Hey guys. At first i was offended by seeing 1911s on the cover of EVERY magazine i buy, but the more i see of them the more i want one. They just look so sexy. I have read good things about a couple 1911s in the $400 range (Springfield, which is what i would probably go with, and High Standard). I hear they are actually very well built. So my question to you is, would a $500-or-so gun be decent enough to just have fun with? I wouldnt need it to save my life or be able to shoot a quarter out of my mother's hand from 50 yards or anything, just something relatively reliable and fun to shoot.
Get yourself a Springfield Mil-Spec and don't look back. Break it in with 230gr ball ammo for a couple hundred rounds. It will last a long time with very little to no trouble. Keep it cleaned and oiled and you can give it to your son some day.
The Rock Island Armory guys always jump me for complaining about the Phillipine guns. But, I gotta say - go buy a Springfield Mil Spec. That is a great gun. Still has decent sights w/ white dots - and it has everything ya need to begin with. I woukd avoid anything cheaper, if I were U.
So what are the prices of some of these you suggest? I dont really want to spend 2 grand, or not really even 1 grand on it, i just want the look of the 1911 and some decent reliablility, if thats possible.
You can get a Mil Spec (1911A1) for about $500. I have shot one and form a bullseye stand point. It is decently accurate. almost as accurate as my Kimber TLE II. At 35 yds, It'll group about 4 or 5 inches. And, it'll eat anything you feed it. I even got it to feed my light target loads (700 fps 200 gr lead semi wadcutter). For the money you can't beat it!
You can also get a S&W 1911 with lots of bells and whistles for around 700 to 750. I hear people loving their Tarus 1911's but if it's your first one stick with the springfield or S&W.
Got to agree with the others. From what you say you're looking for right now, you won't be able to beat the Springy Mil-Spec. And if you want to trick it out later, you can add anything you want. :smt033
Hey guys thanks again for the input. Sounds like the Springfield Mil Spec is just what im looking for. Im new to the 1911 so I'll have to learn what all "bells and whistles" are out there later.
Most of the bells and whistles are just cosmetic. Skeletonized hammer and trigger for example. My first 1911 was a stainless mil spec i bought in 1997 for $450. I slowly had parts changed out by a local smith.
Only thing worth doing that's non cosmetic is to get some night sights or better sights for it maybe - but the stock ones aren't too bad. It's the cheaper GI models that have the sad sights. The Mil Spec ones come with somewhat decent white dot sights.
You have already gotten great advice about getting a Mil-Spec 1911........and then later you can add premium parts if you desire. Most well known brand names make a safe 1911 frame that you can work with. My favorite is Par-Ordinance 1911's if you are on a tight budget and want to stay under $600.
The 1911 design is a simple, straight forward, and proven semi-auto. That's why so many people will buy one and tinker by adding parts to make it look bad-*ss or parts that will improve function. A simple fact is........the 1911 is an inherently accurate weapon. The slow moving and heavy projectile is easily controlled by the shooter because of the moderate recoil of the action.
It is true about what you have said.............. it seems everyone has gotten into the act of offering some version of this old time favorite. There is a reason for that -- plain and simple, the design is a proven winner and has been for more than 60 years !! Beware !! Buying a 1911 is like eating a potato chip .......... you can never stop with eating just one :mrgreen:
With those cheapo guns you may get a good one and you may not. Years from now I doubt you would be happy you bought the ultra low end. I don't have any first hand experiance with the mil-spec, but these guys know what they are talking about. The other option is picking up a quality gun used, but if you don't have a lot of 1911 familiarity I'd say you are safer buying new than trying to evaluate the condition of a used gun or at least you have to be prepared to pay for some parts replacement on top of the purchase price if needed.
Springfield has a great warranty, but I've heard different things about their willingness to actually correctly diagnose and fix a problem when they happen.
Anyone got any experiences to share regarding Springfield's service department?
Well I think every one on target with the Springfield. I had a RIA Commander for 2 weeks. I could never like the recoil system I don't want to use a paper clip to field strip. yes I could have changed out recoil system.. It shot ball well hated HP here again I could have fixed. I just couldn't warm up so it went By By and another Colt joined family.
So start with the Springer and move over to Colt as you pick up more and more 1911's They sort of grow .
Before I 'upgraded' to my Para Ordinance Covert Carry LDA, I had a wonderful little Springfield Mil Spec 3.5". Handled JHP without a bobble, and had good sights to boot. In fact, the dealer I traded it to for my Covert Carry took the Springfield for his own - carries it daily. Great gun.
Oh ok. Then how does the GI model stack up against the Mil-Spec? I saw a GI model at the gun store and I really like the way it looks. Is the Mil-Spec better?
Oh ok. Then how does the GI model stack up against the Mil-Spec? I saw a GI model at the gun store and I really like the way it looks. Is the Mil-Spec better?
The Milspec has some added features - the frame is beveled where the mag goes in, the sights are better and the ejection port if bigger.
I like the straight up and down lines of the GI, but like the added features of the mil spec. I'd get the mil spec if I were U. If U like the white dot sights, U need not do anything to it then
Cheers guys,
If you save up just a LITTLE more - you can get a Springer Stainless Loaded for $800 and change.
She's my first 1911A1 in .45. My wife shot her - and then told me that I'd have to buy another one 'cause "this one" was HER'S!
Warning on a "stainless" - make sure that your lube is up to snuff. Using MPro 7 oil, mine locked up after 50 rounds - gauling on the rails.
Sights? For $35 you can get a fiber optic front sight that is AMAZING! Lights up the front like a trip flare.
Can't wait, then by all means go for the mil-spec.
Cheers guys,
If you save up just a LITTLE more - you can get a Springer Stainless Loaded for $800 and change.
She's my first 1911A1 in .45. My wife shot her - and then told me that I'd have to buy another one 'cause "this one" was HER'S!
Taurus PT 1911 is the best bang for the buck right now
I built my own 1911 recently for the learning experience. But if I wanted to get into a 1911 and wanted to do it low-buck, the best choice out there is the Taurus PT 1911. It is made from forged steel and has a great fit and finish. You can get one new for less than $600.00 if you look on the net.
These guns have gotten great reviews in most of the big gun mags.
I just purchased a PT1911 on Friday, got it for 449.99 from Sportsmans warehouse. They average in price from 450-550 bucks. This is my first 1911, and I like it a lot. Looks good, and the few shots I've fired so far are all going well. ( less than 50, gonna fix that this week at the range). I was seriously considering a S&W, a Rock Island, and a Springfield, and you just can't beat the price for all the options you get on the Taurus. Yes, this is their first production 1911, but as far as I can tell, it is nice. I field stripped it from the factory ( it was dirty), and now looks great.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Handgun Forum
474.6K posts
37.9K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to handgun owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!