hey everyone. been thinking lately.. its been 6 months or so since i bought a firearm so i figured i ought to start saving up for another soon. i'm really considering a 1911 and i know almost nothing about them besides the basic function and style, the fact that they are .45 ACP and that they are pretty much the AR of handguns.

 

while i'd love to be able to drop a grand or more on a really nice handgun, its just not in the funds. a friend at work was telling me there are lots of brands that go new for under 500 that are decent reliable guns. i think he said rock island armory was one but i can't remember any of the rest.

 

so how bout it? whos got experience with budget 1911s? brand preference? round counts? i know at that price i won't be able to get a nice stainless one or special triggers and all that, but most of that i'll be able to upgrade along the way. the only feature i want to make sure it has is the extended beaver tail, beyond that just a reliable piece of machinery.

 

thanks to all in advance!

Rock island armory tactical

 

 

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Rock Island is a good entry level 1911. I have a couple of Citadels (made by the same parent company of Rock Island) and couldn't be happier.

Rock island armory tactical

 

 

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thats a nice looking gun for a nice looking price. i did forget one other question, as far as modifications go - is everything pretty much interchangeable with the 1911 parts on the market or do i need to be aware of differences from model to model?

thats a nice looking gun for a nice looking price. i did forget one other question, as far as modifications go - is everything pretty much interchangeable with the 1911 parts on the market or do i need to be aware of differences from model to model?

1911's are there own breed. I don't own one but will be getting the ria tactical. Parts are more or less drop in but some fitting is required since there isn't really a standard that parts are made around

 

 

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Ruger

Rock Island Armory

Citadel

STI

 

All of these companies make quality 1911's that cost under a $800

From what I remember..... the dovetail angles on the sights are a little unique on the RIA.....   but dont quote me on that.....

 

So changing sights might be a challange

IMHO if you want a modern 1911, the Ruger is very, very nice.

 

If you want a WWII style handgun that is made in America, the Auto Ordnance 1911A1 is in your price range and is basically a WWII replica.  I love mine.

 

I've often said that my 92FS is my wife.  My PX4 is my beautiful young mistress and my 1911 is the girl with whom I first fell in love.

Any opinions on the Magnum Research 1911?

Any opinions on the Magnum Research 1911?

i like it a lot. I heard the trigger is fantastic. It gets knocked because of the billboard on the slide but i havebone on my list(shocker). Priced pretty reasonably as well.

now that you brought it up magnum research was another one of the brands he mentioned. as far as the billboard... big deal - seems like a lot of the 1911s have them depending on the company that made them.

 

ruger looks very nice too, maybe i will just bite it and save up a little more for a nicer one.

 

thanks again guys for all the opinions and help! maybe in a few months when i have some money i'll post some pics

Since I drank the Springfield cool aid I am going to suggest a range officer love mine and Springfield custom shop can do just about anything you want to the gun down the road plus lifetime warranty and they are easy to deal with something I have not heard about some of the other entry level 1911 makers

I realize that you want your 1911 NOW, but save your money and get a decent gun fo $800- $950

 

You can always upgrade that gun later. I did that, with a basic Springfield Loaded Model . I now have about another $ 400 worth of work done to it and it shoots like a $2000 gun.

 

You will not get much for $500

 

 

For the record I have 8 -1911s

There are at least 100+ threads on buying your first 1911. Try the search tool also...Good luck.

For your budget I would get a Springfield Range Officer. Thats all you need to start out and will keep you happy for awhile. There are lots of choices out there. Everybody and their mother is building a budget 1911 these days. Its an easy gun to make but a tough gun to get to work properly. Alot of them are prone to problems b/c of poor machining, whacked out tolerances, and garbage raw materials.

 

Consider this with the Range Officer...Its made by a company that has been doing it for a long, long time. They know the 1911 very well. . If you have a problem you have a warranty and an excellent customer service department to back it up. The fit and finish will be better then some of the newer start up companies by a long shot.

 

My 2 cents.

I bought used Springfield Armory 1911, pretty base model, normal trigger and hammer, not extended beavertail, no stippling on the front of the grip, but lemme tell you something, it has eaten everything I ever ran through it! Semi wadcutters loaded soft, normal FMJ factory ammo, never missed a beat! S/A wants me to send it back to get the plunger tube replaced so the thumb safety can easily be used, since I don't use it for competition I am in no rush, don't need the safety to work for target practice. I will send it back one day and also get a fiber front sight so I can see it!

I bought used Springfield Armory 1911, pretty base model, normal trigger and hammer, not extended beavertail, no stippling on the front of the grip, but lemme tell you something, it has eaten everything I ever ran through it! Semi wadcutters loaded soft, normal FMJ factory ammo, never missed a beat! S/A wants me to send it back to get the plunger tube replaced so the thumb safety can easily be used, since I don't use it for competition I am in no rush, don't need the safety to work for target practice. I will send it back one day and also get a fiber front sight so I can see it!

I did the tritium front site a little more then the fiber optic but I am very happy with it.

I always wanted to see what a gold bead front sight would look like also.

I always wanted to see what a gold bead front sight would look like also.

I almost went with that one Mike

I realize that you want your 1911 NOW, but save your money and get a decent gun fo $800- $950

 

You can always upgrade that gun later. I did that, with a basic Springfield Loaded Model . I now have about another $ 400 worth of work done to it and it shoots like a $2000 gun.

 

You will not get much for $500

 

 

For the record I have 8 -1911s

 

well its still going to be some time whether i go cheap or not cheap. this thread has given me some insight and things to think about and since it will be a while anyway i may just go the extra mile and get a nicer one.

Just get a Springfield. They got like a dozen choices.

S&W is good.

Sig actually makes nice 1911s if you like the square slides & they have nitron coatings.

I'm a s*cker for dual tones myself.