Best M1911A1 Clone?

M

Model12Win

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Hello all! Who makes the best M1911A1 milspec clone out there? I want something parkerized and as close to the original U.S. military specifications as possible. No Series 80. I also want something reliable enough for defensive encounters. Thanks!
 
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Auto Ordinance makes almost an exact copy. Kahr owns them now and I've heard good things about them. Check out YouTube videos.
 
The Auto Ordnance is a series 80, but if you can get over that fact, they are a pretty nice made in the USA pistol that competes in price with the Philippine 1911's. I've never tried hollow points through mine, so if thats a consideration for reliability I can't help you there.
 
Hello all! Who makes the best M1911A1 milspec clone out there? I want something parkerized and as close to the original U.S. military specifications as possible. No Series 80. I also want something reliable enough for defensive encounters. Thanks!
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I've been real happy with my Rock Island GI. Yes, I have found t reliable.

Yeah, not quite totally 1911a1 clone.
 
As already noted, the Auto-Ordnance is currently the only reasonably accurate appearing, parkerized M1911A1 clone on the market -- but it has a Series 80 firing pin safety. Springfield Armory discontinued their GI model several years ago, and the model they call "MilSpec" -- isn't mil-spec.

Personally, I'd skip the parkerizing and buy a Colt Series 70.
 
I also would suggest the Rock Island Armory GI model. It's a series 70 style. While not exactly mil-spec, it has the feel of an old army gun. The parkerization on mine is good; with a dark grey slide and green-grey frame. The overall fit is great and it has been totally reliable with anything I have fired through it.
 
I'm pretty happy with a Turkish "Tisas" I got used a few weeks ago. I haven't shot it a lot but it's run like a watch when I did.

It sure looks GI to me, that's all I know about such things.





On thing. I don't know if it made any difference but it came with a Kimber magazine that seem to work quite well. No idea what kind of magazine normally comes with them. I bought a couple of GI mags but haven't tried them yet
 
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I have the RIA M1911A1 FS (ambi safety, wide beaver tail). It is a fun gun to shoot and has a nice feel to it.
 
A lot of the imports have issues with their frame contours, if G.I. appearance is important.
Agree that Auto Ord is closest in appearance, tied with the near-identical Inland. Both are Series 80.
Springfield G.I. has some small-part issues, but the contours are good, it's not S80, and it has forged slide and frame as the military pistols did, and as almost no other G.I.-style pistols do.
I'd look for an excellent-condition Springfield, and replace the thumb safety and perhaps the trigger with more-correct parts.
 
Springfield G.I. has some small-part issues, but the contours are good, it's not S80, and it has forged slide and frame as the military pistols did, and as almost no other G.I.-style pistols do.
I'd look for an excellent-condition Springfield, and replace the thumb safety and perhaps the trigger with more-correct parts.
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I’ve got one of the SA GI models and it does have an “overall” appearance consistent with an older 1911. I’m sure there are multiple inaccuracies, but for the price it’s pretty decent. In addition to the previously mentioned parts the grip panels will also need to be replaced.

I’m not sure of your budget, but I believe Remington and maybe Colt made some special additions that you might track down. I’ve provided a link to one of the Remingtons.
 
I have had my Tisas GI model for about five years. It has never malfunctioned. Their cost has varied from roughly $350-$400. I am not knowledgeable enough to know how authentic it is. It is a reliable and accurate pistol.
 
1911A1 clone

As others have said, the SA GI is pretty close. The rollmark on the slide could have been better but overall the pistol looks pretty good. I did make a few changes to mine to make it a little more USGI looking; I added a Colt small shelf safety, a checkered wide spur hammer, a checkered slide release from Cylinder and Slide, and aged the factory shiny brown plastic checkered grips with a little dry moly lube. I also use authentic USGI 7 round magazines with it.

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Sorry about the huge size of the pics.... photobucket is in a bad mood tonight...
 
But Springfield no longer catalogs their GI pistol. And the Mil-Spec (which isn't at all mil-spec) is only available now in stainless, and with slanted rear cocking serrations;

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Rock Island...sweet!

I just got a Rock Island, and it gets a big thumbs up.

I have no basis for comparison with other brands, just actual GI weapons from when I was in the Army many years ago.

I took the Rock Island to the range, and it ran great. The one failure was with the "Fisher-Price" factory 8-round mag....yeah, you need to get good mags for it.

It shot to point of aim at 7 yards, and shot where I pointed it. I felt like a gunslinger...trigger was between 4 and 5 lbs out of the box.

The parkerizing is nearly black, and seems different to me than the GI park, but perhaps it fades. Guess I'll find out in 50 years...

I don't like the factory grips, and have a set of fake ivory ones coming.

It's not a straight GI gun, but the changes are generally good:

-Straight 1911-style mainspring housing, not the -A1 curved type: I don't know if this is good or not. I'll have to do some more shooting, and maybe swap them out.

-Slight bevel to the mag well...a good feature.

-Ejection port cut...another good feature.

-Safety is slightly different than GI, but seems to work the same.

Other than that, basically indistinguishable from a GI 1911A1. I'm sure there are manufacturing shortcuts, but you get what you pay for, I suppose.

If you're looking for a no-nonsense out-of-the-box shooter, this is a fantastic gun and a good value.
 
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Your search will not be complete until you have checked out the line-up from Metro Arms. My government model has about 3,000 rounds thru it, flawlessly shooting with all kinds of ammo and magazines. The Government Model would be closest in look and design to the original M1911 or M1911-A1,

Their American Classic models have a great fit and finish.
https://americanclassic.eagleimportsinc.com/americanclassic/firearms/

Government Model:
https://americanclassic.eagleimportsinc.com/americanclassic/firearms/classic-series


Some great prices here:
http://grabagun.com/firearms/handgu...atic-handguns-for-sale.html?manufacturer=2318

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The Mac line up takes fit and finish to the next level:
https://macpistols.eagleimportsinc.com/macpistols/firearms/

Some great prices here:
http://grabagun.com/firearms/handgu...atic-handguns-for-sale.html?manufacturer=4205
 
IDK, I really like the beaver tail to minimize pinching. Swapped in a RIA GI slide on a Citadel (essentially an RIA Tactical) frame. It is more pleasing to me with GI sights. It holsters a little easier. Not fully M1911A1 but works. Is it the best, hmmm YMMV, but if it works, use it and enjoy. I like the RIA platform.
 
I would also recommend the RIA GI model. Its not exact, but it is series 70 and otherwise close. They a!so shoot quite well. I've had two... Loved both. I will say the trigger was much better in my older model from the factory. My newer one? 15 bucks in parts (C&S reduced pull sear spring and ed brown 19lb mainspring) and it shoots like a dream!

My older model had fewer rough tool marks in the slide as well. One thing the newer model has going for it is the finish. Its one of the better parkerizing jobs I've seen.
 
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