1911's

[GW]

Hey my fellow cal gunners I need some help making a purchase decision... I am buying my first 1911 on Tuesday. Looking to spend between 600-850 if possible. So far I have been looking at Springfield Milspec and Loaded, does anyone have any experience with either? Is the loaded worth an extra $200?

Also any other brands I need to check out? Also extra mags? Brands to avoid/Brands to grab when I see them?

Thanks!

Yes! The Loaded model is definitely worth the extra money.I have both and definitely prefer to shoot and am more accurate with the Loaded model over the Milspec.
If I only had the Milspec I would be spending money on the upgrades to make it like the Loaded model

[golfish]

I have two Mil-Specs that I bought within the past year (park finish) and a RIA GI that I bought a year ago. The GI was my first 1911 purchase.
IMO, the Mil-Specs are worth every penny more then the GI.
Would I recommend the RIA GI, hec yeah, its a great gun for the price. I just think the Mil-Spec is a better gun for the price.

I like the GI look so I choose not to get the guns with upgraded sights and other extras.

I try and buy guns that are made in the USA, it doesn't always work out that way but the Springfield's are now made in the USA. The last one I bought doesn't have the ILS so I may have a gun that might be hard to find in Ca. At least I have read that, I'm probably wrong

[bsim]

Personally not a fan of the SA .220 radius, and found the SA to be a bit "edgy".

Meaning, there were more sharp angles and cuts on the SA than some other 1911's I've had.

[MosinVirus]

And your weird affinity for this thread only concretes the idea that all you have experience with are POS cheapass 1911's.

Perhaps. I never owned any 1911 over $1500. But not all of my revolvers are Pythons as well.

Though the fact remains that OP put a budget down.

I am simply imagining myself asking a question about a specific item, and then getting all sorts of feedback about different items... that may actually be better... but I may not be able to afford those. So I guess my only option will be to not enjoy whatever item I was looking at, and instead save and save to get the best of the best, that I may or may not be able to enjoy because of knowing how much I had to do to get it.

[BigBC]

Loaded. I had one loved it. Then after a couple years I went and got a TRP Operator. And it's monnnneeeyyyy

[omega]

SA Loaded M1911

The Springfield Armory Loaded is The better choice, the improved dovetailed front & rear sites are better than the old hi profile staked on sites

the extra details are worth it, I would pass on the MIL SPEC , thats more of the basic economy model, get the nicer one SA Loaded.

[Mark77]

Save some more, be patient and get the TRP.

TRP is basically a Loaded with Armory Kote finish, checkering in front, and a magwell. To some, these features aren't worth paying an extra 700 dollars. To me, they are, that's why I'm getting a TRP

To TS, I'd say get the Loaded. It has a LOT of nice features and it only costs a bit more (as compared to the price difference between the Loaded and TRP).

[charlestheignorant]

Thanks everyone, think im gonna go with the Loaded

[MosinVirus]

Thanks everyone, think im gonna go with the Loaded

Of the two you were considering you are making the right choice. My first was a milspec. Which I then upgraded to have a beavertail, etc. Basically trying to make it into a loaded.

[Schultz28]

Wait and save up more money. Do it right the first time. You will be Glad you did.

Pay at least 1,000 for your first 1911. Kimber, Springfield, Colt.

Must be .45

Every other 1911 you buy can be whatever. Don't be afraid to look at used ones either.

[ar15robert]

I have the Springfield Loaded and would recommend it as best choice in stated price range. I can't imagine the comment I read above from the member who said his was picky on ammo. Mine runs flawlessly on all sorts of factory ammo, and also on target loads (hand loaded) that I get from a family member who likes a bit less recoil. Despite the lower power, the gun still cycles flawlessly.

I also notice that riflegear has this in stock and at $929 I would be a buyer:

http://www.riflegear.com/p-1156-sig-...et-nitron.aspx

Mine did not like reloads and only liked certIn brands.ammo would not seat all the way if it wasn't a tight crimp that's why some factory ammo didn't work either. Guess it had a very tight chamber.

[Robert1234]

Got a Loaded (9mm), Kimber Custom II and a Les Baer DCM Hardball .45.

BTGS is a huge improvement and a pain to have installed after purchase, (and you will want to have on installed cause it cures hammer bite and is much more comfortable to shoot, allowing your hand to grip the gun higher), entailing taking a file to your frame, then likely re-coating. Or paying someone to do these things for you. After doing this, you just ate up the price difference and then some. Once I realized I wasn't going to shoot Bullseye, I installed a BTGS on the Hardball gun. Huge difference. And now I don't bleed when shooting.

Avoid that headache, whatever you get make sure it has a BTGS already installed. Why handicap your initial foray into the 1911 world with the obsolete, less effective, less comfortable grip safety design?

RIA seems to have a well blended BTGS on their guns. The only downside is the cast frame if you care about such things. Personally I doubt it makes any difference for 99.9% of us, but some feel it makes a difference.

[rubbman]

If you have not bought yet consider the RIA cambered in .38 super!

[Brown Rock]

My first 1911 was a SA Mil Spec. Right after I got it I wanted to upgrade it with all of the Loaded like features. If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought the Loaded. With all the money I spent trying to turn my mil spec into a Loaded I could have had a Loaded and much funds for plenty of ammo.

[Robert1234]

If you have not bought yet consider the RIA cambered in .38 super!

Better idea from the perspective of ammo cost (or brass availability if you're reloading) would be 9mm.

9mm 1911 is fun.