School me on 1911's

[karlvv]

I'm going to finally get a 1911. It will be my first. I've never even fired one. I'm planning on a stainless Springfield. Why? I like Springfield and shiny things. Which model should I get? Are there certain advantages and disadvantages of the different models. Your input is appreciated.

 

[00formula6spd]

I would say just spend the money for a Colt. I have had 2 R.I.A and did not care much for them. Slide just did not rack smooth but one shot well. I have a Remington R1 enhanced threaded I love but it is a Freedom Arms gun. My 1970 Colt gold cup is a keeper. If you want to go over the Colt price, then Dan Wesson and others.

 

[karlvv]

I like the Dan Wesson's, but I'm not ready to slap down 1800 for the one I want. That will be my second 1911 though.

 

[Gunsite Grad]

Waiting for @NWS to school you on SA. As for a shiny gun, I'll just leave this here

 

[SouthernSlammed]

For a bigger hand guy, they feel sssssooooo good! I, of course, have Ruger SR1911's! Have both 45 and 9! Both great shooting guns! I have shot my pops Colt 45, it's great as well, but I made a great choice with Ruger!

 

[Shemp]

SA is fine for a starter gun...or only 1911...regardless of where they are made or your feelings about the company. I've had 1911s ranging from RIAs to full custom Ed Browns and Colts. My first was a SA Loaded stainless. Great gun for $680-720. I had it for a while and probably put 1500 rounds through it beforr selling it off to fund a Dan Wesson. No problems.

A RIA will be a good, cheap blaster that should run fairly well out of the box, just not look as nice. It will let you know if you want to dip further into 1911s for about $550

Both of them will have MIM parts...as will all of them (including Colt) under $1k. Have to step up to a Dan Wesson to no MIM.

If/when you are ready to spend the $$$ Dan Wesson is hard to beat.

 

[Jake]

Get a Springfield Range Officer(what I would recommend) or a Springfield Loaded. Look for a gun that has a serial number prefix that starts with "NM" instead of just "N". Supposedly the "NM" guns are finished being assembled in the US(I don't think anybody can actually verify this or not). In my experience "NM" prefix guns have a lot tighter slide to frame fit, barrel to bushing fit, and just generally feel like a better put together gun than the "N" prefix guns.

 

[coach482]

Can't go wrong with Springers TRP.

 

[Jake]

Can't go wrong with Springers TRP.

For the kind of money they want for them you could have a way nicer Dan Wesson. I had a TRP and it felt like a $700 Loaded but with FSC (front strap checkering).

 

[Willy Leadwell]

I've been extremely happy with my Ruger. I think it's on par with Colt quality for substantially less money.

 

[Balthaz]

I have and have owned all of the 1911,s mentioned here.
I build my own 1911,s too and to me that is the best way to get what you want but putting 3k plus into a Frame and building it up is a Chore (Labor of love for me).
Springfield RO is a good starter 1911 and will give you what you are looking for a good Accurate 1911 that will shoot and not have issues.
There are other brands that will fit this bill to I Carry a Ruger 1911 EDC it is one I got from @_Jake_ a few years ago and love it.
I also carry one I built from a PSA 1911 Frame and it is one sweet shooter too.
I picked up a Systema Colt made in 1955 that is on par with any colt made today and shoots anything I put thru it.
I have I guess my favorite 1911 to shoot is my colt delta elite in 10mm now that is a hand cannon.
now don't get me wrong I have the gold cup colts and they are Awesome too but you were asking about a new to you 1911.
my .02 worth

 

[Shemp]

For the kind of money they want for them you could have a way nicer Dan Wesson. I had a TRP and it felt like a $700 Loaded but with FSC (front strap checkering).

Agreed....

 

[Shemp]

I need a 1911 again.

 

[karlvv]

I have and have owned all of the 1911,s mentioned here.
I build my own 1911,s too and to me that is the best way to get what you want but putting 3k plus into a Frame and building it up is a Chore (Labor of love for me).
Springfield RO is a good starter 1911 and will give you what you are looking for a good Accurate 1911 that will shoot and not have issues.
There are other brands that will fit this bill to I Carry a Ruger 1911 EDC it is one I got from @_Jake_ a few years ago and love it.
I also carry one I built from a PSA 1911 Frame and it is one sweet shooter too.
I picked up a Systema Colt made in 1955 that is on par with any colt made today and shoots anything I put thru it.
I have I guess my favorite 1911 to shoot is my colt delta elite in 10mm now that is a hand cannon.
now don't get me wrong I have the gold cup colts and they are Awesome too but you were asking about a new to you 1911.
my .02 worth

I looked at that delta elite last night and I got a chub. I will own one of them in the next year.

 

[Balthaz]

Custom Build 1911 that I did compared to a Springfield RO Below.



My Springfield RO Hell of a good gun and I still have it.



Target I shot with RO:


The Range officer is a good Pistol and will serve you well.
I still have mine and will keep it for a long time, the range officer I have now I only Have 600.00 in Trade for it.
The Palmetto State Custom at the top I have 2.8K in it not including the frame which I got for 150.00 when PSA was selling these a few years ago.

 

[karlvv]

I had a ruger in my hand this morning that I almost bought. I still think I want the sprinfield first.

 

[Balthaz]

I had a ruger in my hand this morning that I almost bought. I still think I want the sprinfield first.

Here is a Picture of my EDC:



Love my Ruger SR1911

 

[AtlMedic]

While it was nothing fancy, I had a Springfield Loaded that I really liked and I wish I still had it. Down the road I plan on getting another 1911 for sure.

 

[Willy Leadwell]

Here is a Picture of my EDC:

View attachment 22557

Love my Ruger SR1911

I love those grips.

Here is mine.



Gotta get some new sights.

 

[cmshoot]

What's your price range?

From the bottom up I would recommend:
SAI Loaded
SAI RO
SAI TRP

The TRP is definitely not a Loaded with a checkered front strap. There is quite a bit more to it than that, but they are also quite a bit more money.

I used a lightly tuned SAI TRP to achieve my Grand Master in Single Stack USPSA. Great gun, has never let me down.