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Old February 7, 2013, 01:30 AM   #1
k9cougar
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Best and worst 1911 between $500 - $1000

I am looking to pick up my first 1911. Willing to spend between $500 - $1000. So.......
What 1911, in this price range would you recommend, and, if you have the time, why?
What 1911, in this price range, should I stay away from and, if you have the time, why?

Your advice and counsel is appreciated..
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Old February 7, 2013, 01:35 AM   #2
9mm
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Stay away Taurus.
I bought Springfield 1911 mil spec SS model, very nice gun for the price $750.
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Old February 7, 2013, 04:15 AM   #3
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I have a basic Springfield in stainless, nothing fancy and it has worked flawlessly with factory and handload ammo. Even in hot powder fine dusty conditions when other guns were jamming.

This would be my starting point and then see if I could find something even nicer. I bought mine used several years ago for $450.

At $1,000 I would consider a Colt. I was out browsing yesterday and pretty sure I saw several Colts in the $1,000-$1,200 range.

I don't know their quality these days but in that range of yours were Remington, S&W, Kimber, Springfield to name a few
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Old February 7, 2013, 06:01 AM   #4
shuler13
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STI makes two fine 1911s in your range. The Spartan can be picked up for $650 and the Trojan for $1000. The Spartan IMO is the best package for the price. I own the Spartan and it comes with some of the more popular upgrades with great fit and fantastic trigger.
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Old February 7, 2013, 06:42 AM   #5
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The Springfield Armory Range Officer has several nice upgrades from the Mil-Spec, and should still be well under $1K.

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Old February 7, 2013, 09:17 AM   #6
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Check out the sig 1911s. I have the base model XO. The gun is fitted very tight. Nice gun, accurate and reliable. As a bonus it also come with front strap checkering. I paid $760 for mine. Here's where I got it. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=257865

Last edited by railroader; February 7, 2013 at 09:28 AM.
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Old February 7, 2013, 10:02 AM   #7
Bob C
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My experience with Springfield Armory 1911's has been that they require minor tweaking and/or replacement of a part or two, and then they run great.

My experience with the Remington R1's has been that they run great out of the box.

YMMV!
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Old February 7, 2013, 10:42 AM   #8
Fishbed77
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Best at $1000? Colt Govenment XSE:




That said, I'd like to pick up a Springfield Armory Range Officer one day.
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Old February 7, 2013, 11:35 AM   #9
loose_holster_dan
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sti would be my pick.

kimber and taurus are brands to stay away from.
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Old February 7, 2013, 11:36 AM   #10
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Colt, SIG, Springfield, Kimber, etc.
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Old February 7, 2013, 12:00 PM   #11
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Springfield Loaded (any model really) gets my vote.
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Old February 7, 2013, 12:05 PM   #12
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I have the Para Ordnance GI Expert -- love it. Took a few rounds with a few FTE's (only with the factory mags), but once it got past that first range trip, it's fed flawlessly. Nicely appointed gun and very affordable. Very good sights.

I had the Springfield GI, which I traded in a fit of stupidity a few years ago. it was a very good gun, too. Sights were poor, as is to be expected on a GI type, but the gun ran flawlessly out of the box, and was a lot of fun to shoot. Occasionally would eject straight up, putting a hot piece of brass on your head, but other than that it was good. Nice to look at, too.
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Old February 7, 2013, 12:19 PM   #13
RickB
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The price range of $500-$1000 covers so much ground in the 1911 world, that your question would be like asking, "What's the best car for $20,000-$150,000?"
There is no such thing as a "good, cheap" 1911, but that doesn't mean there aren't good ones that don't cost $1000.
I think the Springfield Range Officer is a great deal, in the $800 price range. I even saw one locally for $820, and I'm used to seeing guns priced 25% more here, than just about anywhere else.
A similar gun, at a lower price point, is the STI Spartan. Most of the same "features", and done well, but less expensive.
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Old February 7, 2013, 12:35 PM   #14
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My gold-trimmed SS Taurus 1911 looks great and works just fine. $700 at Academy.
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Old February 7, 2013, 12:57 PM   #15
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Anything from Smith and Wesson in their cheaper line. They never get enough credit for their accuracy, reliability, and value. I have a 1911PD 4 1/4. Beautiful gun, accurate, light, and about $850. Super trigger I might add.
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Old February 7, 2013, 02:34 PM   #16
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Find a Colt Series 70 in .45 or 9mm, you'll not be unhappy.
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Old February 7, 2013, 03:43 PM   #17
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Springfield, Sig, Colt, S&W.

I've personally seen too many (two so far) Taurus 1911's fail on their first shot out of the box (even after a cleaning) to ever recommend it.
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Old February 7, 2013, 04:36 PM   #18
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I picked up this Ruger SR1911 a few weeks ago, looks and shoots great...love it, got it for $699.

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Old February 7, 2013, 06:45 PM   #19
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For a little over a grand, I recommend the SIG Model TTT: accurate, reliable, checkering on the back-strap as well as the front of the grip, no slop in the fit and comes with some really nifty compact, but adjustable, night sights. The best bang for the buck out there, imo.
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Old February 7, 2013, 06:47 PM   #20
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If you can find them, older model Dan Wesson's can be had for that price.
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Old February 7, 2013, 07:08 PM   #21
RonR6
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what do you think of a Citidel 1911 for a basic 45. http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...tte-black.html
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Old February 7, 2013, 07:16 PM   #22
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The Ruger SR1911 is a great gun for the price. Mine has been flawless. Very accurate, nice shooter. Very nice finish and fit for it's price range.
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Old February 7, 2013, 10:51 PM   #23
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I would suggest something in the Springfield or Sig line of 1911's. There are several choices for either in your price range with these two companies. I have both a Springfield GI and a Sig Carry Scorpion that have both performed flawlesly with wilson combat mags. The Sig is one of the most accurate out of the box 1911's that I have shot.

I would stay away from anything Taurus made as I have never seen one in person that worked properly. I have seen a lot go back to the factory multiple times and still have problems.
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Old February 7, 2013, 11:15 PM   #24
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Well, a buddy of mine just bought the Taurus PT1911 .45 rail gun, blued, and I just bought the Springfield Mil-Spec .45, blued. We both paid around $650, so they are on the lower end of your budget. When they come in and we take them for a spin I will let you know what we think of them.

EDIT: I suppose since a whole lot hasn't been said about the Remington R1, I will throw in what I know based on LIMITED experience (dry-firing and handling at LGS). The R1 does look nice, and feels pretty good in the hand. The one I handled had a tiny bit of wiggle in the slide and the trigger felt a little stiff. I would not be upset with it if it were my only option, but in the end I was swayed to the Springfield for the following reasons (whether they're important or not is your own opinion to form):

Lifetime warranty vs 2 years on Remington
Forged slide, frame and barrel on Springfield (R1 has a cast frame)
Series 70 on Springfield vs Series 80 on R1
I felt that the lettering style on the slide and the lighter colored trigger made the Remington look less GI. By comparison, the MODEL 1911-A1 CAL. 45 on the slide of the Springfield seems more GI style.

If everything else is pointless to you, maybe the lifetime warranty means something.

Last edited by TheDoubleDeuce; February 7, 2013 at 11:32 PM.
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Old February 8, 2013, 12:39 AM   #25
DaleA
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If you are looking for a range gun or one for home defense then I would agree with the folk recommending the Springfield Range Officer. It has the features I like (like adjustable sights) and has a reputation as a solid shooter without the bells and whistles that would drive the price up.

If you are looking for a ccw gun then I would suggest something else.
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