Best value 1911?

[Infidelxx]

The RIA and SA G.I. model are probably your only sub-$600 choices for a 1911 right now. If you can wait a bit, get in on that Paralax Tactical group buy for the SA Loaded 1911 as it is about $200 off regular price and only a couple bucks over your price point, making it the best value anywhere! I have 2 Loaded models and absolutely love them. If I was buying a sub-$600 1911 I would personally go with the SA G.I. model because I will eventually build it up when I have a few extra bucks, and it makes the best choice for a build gun. If you get bit by the 1911 custom bug, you can take that G.I. model and turn it into the highest end custom you ever saw (big $$$) or somewhere in between.

If you never plan to upgrade the gun or you are not a person who likes to tweak out their toys, I would suggest the RIA in the base model or the Tactical for a bit more. These guns are good solid 1911s and are inexpensive for what you get. Since they are built on cast frames I would not recommend them as a basis for a custom build later, but they are a cost effective way to get into a 1911.

Since you are also in Riverside, I'd be happy to let you try out one of my SA Loadeds so you can get a comparative basis.

Solid advice! I recently sent my SA G.I. to Cylinder and Slide for the "Trident" build. They will only use the SA G.I. as a base model for custom builds. 1911's are addicting and you will more than likely own more than one eventually. Many custom makers consider the SA the best production base model.

[CHS]

Best value period : Rock Island.

Best overall under $1000 : Kimber

Over $1000 (And under $2K) : Kimber, Springfield, CZ/Dan Wesson, Colt

BEST : Nighthawk (Got $3K?)

Don't get a sub-1000$ Springfield. The loaded models really just aren't that great and for the money the Kimbers are far nicer guns. Don't listen to the haters about the Rock Islands. They are fantastic guns in their price range and an excellent value. I've got one, I love it.

When you start hitting about the $1500 mark, your options really open up to some very high quality guns, but you're also talking more than $1500. This is the price point where the Springfields really come into their own. At this price point you can start getting "custom" guns as well.

If it's your first 1911 and you know you want one but are looking for value, I would HIGHLY recommend a Kimber.

If it's your first 1911 and you're a little iffy and maybe aren't totally sure, pick up a Rock Island. You'll have a lot of fun with it and won't regret the purchase should you decide later on to get a higher-end 1911.

[STAGE 2]

/\ And the RIA. Damn near kunhausen(browning) specs on mine.
Forged frame, eh, not important. No real/appreciable difference.

There must be a difference because most custom builders won't use RIA frames as base guns. Not saying I know what is is, but they must.

That and nothing bad ever happened by making a tool tougher.

[STAGE 2]

Best overall under $1000 : Kimber

Eh, I don't know about that. Cast frames, MIM parts, and not built to kunhausen specs, not to mention the reliability problems that they always seem to have.

Lots of well respected 1911 gurus avoid the brand all together.

[C.W.M.V.]

There must be a difference because most custom builders won't use RIA frames as base guns. Not saying I know what is is, but they must.

That and nothing bad ever happened by making a tool tougher.

I'm sure theres some difference but its far beyond what most any of us will ever need. I mean hell FN went to a cast frame in the .40 High power because the forged frames were cracking, or so I understand it.
I think the biggest reason many smiths wont use a RIA frame is that its cheap. Hell STI uses armscor frames, same as the RIA line. Why use cheaper parts when you could use marginally more expensive ones and charge exponentially more for it.

[HPGunner]

I picked up a Rock Island 9mm 1911 GI a few weeks ago . Around $420 OTD , branny new.
It's a bare bones 1911 - which I think is the place to start. There was a .45 right next to it , but I grabbed the 9mm. My wife has already muckled on to it . That meaned I'll just have to get the .45 later.

This specific Rock is very accurate. I gave a fluff & buff so it would run mild 115gn loads. The sights suck out of the box , just like the GI sights did. Very fixable .

How did you luck out and find a Rock Island 1911 in 9mm? I thought the Rock Island 1911 in 9mm is not on the Roster. That's one gun that I've been looking at on Gallery of Guns and it's they won't ship it to California because it's off-roster. For $420 OTD let us know where we can pick one up.

I'd suggest maybe a Kimber Custom II or Springfield Mil-Spec for a couple hundred more.

[fennecfrank]

Why don't you try some basic ones, then high-end ones?

since alot of people already mentioned basic ones, I'll suggest the high-end ones:

Les Baer
Ed Brown
Nighthawk
Wilson Combat
Dan Wesson
Guncrafter Industries

If you start with a basic 1911 and modify to the level of each one of these high-end 1911's, you will actually spend $1K more.

My personal favorite is Guncrafter Industries. To me it has the best quality. It's solid, everything is tight yet the action is smooth. Trigger is nicely tuned. I sold several of my colt's and Ed Brown after getting it. (I chose Ed Brown after handled Wilson, Nighthawk, and Les Baer). Besides the regular .45 ACP barrel, mine has the .50 GI barrel as well. Nice gun with 2 calibers!

Good luck on finding your dream gun.

[gasol1ne]

I think most builders dont like to work on cast frames, because when you start cutting cast things, sometimes you get holes because there were bubbles in the casting. When i had some work done to my armscor the gunsmith had to weld some parts of the frame because the casting wasnt perfect and there was a little bubble inside. Structurally im sure it was fine, he only welded the hole as a cosmetic thing.

[1911Luvr]

Eh, I don't know about that. Cast frames, MIM parts, and not built to kunhausen specs, not to mention the reliability problems that they always seem to have.

Lots of well respected 1911 gurus avoid the brand all together.

+1 on this. A lot of research and a few questions to formers owners is the reason I have two Springfields instead of 1 Springfield and 1 Kimber!

[1911Luvr]

Hell STI uses armscor frames, same as the RIA line.

STI only uses Armscor frames on their entry level guns, and only because they are trying to reach a low-end price point they cannot reach with their own high-end frames.

[Cali-Shooter]

Best value period : Rock Island.

Best overall under $1000 : Kimber

Over $1000 (And under $2K) : Kimber, Springfield, CZ/Dan Wesson, Colt

BEST : Nighthawk (Got $3K?)

Don't get a sub-1000$ Springfield. The loaded models really just aren't that great and for the money the Kimbers are far nicer guns. Don't listen to the haters about the Rock Islands. They are fantastic guns in their price range and an excellent value. I've got one, I love it.

When you start hitting about the $1500 mark, your options really open up to some very high quality guns, but you're also talking more than $1500. This is the price point where the Springfields really come into their own. At this price point you can start getting "custom" guns as well.

If it's your first 1911 and you know you want one but are looking for value, I would HIGHLY recommend a Kimber.

If it's your first 1911 and you're a little iffy and maybe aren't totally sure, pick up a Rock Island. You'll have a lot of fun with it and won't regret the purchase should you decide later on to get a higher-end 1911.

Took the words straight out of my brain. Well said.

I'm a proud Kimber owner. Mine was had for $954.95 shipped, a Custom II TLE/RL. Love it to death!

[campperrykid]

How did you luck out and find a Rock Island 1911 in 9mm? I thought the Rock Island 1911 in 9mm is not on the Roster. That's one gun that I've been looking at on Gallery of Guns and it's they won't ship it to California because it's off-roster. For $420 OTD let us know where we can pick one up.

I'd suggest maybe a Kimber Custom II or Springfield Mil-Spec for a couple hundred more.

How ?
I escaped to a free state.
Where?
Almost any gunstore ( in a free state ) run by people who know how to build repeat business.

The error net prices for RAI 1911's are all over the map. Checkout Sarco and some others.

[Noel]

Rock Island is not a bad way to go, but I am a big fan of Para Ordnance... I think you get the biggest bang for you buck and for concealability, with 10 round magazines, you can't beat any of the warthog family: but truth be told, about the only one that will increase in value is a Colt 1911...

[cineski]

OP, you're getting a bit more for your money w/ RIA over Springfield. Buyer beware, majority of Springers are made in Brazil so don't think you're buying a US made 1911 ;-)

[Steve1968LS2]

I picked up a Springfield Loaded stainless on here for $800 used.. no tax

To me that's the best "bargain" out there. And I've seen them go for less (this one was unfired).

But you will be happy with the RIA