New to 1911 world. - Page 2

Olympus · September 9, 2013, 08:37 AM

Man there sure is are whole lot of opinions here. I hope the OP realizes this.

I shoot 1911s exclusively. I either own or have owned almost every single manufacturer at one point. I have a LOT of 1911 experience. If $800 is the maximum budget, it will be hard to find a Colt for that price. In a Colt, the Gold Cup and Combat Elite are my favorites. I find it funny that someone commented about the Kimbers having a Schwartz safety. Truth is a vast majority of current production 1911s have them. Not just Kimber. Colt has them as well.

Sig Sauer has probably the best bang for your buck in the $800 range. They are loaded with features like front strap checkering, night sights, target sights, bobtail models, etc. They make a fine mid-level 1911.

The Springfield Armory Range Officer is also a substantial contender in your price range. I sell them new for $750. So you can easily very one under $800. It's a competition-ready gun right out of the box.

People like the Ruger and are paying insane premiums for them, but there's no way I would pay more than $675 for them. At that price, they are easily the best option. But pay any price over that and my opinion is there are much better guns available.

America Classic really doesn't fit when you start comparing them to $700-$800 guns. The commander and officer guns were problematic when they first came out. Hopefully they've got the bugs worked out. These are more of a budget-minded gun. No comparison to $800 1911s.

Same with Rock Island. I've owned close to 10 different ones. Their quality is extremely hit or miss. I've had to send over half back for warranty work. They are definitely a budget model and no comparison to an $800 gun.

It would be difficult to find a Kimber for $800 or less. Maybe a Custom 2. I have 2 Kimbers and was impressed with both. Problem is you only get a 1 year warranty. So used guns will not qualify for a warranty likely.

**Aguila Blanca** · September 9, 2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olympus

I find it funny that someone commented about the Kimbers having a Schwartz [sic] safety. Truth is a vast majority of current production 1911s have them. Not just Kimber. Colt has them as well.

No, they don't.

Only two manufacturers currently use a version of the Swartz firing pin safety: Kimber, and Smith & Wesson.

Colt used (and developed) the Swartz firing pin safety before WW2. They stopped using it when the war broke out, and they never used it after the war. Colt later developed what is known as the "Series 80" firing pin safety. This differs from the Swartz design in that the Swartz firing pin block is released by depressing the grip safety. The Series 80 firing pin block is released only when the trigger is pulled. A great number of other manufacturers today (Para USA, Auto-Ordnance, SIG, Taurus, and others) use the Series 80 system, but only Kimber and S&W use the Swartz.

Olympus · September 9, 2013, 09:44 AM

Yes, I was getting the 2 mixed up. They are both firing pin blocks, just the disengagement method is different.

10mm4ever · September 9, 2013, 10:07 AM

Springer RO or Ruger SR1911......or get a RIA tactical and spend the rest on mags and ammo.

UncleEd · September 9, 2013, 01:29 PM

Juan,

I hope you've gotten the Ruger SR1911. You won't be unhappy with it.

When it was designed, Ruger came up with a gun that has nothing that you don't need, unless it's an ambi.

I like its firing pin system, i.e. heavy spring with titanium pin to negate accidental discharge if in the unlikely chance it should ever drop 4 feet to
its muzzle.

The only criticisms I've read about are a wiggly trigger (easy fix) and it seems early production the front sight was prone to sheer off. Ruger is fast in repairs and easy to work with.

I say this as a Colt fan but who has also gotten into the SR1911. And of all the Springers, I like the Range Officer the best for its value and features.

mukibetser · September 9, 2013, 01:52 PM

I also vote for a Sig 1911. Early models had a bad reputation, perhaps rightly so. More recent ones are great values, generally reliable by reputation, and great shooters. They also now make them with a traditional 1911 slide profile as opposed to the wider Sig 1911 profile (which is still available). My Sig 1911 Tac Ops traditional has been absolutely fantastic, without a hitch through 500 rounds - all for $800 (came with 5 magazines and a holster).

UncleEd · September 9, 2013, 02:24 PM

Mukibetser,

That Sig sounds like it might have been a "pre-owned" model for $800. I think that's dealer cost for a brand new one. Never heard of any 1911 coming with 5 mags, 2 being the norm.

But it certainly was a good deal. Congratulations!

RickB · September 9, 2013, 04:11 PM

In the $800 price range, I'd go Springfield Range Officer.

Doublea A · September 9, 2013, 06:52 PM

Get the SR1911 and you won't regret it. It is a straight shooter, reliable and accurate and you will still have some $$ for ammo.

tahunua001 · September 9, 2013, 07:03 PM

I suggest you go to 1911addicts.com. those guys really know their stuff and in the newbs section there is a very detailed writeup on 1911s as a whole.

MJFlores · September 9, 2013, 07:27 PM

I should point out that Ruger has raised the MSRP to $829. for the Ruger SR-1911. The days of buying a Ruger 1911 for around $650 are numbered and could be gone now. They could be selling for $800 and they'd be worth every penny. The shops around me are now at $700 to $750. I challenge you to find any 1911 for $750 that can hold a candle to the Ruger. Need I remind...the Ruger is a full stainless 1911, with Novak sights, and no firing pin block. They're incredible smooth, with a beautiful trigger, and are very accurate. I actually chose mine over much more expensive Colts and Sigs. I have no regrets.

Olympus · September 10, 2013, 08:15 AM

Ruger may have raised their MSRP, but dealer cost is still the same. Dealers marking these guns up incredibly high. Especially considering dealer cost on the Ruger is about $100 LESS than the stainless Taurus!

Ryu825 · September 11, 2013, 04:13 AM

For an old school style 1911 under 800 the Remington r1 is easily the prettiest IMO. Attachment 91726
This one is the talo version with a better finish and nicer grips and a match barrel. Idk how much this one is, but when I was supposed to be buying a regular one for $679 they handed me the nicer one. Whether it was good service or a mistake ill never know but ill take it

spacecoast · September 11, 2013, 04:36 AM

I bought my Range Officer for under $700 NIB. Great for competition with adjustable sights. Had a timed fire 95 the first time out with it.

Ryu825 · September 11, 2013, 04:40 AM

I was looking at a ruger 1911 the other day and it was a nice piece for $679 but when I saw this e series 1911 out the corner of my eye it was immediately put on layaway even tho I was only supposed to be looking

I don't think there is a better looking 1911 for $789 (under your budget!

). When I held the two in comparison the ruger went from nice maybe next time to meh whatever in a matter of seconds. Both slides felt unusually heavy, at least compared to the Remington in my previous post, but the fit, finish, trigger, and looks were so much nicer on the s&w. it also had front strap checkering and a slightly recessed trigger guard both of which the ruger lacked. Not knocking the ruger, but for just a hundred more dollars ill take the e series. And I did. Dammit

lol

September 9, 2013, 08:37 AM	#26
Olympus Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2008 Posts: 770	Re: New to 1911 world. Man there sure is are whole lot of opinions here. I hope the OP realizes this. I shoot 1911s exclusively. I either own or have owned almost every single manufacturer at one point. I have a LOT of 1911 experience. If $800 is the maximum budget, it will be hard to find a Colt for that price. In a Colt, the Gold Cup and Combat Elite are my favorites. I find it funny that someone commented about the Kimbers having a Schwartz safety. Truth is a vast majority of current production 1911s have them. Not just Kimber. Colt has them as well. Sig Sauer has probably the best bang for your buck in the $800 range. They are loaded with features like front strap checkering, night sights, target sights, bobtail models, etc. They make a fine mid-level 1911. The Springfield Armory Range Officer is also a substantial contender in your price range. I sell them new for $750. So you can easily very one under $800. It's a competition-ready gun right out of the box. People like the Ruger and are paying insane premiums for them, but there's no way I would pay more than $675 for them. At that price, they are easily the best option. But pay any price over that and my opinion is there are much better guns available. America Classic really doesn't fit when you start comparing them to $700-$800 guns. The commander and officer guns were problematic when they first came out. Hopefully they've got the bugs worked out. These are more of a budget-minded gun. No comparison to $800 1911s. Same with Rock Island. I've owned close to 10 different ones. Their quality is extremely hit or miss. I've had to send over half back for warranty work. They are definitely a budget model and no comparison to an $800 gun. It would be difficult to find a Kimber for $800 or less. Maybe a Custom 2. I have 2 Kimbers and was impressed with both. Problem is you only get a 1 year warranty. So used guns will not qualify for a warranty likely.

September 9, 2013, 09:44 AM	#28
Olympus Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2008 Posts: 770	Re: New to 1911 world. Yes, I was getting the 2 mixed up. They are both firing pin blocks, just the disengagement method is different.

September 9, 2013, 06:52 PM	#34
Doublea A Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2011 Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes. Posts: 132	Get the SR1911 and you won't regret it. It is a straight shooter, reliable and accurate and you will still have some $$ for ammo. __________________ [B]Future additions: Barret MRAD .338 Lapua.[B] Acquisition 2 Gen 3 Glock 19, 1 Gen 4 Glock 19, Daniel Defense V3 LW M4, Ruger SR1911, a Mossberg 500 and Remington 700 SPS AAC-SD. A fear of weapons is a sign of sexual retardation and emotional inmaturity.” Sigmund Freud

September 9, 2013, 07:03 PM	#35
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	I suggest you go to 1911addicts.com. those guys really know their stuff and in the newbs section there is a very detailed writeup on 1911s as a whole. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

September 10, 2013, 08:15 AM	#37
Olympus Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2008 Posts: 770	Re: New to 1911 world. Ruger may have raised their MSRP, but dealer cost is still the same. Dealers marking these guns up incredibly high. Especially considering dealer cost on the Ruger is about $100 LESS than the stainless Taurus!

September 9, 2013, 10:07 AM	#29
10mm4ever Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2005 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 808	Springer RO or Ruger SR1911......or get a RIA tactical and spend the rest on mags and ammo.

September 9, 2013, 01:29 PM	#30
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	Juan, I hope you've gotten the Ruger SR1911. You won't be unhappy with it. When it was designed, Ruger came up with a gun that has nothing that you don't need, unless it's an ambi. I like its firing pin system, i.e. heavy spring with titanium pin to negate accidental discharge if in the unlikely chance it should ever drop 4 feet to its muzzle. The only criticisms I've read about are a wiggly trigger (easy fix) and it seems early production the front sight was prone to sheer off. Ruger is fast in repairs and easy to work with. I say this as a Colt fan but who has also gotten into the SR1911. And of all the Springers, I like the Range Officer the best for its value and features.

September 9, 2013, 01:52 PM	#31
mukibetser Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2008 Posts: 225	I also vote for a Sig 1911. Early models had a bad reputation, perhaps rightly so. More recent ones are great values, generally reliable by reputation, and great shooters. They also now make them with a traditional 1911 slide profile as opposed to the wider Sig 1911 profile (which is still available). My Sig 1911 Tac Ops traditional has been absolutely fantastic, without a hitch through 500 rounds - all for $800 (came with 5 magazines and a holster).

September 9, 2013, 02:24 PM	#32
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	Mukibetser, That Sig sounds like it might have been a "pre-owned" model for $800. I think that's dealer cost for a brand new one. Never heard of any 1911 coming with 5 mags, 2 being the norm. But it certainly was a good deal. Congratulations!

September 9, 2013, 04:11 PM	#33
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	In the $800 price range, I'd go Springfield Range Officer.

September 9, 2013, 07:27 PM	#36
MJFlores Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 539	I should point out that Ruger has raised the MSRP to $829. for the Ruger SR-1911. The days of buying a Ruger 1911 for around $650 are numbered and could be gone now. They could be selling for $800 and they'd be worth every penny. The shops around me are now at $700 to $750. I challenge you to find any 1911 for $750 that can hold a candle to the Ruger. Need I remind...the Ruger is a full stainless 1911, with Novak sights, and no firing pin block. They're incredible smooth, with a beautiful trigger, and are very accurate. I actually chose mine over much more expensive Colts and Sigs. I have no regrets.

September 11, 2013, 04:13 AM	#38
Ryu825 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Posts: 215	For an old school style 1911 under 800 the Remington r1 is easily the prettiest IMO. Attachment 91726 This one is the talo version with a better finish and nicer grips and a match barrel. Idk how much this one is, but when I was supposed to be buying a regular one for $679 they handed me the nicer one. Whether it was good service or a mistake ill never know but ill take it Last edited by Ryu825; January 6, 2014 at 11:07 AM.

September 11, 2013, 04:36 AM	#39
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	I bought my Range Officer for under $700 NIB. Great for competition with adjustable sights. Had a timed fire 95 the first time out with it.

September 11, 2013, 04:40 AM	#40
Ryu825 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Posts: 215	I was looking at a ruger 1911 the other day and it was a nice piece for $679 but when I saw this e series 1911 out the corner of my eye it was immediately put on layaway even tho I was only supposed to be looking I don't think there is a better looking 1911 for $789 (under your budget!). When I held the two in comparison the ruger went from nice maybe next time to meh whatever in a matter of seconds. Both slides felt unusually heavy, at least compared to the Remington in my previous post, but the fit, finish, trigger, and looks were so much nicer on the s&w. it also had front strap checkering and a slightly recessed trigger guard both of which the ruger lacked. Not knocking the ruger, but for just a hundred more dollars ill take the e series. And I did. Dammit lol Last edited by Ryu825; January 6, 2014 at 11:07 AM.