New 45 Help: Poly or Cheaper 1911?

[tolesy]

I am after a new toy. This will be my first .45 and since I am on a lower budget I have limited my choices to a polymer gun or a less expensive 1911 pistol. My LGS has a Rock Island Tactical for around $500.

I am not oposed to plastic guns as my favorite gun that I own is an M&P 9mm.

What are your thoughts?

[ttarp]

I've shot a RugerSR9 that was a real pleasure, they recently released the SR45, might be worth looking into, just throwing it out there. Can't go wrong with a Rock Island Armory, if you don't have a 1911 I'd give that some serious thought.

[shaunpain]

Para has 1911s for around that in the GI models. I had one and loved that gun. They used to be GI Expert and now just Expert, with a few different features. While they are not by any means real GIs, they have a couple of more modern and desirable features, they are also certainly no frills. Sarco has some old Argentinian Colts for exactly prices if you want something true GI and possibly a bluing project! Either way, a fun problem to have right now so good luck and enjoy!

[horselips]

RIA, SR45, or find a Webley MK.VI.

I prefer the 1911 platform for its multiple safeties. The Ruger SR45 has a frame safety also. I would also look into a CZ75 platform like a Baby Eagle. For absolutely the most fun, and bragging rights at the range, buy an AMT Longslide Hardballer. It's literally the p@rn star of .45's.

[ranchito457]

In the long run I think you'll be happier with a 1911..
I have multiples of each and for me nothing beats a 1911...

[DaleA]

The 1911 ‘old slab sides’ .45 ACP definitely has a certain mystique about it and if you want to find out what all the 1911 fuss is about or have an interest in military firearms then your choice is obvious.

My personal favorite 1911 for non-ccw is the Springfield Armory Range Officer.

If you just want something to throw a .45 slug at something then I guess there are cheaper, higher capacity options out there for you that might suit your needs better, Glock or (shudder) Hi Point.

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

Glock
http://us.glock.com/products/model/g21gen4

Hi-Point
http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/hand...uns_45acp.html

[loose_holster_dan]

huge fan of the springfield xdm. great trigger, great accuracy, huge capacity.

[qwiksdraw]

If you come across a a MetroArms American Classic be sure to check it out, you will be quite impressed.

http://grabagun.com/handguns/semi-automatic.html

[Olympus]

You'll really enjoy the feel of shooting a 1911. Much more so than a plastic wonder pistol. The trigger alone is almost worth the choice.

[dalegribble]

I am a big fan of 1911's in 45 cal. I have a number of springfields, a colt, and a Taurus. I also have a Taurus pt 145 that I like very much. it is small about the size of a springfield champion, it holds 10 plus 1 rounds, it is very accurate and has been totally reliable.

[seeker_two]

Try shooting a 1911 before you buy. Some people love them, some don't care for the grip & thumb safeties.

You also know that S&W makes the M&P in .45ACP, right?.....

[CWKahrFan]

A lot of folks like their Rock Islands a lot!

I have a Metroarms Commander 1911 that I'm very happy with especially considering the price...

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/61672

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...+ACP+5%22+8%2B

Steel 45s weigh in the 40 oz. range... Polymers in the 32 oz. range.

Rugers are nice:

SR Series is affordable and adequate:

http://www.slickguns.com/product/rug...45-419-shipped

1911s highly regarded for the price:

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr1911/models.html

For Hi-cap polymer the FNX has a good rep:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...rip+BlackStain

[tahunua001]

in my opinion, budget brand 1911s are not worth it. I've fired rock islands and never liked them. I thought that's what all 1911s were like so I was adamantly opposed to ever getting one but then last year I rented a nicer springfield from my local range so I could burn through the rest of a box of 45 from another gun that I wasn't too fond of and the springfield as actually pretty good. I still prefer springfield XDMs and Ruger SR series(both polymers) to 1911s but there is a big difference between a Ruger SR1911 and a Citadel(made by the same people that make rock island armory).

if you're going to get a 1911 save up a little more for a remington, ruger or springfield. if you're going polymer then go out and try a beretta PX4 or a ruger SR45. I am partial to the springfield XDM but they average around $600 so they are slightly above your budget.

[Olympus]

The thing with budget 1911s are that they are a great way to get into a 1911 for relatively low money and you can start customizing them a little at a time. There's not much you can do to a plastic gun, but you can heavily modify a 1911.

The thing with RIA 1911s is that they are a gamble in terms of quality. I currently own 2 and have had 5 others in the past. 2 out of 7 were fantastic guns out of the box. RIA has great customer service and I actually sent one of mine back for some extra work. I was able to speak with a master gunsmith there who did a full trigger job with stoning and polishing for no charge. The gun is phenomenal now. It is definitely possible to turn a budget 1911 into something very nice.

[jmstr]

I have 4 1911s, and 2 plastic .45s. One of my 1911s is a RIA TACTICAL. It works great. For someone on a budget they can be a great buy: just be patient if you find a glitch. Their cust serv will make it right.

If you expect perfection out of a box every time, you aren't likely to find it in 1911s that cost under $1500. But a ruger sr346 should be cheaper with a lower likelyhood of issues.

I like my old Ruger P97dc, but it is discontinued, so parts are hard to find. And there are only sight and holster accessory options. Still, you might find a used one for $300 or less.

sent from tapatalk on Evo3G

[lee n. field]

and since I am on a lower budget I have limited my choices to a polymer gun or a less expensive 1911 pistol.

If you're on a budget, how are you going to pay for ammo?

[ttarp]

^ What kind of question is that? He picked an amount of money to set aside for a firearm.

[tolesy]

Thanks for all of the replies!

LEE, ^^ I have actually been stockpiling .45 ammo over the last month even though I do not currently own a weapon that will fire that round.

I handled the RIA 1911 Tactical today and did enjoy the way that it handled/felt. I fear that entering the .45 market with a 1911 will be a sick addiction that needs to be constantly fed... similar to my addiction for golf clubs (I think I have 4 complete sets)!

What options do I have for steel framed, non 1911, style pistols besides SIG and CZ?

Thanks for all the help and input!

[horselips]

Quote: > "What options do I have for steel framed, non 1911, style pistols besides SIG and CZ?"

Revolvers of course. Including among them, the king of combat handguns, the Webley MK.VI.

[jmstr]

well, first off, most SIG's are NOT steel framed: but aluminum. That leaves CZ, EAA Witness [cz clone] and various S&W 3rd generation handguns you can pick up used in all steel frames.

If you are willing to consider the aluminum framed all-metal .45, you can also add used Ruger P90s [looks like a tank: functional but not svelte], almost all Sig offerings, and there may be a Beretta or something like that in this mix.

It seems most steel-framed .45s are 1911-platforms.


Do you want a hammer or a striker? You can get hammer-fired polymer frame and steel frame .45s. You can't get striker fired metal-framed .45s [to the best of my knowledge: PLEASE correct factual errors here, I want to learn too]. Almost all striker fired .45s are polymer framed.

You are very right. The RIA Tactical could fuel a taste for the good stuff.

I have one, and three other 1911s. I'd love to collect more, but fear my wife would put me in the dog house, and it gets up to 110 here at times.

[qwiksdraw]

...I fear that entering the .45 market with a 1911 will be a sick addiction that needs to be constantly fed...

Oh it is, and there is no known cure for it either.

Sadly, it will end when they will literally have to pry your 1911 from your cold, dead hands.

[57K]

I wouldn't spend any less for a 1911 than a Ruger SR 1911 would cost.

The SR45 is easily your best option and will cost you less than $500.

[Nanuk]

With the price of ammo, a "budget" 1911 is really not a good deal. Consider for the price of a couple hundred rounds you can get a mid tier 1911.

[tahunua001]

If you expect perfection out of a box every time, you aren't likely to find it in 1911s that cost under $1500. But a ruger sr346 should be cheaper with a lower likelyhood of issues.

what on earth is an SR346? have I missed the introduction of some amazing new model?

[jamrock]

Sounds like your set on having a 1911 so I won't try to convince you on getting a poly .45.

Here is an article on entry 1911 by a leading 1911 expert.

Choosing Your First 1911, Some Thoughts For the Beginner
http://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=222