Thinking of a 1911

[TexAg]

I've owned one before, a Springfield GI stainless. I never warmed to it too much and sold it, too shiny, not a great trigger. Now I'm thinking of another, slightly higher grade potentially. I don't want a stainless finish, I do want reliability and durability, I don't want big ugly bill board rollmarks on the side or an easily scratched finish. I'm not looking to spend a fortune, $900 max I think. I've thought of rails and ultimately I don't think I want a rail on a 1911, I have Glocks for that. Night sites would be nice.
Candidates are:
Colt Competition
SIG XO or similar model
Ruger Nightwatchman
Colt 70 series
Any advice on these or similar models, or should I just spend the least and go for a Tisas?

[P71pilot]

I would say get a Colt or Springfield loaded/range officer. Whatever you get make sure you handle it first and check it out, make sure everything functions right and is fit correctly. Not too tight not too loose.

My opinion Really doesn't matter but I have not been impressed with sig 1911s nor ruger 1911s. I like kimber OK but there are alot of horror stories about them and my dad's is fit so tight it won't function without fresh lube like every 200rds. Very accurate though

[boatdoc173]

if you search the internet you can find a CZ 1911 that may suit your needs. They are basically Dan wessons with a cz name on them

[Brando1992]

I have been doing a lot of research on which 1911 I will get for my first one and I've finally narrowed it down. My list was very similar to yours:

Ruger sr1911
Ruger night watchman (sweet looking gun)
Colt Government competition (the one with the silly blue grips)
Springfield loaded
Springfield Range officer
Rock island ultra FS

I have handled them all quite a bit and rented and shot a few of them. The SR1911 in stainless is the one I've settled on. But I didn't want night sights and I wanted the best value I could get for the money. Mine will be for just range use. So my requirements were simply that it felt good, functioned well and was a series 70. The colt is great but the most expensive of my list, which ruled it out for me unfortunately. Between the Springfield loaded and range officer I decided the range officer would be a better choice for me, due to the target sights. So that ruled out the loaded. The night watchman had night sights which I didn't necessarily want. I do love the look of it though. the ambi safety on the rock island would catch on my hand due to a high grip. But that is the only thing that swayed me against the RIA. So between the ruger SR1911 and springfield RO. I ended up renting them both and simply shot the ruger much better than the springfield. Easy choice for me, I am going to a gun show this weekend to purchase the SR1911.

So all that to say, with your parameters I would buy the night watchman. It's a great gun, looks great, shoots great, looks awesome, fit and finish is great, It's a looker, trigger is nice for a factory trigger and did I mention how good it looks?

[TexAg]

I'm not really a fan of the adjustable sights on the RO, but I'll try and handle one, I know they've gotten great reviews.
I've actually thought of the CZ, but I'm not sure they're available anymore, but maybe I'll hunt one down. I'd probably be open to the Rock Island one too.

[RickB]

The RO is a nice piece, and a great value if you can get one in the $750 range that some report.
I don't "need" any more 1911s, but among those listed, I'd first check out the Colt Competition.

[Aguila Blanca]

If you weren't happy with a Springfield GI, I doubt you would be happy with a Tisas. You list some solid choices. I'd go with one of the Colts, if choosing from your list (or making my own list).

You might also consider a Rock Island Tactical.

[Hawg]

The newest Rock Islands don't have the billboard. You won't regret a RIA tactical.

[T. O'Heir]

"...not a great trigger..." All factory firearms require a trigger job.
If it doesn't say Colt on it, it's a clone. Had a Series 70 for 35 plus years myself.

[P71pilot]

If it doesn't say Colt on it, it's a clone. Had a Series 70 for 35 plus years myself.

This is a silly way of thinking. It's like saying any car you buy that isn't a Ford, is a clone. Just because Ford was the first to perfect the mass produced automobile with interchangeable parts. Or like saying that any AR15 that isn't an armalite, is a clone, because it is not made by the original manufacturer. Or like saying any AK that isn't an izhmash made example is a clone.

If Colt was the best of the best in their price range there wouldn't be several other companies thriving and doing so well competing against them.

Colt is known to cut corners on small silly things lately. They arent the king of 1911's just the first. It is brownings design anyways. Colt was just the major semi auto manufacturer at the time who could handle such a design on such a large scale

[rt11002003]

There's lots of 1911's out there, as we all know. The best I've found at approx. $1,000 are the SIG 45 1911 Target and the SIG 45 1911 MAXX. Super accurate and need no trigger work.

A price step up is STI and DW. I have three STI, love them all. Have the DW Guardian 9mm, shots 5 inches high. Other than that, a really nice gun.

A price notch down is a Springfield Range Officer 9mm. Mine needed $50 worth of trigger work by a local gunsmith. Great gun for less than $800!

[TfflHndn]

Take a look at the Remington R-1 Enhanced. Nice fit, finish and features, particularly the very nice trigger, at a good price. I got a slightly-used one for under $800. If you're willing to buy used, you can get a good bit more for your money. If I ever find he Sig Nightmare used, I'll have to get one. Good luck.

[redrick]

70 series Colt .

[tlm225]

Like you I previously had a Springfield 1911 and sold it. Within the past year I decided to go 1911 again. I looked at many models. Rented some at the range and fondled others in the gunshop. After several months of deliberation I went with the Ruger lightweight commander since it was to be a carry gun. No regrets so far. The only change I've made was to install a Greider short trigger. At some point in the future I'll buy another as a range gun, probably the Springfield Range Officer in .45.

[TexAg]

I borrowed my Dad's ORM Colt 1991 today. I actually cleaned it up before I shot it, it hadn't been shot in awhile and was quite dry looking. Only shot FMJ, but it ran great and has a nice factory trigger. Quite accurate too. Scratched that itch for a bit! I love the look of the CZ, I'm heavily considering it.

[EIGHTYDUECE]

Out of your list, I would go with a Colt Competition Model. That is my next purchase in the next few weeks.

I would also look into a blued Colt 1991.

[1969Colt1911]

Has that thing been shot? I have ammo and money for beer.

[1969Colt1911]

You talk 1991 is definitely my realm, my first gun was a 1991 stainless. I bought it used in 1999. Had it customized by a local(Elko, Nevada) gunsmith. Trigger job, night sights and reliability package. I sold that gun more profit than even a Python I bought and sold about 2010. I really don't miss either as a gun is a gun.

Anyway I bought another a blued a month later , got my Nevada drivers licence and it was on. I became a collector (got the license first out of order in story). I would shop gunworld daily, I'm not sure if that's correct. And I was talking on all the forums. I loved everything involved in anyway with the gun. I was a complete addict if it said 45 I had to have it.

Anyway I've had at least 5 1991s and bought a new one 3 weeks ago. I'll shoot it soon and remember. Nothing is so important to spend everything and get nothing back.

Ok my list of guns owned-2 stainless trophies,1917 Remington umc, 1968 gc, 2 s70 blues(not remakes), 380 something, 1916 commercial, ruger 22, RIA 45(current arsenal) , python 6" blue, 1991 Gov sts(Current arsenal), 1991 Gov sts, 1991 Gov Commander sts, 1991 Gov blue, Taurus 357.

So maybe I left something out but not that many guns. Sure seemed bigger stable when I had em all

[dakota1911]

Have a Ruger Night Watchman in CMD form. Good value if you want night sights.



I would vote for the Colt Series 70 if you can find one in your budget. You will want a blue one. Mine is in SS. Wanted one in SS since they never made the original in SS.

[1969Colt1911]

That's what it is this gun is 100 years old plus. I've always liked it since like 12 years old. If you like it get one, if you don't keep shopping like anything. I mostly like these in mostly one flavor 45 and mostly one maker Colt. But that doesn't mean nothing to nobody but me.

[1969Colt1911]

Dakota both your guns are cool never owned a Ruger Model super cool pal.