looking at 1911's....

[Echidin]

Springfield or get a SW1911 if you can find one.

[keenkeen]

+1, got mine for 835. hard to find for the right price but these babies are BAD ***! Springers are good too my friend has one. Kimber trigger out of the box is way better.

Couple places in CA have them for $649-$699...

OP, what part of CA are you in?

[WolfSamurai]

Look at the Sig Sauer 1911 Target in the $700--$800 range.

[BoJackUSMC]

Springfield Loaded or Smith and Wesson 1911

[shamu415]

You cant go wrong with the Springfields Lifetime warranty. Only downside people will complain about is that it is not fully "made in America." otherwise look at sig, s&w, ruger and a kimber at that price range

[dc2integra]

Look for a used springfield loaded.

[AeroEngi]

I'd recommend a Springfield Loaded but I have to warn you, their QC hasn't been so good the past few years. It's kind of a hit or a miss on whether or not you'll have problems right out of the box. Luckily, you'll have their lifetime warranty if you decide to pick one up. If not a Springfield, then I recommend a Sig or a Kimber.

[den888]

Springfield or a Kimber

[ZX-10R]

Colt or Kimber for me only.

[MongooseV8]

Colt Springfield or Kimber for sure.

The Sig and S&W have an external extractor which has had some extraction problems in the past...

[AeroEngi]

Colt Springfield or Kimber for sure.

The Sig and S&W have an external extractor which has had some extraction problems in the past...

Internal extractors have also had issues in the past. IMHO, I think the argument about the different types of extractors is moot point.

I just realized that we have the same exact number of posts lol

[Echidin]

Colt Springfield or Kimber for sure.

The Sig and S&W have an external extractor which has had some extraction problems in the past...

I haven't heard anything regarding external extractor issues with sig 1911s, but then again I haven't done any research on them. As far as S&W 1911s go, they appear to have gotten the external extractor right. Not to mention they have lifetime warranty. SW1911s are good to go.

Kimbers are not at all bad, but I would rather buy one new as opposed to used as I've heard the warranty does not transfer over to new owners. Someone correct me if I am mistaken.

[Ripon83]

$525.00 RIA Tactical - you can get it for that brand new total out the door (even less).
$100.00 five extra magazines
$100.00 five good boxes of ammo (250 rounds)
$ 75.00 holster and cleaning kit, probably a mag pouch too

$800.00 well spent with all the trimmings.

[thomashoward]

Kimber or Springfield should be considered
If you want a real .45 get a Colt
There are cheaper guns, but that's what they are.

[PandaLuv]

Kimber or Springfield should be considered
If you want a real .45 get a Colt
There are cheaper guns, but that's what they are.

I'm a sig guy, but the man speaks the truth