which 1911 to get?

dljor · March 31, 2015, 11:41 AM

I am addicted. Want to get a 1911.

The two I am looking at now sr1911 and range officer from Springfield. You can probably tell my price range - 700-800.

Should I consider a few others? I prefer full size 5" barrel.

Do you think 9mm is a better caliber? I won't shoot this a lot. Just something to appreciate.

Also, blued or stainless? I think they both look cool with wood grips.

Man, these are beautiful. I wish I didn't buy those tablets, cameras and spent money on these instead.

RickB · March 31, 2015, 11:55 AM

I'd go Springfield RO (that is, I did go Springfield RO), if you can get one in the $750 range. In my neck 'o the woods, they're closer to $900.
The RO comes only in parkerized finish, but it's well done; not beautiful, but good-looking in a rugged way.
I don't like 9mm in the 1911; it's a really big gun for such a small cartridge, and I still don't think 9mm 1911s run nearly as well as .45s.

BarryLee · March 31, 2015, 12:03 PM

I’d also go with the Springfield and stick with .45acp.

hartcreek · March 31, 2015, 12:10 PM

You might as well pick up a Star Model B while you can.

dljor · March 31, 2015, 12:44 PM

gallery of guns has range officer with gear package for $760 from my local dealer. This is the gun we are talking about, right?

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/D...f+Gear+Package

Colt GI model is priced similar with the RO. Is it better?

Remington R1 is cheaper at $600 with all the fees that I have to pay.

STAR super B is $250 + FFL fees and shipping. For me, it'll be $300 bucks for a used gun... Not sure if I'd want that to be my toy.

BarryLee · March 31, 2015, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Colt GI model is priced similar with the RO. Is it better?

Folks will debate all day as to whether the Colt brand is better than the SA or not. In this particular situation the SA is a higher end model, so you get more gun for the money with the SA.

Doubletapp · March 31, 2015, 01:13 PM

In that price range I would get the Ruger, it is the best bang for your buck

Navistar · March 31, 2015, 01:52 PM

I have the Ruger. No regrets

DaleA · March 31, 2015, 01:58 PM

Ruger SR22 or Springfield Range Officer?

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr1911/models.html

http://www.springfield-armory.com/pr...fficer-45-acp/

I don't think you can go wrong with either one but my nod would go to the adjustable sights Springfield Range Officer. I just think it's a nicer gun.

And get it in .45 ACP.

LOLBELL · March 31, 2015, 02:12 PM

I've had Colt, Springfield, American Classic, and now a Ruger. The Colt was passed down from a friend's widow, the Springfield cost he most, the American was the least expensive and a very cheap gun. Colt and Springfield would not cycle SWC or wide HP bullets. The Ruger has handled everything I've fed it without a glitch and is more accurate than I am. I paid $640 out the door for the Ruger. I'd look hard at the Ruger SR1911. With todays bluing I would go with stainless.

geetarman · March 31, 2015, 02:17 PM

The Ruger is available in .45 only I believe. I have both the full size and Commander size and the guns run fine. Great triggers.

I also have several 1911s in 9mm and they are even more fun than the .45s.

You probably cannot go wrong with either and if Ruger ever offers a 1911 in 9mm, I will snag one.

Banger357 · March 31, 2015, 03:02 PM

I have both. I love both. Fabulous guns. I've never really understood why someone would get a 1911 in a 9mm. That heavy, fairly large frame is optimized for a heavy round. In 9, you have more options for a higher capacity and/or a slimmer grip. You can still get the 1911 grip angle and similar features with some models (XDs have the grip angle, beaver tail safety, and double the capacity for instance).

Completely 100% based on opinion, I'd recommend the Springfield of the 2. They've got such a solid reputation for 1911s specifically and I personally think they're nicer to look at than the Ruger. But I think you'll be totally thrilled with either. If you wanted to look at others in the same price, I like Para... but that would be third place after the Ruger and the Springfield

btmj · March 31, 2015, 03:31 PM

When I was looking to buy a 1911, I was also looking at the springfield and the ruger SR1911... then a funny thing happened. I won an NRA rafle and got a Remington R1 for the cost of a $20 ticket. It's not what I was originally looking at, but this Remy is a really nice pistol. Very accurate. Feeds everything. Nice trigger. I am proud to own it.

So don't fail to take a good look at the Rem R1.

Jim

dljor · March 31, 2015, 04:07 PM

Sounds like Springfield Range Officer, SR1911 and Remington R1?

The Remington is probably 100-200 cheaper. Range officer is the most expensive among the bunch.

Blued is really that bad? I bought my Ruger Mark III in stainless, but I think I might be happy with a blued gun as well. The black, wood contrast is so beautiful.

JWT · March 31, 2015, 04:14 PM

The Ruger is a very nice gun for the price. Certainly way better than the Remington IMO. The Springfield is also a good gun.

I have both the full size and commander size Rugers and have been very satisfied with both. Never any kind of malfunction with either. Nice shooting, accurate with decent triggers right out of the box.

TfflHndn · March 31, 2015, 05:02 PM

Take a good look at the Remington R1 Enhanced. Adjustable sight, fiber optic front sight, and very good quality. I found one used (very little) for $650 and it shoots and feels like a thousand-dollar (or more) gun.

Microgunner · March 31, 2015, 05:25 PM

I've owned quite a few 1911s and have become a fan of the RIA offerings. I own three now and I believe I'm getting more pistol than the price would infer.
These things are decked out for $600 + - .

dljor · March 31, 2015, 07:10 PM

there's a ruger sr1911 full size for $670... tempted.

Shoot · March 31, 2015, 07:27 PM

I've never been able to justify buying a 1911, but man did that SR1911 feel good in my hand. None of the other brands fit nearly as well as the Ruger. But that was my hand, of course, not yours.

dljor · March 31, 2015, 07:32 PM

what? I thought one has to have at least one 1911. No?

mellow_c · March 31, 2015, 07:46 PM

Go to gunbroker.com and type in "Sig 1911"...

I've got a full sized Sig Scorpion 1911, I got it cheap, around $700+ brand new I love all the features (night sights too!) and mine has been 100% from day one. I love it! There are all kinds of good looking Sig 1911s now for reasonable prices.

If you don't like the idea of Sig for one reason or another, which I would understand, I'd say to go for the Springfield or the Ruger. I'd have a hard time deciding between the two. But if I had to chose I'd probably find a good deal on the SR1911 and then call it a day.

rodfac · March 31, 2015, 08:03 PM

The Range Officer has a great reputation among some folks on here I really respect...accuracy, good features, standard fit parts etc. I've not shot one but again, the rep. is there.

But all of that notwithstanding, I'd recommend a Ruger SR1911 or the CMD model, sometimes referred to as the Ruger Commander. Both are superb in the examples I personally own. They'll stand up to any of a dozen Colts I've owned over the past 50 years. Both of mine have been 100% reliable for me with over 5000 rounds now between them with any and all factory ammunition.

Another good choice that I have experience with is Sig's 1911 RCS...a Commander length piece with a grip length like the Officers model. It's an alloy framed gun, and carries like the original Colt Commander...about 26 oz. as I recall. MIne is every bit as accurate as the two Rugers mentioned above...sub 2" gps at 25 yds from rest are no trick with any of them. And this Sig comes with their version of tritium night sights...a big plus for any real carry piece in my opinion.

HTH's Rod

mellow_c · April 1, 2015, 01:36 AM

Just checked... I paid $777 out the door for my Sig Scorpion 1911. I got it new off of gunbroker.

Limnophile · April 1, 2015, 03:32 AM

I read an article a couple of years ago saying that Springfield made the best production 1911s.

J.Evans · April 1, 2015, 06:56 AM

Saw a blued Springfield "Loaded" on a forum for a little over $700. I paid $650 ,several yes ago for a stainless model. If you could find that...

March 31, 2015, 11:41 AM	#1
dljor Member Join Date: March 10, 2015 Posts: 58	which 1911 to get? I am addicted. Want to get a 1911. The two I am looking at now sr1911 and range officer from Springfield. You can probably tell my price range - 700-800. Should I consider a few others? I prefer full size 5" barrel. Do you think 9mm is a better caliber? I won't shoot this a lot. Just something to appreciate. Also, blued or stainless? I think they both look cool with wood grips. Man, these are beautiful. I wish I didn't buy those tablets, cameras and spent money on these instead.

March 31, 2015, 11:55 AM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I'd go Springfield RO (that is, I did go Springfield RO), if you can get one in the $750 range. In my neck 'o the woods, they're closer to $900. The RO comes only in parkerized finish, but it's well done; not beautiful, but good-looking in a rugged way. I don't like 9mm in the 1911; it's a really big gun for such a small cartridge, and I still don't think 9mm 1911s run nearly as well as .45s. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

March 31, 2015, 12:03 PM	#3
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	I’d also go with the Springfield and stick with .45acp. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

March 31, 2015, 12:44 PM	#5
dljor Member Join Date: March 10, 2015 Posts: 58	gallery of guns has range officer with gear package for $760 from my local dealer. This is the gun we are talking about, right? http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/D...f+Gear+Package Colt GI model is priced similar with the RO. Is it better? Remington R1 is cheaper at $600 with all the fees that I have to pay. STAR super B is $250 + FFL fees and shipping. For me, it'll be $300 bucks for a used gun... Not sure if I'd want that to be my toy. Last edited by dljor; March 31, 2015 at 12:50 PM.

March 31, 2015, 02:12 PM	#10
LOLBELL Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2010 Location: Fayette AL Posts: 226	I've had Colt, Springfield, American Classic, and now a Ruger. The Colt was passed down from a friend's widow, the Springfield cost he most, the American was the least expensive and a very cheap gun. Colt and Springfield would not cycle SWC or wide HP bullets. The Ruger has handled everything I've fed it without a glitch and is more accurate than I am. I paid $640 out the door for the Ruger. I'd look hard at the Ruger SR1911. With todays bluing I would go with stainless. __________________ Don't squat with your spurs on!!

March 31, 2015, 12:10 PM	#4
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	You might as well pick up a Star Model B while you can.

March 31, 2015, 01:13 PM	#7
Doubletapp Member Join Date: June 26, 2014 Posts: 46	In that price range I would get the Ruger, it is the best bang for your buck

March 31, 2015, 01:52 PM	#8
Navistar Member Join Date: January 27, 2015 Location: Denver CO Posts: 75	I have the Ruger. No regrets

March 31, 2015, 01:58 PM	#9
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	Ruger SR22 or Springfield Range Officer? http://www.ruger.com/products/sr1911/models.html http://www.springfield-armory.com/pr...fficer-45-acp/ I don't think you can go wrong with either one but my nod would go to the adjustable sights Springfield Range Officer. I just think it's a nicer gun. And get it in .45 ACP.

March 31, 2015, 02:17 PM	#11
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	The Ruger is available in .45 only I believe. I have both the full size and Commander size and the guns run fine. Great triggers. I also have several 1911s in 9mm and they are even more fun than the .45s. You probably cannot go wrong with either and if Ruger ever offers a 1911 in 9mm, I will snag one. __________________ Geetarman Carpe Cerveza

March 31, 2015, 03:02 PM	#12
Banger357 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2015 Posts: 109	I have both. I love both. Fabulous guns. I've never really understood why someone would get a 1911 in a 9mm. That heavy, fairly large frame is optimized for a heavy round. In 9, you have more options for a higher capacity and/or a slimmer grip. You can still get the 1911 grip angle and similar features with some models (XDs have the grip angle, beaver tail safety, and double the capacity for instance). Completely 100% based on opinion, I'd recommend the Springfield of the 2. They've got such a solid reputation for 1911s specifically and I personally think they're nicer to look at than the Ruger. But I think you'll be totally thrilled with either. If you wanted to look at others in the same price, I like Para... but that would be third place after the Ruger and the Springfield

March 31, 2015, 03:31 PM	#13
btmj Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2011 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 864	When I was looking to buy a 1911, I was also looking at the springfield and the ruger SR1911... then a funny thing happened. I won an NRA rafle and got a Remington R1 for the cost of a $20 ticket. It's not what I was originally looking at, but this Remy is a really nice pistol. Very accurate. Feeds everything. Nice trigger. I am proud to own it. So don't fail to take a good look at the Rem R1. Jim

March 31, 2015, 04:07 PM	#14
dljor Member Join Date: March 10, 2015 Posts: 58	Sounds like Springfield Range Officer, SR1911 and Remington R1? The Remington is probably 100-200 cheaper. Range officer is the most expensive among the bunch. Blued is really that bad? I bought my Ruger Mark III in stainless, but I think I might be happy with a blued gun as well. The black, wood contrast is so beautiful.

March 31, 2015, 04:14 PM	#15
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	The Ruger is a very nice gun for the price. Certainly way better than the Remington IMO. The Springfield is also a good gun. I have both the full size and commander size Rugers and have been very satisfied with both. Never any kind of malfunction with either. Nice shooting, accurate with decent triggers right out of the box.

March 31, 2015, 05:02 PM	#16
TfflHndn Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2013 Location: Gig Harbor WA Posts: 160	Take a good look at the Remington R1 Enhanced. Adjustable sight, fiber optic front sight, and very good quality. I found one used (very little) for $650 and it shoots and feels like a thousand-dollar (or more) gun.

March 31, 2015, 05:25 PM	#17
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I've owned quite a few 1911s and have become a fan of the RIA offerings. I own three now and I believe I'm getting more pistol than the price would infer. These things are decked out for $600 + - . __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

March 31, 2015, 07:10 PM	#18
dljor Member Join Date: March 10, 2015 Posts: 58	there's a ruger sr1911 full size for $670... tempted.

March 31, 2015, 07:27 PM	#19
Shoot Member Join Date: March 21, 2015 Posts: 19	I've never been able to justify buying a 1911, but man did that SR1911 feel good in my hand. None of the other brands fit nearly as well as the Ruger. But that was my hand, of course, not yours.

March 31, 2015, 07:32 PM	#20
dljor Member Join Date: March 10, 2015 Posts: 58	what? I thought one has to have at least one 1911. No?

March 31, 2015, 07:46 PM	#21
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Go to gunbroker.com and type in "Sig 1911"... I've got a full sized Sig Scorpion 1911, I got it cheap, around $700+ brand new I love all the features (night sights too!) and mine has been 100% from day one. I love it! There are all kinds of good looking Sig 1911s now for reasonable prices. If you don't like the idea of Sig for one reason or another, which I would understand, I'd say to go for the Springfield or the Ruger. I'd have a hard time deciding between the two. But if I had to chose I'd probably find a good deal on the SR1911 and then call it a day.

March 31, 2015, 08:03 PM	#22
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	The Range Officer has a great reputation among some folks on here I really respect...accuracy, good features, standard fit parts etc. I've not shot one but again, the rep. is there. But all of that notwithstanding, I'd recommend a Ruger SR1911 or the CMD model, sometimes referred to as the Ruger Commander. Both are superb in the examples I personally own. They'll stand up to any of a dozen Colts I've owned over the past 50 years. Both of mine have been 100% reliable for me with over 5000 rounds now between them with any and all factory ammunition. Another good choice that I have experience with is Sig's 1911 RCS...a Commander length piece with a grip length like the Officers model. It's an alloy framed gun, and carries like the original Colt Commander...about 26 oz. as I recall. MIne is every bit as accurate as the two Rugers mentioned above...sub 2" gps at 25 yds from rest are no trick with any of them. And this Sig comes with their version of tritium night sights...a big plus for any real carry piece in my opinion. HTH's Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

April 1, 2015, 01:36 AM	#23
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Just checked... I paid $777 out the door for my Sig Scorpion 1911. I got it new off of gunbroker.

April 1, 2015, 03:32 AM	#24
Limnophile Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Location: Issaquah, Washington Posts: 1,032	I read an article a couple of years ago saying that Springfield made the best production 1911s.

April 1, 2015, 06:56 AM	#25
J.Evans Junior Member Join Date: July 4, 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 6	Saw a blued Springfield "Loaded" on a forum for a little over $700. I paid $650 ,several yes ago for a stainless model. If you could find that...