Affordable, reliable 1911

S

Shmackey

New member
Is there such a thing? I know that's a lot to ask for, and there's no simple answer. But I know that, for instance, CZ and Ruger make very affordable non-1911-style .45 pistols.

I guess what I'm looking for is a 1911 that's affordable and functional now--and that I can customize, accurize, etc. when it's time.
 
First and best choice: Kimber Classic

Also, you ought to look at Colt 1991s or XSE's -- they are better than ever as far as a basic 1911 is concerned.

I am not a big fan of Springfield 1911s (mine jammed all the time, Springfield could never get it fixed, and I ended up getting rid of it), but I think this is probably an exception, because a lot of people here seem to like them a lot. It just put a bad taste in my mouth for Springfield's and its probably not justifiable based on one gun.
 
Norinco 1911. If you can find one. Gunsamerca.com had a couple for sale at $400 or lower. The Norincos are good guns, i have 2, one stock, the other has been tweeked by the smith, both shoot great. The Norincos are, in my opinion, a good buy, and a good gun.
 
I just got my 2nd Sistema Colt. They were made in Argentina using Colt machinery and supervision. Basically, they are a pre-war Colt. I got both of mine from CDNN Investments for $299.00 each. The 1st one was in "ok" condition but, the 2nd one is in excellent condition. Just like a plain GI 45. Parts are completely interchangeable. The only bad thing about mine was the magazines that came with them. Total crap. Just buy some good mags and you're ready to go. Unless you prefer customizing 1st.
 
Now that's more like it. See, when I think Kimber or Springfield, I'm thinking of a pistol that already has some customizing done. I'd love to get a Kimber Classic, but it's a little out of my league.

CSAY, if you're interested in parting with one of your Colts, or you happen to know of some available, please email me:gregfeld@hotmail.com....thanks!
 
I purchased my second Safari Arms GI model 1911 a while back, and after 2500 rounds and not a single jam, I would say this is a good basic pistol to build on.
 
1. Norinco.

2. Argentine Colt or Sistema

Ex-GI guns are too valuable to work on. The new stuff is either expensive or poor quality or both.

Jim
 
Overall...

...I've had very good results with Springfield 1911's recently.

The "Loaded" models cost no more than base Colt 1991A1's and are 5 times the gun; my roomie's stainless "Loaded" is an absolute tackdriver and has thus far proven reliable with everything from ball to Gold Dots to MagTech Gold 185gr +P JHP's, right out of the box.
 
Whatever you do, be careful to avoid the Gun Show Specials. There you'll see lots of low-priced .45s assembled using a mix of GI and cheap commercial parts. The most common is one with a GI slide and an Essex frame. While some folks have been able to build decent guns using Essex frames, a lot more people have cobbled guns together from spare parts in an attempt to sell a complete firearm. I've seen more than one touted as a genuine "arsenal rebuilt" GI pistol. WRONGGGGG!
 
I recently passed up a used plain jane Colt at a local dealer for $397. I am still regretting it. I could not find anything mechanically wrong with it, and it had two Pachmeyer mags with it.

-10CFR:o
 
Norinco, if you can find one.

Sistema if you can't.

Charles Daly, possibly, but that's sort of a hit-or-miss thing as far as what you might get. Some (possibly even most) of them are quite good. Others, well, they aren't.
 
Norincos are great pistols, if you can find one.

Argentina Colts or Sistemas are fine too, the slides are a little soft however.

Perhaps the Kahr made Thompson/Auto Ord Mil-spec 1911s will be ok.

Springfield's Mil-spec pistol too.
 
I have had fabulous results with the Charles Daly Elperial grade that I bought for my wife about a year ago. It is unmodified except for the addition of a Hogue monogrip in place of the factory Rosewood :(
It has been 100% reliable, feeds everything without a hickup..even light loaded 185gr semi-wadcutters. It is quite a bit more accurate than I am with sub 2inch groups from a ransom-rest at 50 yards. It has all the bells and whistles you would expect on a full-hous custom 1911...ambi. extended safety, extended slide drop, flaired and lowered ejection port, polished and throted chamber and ramp, extended bevertail w/ memory bump, etc. its also a very attractive pistol, without the fit and finish flaws you would expect on a "budget" 1911. <that has always been a point of contention with me. I have quite a few pistols and revolvers from popular makers..S&W, Ruger, Baretta, Glock, etc that cost about the same as the Daly and they arent considered bargain basement...why?>
Just remeber to trash the Chip McCormic shooting star magazines that come with it. I had dismal feeding results with those. When I switched to Clark Custom Gun Works magazines I never had another reliability problem. Any magazine with the new style lip and beveled folower should work fine
 

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Oh Yea

A fully loaded Emperial Grade usualy goes for $450-500
the feild grade is about $300 I think. If I remember correctly, the only real difference is finish and grips.
 
Systema is my first choice, since it is completely interchangeable with the issue 1911A1, and the Norinco isn't. Breakin is the same as the issue guns, with maybe one difference: the magazine. Get a good mag (GI is great), put about 500 rounds through it, and you've got yourself one neat rock chucker.

JimV is right, some of the slides may be a little soft, but it shouldn't be a big deal. If it bothers you, you can get a Brazilian slide for about $50.00, and put it on. Mine is a lot harder than the Argentine slide, and only needs a refinishing job to look "...better than new."

Almost forgot. After FFL usage fees, etc., I paid less than $325 for mine.
 
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