Budget 1911 purchase

G

Glockster35

New member
Ok, I have decided I need to get a 1911 soon, and am leaning heavily on the base model from Kimber, the Custom Classic II. I have found them locally for around $700.

I was also looking at A Springfield Armory full size loaded model, and was wondering which one would be a better buy. I can't recall the price of the SA.

I have a limited budget of $700-$900 for this purchase, and I wanted to get a few (2-3) Wilson mags to get me by for a while.

What's your advise fellas?
 
Read my recent review. Although I had a problem, it was an easy fix, and otherwise I'm very happy with the purchase. SA does have a few problems, but there's a reason that I've only owned one Kimber and I own four or five Springfields.
 
Definetly buy the Kimber. The basic Classic Custom (or the Classic Stainless) is the best buy in a new 1911. I have 2, an Ultra CDP & a Classic Stainless. Both are excellent handguns.

With the money you have left over, you'll be able to buy those Wilson mags & maybe even a leather holster.

I'm sure that SA & Colt also make a good 1911 - but my experiance with Kimber has been good.
 
...Kimber, the Custom Classic II. I have found them locally for around $700.
Click to expand...
:eek:

Find a new area to shop in! I have seen the Custom Classic II for 599$ in my area.


700$ is a budget priced gun?!? My Charles Daly is a budget priced gun @ 399$. I didn't pay 700$ for any of my NIB SIG Sauers!:eek:


What other hobbies do you have?;) :p :D
 
Blades 67,

I get what you are saying, :eek:

I know the prices around here are high, but that is what I have to pay (for now). I am planning on making a trip to a larger city soon to check the prices there before buying here.

I don't have a lot of time left before my tour in Germany starts so I got to pay what they want for them here in Cali.
 
You want to spend $700-900 max. My suggestion is to wait on the Kimber or SA and get a less expensive model. A Colt 1991A1 should run in the $500-600 range in most areas. A Norinco is very inexpensive and most people seem happy with theirs. I love my ~$450 Charles Daly. On all these you may be a little more likely to get a bad one than for the Kimber or SA but you are still more likely to get a good one than a bad one. Even if you get a bad one some have lifetime warranties and good customer service (CD has a lifetime warranty and their customer service has a great rep) and you have plenty of money to replace bad parts if you wish to.

On my Charles Daly I've replaced nothing (though I only have a little more than 1000 rounds through it) and it is a good gun. The finish leaves a little to be desired but it is reliable. Most commonly people need to, or choose to: polish the feed ramp and throat (free if you do it), replace the firing pin (they are uncomfortable with having a cast pin- new pin $8.95 in the Wilson catalogue), replace the slide release ($27.95 from Wilson), replace the safety (ambi safety from Wilson is $54.95) and replace the mags (the one thing I had to do- this is $26.95-32.95 from Wilson). Even with some replacement parts as listed (some, all or none may be needed) you will have plenty of money left to customize the gun as you wish (I know of few people who leave a 1911 stock). If you replace everything listed (including 2 new mags) you will have paid under $600 for a CD with many Wilson parts and still have $100-300 for customization work (trigger, hammer, refinish, whatever). If like me you replaced nothing (but 2 mags) you will have a 1911 for around $500 (2 PowerMags for just over $50) and have $200-400 to customize it.

Wait until you have more money to spend on a Kimber or SA. If you are wedded to the idea of one the SA around here is about $50 less or you can get the Kimber and wait on changes.
 
Given your criteria, I would opt for the Colt series 80 currently being produced.

I have an SA 'loaded' but don't think they are measurably better than the Colt. It certainly isn't more accurate or slimmer in cross section.

As a matter of fact, the only part on the Springfield 'loaded' that I wished was on the Colt is the beavertail safety. Other than that, I can't think of anything on the nib Colt that isn't perfectly serviceable. In fact, I would say that buying a "non-loaded" Colt is the better option because it allows me to add accessories that I want, not something chosen by a designer for the cool factor.

Of course, if you're happy with the add-on's Springfield is putting on their "loaded" selection, go for it. They have a reasonable product if you like the feel of it. For me, there simply isn't a comparison between the two.
 
I'm not at all unhappy with my Springfield Loaded Stainless. I have about 800 rounds through it now, and only a few FTFs, only related to some 200gr SWCs that I handloaded. I adjusted the case OAL, and that took care of that. It did have a tendency to shoot low, so I filed down the front sight a little, and it's much better. I just need to practice more!
Having a nice press (RL550) is nice for shooting handguns, that's for sure!

I'd think with Springfield or Kimber, you probably can't go wrong. I've heard of very few lemons. You could get a Charles Daly, but there's a higher risk of getting a sub standard peice. However, you could get a real nice one, and with it's low cost, upgrading it, and putting some high quality parts in it would be pretty easy.

Something noone else mentioned.... Chip McCormick Mags. I have 6 of them now, and they all work flawlessly. The 8rd Shooting Star mags can be had for about $12-14 a pop. I don't discount the Wilson's, but I haven't had one to try yet... I might just order an 8 rounder just to see!

I think the 1911 is by far the most fun handgun to own... so much you can do with it, and it's still a great all around pistol.
 
I have a few weeks until I must make my decision, and make the purchase. I am now leaning more heavily on the Springfield as I am having a hard time buying a Series II Kimber (not sure if it's a good idea).

Between now and then though, what are some of the must have items for 1911 owners?

I know I should spend the money and get the 47D Wilson Rodgers magazines, but are there any others that are a little less spendy for the time being?

1911Fencer suggested McCormic Shooting stars, but didn't give a model number. What is a good place to get 1911 magazines on-line for cheap?

How about a spring kit from Wolff? Any suggestions?
 
Don't buy ANYTHING else 'til you've put 1000rds. through it!
That way you'll have a better idea of what YOU need and like...IT...doesn't need ANYTHING but food!!!!

Get at least 3 more mags...Start checking into belts, holsters, pouches and lots and lots of good, quality ammo!!!
 
What is the cheapest 1911 pattern gun that you would consider a well built gun? Include surplus, used whatever as long as prices are realistic. Rock Island, Charles Daly, Norincos are scarce. Surplus Argentines?
 
How about an STI Trojan? it should cost around $850. But it is one badass gun. If I were to buy something above a base model ie; Kimber Classic, SA mil-spec or Loaded, I believe the Trojan is the best value for the $$
 
If I read this correctly, you were asking for a budget 1911 purchase....I would never have purchased my Kimber Custom CDP if not for a tax return. Rock River Arms has a basic 1911 for $350 retail, that you can build upon. You can a Charles Daly for the same price. A Springfield Mil-Spec new can run you $650. My best advice to keep you in the price range you stated is to (1) get a 1911 "platform" that you can upgrade (I'd get a RRA),(2) your 3 Wilson Mags, (3) a decent holster (if this is for CCW), (4) some good personal defense ammo - 230 gr. Hydra Shoks (FYI - you can get a box of 50 for the retail price of 20 at www.cheaperthandirt.com, and (4) a case of FMJ. Shoot the hell out of it. Learn the idiosyncracies of the 1911. Then get a High Speed Low Drag 1911. IMHO that is.......
 
go with the SA mil-spec. good quality, accurate, and true to the original design. great gun-thats why the FBI shoot SA, and that is why i shoot SA!
 
Mike11B,

Surely you are mistaken, Rock River Arms is not selling a 1911 for $350, you must mean Rock Island Armory, they are not the same, and do not compare in quality!

I know what you meant, but you could be misleading other readers.
 
Well I went really inexpensive and bought an excellent condition 1927 Colt Sistema for $299.00. It was accurate, given its G.I. configuration, and realiable. Since then I've "upgraded" it although it did not really need to be - just personal preference. The Sistema is a really good deal.
 
Get a Sistema Colt! $350 MAX for the pick of the litter all steel gun made to 1930s Colt Standards!

Can't beat the deal!
 
Best, basic 1911? A Norinco hands down. A Master pistolsmith will customize a Norinco. I doubt they'll even touch a Charles Daly or a 1911 from the Philippines.
A month ago I got one at a gunshow and this past weekend I saw a NIB 1911 Norinco for $400.00. They aren't that scarce. Good luck, J. Parker
 
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