which 1911 to get?

If you like the look of the black loaded, then you have your answer. I'm assuming you prefer the look over the stainless loaded (also looks awesome by the way) and it's available with night sights (not sure if or why you couldn't get them with the stainless, of course they could be added.) but based on what you said the black loaded would be a great fit for you.

You don't need to worry about scratches. If you handle the pistol with reasonable care you should have no trouble keeping up its appearance through the years.

I'm going to have to go by some big firearm stores soon and see if I can get my hands on these 3 pistols. Maybe I'll wish I hadn't, but I want to see how they feel and compare in the real world, despite the fact that I won't be able to shoot them... sigh... unless I buy one...
 
Was never a fan of the 1911. When I came back to shooting last year, my LGS owner suggested the Springfield RO. (He's selling them now for slightly over $700, the last time I checked.) I'd bought a Kahr 9mm, for concealed carry, and a .357 for home defense. So, I took him up on the RO in 9mm. It's really a nice weapon. Felt the trigger was a little rough, for $50 my local gunsmith put it right. I then purchased a couple of SIG X-Series pistols, X5 and X6 9mm. It was hard to believe the RO was as accurate and as smooth handling as the SIGs. Great gun! My shooting buddy kind of forced me to shoot a couple of his .45s. I'd never had any use for the .45; you know we all have our hangups. So, of all things, I bought two .45 SIG 1911s, the Target and the MAX. Both super nice and very accurate. Then, the 1911 fever struck! I bought a STI Range Master (?) 9mm, ordered a Dan Wesson Guardian 9mm and finally ordered a Browning 1911 .380. Discovered the .45 ACP and I got along well together. My two favorite pistols for shooting are HK Mark 23 45 and the HK USP 45 Tactical. I do best shooting them one handed, bulls eye style. That's how I learned to shoot about 70 years ago. After all that is said, I recommend, for you, the RO. I've run almost 2,000 rounds of whatever I had available without any issues. If I'm shooting good; with the RO, I can put 3-5 rounds in the bull and the two inch ring and the remainder of the string of 10 within the 5 inch ring.
 
Here is a pretty good two page review of the black loaded.

http://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/springfield-loaded-1911-a1-45-acp/

I didn't realize it had a full length 2 piece guide rod, or an ILS (internal locking system, I suppose) I'm not a fan of either of those, but I could probably live with both.

I still haven't read into the RO much, but it does sound like the fit and mechanical accuracy should be better on it than the loaded or the sr1911. And that's a nice place to start!

I'm starting to think I'm probably making this harder on you than actually helping. I think I'll take a seat and just wait to see which one you buy!

Glad to see all the good reviews out there on these 3 pistols.:)
 
dijor said:
The loaded does not have the nice fit? From what I read...
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I think you will find it's fit comparable to all other guns in this price range.

dijor said:
it's weird that for the loaded, only the park'd version comes with night sights, not the stainless model... anyone know why?
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The parkerized loaded is the original and was sold to be attracted to people oodling American Handgunner with full page photos of custom carry guns that were always black, and always had night sight. I'm not sure how, but that model has always had night sights and always been the cheapest loaded.

Some shopping considerations:
- Any new Colt will have a series 80 safety, but the complaints about workmanship(on every forum) are mostly related to guns built 10 - 30 years ago
- Springfields will all have ILS which has a 29lb mainspring vs the 23lb std mainspring.
- Kimbers all have the schwartz safety(good??). Kimbers also all have a premium price to support their premium marketing. Honestly, the guns from $800 to $3000 all look like the same quality of gun with different finish, grips and pretty external machining.
- Rugers - Frankly, they look like a good option.
 
Down here when a range has a 1911 to rent it is usually a Ruger SR1911 or a SA Range Officer. I own both and they are both nice.

Picked up the SR1911 at an Oktoberfest sale in 2012 for $599 but the everyday gun store price now is about $640 to $714. Bought a SA RO this last fall at an Oktoberfest sale for $740. The RO come with two mags, a plastic holster and a plastic mag carrier for two mags. This last fall SA had an added incentive of three additional mags and another plastic mag carrier for free.

The strange thing is SA may be dumping prices. I bought a 9mm RO three weeks ago at the same gun store I bought the one in .45 last fall for $719. Have not even shot it yet. That is when I saw the Ruger SR1911s for $640.

For online pricing at places like Buds you can look and see. You might want to visit gun stores in your area and be sure you are on their list to be informed about special sales, if they have any.
 
wish i can find a new full size sr1911 for $650 and call it a day.

or a loaded for $750, sounds like a good deal too. The cheapest I see is $780 for parkerized and 800 for stainless.
 
I like the older Kimbers myself. I know Kimber gets dogged on a lot but the ones made in the late 90's embarrass most all of the 1911s, in the same price range, made today.

Suggesting buying slightly used is something I do most all of the time not just with 1911s. Sig, S&W, Ruger etc they were all made better 10-20 years ago.
 
I am new to guns and living in a rural small town doesn't make it easier to find used pieces with quality
 
I am new to guns and living in a rural small town doesn't make it easier to find used pieces with quality
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Welcome the internet. Lots of dealers and deals. Gunbroker.com or buds gun shop.... to many to list just enjoy the many choices.
 
i went Springfield mil spec and i love it. i will be doing lots of work on it myself so no use paying alot for a higher model.
 
I have Two 1911's. One is a Citadel 1911A1 and the other is a American Classic .45 Commander. Both I purchased for just under 500 bucks and both after a couple thousand rounds through them both have never had a failure.
 
In 1911s I have springfield, sti, Taurus and Rock island and I think the best bang for the buck is a Rock tactical II (now called Ultra) it came with VZ grips groved front strap fiber front sight full adj tactical rear sights mag well for around $600 its also available in 9mm, 40S&W, 10mm and 45acp
 
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