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Posted: 12/20/2016 7:41:00 PM EDT
Looking to get a non-safe queen 1911 but don't want to spend a ton of money. Would rather get a solid 1911 that'll shoot well out of the box but can be upgraded over time to my liking.
Is there a brand/model that is a stand out for something like this? Thanks for any advice! |
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Giving us a dollar value of what you want to spend would help.
That said, I have to agree - you can't go wrong with a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec, Range Officer or Loaded (depending on funds and features wanted) Good luck, Bob S. |
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Springfield Mil spec is the perfect candidate for this.. look no further IMO.
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Grabagun has a great deal on a Colt Government SS 45, $650 and $6 shipping. I just ordered my first 1911 from them.
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Another vote for basic Springfield either mil-spec or range officer
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My advice would be to find a nice used RIA tac model locally shoot the piss out of it and if you like it start saving for the gun with all the stuff you want on it. Buying a used one you'd probably get close to what you paid for it when you sell it. That's what I did anyways. I wanted one in 9MM found a good price on one through a local board (FTF) took it to the range a couple times and loved it. Sold it for the $450 I paid for it and bought a Dan Wesson Specialist in 9MM.
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Quoted:
Looking to get a non-safe queen 1911 but don't want to spend a ton of money. Would rather get a solid 1911 that'll shoot well out of the box but can be upgraded over time to my liking. Is there a brand/model that is a stand out for something like this? Thanks for any advice! View Quote If you plan to upgrade later, I would stick to Springfield or Colt. Forged frame and slide for starters and they're used as base guns for custom builds by gunsmiths. JMHO, but upgrading a RIA/Armscor/PSA is gilding a lilly. They are what they are, cheap/nofrills 1911s for those with a tight budget. |
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I have a cheaper 1911 and it's fine for what it is, but there's no way I'd dump money into it. Do it the right way, go SA. |
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Thanks for all the feedback, some good things to think about before making a decision. I remember a few years back (maybe on Black Friday) those RIA .45's were $300-$400 dollars and almost bought one then. I'd like to keep it under $500 but a budget isn't holding me back just how much money I want to have tied up in a .45 is. Looked at the Smith Performance Center SW1911 for awhile but just couldn't justify the money and then it would be a safe queen.
Keep the suggestions coming along with any links! |
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After several years of competing with a Springfield 1911, I understand why they are consistently recommended when questions such as this one come up.
I've seen lots of the "inexpensive" 1911s in competition. None of them seem to hold up to the strength and assembly quality of Colt's and Springfields. After watching various shooters for many years now, it seems the sub-$500 pistols are a waste of money, if the shooter intends to actually use the pistol a lot. Springfield is your huckleberry. |
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Sig Sayr Tac pack
Great pistol, comes with two mags, mag loader and a docent holster. Was around $800 |
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After several years of competing with a Springfield 1911, I understand why they are consistently recommended when questions such as this one come up. I've seen lots of the "inexpensive" 1911s in competition. None of them seem to hold up to the strength and assembly quality of Colt's and Springfields. After watching various shooters for many years now, it seems the sub-$500 pistols are a waste of money, if the shooter intends to actually use the pistol a lot. Springfield is your huckleberry. View Quote well said |
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After several years of competing with a Springfield 1911, I understand why they are consistently recommended when questions such as this one come up. I've seen lots of the "inexpensive" 1911s in competition. None of them seem to hold up to the strength and assembly quality of Colt's and Springfields. After watching various shooters for many years now, it seems the sub-$500 pistols are a waste of money, if the shooter intends to actually use the pistol a lot. Springfield is your huckleberry. well said What they said. Springfield Mil-Spec |
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My advice would be to find a nice used RIA tac model locally shoot the piss out of it and if you like it start saving for the gun with all the stuff you want on it. Buying a used one you'd probably get close to what you paid for it when you sell it. That's what I did anyways. I wanted one in 9MM found a good price on one through a local board (FTF) took it to the range a couple times and loved it. Sold it for the $450 I paid for it and bought a Dan Wesson Specialist in 9MM. View Quote I just ordered a 45 tactical model, new, for $455. So yeah, you can buy new and sell used for what you paid. I second RIA. Great guns. I really like that they have stuck to USGI specs. Springfield has proprietary firing pin size and front sight tenon. Colts are mostly series 80 and also have a different front sight. |
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If you plan to upgrade later, I would stick to Springfield or Colt. Forged frame and slide for starters and they're used as base guns for custom builds by gunsmiths. JMHO, but upgrading a RIA/Armscor/PSA is gilding a lilly. They are what they are, cheap/nofrills 1911s for those with a tight budget. View Quote Apparently RIA frames are forged. https://advancedtactical.com/products/parts/1911-parts/80-frames/FS-A1-45-Rock-Ultra-80-Frame according to this. |
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Apparently RIA frames are forged. https://advancedtactical.com/products/parts/1911-parts/80-frames/FS-A1-45-Rock-Ultra-80-Frame according to this. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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If you plan to upgrade later, I would stick to Springfield or Colt. Forged frame and slide for starters and they're used as base guns for custom builds by gunsmiths. JMHO, but upgrading a RIA/Armscor/PSA is gilding a lilly. They are what they are, cheap/nofrills 1911s for those with a tight budget. Apparently RIA frames are forged. https://advancedtactical.com/products/parts/1911-parts/80-frames/FS-A1-45-Rock-Ultra-80-Frame according to this. That is a Rock Ultra frame (according to the website), not a Rock Island Armory. RIA pistols have always used cast frame and slides. ETA: As of 2007, RIA uses a cast frame and forged slide with MIM internals. Some examples still show up with cast slides according to the Google; speculation is they are new/old stock. OP, buy a Springfield or Colt. There's a good reason the top pistolsmiths use them for the basis of a custom gun. |
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Blah, blah, blah. Cast vs. forged I've never found it worth it to "upgrade" a 1911, just buy one with everything you want on it from the get go, no waiting for it to come back. Buy a cheap one used decide what you would want on the new one, sell the old used one and buy the one you want.
No clue if this one is cast or forged, didn't care I wasn't keeping it, just testing it out in 9mm. Rock Ultra Quoted:
That is a Rock Ultra frame (according to the website), not a Rock Island Armory. RIA pistols have always used cast frame and slides. ETA: As of 2007, RIA uses a cast frame and forged slide with MIM internals. Some examples still show up with cast slides according to the Google; speculation is they are new/old stock. OP, buy a Springfield or Colt. There's a good reason the top pistolsmiths use them for the basis of a custom gun. View Quote |
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This started out as a basic mil-spec Springfield Armory It was my 1990's IPSC blaster. I hand checkered the front strap. blended the beavertail grip safety fitted the Ed Brown ambi thumb safety Had Gunsmith Ken Hallock mill and install the BOMAR sight. sent the whole lower off to http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/Metalife%20Finish%20Page%202.htm |
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Does Springfield have a LE/Fire/Mil discount program?
Wonder if the Range Officer wouldn't be a better option to just get the stuff I want up front. Stainless or parkerized? S&W has a first responder discount program, what are the hives thoughts on their 1911's? |
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http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_5_4/160140_High-round-count-pistols--100-000---observations.html&page=11
That's the high round count pistol thread, in it Henderson defense says that RIAs are one of the toughest, with Sig right behind them. I've had more problems with a Springfield loaded model than I've had with my RIA. |
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The RIA tactical really should be what you are looking at. There are a few low end 1911's but RIA has the best service if you need it.
The milspec is fine if you are doing a full custom pistol. Any GI type 1911 is going to require $200 in milling and sights to get decent dovetail sights. Then you have all the cutting blending and refinishing to get the beavertail grip. I think the Springfield RO and Ruger are great options also if you want to bump up the cash. Good luck with your choice. David |
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Does Springfield have a LE/Fire/Mil discount program? Wonder if the Range Officer wouldn't be a better option to just get the stuff I want up front. Stainless or parkerized? S&W has a first responder discount program, what are the hives thoughts on their 1911's? View Quote nice thing about stainless no added refinish cost onto the work you want done. I like std steel. Some people do not like the LPA cut when looking for a fixed sight option. I could not care less. no clue on S&W |
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Remington R1 from CDNN - Abilene, TX, $740.00. Leave as is or modify to your liking.
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The RIA tactical really should be what you are looking at. There are a few low end 1911's but RIA has the best service if you need it. The milspec is fine if you are doing a full custom pistol. Any GI type 1911 is going to require $200 in milling and sights to get decent dovetail sights. Then you have all the cutting blending and refinishing to get the beavertail grip. I think the Springfield RO and Ruger are great options also if you want to bump up the cash. Good luck with your choice. David View Quote This is the key point. Whatever you get needs to have the slide already cut for sights. Most of the other stuff you can tinker with yourself. |
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Wow, lots of great advice in here. While I'm contemplating that where is the cheapest place to get a RIA if I decide to go that route?
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Wow, lots of great advice in here. While I'm contemplating that where is the cheapest place to get a RIA if I decide to go that route? View Quote Depends on what models they have in stock, but sarco has some cheap rail guns and I just bought a tactical from sportsmans guide, they have the GI model for under $400. Those are just 2 places. I look at Bud's gun shop and a few other places, the problem is rias are getting very popular and it is hard to find them in stock and then a few dealers are charging outrageous prices for them. |
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After several years of competing with a Springfield 1911, I understand why they are consistently recommended when questions such as this one come up. I've seen lots of the "inexpensive" 1911s in competition. None of them seem to hold up to the strength and assembly quality of Colt's and Springfields. After watching various shooters for many years now, it seems the sub-$500 pistols are a waste of money, if the shooter intends to actually use the pistol a lot. Springfield is your huckleberry. View Quote Could you put some names to these "waste of money" pistols. Can't avoid them if you don't identify them. |
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I would go with the Springfield Range Officer series or the equivalent offering from Colt.
I'll go against the recommendations for a SA Mil-Spec (I own one) or a Colt 1991. You will spend hundreds more upgrading one of the above pistols to modern standards. RIAs seem like decent budget guns, but most reputable smiths will not touch them (no offense to anyone). It looks like you live in the U.S., so forget about Norinco. Most people don't work on them anymore, and they are overpriced in the U.S. market IMO. Just my $.02. |
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Thanks for all the info guys! It seems I've narrowed it down to price wise either going semi full retard on a S&W SW1911PC or keeping it well appointed but cheap with a RIA Rock Ultra.
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That Dan Wesson's a nice gun! Since I'm a fire fighter I can get the S&W one for under $1200 which seems pretty good.
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Dan Wesson also does L/E first responder discounts. The DW is the better gun IMO and you can more then likely get a Valor for same price after discount.
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Thanks for all the info guys! It seems I've narrowed it down to price wise either going semi full retard on a S&W SW1911PC or keeping it well appointed but cheap with a RIA Rock Ultra. https://www.smith-wesson.com/sites/default/files/styles/product_main/public/firearms/images/170343_01_lg_1.jpg?itok=QRT-GXca http://armscor.com/images/products/_product_gallery_large/51486-1911-A1_ROCK_Ultra_FS_45ACP_leftangled.jpg View Quote Personally, I wouldn't buy either of those. Don't like fiber optic sights. Don't like adjustable sights on combat pistols. And... WTF are those slots cut in that S&W slide? |
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Have to agree that the S&W is fugly.. Those slide cuts are pretty atrocious..
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Surprised you guys don't like the slide cuts in the S&W, I think it's gorgeous!
Anybody know how or who to get the Fire discount with the Dan Wesson through? |
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