1911 Suggestions

8

'88Scrat

New member
To be clear I already own a 1911, a Remington Rand that was manufactured in 1943 courtesy of my grandfather. Its a smooth running old warhorse that I have had zero issues with. But shooting it almost seems like an affront to piece of history so I'm looking for a 1911 style pistol that I can take to the range and run 10,000 rounds through without worrying about damage to the value (historical or monetary) of said pistol.

I've decided 2 things I want for sure; 1) I want it in stainless steel (I love the look:cool:) and 2) I don't want to break the bank, trying to keep it under $800 ($700 would be better but I'm flexable).

Right now the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec in Stainless Steel is the front runner but I'd like to know what else might be a good fit.

I'm sure this has been beat to death several times over but I figure new input is always the best source.

Thanks!
 
Whatever the following posters suggest, you'll be well served.

But just to be realistic and seeking quality, you might raise the stakes to
around $900.
 
The 1911 game is a dangerous game

First they will show you something by Rock [EDIT PER BELOW]Island Arms (or similiar). A serviceable pistol no doubt just lacking a little bit of refinement (for me the grip on the frame was too aggressive). Let's say your in the $600 range here.

Next they are going to show you something in the Ruger, Smith, Springfield line. Your still in your budget here but getting towards the top or just out of it.

Then comes a Colt. This is just a little out of your budget but it is a Colt.

Then they go to the case and show you a Dan Wesson or something of those lines. Your noticing your about three times what you started looking at.

Some dealers then pull something out of the Wilson case or something similar. "Am I buying a Kia?" starts to be a legitimate question.

In the end a 1911 is, for the most part, a 1911. Buy the one you are comfortable with from the manufacturer you are comfortable with. For me I wanted a 10MM and the Colt fit the bill very well - I reasoned since I am going to pass it to my kids it might as well be a Colt as not.

But... in the end its a dangerous game.

/Currently convincing myself I do not need a commander sized 9MM.... I see that failing in the long term.
 
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Rock River Arms will NOT be in the $600 range. I think Mr. Lohman meant Rock Island Armory (Armscor).

I don't think Rock Island has stainless, although they may offer nickel plated. For stainless and with the budget criteria, I'd look at Ruger.
 
Scrat, If you want a super cheap 1911 that will work, and function but want to be SUPER thrifty.... buy an American Tactical, or ATI for short. I have personally owned two separate ones. I sold the first and really regretted it, hence the second purchase. I also have Kimbers that run over the 1,000 dollar mark and the ATI shoots ALMOST, ALMOST just as well. For the 300 that can be spent on an ATI you can always deck it out later, and buy a butt ton of ammo with the extra cash. Hickok45 even did a 1,000 round Youtube video of one of these hidden gems.

Seriously, talk to an ATI owner and they will tell you the same basic thing. For a range gun, that is not going to be shown off they are perfect. But if you wanted to show it off you could do what i did to make it a little of a pimp piece. :D
 

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Rugers' 1911 offerings are very nice for the price. Well made, good shooters. And made in the USA.
 
Mil-Spec is a great choice.
Does it have to be .45? Bud's has some Colts for less than $800 in 9mm and .38 Super.
 
Rugers are a good choice..new at $700..Springfield is not bad either, but a bit more.


Colt is the next step up. New at $1050 and used at $900.


The next obvious step is the Dan Wesson Heritage used at $1000.
 
I'd definitely go Springfield MilSpec . Later, when your wallet has recovered, you could send it off to the Springfield Custom Shop and trick it out any way you like. That's what I did with mine a few years back. Thry do really nice work .
 
I have more Ruger firearms than any other brand. They are well designed, well made, reliable, accurate and good looking. My next firearm will probably be a Ruger SR1911 Standard.:)
 
The Ruger 1911s I have handled and fired are real nice.

I have owned several Kimbers and like them a lot. Excellent quality and reliability.

Traded away a real nice stainless Para Ordinance double stack "Limited" and really regret letting that one get away.

FWIW I own a couple of mil-spec 1911s, but really like carrying and shooting 1911s with commander style hammers and beaver tail safeties more. Little features like these can often be found on today's 1911s for little to no added cost.
 
I have a Remington R1 S a stainless no nonsense 1911 that has nice sights and checkered rosewood grips selling under $600 most places. It is not the same Remington Rand as your 1943 (a typewriter company----remember typewriters they went click, click and spelled words on paper and without a " print" button) this one has made firearms for two hundred years.
 
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