1911 question

[jshoebot]

So, a buddy of mine is in the market for a 1911. He wants to spend between 800-1200 bucks, and he asked me for advice. I'll admit I don't really know a whole lot about 1911's, I'm more of a polymer frame guy (have a few glocks and XD's). I was wondering if the more knowledgeable folks would help out with some suggestions as I don't really know what to look for in a 1911, brands/models and all that. There's quite a daunting selection to say the least. Thanks guys!

[CaliB&R]

You do know, you just opened a can of worms with that question, right? And some people will say use search, as this has been asked many times. But..... I'll bite.

Does he want a safe queen, HD/SD carry pistol or something he can just toss around? Cause that will narrow the list a lot. Id never carry or toss around a Kimber, Ed Brown Dan Wesson or Les Baer, but my RIA Tactical I plan on having on my CCW (when San Diego goes shall issue).

Here are a few mfgrs that I've heard of
RIA (Rock Island Arms)
Caspian Arms
Colt
Dan Wesson
Ed Brown
Kimber
Les Baer
Nighthawk
Para-Ordnance
RRA (Rock River Arms)
Sig Sauer
Smith & Wesson
Springfield Armory
STI/SVI
Taurus
USGI
Wilson Combat

[glockman19]

A Springfield or Kimber offer great value for their entry level 1911's.

[Operator]

Yeah, need a little bit more info about what the purpose of the gun is. I have a $1,800 1911 that I carried CCW for about a month, then it occurred to me, If anything happened they might take away my baby, So I bought a Cheaper XD to carry, and the 1911 only comes out when some friend of mine thinks their Glock is Gods gift to gun loving men. And then I remind him, No, John Browning gave the the gift, not God.

So, if you want a carry 1911 I would stick with RIA, or Taurus or even a Springfield Mil spec.
If you want something to take out and shoot I would get a nice Springfield or Kimber, maybe a Les Baer.
Para's aren't my favorite, if you want a double stack this is your gun...
Ed brown, Wilson, they are going to be the high side of your price range to all the way out of it.
If I was sitting on a "G" I would either buy a Springfield EMP in 9mm or .40
Or I would get a pair of RIA's or Taurus's Two is always better than one.

[negolien]

The Loaded is a nicw weapon for the price range your lookin at.

[fullrearview]

I say go with the SA Operator.....Thats my next weapon!

[JTROKS]

Best bang for the buck would be a Springfield Trophy Match like this one:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=199065908 or you can buy Leelaw's Kimber Raptor currently for sale.

If you're not all worried about a tight fitting slide to frame fit, but want an almost bargain basement fighting 1911 complete with front strap checkering, night sights, checkered steel mainspring housing, then the Sig XO can be had out the door of your buddy's starting price range.

[RickD427]

It's really hard to make any recommendations without knowing what the weapon will be used for.

At your price point, Springfield probably has the widest choice, and the overall best quality available.

I'm a little leery of Kimber. The quality of many of their components seems to be on the low side.

If you're looking for a carry weapon, you may want to look at the Colt XSE. It has the Colt name, and a good set of features for carry use. But I would caution you that Colt quality has slipped. I've seen many Colt's offered for sale that wouldn't have been allowed off of the factory floor a few years ago. Most of the problems have been in the drilling and milling and will be revealed by a close pre-purchase inspection. If you find a good one, you may even have a few dollars left over.

[Phillips]

I bought a Springfield trophy match after I shot a friends. All my plastic guns are now sitting in the safe. No more plastic guns for me

[1911Luvr]

If your buddy doesn't mind getting a quality used gun, he can get an excellent used 1911 at the higher end of his price range. For that money you can get a used Springfield TRP, or some Les Baer models. Keep checking the private firearms sale section of this site for bargains and you will undoubtedly find one. I would highly recommend the Springer TRP as it is one of the best 1911s out of the box that I've ever had the pleasure of firing. If he wants a new one, the Springer Trophy Match is a great choice, and I have a real soft spot for the Colt Railgun as well. Something about the little horsie and the rail makes me drool when I fondle them.

[GW]

High end used 1911 are rare and you always wonder
"Why did the original owner sell it?"
That said I would probably pounce on one if I found it.
$1100 will get you a Springfield Loaded model which is a very nice 1911 indeed. I have one and it is excellent right out of the box
BUT that same $1100 will get you a Rock Island Armory Tactical Plus a case of .45 ACP and maybe a couple extra magazines or a holster.
Read what people have to say about RIA's .
You won't regret getting the Springfield as it is very good with great customer service but the RIA gets you an awful lot for your money.
Good luck with whichever your buddy chooses.

[FUBAR]

For that price range I would get a Sig XO. It comes with a match barrel and is quite accurate.

[Jn316]

Turners just had a sale on the Kimber Custom 2 for something like $750.I bought one 5000 rds ago and I am glad I did it and have had O problems with it

[Cyc Wid It]

(basic gun that will use -in some cases much- less than the budget)
RIA
Springfield GI

(falls near the middle of the alotted budget)
Colt Series 70
Springfield loaded
Springfield MC Operator

(the following might be stretching the budget a little)
Springfield TRP used
Springfield Trophy Match used
Dan Wesson used

[jshoebot]

Thanks for all the tips guys! Sorry I didn't clarify what the gun's purpose would be. It will be used primarily for home defense. My buddy likes big-name stuff though, he asked me for the "best" 1911 between 800 and 1200 bucks.

The Springfield TRP is what I told him to get as that's the one I like, but it's a little out of the price range. I also told him to get the MC Operator, but they are damn hard to find these days.anyways, thanks again for the help!