Good entry level 1911

[Bhobbs]

1911's are a funny animal. You can break them down into 4 price categories;
$500 for basic.
$1,000 for better
$1,500 for really nice.
$2,000 and up for incredible.

If you decide to go basic, you could easily spend several hundred for upgrades. You could have saved some $ by buying a more expensive gun. Yes, I know, it seemed strange when I wrote it.
I spent $1K on a DW PM7 last year and am very pleased. Prior to the DW, I owned a Colt Double Eagle (almost a 1911, except Double action and no grip safety and a little fatter grip). This is my total 1911 experience.
My B-I-L has the SA Mil-Spec with no upgrades and is also very happy. This gun is about half the price of my DW.
If you can, try to rent or borrow a 1911 in each price category. You could be very happy with the SA Mil-Spec or you may find something nicer is worth the $.
Good luck.

This is my first pistol so I want something that will be reliable and last me a long time. That is why I am interested in the 1911. Plus my grandpa has a Colt 1911 GI built in 1917 that was his fathers. We don't shoot it much but I really like it.

[1911Operator]

cant go wrong with a fully loaded SA. you can find em new for about $700ish if your lucky or used for about $600ish

[maddoggie13]

My personal high end is Kimber and low end is Rock Island Armory Tactical.
For a "first 1911" you cannot go wrong with the RIA Tactical. $500.00 +-.
Not American made though.

+1...Rock Island.

[Bhobbs]

I was looking through the Springfield site and saw this pistol. I like it a lot.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=19

[Rekrab]

The Loaded is very nice, but it also costs the same as some of the more premium makers' guns.

[Bhobbs]

The Loaded is very nice, but it also costs the same as some of the more premium makers' guns.

What would you recommend for a similar price? How does the loaded compare?

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Just out of curiosity, what do you find a GI style to be missing?
I myself am a firm believer in the Gospel According to John Moses Browning.

I purchased one for the same reason, because it was closest to the original idea and had great nostalgic looks. However, after shooting about 600 rounds and dry firing it a lot, it lead me to the conclusion of why folks add things like an extended beaver tail safety, larger sights, lowered ejection ports, beveled edges and tighter barrel bushings.

OP,
If you can save up for a Loaded Springfield, Smith & Wesson 1911 or Kimber Custom II it'll be worth your wait. Other wise, for $500 your choices are limited to a Springfield GI or RIA.

[Rekrab]

Er, never mind. I was thinking of something else. The Loaded is spectacular.

[Bhobbs]

I purchased one for the same reason, because it was closest to the original idea and had great nostalgic looks. However, after shooting about 600 rounds and dry firing it a lot, it lead me to the conclusion of why folks add things like an extended beaver tail safety, larger sights, lowered ejection ports, beveled edges and tighter barrel bushings.

OP,
If you can save up for a Loaded Springfield, Smith & Wesson 1911 or Kimber Custom II it'll be worth your wait. Other wise, for $500 your choices are limited to a Springfield GI or RIA.

Yeah that's what I am going to do.

[Rekrab]

owning just ONE 1911 is a sin, just like only just ONE glock

Yeah, owning a Glock is definitely a sin.

[Lead Waster]

My first 1911 was a Springfield TRP.

A good choice. If I'm going to buy a 1911, it's not going to be "A FIRST" 1911, it will be "THE" 1911 that I own. Probably the sweetest most accurate pistol that I'VE shot was my friends Springfield TRP. His wife said he could buy ONE gun, and I think he bought the right one. That is just an awesome thing to shoot. I should point out that I have a Glock 21, so maybe just any 1911 would have been awesome

I don't see the point in having multiple 1911's, just lump the cost of all the 1911's you might buy in the future, and get a really good one and shoot it for the next 50 years.

[RedFord150]

...I don't see the point in having multiple 1911's, just lump the cost of all the 1911's you might buy in the future, and get a really good one and shoot it for the next 50 years.

This is actually a really good idea. Quality guns go up in value as the new prices increase. You will probably make a profit and enjoy 50 years of shooting it.