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Old August 11, 2013, 10:23 PM   #1
loc123
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First 1911

I'm looking for my first 1911 (besides my sig 238)

I'm not a collector and want something I can shoot and have bedside.

I know the price range is huge on 1911's so what kinda the best bang for the buck.

Seems like colt is popular as well as Springfield?

$1000 range or I'm fine with used.

Last edited by loc123; August 11, 2013 at 11:13 PM.
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Old August 11, 2013, 10:32 PM   #2
NESHOOTER
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Depending on your wallet, Para is not a bad investment.
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Old August 11, 2013, 10:38 PM   #3
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First 1911

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Originally Posted by NESHOOTER View Post
Depending on your wallet, Para is not a bad investment.
Para's can be more problematic than others, and my experiences seeing them in competition agree with what I have heard.

Springfield makes some nice 1911s however. I like their Loaded models. Colt is also a good choice, I carry a Colt Lightweight Commander). Some people dislike Kimber for one reason or another, but I have never found them to be any less reliable or more prone to breakage than other 1911s in the ~$1000 price range.

Sig and S&W make 1911s for about that price as well that function well, but some people don't like the external extractor.

Last edited by allaroundhunter; August 11, 2013 at 10:47 PM.
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Old August 11, 2013, 10:45 PM   #4
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First 1911

I've had first hand experience with Para and well, their customer service is second to none. I had to use it plenty.

I now have a Springfield Range Officer that I feel is the most gun for the money available right now comparing other guns at a similar price point.

I have never owned a Colt 1911 as I don't think their prices are justified but you'll have 100 people tell you to buy one. Springfield's loaded model or range officer or TRP would be my recommendations depending on what you are looking for exactly.
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Old August 12, 2013, 12:16 AM   #5
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+1 to Ripnbst recommendation.

IMhO the Springfield Range Officer should get serious consideration as to features and quality verses price. That said if the gun is for conceal carry I would have other recommendations.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=27

A very good reference for 1911 pistols is:
http://www.1911addicts.com/showthrea...u-1911-addicts
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Old August 12, 2013, 12:30 AM   #6
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My first gun and first 1911 is a Ruger SR1911. Stainless, series 70, I think it's a great gun for the money.

I've had some work done on mine. Part of me doesn't like spending extra on a cheap gun. But then part of me doesn't feel bad taking the money I saved buying a cheap gun and doing a little personalizing.


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Old August 12, 2013, 10:56 AM   #7
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$1000 will get you several models of Colt, so why look anywhere else?
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Old August 12, 2013, 11:13 AM   #8
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I agree with others have said about the Springfield Range Officer. I think it's a nice gun for the money. I paid $769 for mine new and I have had zero problems with it. It has a some features of more expensive guns at a more affordable price.
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Old August 13, 2013, 12:27 PM   #9
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Re: First 1911

Technically, the 238 is not a 1911. Similar in some ways and completely different in others.

In the $1K and under category here are my personal recommendations (I'm strictly a 1911 shooter):

1. Just about any Sig Sauer 1911
2. Kimber Stainless
3. Springfield Range Officer
4. Springfield Loaded
5. Used Colt (the sights on the standard models are terrible IMO)
6. Used STI Trojan

There are a lot of other choices, but I would much rather have one of those 6 choices over anything else. At least if my max budget is $1k.
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Old August 13, 2013, 01:00 PM   #10
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I just bought a Ruger SR1911 so I'm biased for you to go that way. It's a great gun and the price will almost certainly go up very soon. Remington R1 is in your price range and is also very nice (don't see a lot mentioned on here about that one), Springfield has a few in your price as well.
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Old August 13, 2013, 02:02 PM   #11
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Colt!
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Old August 13, 2013, 06:47 PM   #12
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First 1911

Quote:
Originally Posted by loc123 View Post
I'm looking for my first 1911 (besides my sig 238)

I'm not a collector and want something I can shoot and have bedside.

I know the price range is huge on 1911's so what kinda the best bang for the buck.

Seems like colt is popular as well as Springfield?

$1000 range or I'm fine with used.
Don't buy a Colt unless you want to have to send it in and wait at least 3 months for them to get it working right.
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Old August 13, 2013, 09:57 PM   #13
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$1000 will get you several models of Colt, so why look anywhere else?
^^^ THIS!!!



My Government XSE:

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Old August 13, 2013, 10:10 PM   #14
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For the price the Ruger and the Springfield and you have a few hundred for ammo! No Knock against Colt.
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Old August 13, 2013, 10:54 PM   #15
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''As the OP did not state he is shooting competition''

I have had zero issues with my Para Elite Pro S.S. as I have more than one of these.... just saying fit and finish is outstanding I have no need for their cust service... as with all things 1k will open up many many choices... now just who has them is another thing.
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Old August 14, 2013, 09:05 AM   #16
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SA Mil Spec

Im a bit of a purist so I chose the Mil Spec . !0 years and thousands of rounds. Springfield Armory has the best warranty in the business and the mil spec is a true series 70 so none of the firing pin lock stuff. Tis is a reproduction of a weapon as Browning designed it which has lived through 2 world wars, Korea and Vietnam. It is MY bedside weapon. Hope my 2 cents helped
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Old August 14, 2013, 09:16 AM   #17
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Poor baby. You suffer from an abundance of choices.

There are a lot of good firearms out there that fit your specifications.

Whichever one you choose, you'll find a couple of people (at least) who will tell you, sometimes in great detail, where you went wrong .

I've owned a couple of Para Ordnance 3" models, (Slim Hawg and an LDA Carry which I still have). I never had a problem with either.

I own a Springfield Mil-Spec which has also been flawless; a great gun.

I own several Colts which have never caused me a problem.

None of this means anything statistically as the numbers are too small.

Buy yourself a Colt and have a (minor, admitted) work of art and an American Tradition.

Best,

Will
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Old August 14, 2013, 12:20 PM   #18
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1. RIA Tactical
2. STI Spartan
3. Springfield Loaded
4. Springfield Range Officer
5. STI Trojan
6. So many other choices.

So many choices. 9mm if it does not have to be .45.
I prefer 9mm - cheaper ammo with less recoil.
SS will look new longer.
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Old August 14, 2013, 02:10 PM   #19
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Match up the 238...

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Old August 14, 2013, 05:11 PM   #20
Fishbed77
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Quote:
For the price the Ruger and the Springfield and you have a few hundred for ammo! No Knock against Colt.
The ~$200-250 premium for a Colt over those brands buys you an American-made (Springers in that price range are Brazilian), forged (Rugers have cast frames) 1911 that will hold it's value better than all others. Today's Colts also exhit a higher degree of hand-fitting than most other mass-produced brands. It's a small premium to pay when you are already spending that much for a firearm.
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Old August 14, 2013, 05:46 PM   #21
loc123
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OK colt what one? I like the 3 dot sights.
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Old August 14, 2013, 05:48 PM   #22
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http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/Colt...ite%C2%AE.aspx

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Old August 14, 2013, 06:22 PM   #23
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The biggest drawback to Colts is they are a PITA to find. You'll probably have to buy online and have it shipped to a local gun shop. My Colt Rail Gun came with the three dot/Novak/Heinie style (not sure which they are) sights.
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Old August 14, 2013, 10:30 PM   #24
Fishbed77
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Quote:
Don't buy a Colt unless you want to have to send it in and wait at least 3 months for them to get it working right.
Nonsense.

Thanks to a serious investment in some hi-tech CNC milling equipment combined with much more hand-fitting and craftsmanship than you find in most mass-produced 1911s these days, Colt in making some of the best pistols in their entire history these days. The XSE I've pictured above has been 100% reliable with every load I've ever fired from it, and the fit & finish is as good or better than any 1911 you will find in its price range.

Quote:
The biggest drawback to Colts is they are a PITA to find. You'll probably have to buy online and have it shipped to a local gun shop. My Colt Rail Gun came with the three dot/Novak/Heinie style (not sure which they are) sights.
Colts aren't necessarily hard to find here (there is one larger local gunshop here that always has several under the counter), but they never last long, and finding the exact model you want can be tough. It took me almost 18 months of looking for my stainless XSE (with 3-dot Novak sights) to show up locally.
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Old August 15, 2013, 09:17 AM   #25
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FWIW, my first and only (for now) 1911 is a RIA Tactical in 9mm. I recommend it. It's been great and the trigger is much better than expected for a less expensive 1911. 9mm is cheaper to shoot and at it's price you'll have about $500 for ammo left over.

The Loaded, and Rugers seem nice for the $. I've also got a friend with an Kimber Custom II, stainless, and it's a nice gun for the money IMO.

One thing about 1911s is you've got choices!
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