Does A Reliable and Economical 1911 Exist?

T

Tecolote

New member
Is there such a thing as a reliable, affordable and accurate stock 1911? I'm looking to get a NIB pistol. I want to spend as little money as possible. Later, when I can afford it, I want to use it as a platform for a lightly customized pistol. Any suffestions?

BTW Does anyone have a NIB Norinco 1911 they want to sell? ;)

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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
 
Try looking at the Charles Daly 1911 A1. Mine cost me $335 and I've had no problems with mine. Just make sure you get one of the newer ones with the serial number starting with CD#####.
I also hear that Norinco makes decent affordable 1911.

Cyric13
 
Norinco is the perfect base for you to upgrade on. I have a good friend that shoots competition and that's what he builds his guns off of. I don't think you can still call them Norinco's though. I've heard alot of good stuff about the Israel Arm International (www.israelarms.com) pistols. What I've been told, they're far better than Norinco or Daly and very reasonably priced. I just can't find anybody who sells them!! They also have some semi-custom features. Commander style hammer, beavertail grip safety, ext manual safety, two tone finish, and finger groove rubber grips. And all for well under 500 bucks. Look at the M777 (Commander style) and M999 (full size).

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"Charlton Heston is my President"

Danny45
NRA, NAHC, Buckmasters
 
Tecolate - Get Nov/Dec 00 American Handgunner. Article by Charlse E. Petty comparing Springfield Armory Basic MIL-SPEC, Loaded and Trophy Match Pistols. Relates to your requirements. Tree Rat.
 
Springfield makes an excellent base for a custom gun. The MilSpec is the basic configuration and a fine value.

Norinco steel is not the quality it could be.

I too have heard good things about the Israeli Arms pistols, but I've only seen their web site and not even that recently.

The 1911 tends to be a spendy handgun. That's just the nature of the beast.
 
I used to own one of the Auto Ordinance "Military Specials" I think they called it. It was a great reliable gun. They were selling for just over $300.00.

Rodger
 
If you want this gun to be the platform for a future special to your heart 1911...
Then it can only be Springfield.
You do your shopping around and you will find a used 1911A1 at a good price.
That will be the gun to get.
 
I think, as some of you have already mentioned, the trouble with a 1911 is that people try to make them all things to all people. Yes, they are fine target pistols, when tuned. Yes, they can be carried, but they are a bit big to stick under your T shirt.

But they are really best as a military belt pistol, loosely toleranced. The military 1911A1 never had a reputation for unreliability. Where this came about is when 1911 clones became a cottage industry. Also, anybody who expects a target pistol witn Swiss watch tolerances to be absolutely reliable under all conditions is just fooling himself and is bound to end up disappointed. Anything man-made is fallible, but John Browning stuff is some of the best. The trouble is, people keep trying to improve John's work. He pretty much built it to be the state of the art, even close to 100 years ago. Take an old US Army. Load it with hardball and shoot the heck out of it. You will get tired of shooting before you jam it.

You can buy a Argentine military 45 made by either Colt or Colt machines at a reasonable price. I would compare them to our 1911A1 US Army pistols. They are out there. Just look don't let your money burn a hole in your pocket. :)


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o I raised my hand to eye level, like pointing a finger, and fired. Wild Bill Hickok
 
Thanks for all the responses. I've been itching to get a 1911, but whenever I do something rash I regret it. I'm going to look slow and careful until I find one that fits my needs.

I like the Springfield Mil-Spec but in my neck of the woods they sell for $550 while a loaded Kimber goes for $650. The $150 isn't that big of a deal, but I don't want a 1911 with serrations on the front of the slide. They may be useful, but to me they just don't look "pruty." I'm trying to find the impossible bargain, maybe I'll come upon a NIB plain Springfield or Norinco for $300. Wish me luck. ;)

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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
 
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