Calling 1911 fans!

[firespectrum]

I've always enjoyed shooting other peoples' 1911s and thought I'd like to have one. Unfortunately most of the people I talk to say they paid $1,000 + for theirs. This is simply not an option for me.

I'm looking for an affordable officer size or even a commander for daily carry. Can anyone point me in the direction of an affordable 1911 option? It doesn't need to be competition material, but it should be something I can trust with my life. Does something like that exist?

[Magi]

I bought a lightly accurized/customized Colt Combat Commander ... and I got it for $450 OTD. Great deals can still be found if you really look and/or are in the right place at the right time.



edit: it was a consignment piece at a well known gunshop...in San Diego.

[madmag]

You will probably get more opinions than you bargined for, but my answer is NO.

No you cannot get a Officers size 1911 for much under a $1000. You did not say full size, so that eliminates Taurus. It's easier to find full size 1911's for under a grand than Officer size.

I bought a lightly accurized/customized Colt Combat Commander ... and I got it for $450 OTD

Well, there you are, I guess I am wrong.

[dances with guns]

$900 will put one of these in your holster. never jams and is a total tac driver. it's a springer champion operator with a 4 inch barrel and alloy frame, great carry gun

[KyJim]

I cannot speak from personal experience but Armscor 1911s have a good reputation among budget 1911s. They build a basic, compact model. Here's a listing for one, though they are out of stock: http://www.thegunsource.com/item/417...45ACP_7RD.aspx

You might check around the Internet dealers and on www.gunbroker.com to find one in stock.

[firespectrum]

Wow Magi that's quite a find! I would think that that's an exception, but your point about looking hard enough and being a little lucky is well taken. I'm willing to stalk the gunshops, but luck as never been something I've had in abundance (nor is cash for that matter!).

I did look at the Taurus and that's what gave me hope that there might be a similar offering in an officer size.

Hate to derail the thread, but since I'm the OP...
Why are they so expensive? I'd think with so many different manufacturers making 1911s, competition would make prices a little lower.

And if you have the scoop on a 1911 deal I'm still all ears!

[KyJim]

Why are they so expensive? I'd think with so many different manufacturers making 1911s, competition would make prices a little lower.

The 1911 was designed in a different era. They consist of a number of small parts that have to all be manufactured. Then you have to hand assemble and, to some degree, hand fit the small parts. Even CNC machined parts will need some personal attention.

Competition does help keep the cost down. It also has spurred improvements and resulted in many options that previous generations never had outside a custom gunsmith.

[tjhands]

This is an EASY one.

I have an Officer's model STI Escort in .45acp which has has never given me any trouble whatsoever.

I paid over $1000 for it and am selling it for far less than that and am including free JHP ammo.

[firespectrum]

^^^

PM sent!

[HisSoldier]

Even CNC machined parts will need some personal attention.

The only reason I can think of as to why that would be is that the frame and other parts are from different sources or that QC is lax. It doesn't make sense that a company making its own parts couldn't make parts interchangeability. I know what you are talking about but I don't understand why other than tolerance stack.

[azredhawk44]

Any Springer Champion should take care of what you want.

GI Champions seem to run about $500 on gunbroker.
Loaded Champions seem to run about $700.
Operator Champions seem to run about $800.

Colt LW Commander XSE's can be had for about $900.
Regular basic Colt 1991 Commanders can be had around $700.

If you're really going to carry it, you don't want to go with ArmsCorp/Charles Daly/ and the other odd brands of 1911's. Stick with Colt, Springer, Kimber, S&W and Dan Wesson. Given your desire to keep the price low, I'd say Colt and Springfield are the two best choices to look at.

[Chalupa]

How about starting with a RIA 1911 and get something
better later?

I hear they are still good quality for the price they are.

[dances with guns]

GI Champions seem to run about $500 on gunbroker.

last i checked on budsgunshop, gi champions were $490. this was a week or 2 ago, not sure if they still have them.

[ElrodCod]

http://http://www.gunbroker.com/Auct...Item=149309541http://http://www.gunbroker.com/Auct...Item=149079409

http://http://www.gunbroker.com/Auct...Item=149142230

http://http://www.gunbroker.com/Auct...Item=148725134

http://http://www.thefiringline.com/...d.php?t=386603

http://http://www.gunbroker.com/Auct...Item=149398504

[44Magnum]

I second the GI Champion option. It's a basic, but very solid gun that can be upgraded later.

Your future upgrading options are pretty much limitless. This is a GI that was modified by a custom 1911 smith:

[skoro]

I'm looking for an affordable officer size or even a commander for daily carry.

The Colt New Agent and Defender are in your price range and have good reputations. I have two Colt 1911s; Government and Commander. They're outstanding.

[peaceful]

AZRedhawk said "If you're really going to carry it, you don't want to go with ArmsCorp/Charles Daly/ and the other odd brands of 1911's. Stick with Colt, Springer, Kimber, S&W and Dan Wesson. Given your desire to keep the price low, I'd say Colt and Springfield are the two best choices to look at.
Redhawk, Been on earth for a long time now and for the last 33yrs I've been carrying a Chas Daly 1911- I bought it brand new and then I sold my Commander that had been reworked and tuned up and it worked quite well.
I've probably shot 5 to 6,000 rounds and it only stovepiped on me once ( a defective reload) The cost back then was I believe around $250.00 the Colt was something like $450.00. Is mine a fluke? I think not as when I had the gunshop I sold probably125 of the Daly's in a couple of years.
Also tried a lot of the Llama 1911's and they were pretty good also. They made a 380 that looked like a mni 1911 and it was a superb little gun.
Of course I'm only talkking about the ones I sold way back then.
So I'm asking before you start flaming a particular brand, try it, it might be better than you think.
PS Back then Taurus was not a very reliable weapon, but a few months ago I tried a 24/7 in 45 ACP and found it is almost as good as my 1911 and I bought one.
Oh by the way I also have a US Postal Servie, International Harvester and a Singer all in 1911's. No I don't shoot them anymore- - but I used to and no they are not for sale.
Peaceful

[azredhawk44]

Redhawk, Been on earth for a long time now and for the last 33yrs I've been carrying a Chas Daly 1911- I bought it brand new and then I sold my Commander that had been reworked and tuned up and it worked quite well.
I've probably shot 5 to 6,000 rounds and it only stovepiped on me once ( a defective reload) The cost back then was I believe around $250.00 the Colt was something like $450.00. Is mine a fluke? I think not as when I had the gunshop I sold probably125 of the Daly's in a couple of years.
Also tried a lot of the Llama 1911's and they were pretty good also. They made a 380 that looked like a mni 1911 and it was a superb little gun.
Of course I'm only talkking about the ones I sold way back then.
So I'm asking before you start flaming a particular brand, try it, it might be better than you think.

I owned a Daly 1911. It was my first 1911 and turned me on to the design, but turned me off to substandard manufacturing. The slide to rail fit galled slightly when re-attaching the slide to the frame after cleaning. There was a hitch in it when the barrel would drop out of lockup.

It was "okay."

To that, I add:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...2&postcount=27

One of the moderators here (Capt Charlie) was responding to a "shots fired" call while on duty and had his safety fail on a Daly.

His words say it all:

Originally Posted by Capt Charlie

The Charles Dalys seem to be a hit or miss affair. Some get a well made pistol, and some get garbage. If you want a range gun or plinker, a failure has no serious consequences. If you're betting your life on it, the consequences couldn't get any more serious.

OP wants a carry gun. Not a range gun. It's unarguable that Springer/Colt/S&W/Kimber/DW have lower service return rates than Taurus/CD/Armscorp.

[Magi]

Wow Magi that's quite a find! I would think that that's an exception, but your point about looking hard enough and being a little lucky is well taken. I'm willing to stalk the gunshops, but luck as never been something I've had in abundance (nor is cash for that matter!).

It was quite the find, I will admit. But the dealer, who had finally had his fill of getting an earful from his wife for coming home yet again with another 'stray' Colt 1911, had just put this piece under the glass when I walked in to his store. Bar-Sto barrel, Krieger Accu-rails, and one of the sweetest trigger-job I have ever felt. I nearly jumped for joy when I saw the price tag. But instead, I quietly handed over my credit card.

And trust me, I have the WORST luck ever.

[dances with guns]

It was quite the find, I will admit. But the dealer, who had finally had his fill of getting an earful from his wife for coming home yet again with another 'stray' Colt 1911, had just put this piece under the glass when I walked in to his store. Bar-Sto barrel, Krieger Accu-rails, and one of the sweetest trigger-job I have ever felt. I nearly jumped for joy when I saw the price tag. But instead, I quietly handed over my credit card.

hey Magi, is it possible for you to post pics of the accurails? haven't seen those installed on a 1911 in years.

thanx