Ideas for a Poor man's 1911?

[Flashover2011]

I would love to have a 1911 and have been looking around for a basic 1911. I don't want anything fancy, nor do I want to pay a bucket load of cash. Problem is everytime I find a 1911 in any LGS around here it's a sig or it cost $1000. I want a 1911 that is ugly not pretty, rugged not prissy, something that I'm not afraid to lose. Any ideas would be great.. Sorry I know I'm cheap my budget is around five hundred.

[lamarw]

I would suggest you review the attached document. Then pickout a few which appeal to you and go look for them to get a hands on feeling. If possible, try to shoot them.

It is the most complete reference I have found on buying a 1911:

http://www.1911addicts.com/showthrea...u-1911-addicts

[ttarp]

Rock Island Armory has a pretty good reputation, and you could look at Auto Ordnance, though they've certainly had issues in the past mine hasn't had any problems as of yet.

[Rob228]

Maybe a Ruger or Remington once the buying craze fades out??

[jimbob86]

IMO, even a "Phillipino slag gun" 1911 beats the tar out of a plastic pistol of any make.

My first 1911 was a Charles Daly (made in ........ yep, the Phillipines!) and I still love it, despite the sub-$400 price tag.

[Te Anau]

Keep an eye open for anything made by Shooters Arms Manufacturing out of the Philippines.I think Aim Surplus had them recently under the "Metro Arms" name.

[Flashover2011]

None of you are willing to sell, huh?! Haha just kidding! Thanks for the advice. Are some like the rock islands and others able to be ordered from my LGS?

[Miata Mike]

I am thinking RIA first for cost, with maybe Taurus PT1911 second. I have the PT1911 and it has been flawless so far.

[wpsdlrg]

The great thing about a RIA 1911 (or any other standard 1911 frame) is that you can gut it... polish away any burrs, etc.... and then add back higher quality parts. As long as the basic frame and slide are dimensionally correct, you can essentially turn it into a "match grade" 1911. Perhaps not as pretty as an expensive model, but functionally every bit as good. The external appearance can be improved as well, if you choose to polish it and re-do the finish.

[jimbob86]

None of you are willing to sell, huh?!

Nope.

Are some like the rock islands and others able to be ordered from my LGS?

Your FFL Dealer should be able to order a gun for you ...... you may have to wait for the order to get filled .......

Gunbroker has a Charles Daly-

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=342759139

as does Armslist-

http://www.armslist.com/posts/134130...rles-daly-1911

Bud's has one for $300, used ......

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411545697

and a RIA Officers model-

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ers+1911+45acp

[Mausermolt]

i have a AO, ive put lots of parts into it but she has been around the block quite a few times. my brother has a Metro Arms, its a really nice pistol for the money also. Rock Islands can be found for around 500 new in the tactical model. llama are ok. some GI parts wont interchange tho which could end up being a problem. all of which are good guns. not GREAT, but for what you have described they would work perfectly.

i would recommend this personally:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411539799

[mxsailor803]

I've shot countless rounds through a RIA 1911. It wasn't mine but a buddies. For the money, they are extremely hard to beat. His was very accurate and even more reliable. I might try to find one eventually just to play around with.

[PatientWolf]

Around here I have seen a SA Mil-Spec for $569. RIA seems to be a good candidate for the money, for around 700, you can get a Remington SS or a Ruger. I'd go with either the SA for the price or the Ruger because it is a model 70 if you can stretch your budget.

I did find your comment that the ones you saw were either over $1000 or a Sig. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a Sig (in fact I have one). If the slide profile bothers you, you can get the Traditional series. If the external extractor bothers you, it is what it is and it's only a matter of aesthetics, not function. That said, the Sigs are more expensive than the ones I listed above.

[KMAX]

I have the Taurus PT1911 and have not had any problems wiith mine after several thousand rounds. My buddy hs the Rock Island 1911 and I have shot it several times. I like the three dot sights on my Taurus better, but I think the RIA is a very good value for a less than what I paid. I am not sure what the prices are now, but his was about $150 cheaper about 3 or 4 years ago. Neither has a very good resale value, however, so if you think you might want to resell it any time soon you might think about paying more for something with a better resale value. I don't plan on selling mine anytime soon.

[Hunter Customs]

I have customers that have RIA and AO 1911's, they seem to be decent for the price paid.
The RIA 1911 in 38 super can be picky on the ammo it will feed.

I would stay away from the new Reminton 1911's. The VIS in some of the frames is not up to spec ( they were machined wrong) and it will be a major cost to repair.

Never had a Taurus or Ruger on the bench so I can't give an honest opinion on them.
However if I was going to spend the money they cost I would buy a Springfield Mil-Spec.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

[jager.30-06]

Have carried mine daily for 2 years, gi model .45 aftermarket stainless slide release and safety custom grips, it has that weathered well used look to it and the best part.....an honest guess of around 4500 rounds and not one malfunction period...ever. around tulsa area just under 450 and the tactical version just under 500

[Technosavant]

Sig 1911s are quite good. Love both of mine.

I'll second the recommendation for the Remington, my R1911 is a nice piece as well.

On the extreme budget end, Rock Island is probably the best bet. The one I've experienced was definitely reflecting the price point (feed and extraction issues, some other annoyances), but most seem to have better experiences with those than I did.

[pilpens]

RIA 1911
keep in mind also - 9mm is cheaper than .45.

[jimbob86]

keep in mind also - 9mm is cheaper than .45.

.....but I can find .451/.452 bullets (for reloading) and large pistol primers on the shelf at several local establishments ..... I can not say the same for .355" projectiles and small pistol primers.

Loaded ammo for either is both spendy and scarce still.

Good thing I have 1911's in both calibers

[dsa1115]

This ATI Commander cost me $400 and the slide to frame fit is better than some 1911's that cost 3X. I'm still amazed at how well this ATI shoots and think these are an incredible deal for the money. I'm not that great of a shot but this is Winchester White Box at 12 yards.

[Aguila Blanca]

I would avoid Taurus. Too many bad guns coming out of that company, and warranty support is "iffy."

The three Philippine makers are all excellent: Armscor/Rock Island, Metro Arms (American Classic), and Shooters Arms manufacturing (American Tactical Imports). Rugers are also excellent and affordable. Right now, the best deal and the lowest price seems to be the Regent 100 from Turkey.

[JWT]

They're a bit more money, but the Ruger SR1911,s - both the standard size and the commander - are very nice and well made for the money. And they are made in the USA.

[EdInk]

Centerfire Systems had several under $500 ones on their site the other day.

[NJgunowner]

RIA, ATI, Springfield milspec once the prices normal out again.

[Old 454]

I have the RIA in the commander, shoots great.

Best thing about the RIA is there great shooters out of the box, Easy to up grade, Guarantee follows the gun not the owner, CS is really good and there not gonna break the bank buying one.