

[jumprun13k]

I have to be honest, I have had the opportunity to check out quite a few of the new Rock Islands. I would have no problem buying any of them. In fact, I picked up a baby rock not too long ago. Its a very nice pistol. 

[JPR1959]

There is a Sig for sale in  the classifieds.  It's a beauty.

[Jct1911]

Another vote for Springfield, mil-spec in the $600 range, loaded model at $800 and the range officer in the middle. I bought 2 RO's, the first was that good.

[A.J. Holst]

My first 1911 was a metro arms commander. I think Dolo's go to handgun is a 5" Metro with all mim parts swapped to higher quality replacements.

Their line has expanded to include some pretty cool variants, many in your 450 - 800 price point.

Fwiw, my next 1911 style will be in 9mm

[Moped]

RIA, ATI or a Springfield Mil Spec.  These range from $400 to $600.  One of these one be perfect for a 1st 1911.

[none]

Gonna have to second th e Ruger SR1911. It out of the box ready to go.

[Garufa]

Rock Island.  You can buy a lot of ammo with the difference between that and the next pricing level of entry level 1911's

[DaveTN]

Ruger SR1911 is probably the best value out there right now. It’s a quality build, it’s accurate, and it’s not much more than the imports.

I’ve owned most flavors of American made 1911’s and currently own a Ruger SR1911 and an S&W SW1911. You really can’t go wrong with a Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Kimber, or the upper end of the Springfield line.

What is your nightstand gun now?

[R4MBO]

I like my Sig 1911

[Pete123]

I would vote against a mil spec.  Your budget will allow more than that.

 

I'm a Springfield guy.  I've had one for many years that is a tack driver.  I recently got a Springfield 1911 loaded and love it even more.

 

With current market pricing, the Springfield Loaded has models that are roughly $100 more than the Ruger.  In my view they are worth it.

 

Here is a good review on the Ruger, where a Ruger representative talks about how they approached this gun.

 

http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/the-ruger-sr1911-review/

 

Here is the review that sold me on the Springfield.

 

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/03/brad-kozak/gun-review-springfield-loaded-1911-a1/

 

Both of these pistols are reasonably below the $800 price point you mentioned.

[mhl6493]

What is your nightstand gun now?

 

A Glock 19.  The 1911 wouldn't totally replace the G19, but just add another option.  I know, those are 2 totally different platforms, and that isn't ideal.  I'm just attracted to the looks of the 1911...

Edited April 9, 2015 by mhl6493

[Pete123]

A Glock 19.  The 1911 wouldn't totally replace the G19, but just add another option.  I know, those are 2 totally different platforms, and that isn't ideal.  I'm just attacked to the looks of the 1911...

 

The 1911 is a real beauty.  Also, they are nice and heavy - a drawback if you carry it, but nice if you don't.  I also love the grip.  I don't know if the Glocks are more the 1911 style or the Luger style grips.  I definitely prefer the 1911 style.

[hipower]

Watch the GrabaGun site. I bought a Sig Nightmare there last year for 799. And have seen them priced like that again.

I know that's a bit above my RIA recommendation, lol; but I do favor the Sig 1911 pistols...a lot. Seems I have 3 of them, and that's down from 5.

But for an entry level 1911, the RIA is a very good gun. Might even look at the 9mm instead of the 45 in the RIA.

They are a blast to shoot.

[musicman]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_1807/products_id/71978/S%26W+SW1911+E-Series+8%2B1+45ACP+5%22

Awesome Smith under $800. This will be what I get for my first 1911. Depending on how the bonusing goes at work I hope to have it by the fall. I've done tons of research and looked at the Phillipine guns as well as the Sig, Ruger, Springfield, Kimber, Para, and Remington models. I've shot kodels from all the brands but Remington. It seems that moving up a couple hundred dollars from the bottom wrung generally provides a better/more crisp trigger and generally more refined slide to frame fit and smoothness. One surprise on the low end was a super sweet Metro Arms Classic a friend had; great crisp trigger with almost no creep incredibly smooth action. One huge disappointment was a Kimber Custom II with a terrible, gritty trigger with two little stops/jutters before breaking. Money and brand aren't everything, but I feel the chances of getting a nicer example generally increases with cost and reputation. Of course, check it out closely before filling out that 4473. ;-)

I'm an admitted Smithaholic so that's a huge portion of it, but it's also EASILY the most beautiful 1911 under $1k, imho. If I could double my money I'd look into a Dan Wesson bobtail.

[hipower]

If it were the version with the bobtail I'd agree with you buddy.

But I will agree on the Metro Arms Classic. Awesome looks (I got the hard chrome version), good fit, and mine has a great trigger...now.

Sam Hoster in Gallatin sorta tweaked it somewhat. lol

[JPR1959]

1911s are supposed to be blue, not stainless!

[mhl6493]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_1807/products_id/71978/S%26W+SW1911+E-Series+8%2B1+45ACP+5%22

Awesome Smith under $800. This will be what I get for my first 1911. Depending on how the bonusing goes at work I hope to have it by the fall. I've done tons of research and looked at the Phillipine guns as well as the Sig, Ruger, Springfield, Kimber, Para, and Remington models. I've shot kodels from all the brands but Remington. It seems that moving up a couple hundred dollars from the bottom wrung generally provides a better/more crisp trigger and generally more refined slide to frame fit and smoothness. One surprise on the low end was a super sweet Metro Arms Classic a friend had; great crisp trigger with almost no creep incredibly smooth action. One huge disappointment was a Kimber Custom II with a terrible, gritty trigger with two little stops/jutters before breaking. Money and brand aren't everything, but I feel the chances of getting a nicer example generally increases with cost and reputation. Of course, check it out closely before filling out that 4473. ;-)

I'm an admitted Smithaholic so that's a huge portion of it, but it's also EASILY the most beautiful 1911 under $1k, imho. If I could double my money I'd look into a Dan Wesson bobtail.

 

I must admit, that is one beautiful gun...