Want a 1911 that won't break the bank

[sammm]

Thanks all for your comments. I do plan to go to my LGS this Saturday and check them out.

 

[oldag]

For an inexpensive, entry level - Ruger.

The Remington 1911 seems to be pretty solid and there have been some great buys on them. However, with Remington in Chapter 11...

 

[TexasBrandon]

My Taurus 1911 has the extractor sheer off twice. My other Taurus .40 had FTE issues and had to be sent back to the factory multiple times. My experience is enough to never buy anything from them again.

 

[Army 1911]

Either Rock Island or Springfield range officer.

 

[OLDVET]

I started a personal conversation with you concerning this decision.

I own a couple of dozen 1911A1s from various manufacturers. Wilson Combat down to a $300 Armsco 1911 clone. My overall choice for quality versus price would be a Springfield Range Officer. I have them in the Government Model, as well as the Officers Model (45 ACP and 9mm). I like Colts, but they cost more for a comparable pistol.
Everyone and their brother builds at 1911A1 these days. All are capable of being an effective deterrent to an aggressor. Some are just better than others and don't cost a small fortune. Shop around and make up your own mind. After all, once the purchase is completed, you are the one stuck with a bad decision.

 

[Mrvmax]

Rock Island Armory

http://armscor.com/firearms/rock-series/rock-standard-fs-9mm/

If you buy through a Gallery of Guns dealer you will get the Davidsons lifetime warranty on it too.

 

[oldag]

If you buy through a Gallery of Guns dealer you will get the Davidsons lifetime warranty on it too.

If you buy a Ruger, you will get a lifetime warranty regardless of dealer.

 

[OLDVET]

Most reputable manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty. If you modify the pistol, most manufacturers will void your warranty. 1911A1s are like Harleys. Very few people leave them stock.

 

[oldag]

Most reputable manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty. If you modify the pistol, most manufacturers will void your warranty. 1911A1s are like Harleys. Very few people leave them stock.

Depends on the definition of modify.

Swapping a factory part for an aftermarket part may not void the warranty, but the manufacturer will replace the aftermarket part with OEM if the pistol is returned for service.

 

[oldag]

I like Colts, but they cost more for a comparable pistol.

Personally, I have a problem buying a Colt with its plastic MSH (at least in some of their models).

 

[easy rider]

Old Colts are nice. Colt's handgun manufacturing has really dropped off the past couple decades. Too many designers dying off.

 

[OLDVET]

Personally, I have a problem buying a Colt with its plastic MSH (at least in some of their models).

I agree.
If you look at the Colt history you will see that Colt made some very fine firearms up until the '70s.
Their quality started to decline around that time. Wilson Combat and Kimber came along to take up the slack. Colt was almost run out of business in the years to follow.
A few years ago Colt announced they were returning to the manufacturing procedures they used in their glory years. They made some very fine firearm for a couple of years.
Right after Colt made their announcement, I bought a Series 70 Gold Cup National Match pistol that Colt had reissued. It is almost perfect, Accurate and beautiful.
Last fall, I bought one of Colt's new Competition 1911s with the blue G-10 grip panels. Man am I sorry.
What a POS.

 

[topduarte]

I have had 3 rock islands and they are great reliable 1911's

 

[Treetop]

Another vote here for Rock Island Armory 1911s. I bought 2 of them back around 2010-2012, both full size tactical models. One in .45 Auto and one in 9mm.
I have my own range about 100 yards from my front door and shoot these pistols quite a bit. When the grand kids come up to visit, I make sure that I have plenty of .45 and 9mm loaded up because these are 2 of their favorite pistols to shoot.
Thousands and thousands of trouble free rounds have been fired through them.
I have many other 1911s, mostly Colts and my EDC is a 5" Colt, but the RIAs give up nothing to them other than in the looks department, IMO.

One last thing that I would like to add. Over a life time of owning, carrying and competing with 1911s, I have found that it's "Achilles Heel" are magazines! So, since the 90s, I have used nothing but Wilson 7 round model 47 magazines in all of my 1911s. There are several high quality aftermarket magazines out there, Wilson just happens to be my favorite. Semper Fi, Treetop

 

[equin]

I agree.
If you look at the Colt history you will see that Colt made some very fine firearms up until the '70s.
Their quality started to decline around that time. Wilson Combat and Kimber came along to take up the slack. Colt was almost run out of business in the years to follow.
A few years ago Colt announced they were returning to the manufacturing procedures they used in their glory years. They made some very fine firearm for a couple of years.
Right after Colt made their announcement, I bought a Series 70 Gold Cup National Match pistol that Colt had reissued. It is almost perfect, Accurate and beautiful.
Last fall, I bought one of Colt's new Competition 1911s with the blue G-10 grip panels. Man am I sorry.
What a POS.

Just out of curiosity, what went wrong with your Colt Competition? I was in the same boat as the OP last year wanting to buy an affordable 1911. Back then I knew close to nothing about them other than I really wanted one. I’ve learned a teeny bit more since then after I bought a Colt Competition in .45ACP after I found a great deal on it at a LGS.

All I can say is “Wow!” I love it! It has the best trigger I’ve ever felt, but I admit I’m still a noob and haven’t had a chance yet to experience many triggers. It is by far the most enjoyable handgun I’ve ever shot and is way more accurate than I am. So far no problems with it after about 500 rounds at the range. If it had been within OP’s budget, I would have recommended it. But I’m curious to know what troubles you’ve had with yours just so I know what to look out for in mine.

 

[TxStetson]

I have nothing against RIA, but my vote is for the Springfield. My Range Officer Champion is not only my EDC, but it is the best non-custom 1911 I have ever had the pleasure of shooting or fondling. I had lunch with another forum member yesterday, and while were drooling over each others weapons, he tried my trigger. He was surprised when I said it was straight out of the box, and nothing about it was customized.

 

[robertc1024]

I have nothing against RIA, but my vote is for the Springfield. My Range Officer Champion is not only my EDC, but it is the best non-custom 1911 I have ever had the pleasure of shooting or fondling. I had lunch with another forum member yesterday, and while were drooling over each others weapons, he tried my trigger. He was surprised when I said it was straight out of the box, and nothing about it was customized.

I agree with you, but the OP said $400-$700, I don't think you can get a Range Officer in that range. I've got a Range officer and people are surprised by the trigger too. In that price range though, I still don't think you can beat an RIA.

 

[TxStetson]

I agree with you, but the OP said $400-$700, I don't think you can get a Range Officer in that range. I've got a Range officer and people are surprised by the trigger too. In that price range though, I still don't think you can beat an RIA.

I paid $800 for mine, and I definitely feel the little extra money is more than worth it.

 

[sammm]

I paid $800 for mine, and I definitely feel the little extra money is more than worth it.

I'm weighing my options. Will be checking them out tomorrow.

 

[topduarte]

Never hadva failure with Rock Island