Best 1911 under $1400.

Maybe it's just me, but spending more $$$ on a 1911 doesn't necessary mean you'll get a more reliable gun. The odds are if you pick up a commonly available $600-800 1911, it will be just as reliable as the more expensive one. However, any 1911 can have problems. My Dan Wesson, which is a 2008 CZ owned PM7-45 had all sorts of problems both before and after it went back to the factory. I did get it fixed (myself) and now it is a great gun.

I would recommend picking a 1911 with the features you want. But I'd also recommend pressing Kimber for a new or correctly fixed gun. Being honest and taking a huge loss go hand in hand when selling a lemon.

Dan Wesson makes a good 1911, and the Springfield Range Officer offers a lot of value if you decide to take a step down in price.
 
I don't think it's been mentioned yet, so I'll throw in a vote for a S&W 1911 SC-E ($1300 retail, I think). I've had mine for several years now and I can't say enough good things about it. I had one issue early on with the slide release pin, but after I installed a WC version, the gun has been nearly completely reliable, and much more accurate than I am. The gun comes with a titanium firing pin, over-sized extractor and over-sized ejection port, a recessed muzzle to further protect the crown, as well as front and back strap checkering. It also comes with Trijicon night sights, skeletonized trigger, match grade barrel, and it's a round-butt, which just feels better in my average-sized hands.

Oh, and it has a full-length recoil spring guide rod, but it does not require a tool of any kind to remove. In fact, the gun strips down just like any standard 1911.
 
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There are several different Dan Wesson models that can be had for that kind of money. I have Colts and i have Dan Wessons and the DWs are definitely my choice. Really can't go wrong with either a Colt or a DW, personal choice.

My personal favorite is a DW Guardian - either 9mm or .45ACP.
 
I have never owned a higher dollar 1911. I have owned a RIA 1911, great gun. I do own Ruger SR 1911, also a great gun. Don't know what purpose your gun will serve: range gun, EDC, home defense, but you could save money with some of the lower price weapons mention. I hope you get a good one.
 
Well there's Colt, but then there is a Springfield Range Officer and you'll have enough left over for a case of ammo, a couple extra mags and a trigger job.
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But that means you are giving your money to Springfield Armory.
 
I own both an all-stainless SW1911 GM size and a scandium-aluminum framed 1911SC bobtailed CDR size. Great out of the box.
 
I see Springfield TRP's in my area ...for around $ 1,400 / and personally for the money I think the TRP model gives you a lot of gun for the money..... but the new Colts seem to be ok as well and they are a little less.

On the lower priced guns ...specifically on some of the Colt's...make sure it has all the features you want...like checkering on the front strap / I'm seeing a few of the lower end priced models are leaving that off...so it depends on how you want it spec'd.
 
BJP wrote:
On the lower priced guns ...specifically on some of the Colt's...make sure it has all the features you want...like checkering on the front strap / I'm seeing a few of the lower end priced models are leaving that off...so it depends on how you want it spec'd.
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Also, make sure they DON'T have features you DON'T want.

For my own part I want either stippling or _nothing_ on the front strap. Stippling is great. A smooth front strap can be easily fixed with some skateboard tape. Things like most fish scale or only vertical scoring aren't very grippy in the hand and are more difficult to get skateboard tape to adhere.
 
Between the Springfield Armory Range Officer and Colt Government model I owned the SA was both more reliable and had a nicer trigger. I know a lot of folks really like the new Colts though and even if mine was one of them it's only a sample of one. If I could spend all of that budget you mention I'd get a Dan Wesson.


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I also don't see much mention here of the S&W 1911. For the money a Gov't S&W Pro Series is one fine 1911 with many options to choose some. A lot of their firearms coming out of their Performance Center are top notch.
 
Without a doubt it would be a Dan Wesson. I own guns from Colt, Springfield, Sig, and others. The DW models use better parts, are manufactured to close tolerances, and are reliable. That's not to say they never have issues because all 1911 manufacturers make guns with issues. I've had to send two back to them and they turned both around in just a couple of days. One poster mentioned an issue with a 2008 model. DW. Has different management and turned a very good product into an excellent product
 
I have a S&W 1911SC, the original 1911SC (the one that essentially was renamed as the 1911PD some years back). I've had it for probably around 10 years. Never one hiccup of any kind out of the gun. 100% reliable and quite accurate. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another S&W 1911.

Maybe it's just me, but spending more $$$ on a 1911 doesn't necessary mean you'll get a more reliable gun. The odds are if you pick up a commonly available $600-800 1911, it will be just as reliable as the more expensive one. However, any 1911 can have problems.
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It does seem to me if you went a little less you'd have money left over to make it exactly what you want. If I was going to spend about $1400-1600 on a 1911, I'd be quite tempted to just get a Rock Island Armory, Ruger or SA, then send it off to gunsmith to have it customized exactly how I wanted. Or, get one with most of what you want already and spend the rest on ammo and maybe a serious defensive training class.
 
Next to me as I type is a SA 1911 SS Loaded. 5" barrel, nice grips, ambi thumb safety, very accurate. +/- $850 otd.
 
Under Dan Wesson price......mim mim mim

Dan Wesson or better....quality

Colt....some mim, but good mim.

Need I say more?
 
But that means you are giving your money to Springfield Armory.
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Oh boy, here we go! People are buying and praising S&W, seems they forgot about 1994. But I guess that was 23 years ago. A new demon has surfaced.
 
I have eight 1911's and half of them are Colts. My two favorite shooters are my series 70 Gold Cup and my five year old Government Model. But a very close third is my lowly Rock Island Officers Model. I paid $430 OTD for it and it has never missed a beat.
 
Hello BBousa, I think I've owned examples of most major manufacturer's 1911 type pistols, and some semi- customs. These would include multiple Colts, Kimbers, Springfields, Baers, Wilsons, STIs,etc. I've had very good examples, and some real stinkers, from several manufacturers, large and small. The guns that seemed the most solid, smooth and precise right out of the box to me were the Dan Wessons. Some of my guns have MIM components. In case it matters, I did not come across anything I could identify as MIM in the two DWs I've owned. Some have experienced, or perhaps heard of, the glass smooth slide/frame fit of the SIG P210s. Cycling the slide of the Dan Wessons has much the same feel to me. Both my DWs were boringly reliable with any kind of ammo used, and they were in the reportedly problematic 9MM caliber. Of course, this is just my perspective and many other good guns, that would likely serve serve you well, have been mentioned.

PS, sorry to hear about the bad Kimber you had. My current Eclipse Target in 38 Super has been flawless with any factory or handloaded ammo I've used. No malfunctions of any kind.
 
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monkeyfist said:
I have nothing to go on as I have only a Ruger SR1911 and have not shot any other 1911. I think it was around 700 bucks. Awesome in my opinion. Can't shoot my Shield 9mm or Sig p320 nearly as well.



I have had failure to feeds, but I think it is only with the Chip McCormick magazines.
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kenny53 said:
I have never owned a higher dollar 1911. I have owned a RIA 1911, great gun. I do own Ruger SR 1911, also a great gun. Don't know what purpose your gun will serve: range gun, EDC, home defense, but you could save money with some of the lower price weapons mention. I hope you get a good one.
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I'll second those... my SR1911 is very accurate. Just took it to the range yesterday, and shot a ragged hole from 15 yards in. The lane I was on had an issue with the target holder, and couldn't get into the light at 25 yards... couldn't make out the paper. R/O refused to let me move to the next lane.

Rangerrich99 said:
Okay, not to be facetious in any way, but what is good MIM, and why does only Colt use it?
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There definitely is good and bad MIM... but I wouldn't say that Colt is the only one to use it. Ruger has been doing MIM for years, and for the most part, has a very good record with it. You always see the one failure in a few hundred thousand parts, and it is usually posted over and over on the internet.

I'm likely swapping the MIM parts on my Ruger... but not because of strength. It is my only 1911, and I want it to be completely stainless.
 
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