If you had to choose a 1911 in each of the following price ranges which would you

OP, if you're asking what I would want if I were using these 1911s the way I already use my 1911s, and mine are primarily range use guns, I'd want to spend about $1,500.00 for a new Dan Wesson Pointman 7 (PM-7), I'm sure this is the best possible gun to fulfill the intended purpose I would have for it, with little or no additional necessary modifications.

There really is no other 1911 I'd want right now. If I could find a good used DW PM-7 at significantly less than $1,500.00, I'd probably buy it on the spot.
 
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$600-$800 Kimber Custom II

I have about 2000 rounds thru mine and find it a pleasure to shoot. When I take people to the range, everyone loves shooting that gun.
 
A sub $1000 ought to do you right, but there's something to be said for the fit of a gun with really nice parts in it. I have one nice 1911 that I've built and it is worlds above my Remington and Sig Sauer. What I'd really recommend is finding a good deal on a Remington/Ruger/Sig.
 
< $600 ?= Rock Island Armory

$600 - $800 ?= Ruger SR1911 (I really like the Remington R1. Some have stated there are some problems with how they're built. I can't remember the issue off the top of my head. Search the forums here. IIRC, maybe it was Aguila Blanca?

$800 - $1000 ?= Springfield RO

$1000 -$1200 ?= Springfield EMP9/40

> $1200 ? = Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, Springfield TRP, Cylinder & Slide's 100th Anniversary 1911...

What are you wanting to use it for? SD? HD? CC? Range plinking? 3-gun? All of the above?
 
I'd definitely vouch for a RIA for the <$600 bracket. Mine doesn't know what feed troubles are and it is pretty decent in the accuracy department at 25 yards. The parkerized finish isn't much, but the fit of the parts (lockup, slide release, etc.) is outstanding.
 
< $600 ? RIA because they have a decent rep for reliability.
$600 - $800 ? Colt Govt, Springer Range Officer/Loaded
$800 - $1000 ? Colt XSE/Talon/Gold Cup
$1000 -$1200 ? Dan Wesson Heritage
> $1200 ? Low end Dan Wesson Valor Stainless, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson, Guncrafter depending on your preferences.

*If you are going over $2300 give or take I personally would opt for a custom gun. Buy a Colt 80 for $700 and then pick your smith of choice. Don Williams, Yost, Harrison, Garthwaite etc... Build the exact pistol you want not a semi-custom spec'd by someone else.
 
< $600 - RIA
$600 - $800 - Ruger SR1911 or Colt 1991
$800 - $1000 - Colt XSE, or Combat Elite
$1000 -$1200 - Colt gold Cup, Dan Wesson Heritage
> $1200 - $2000, Dan Wesson Valor, Colt Special Combat Govt
$2000 > pick any of the semi custom to full custom smiths.
 
It depends on how much you want to start out with. I started with a Springfield loaded model it cost me $850 total in 2014. I only have about 1200 rds through it, but i trust my life to it. I chose Springfield because of their excellent current reputation of reliability and accuracy, and fitment and quality of parts. It is everything I expected and more. Plus is has quality forged slide and frame. Extremely strong, and right on spec. And it is finished, assembled or more in America.

It came with all the bells and whistles I wanted. I only have changed the trigger for a shorter black one, and plan on swapping the two piece screw together guide rod with a GI style plug and spring that doesn't require a tool to take down. Also will swap the ambi safety for a standard righty only safety that isn't as pronounced.

I have heard Colt has had spotty quality in the last few years and some guys tell me Colt will be going out of business. However they are the gold standard for 1911s, like the F150 is for light duty work trucks.

First find the features you desire, then decide how much you spend, then do your research on which models in your price range have what you want, then do more research on the recent quality and any problems with the model, and the customer service of the company.

I would avoid the remingtons but everyone else should be good to go. The only other maker I would be weary about would be kimber. Just check it out before buying. Check smoothness and fitment of slide to frame. Check the trigger by dry firing. Give it a general feel. You will know when you find the right one for you
 
Shoot ( rent ) as many different 1911 styles as you can locally...... 3 1/2" to 5" barrels, alloy frames & steel frames.... with ambitious safeties and with and without mag wells...and in 9mm as well as .45acp...../ and figure out what you want in your trigger - very little if any slack and no creep and breaking at 3 1/2 -- 5 lbs or so.../ and figure out the differences between series 70 and series 80 guns - and how it affects triggers on some mfg's. ..

Out of that will come the specs and features you like - and what you want to pay for...

Then search out guns with that spec ....and buy the gun with the best trigger in it ....with little if any slack and no creep & that breaks like glass...

While I prefer semi custom guns like Wilson ---- if you don't want to go that route - then in my experience you could pick up 6 different Colts & Springfields & Kimbers and find a ridiculous amount of variation in triggers in these guns - some pretty good, some that really suck...and some so so.....

My buddies and I -- that shoot and carry 1911's virtually all the time --- debate issues like guide rod styles, trigger break weight, actual size of thumb and grip safeties, sights, finishes, etc....and there is room for all of us ....with Kimbers, Springfield, Wilson, Nighthawk, Baer, Ed Brown, Cabot etc... ( and none of us will argue that Colt sets any gold standard for 1911's and most of us at one point owned & shot colt gold cups 20 - 40 yrs ago / and have sold them and moved on to much better guns today ).

While Kimber is a company often maligned....their top end guns like Gold Combat Stainless model at around $2,300 is a solid gun / not my favorite ( and I have one - that will be a gift to one of my son's one day )...but my point is, not all kimber's are crap either...

And no matter what - have fun with the process.
 
I don't know the OP's purpose for the 1911. For SD or plinking or non-competitive range shooting there are plenty of Turkish and Filipino and used 1911's available for around $500 that are every bit as reliable and functional as Mr Browning designed them to be. It is not a modern high-tech design. Computer controlled equipment and microscopic tolerances were not included in the original design plan.

Professional competition shooters and affienados have to pay thousands of dollars to get a 1911 that meets their sophisticated standards. It is wonderful that they have the resources to do so and the exceptional ability that makes it worthwhile.

For most of us the beauty of the 1911 is that it is a simple piece of military equipment designed for easy manufacturering, but is still very effective and easy to shoot in the hands of an average shooter.
 
Rich 357,

I am excited for you, soon entering the world of 1911s. The 1911 is my favorite handgun in the world. They are such great shooting machines. Don't ever let anybody tell you they aren't reliable. And because of their grip shape and excellent triggers, they bring out the accuracy in everybody. They have standard rifling so you can shoot what ever kind of bullets you want through them.

Here are a few little tips I have learned since owning one

-you don't need $30-$40 magazines (cough, Wilson) to function reliably for years, in all honesty they say 7rd GI type mags are the most reliable, just stick with good brands like chip McCormick, czechmate, Colt, Springfield, etc

-like that milspec Springfield model you linked, you don't need all the fancy parts to have a good shooter that feels nice. That milspec has primarily 3 parts that people don't like and wish to change out. Some people don't like the humped mainspring housing, I have never shot a 1911 with one so I can't say, although I think it would be better for larger hands. Also the grip safety, most people prefer the upswept beavertail grip safety that allows for a higher grip and slightly more comfort. And lastly the the sights, the milspec comes with small, low profile sights that are fine for the range but not so great for concealed carry or shooting games or combat.

The great thing about the 1911 is that there are thousands of parts options so you can fit the gun to YOU, starting with a base model Springfield would be perfect, if you have a steady hand and mind and can fit parts together. Or have someone else do it. I kind of want to black my 1911 out but that would require a new barrel and bushing, which is above my experience and makes me nervous about screwing up expensive parts. The thumb safety and guide rod will be no problem, but barrel and bushing are another story. Fitting the trigger was easy
 
Thanks man. If I decide on one it will be purely be for the enjoyment of owning it and having the chance to fire a beautifully designed piece of history. :cool:
 
I don't know of any 1911 I would want to own in the <$600 range.

For $600-$800 the Ruger SR1911 no question.

For around a Large, a Colt, every time. The Colt XSE models are terrific shooters.

For around $1,500, a Dan Wesson PM-7 or a Colt Gold Cup.

Sure wish the Ruger SR1911 was available in California. Democrats won't allow it.
 
I have seen kind words expressed about the Ruger 1911 offerings. I only have the Ruger SR1911 Taleo which falls into the $800 category. I am not a 1911 authority, but I have really enjoyed the times with the Ruger. And yes, to me the Talo package looks really neat, but I could frankly live without the tac rail.

It is loose, but in a combat style gun, I see this as an advantage, since I see this as the gun being more forgiving around its environment. It has eaten everything I have fed it without issue.

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< $600 - Rock Island
$600 - $800 - Ruger SR1911
$800 - $1000 - Springfield RO
$1000 -$1200 - Colt XSE model
> $1200 - Dan Wesson or Colt Special Government Model
 
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