Help with 1911 info

[Gigan]

Hello Handgunners, I need some basic info on the 1911's on the market right now (makers, prices, and differences that warrant higher prices). Im interested in shooting it, not collecting it. basically I want a dependable handgun. Is it possible to get one for around the 550 dollar mark or am I living in fantasy land? I did search the boards here but didnt come up with anything specific to my question. Any recommendations? I'm looking to buy some time next year. Thanks people

[Bobotheclown]

You can get a RIA Tactical for that much or for a little more, a Springfield GI

[Gigan]

Thanx Bobo, I can start some research now

[Black Majik]

$550 won't get much these days.

RIA Tactical may be a good route to go, good sights, good options and should run well.

Springfield's GI will come with tiny sights, but a forged slide and frame. A little more will get you a Milspec, but with larger GI sights and still bare bones 1911.

Tapping into the $700-$800 category opens up a whole slew of options. Kimber Custom II, Springfield Loaded, S&W1911, Colt NRM 1911 can be bought slightly loved. Except for the Colt, it'll come with nice features such as extended thumb safety, front cocking serrations, nice fixed sights, 3-hole trigger, beavertail, and (meh) FLGR.

[Clayface]

Come back next year I have a feeling anything we will say will fall like dead weight.

[trickyvic]

Tapping into the $700-$800 category opens up a whole slew of options. Kimber Custom II, Springfield Loaded, S&W1911, Colt NRM 1911 can be bought slightly loved. Except for the Colt, it'll come with nice features such as extended thumb safety, front cocking serrations, nice fixed sights, 3-hole trigger, beavertail, and (meh) FLGR.

This is what I would reccomend, save your pennies. I would save for at least a Mil-spec which can be found for around $650

[cmonk518]

Too bad we live in CA, the Taurus 1911 is a pretty nice handgun for how cheap it is.

Save your money and instead buy a $700-$800 1911 which will have a ton of custom options like the Para or S&W.

Trust me, I'm not making fun of non-forged frame 1911s, but you'll regret those once you put a nice 1911 in your hand that feels good, is solid, has nice sights, match grade barrel, and slick with all the custom features and than put a Rock Island or Mil-Spec 1911 in your hand. It's just a world of difference. Go to a gun range in your area that rents alot of guns and see for yourself. You cant imagine what spending 2 or 3 more hundred dollars more can do for a 1911.

[Rekrab]

All of the new Rocks are forged I believe.

$550 is exactly what I paid for my Rock Tactical out the door. Great gun, very comfortable and it has all the goodies I wanted on a 1911. I also like the grip safety better than other more expensive models.

Prior to buying my Rock I shot S&W, Colt and SA. Out of those three I still bought the Rock. I'm not going to say it's the highest quality gun out there, I've had some feeding issues with it while in the break-in period, but you get a lot for what you pay for. However, new grips are mandatory!

[Mute]

Get a Springfield milspec. It should be fine. If - and that's a big if - it has any issues, it can be easily resolved by anyone who has experience with 1911s.

The guns in the $700 range are nice and give you a lot of extras and bang for the buck, but I personally prefer those extras be done by a competent smith. It will look and feel better, though a little costlier. I'm picky about my 1911s, and a properly blended grip safety done by a top quality smith cannot be matched by one done off a factory assembly line.

[damndave]

Can't go wrong with a Kimber Custom II. Probably somewhere in the $700 range

[Gigan]

Thanx Everyone for your advice! I think since it will be a next year purchase I may raise the extra dough for the Springfield mil-spec, if not then Ill do the RIA, Thank you guys for the info, as always you guys rock!! Now to spend hours on end reading about them and learning every detail concerning them, Hehe, its what we do huh?

[Big Jake]

Kimber is the best (in my opinion) 1911. I own two and love shooting them. They are not cheap but you get what you pay for. Save your money and buy a great gun rather then a mediocre gun.

You will be glad you did!

[Rekrab]

Thanx Everyone for your advice! I think since it will be a next year purchase I may raise the extra dough for the Springfield mil-spec, if not then Ill do the RIA, Thank you guys for the info, as always you guys rock!! Now to spend hours on end reading about them and learning every detail concerning them, Hehe, its what we do huh?

Make sure you hold both, I passed on the Mil-Spec for the Rock because the Mil-Spec wasn't as nice in my hand.

[Gigan]

Ya I need to hold a few for sure. Im a Big boy. Hand guns can be not so comfortable sometimes.

[Gigan]

Oh one more question,What makes the taurus version not cali legal ? Capacity? Too black/evil ?