Posted: 2/25/2012 1:00:51 PM EDT
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Looking for a basic 1911 and of these which one is the most reliable:
Kimber, Springfield or STI....now rmember I said basic, 800-900 range.... I had a RRA LM and it was outstanding... Thanks, 77 |
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Quoted: Looking for a basic 1911 and of these which one is the most reliable: Kimber, Springfield or STI....now rmember I said basic, 800-900 range.... I had a RRA LM and it was outstanding... Thanks, 77 There is no such thing as a reliable 1911. The internet told me so. |
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I wouldn't call a 1911 in that range basic. The Taurus's, RIA's and others from the Philipines and other countries are the "basic" ones IMO.
I consider my Springfield Armory 1911 to be quite good. It's 5-6 years old now. Still looks and works like new. Flawless function with alll ball and HP ammo I have used. It was money well spent. I have a recently purchased RIA Tac. 1911 that I haven't shot yet. But I would call it's construction and fitment darn near as good as the Springer. My own experience with my SA SS Mil Spec 1911 has given me a very favorable view of them. |
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There is no such thing as a reliable 1911. The internet told me so. For someone that likes to bust everyone's balls for their responses in this section, you sure are laying on the hypocrisy quite thick. OP, I would look at the Springfield and STI offerings to narrow down the list. Kimber has the swartz safety. |
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If I was out shopping in that price range, Id look at a Colt XSE, Springfield Loaded, and maybe an STI but Ive never seen one in a local shop.
The thing is though, Id never buy either the Colt or the Loaded without looking one of them over. Thats down to field stripping them. If the shop wouldnt let me do that. Id walk out, luckily I got a shop that lets me. Ive seen examples from both lately that look like shit. |
| I would narrow it down to a Springfield MilSpec, or a ParaUSA (formerly Para Ordnance ) GI Expert. I don't own either, my 1911's are Colts and Norincos. I have shot and handled both though. The better value to me is the ParaUSA GI Expert. You can pick one up on Gunbroker for about $550, figure $600 after shipping and transfer. That is at least $100 less than a Springfield. They are both made in the USA, both have lifetime warranties to the original owner, both have flared ejection ports, beveled magwell etc. With the Para you will have a few more bucks in your pocket to personalize it a bit if you like. I would lose the skeletonized hammer, and the trigger with the dirt grabbing holes. Any handgun, in my opinion, needs to be fired with different mags and all different types of ammo before it can be trusted. Many high quality pieces will hiccup until they settle in or until minor tweaks are made. Another option might be the Remington R1, handled one that seemed nice. Only a 2 year warranty though. |
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I would narrow it down to a Springfield MilSpec, or a ParaUSA (formerly Para Ordnance ) GI Expert. I don't own either, my 1911's are Colts and Norincos. I have shot and handled both though. The better value to me is the ParaUSA GI Expert. You can pick one up on Gunbroker for about $550, figure $600 after shipping and transfer. That is at least $100 less than a Springfield. They are both made in the USA, both have lifetime warranties to the original owner, both have flared ejection ports, beveled magwell etc. With the Para you will have a few more bucks in your pocket to personalize it a bit if you like. I would lose the skeletonized hammer, and the trigger with the dirt grabbing holes. Any handgun, in my opinion, needs to be fired with different mags and all different types of ammo before it can be trusted. Many high quality pieces will hiccup until they settle in or until minor tweaks are made. Another option might be the Remington R1, handled one that seemed nice. Only a 2 year warranty though. Paras are made from a cast frame and slide, a cost-cutting move that no other 1911 company outside of maybe Llama will stoop to, and they are stuffed with cheaply made substandard parts. Their PXT extractor is a colossal mess and requires replacement with an aftermarket adapter so that 1911-pattern extractors can be used. Losing the hammer is a good idea, as you can probably see from a closeup of this P18 hammer. 
As an owner of a Remington R1, I would not recommend them until they get their shit together. Among other problems, mine has the frame cut in such a way that practically guarantees the barrel will shear off its lower lugs within a few thousand rounds. From what I can tell, Remington cuts all their frames this way. 
1911s that I would recommend in this category include STI, SIG, Colt, Ruger, and maybe a well-made Springfield like a Range Officer. |
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If I was out shopping in that price range, Id look at a Colt XSE, Springfield Loaded, and maybe an STI but Ive never seen one in a local shop. The thing is though, Id never buy either the Colt or the Loaded without looking one of them over. Thats down to field stripping them. If the shop wouldnt let me do that. Id walk out, luckily I got a shop that lets me. Ive seen examples from both lately that look like shit. This. I think by now we've all seen the photos of the colts with backwards front sites, and felt one with a "Shaving razor sharp" slide  
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Of those three you listed for a basic I'd go with the Springfield Armory, if yoiu do make sure you buy good mags, those $10.00 GI surplus mags don't do well, but the Mec-gar mags are outstanding. This. In that price range you can get a nice reliable 1911. |
| If you had a Rock River 1911, anything you buy in that price range is going to be a dissappointment. I pick the Combat Elite XSE for around 900-950 for the best overall sub 1000 gun. The RO is a good 1911 too but has sharp adjustable rear sights that require about 100 dollars to fix taking it to about the same price range as a CE. |
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If you had a Rock River 1911, anything you buy in that price range is going to be a dissappointment. I pick the Combat Elite XSE for around 900-950 for the best overall sub 1000 gun. The RO is a good 1911 too but has sharp adjustable rear sights that require about 100 dollars to fix taking it to about the same price range as a CE. depends on the use of the pistol. |
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I need to add more history.....I did have a RRA 1911 in the past, a Limited Match, it was an outstanding pistol....I sold it....I have also owned a Springfield Champion, a 1991 5" and a 1991 Compact....I also had a Para P12which was great, I am not joking, an outstanding pistol, never missed a beat....
I regret selling the 1991 Compact and the RRA.... I cannot tell you how smooth the RRA was, for $1200 it was WAY better than my buddies $2K LB's and Wilson.....no doubt. I am looking for a $" tactical, all black, Novak sights, Hi ride BT safety, a good solid shooting reliable pistol. I am really leaning towards a SA at this time, not sure which one yet. 77 |
| If the $" was supposed to be 4" then the SA Champion Operator will fit your need. Good luck getting a holster though. A 5" holster will work and will be easier to find to fit a rail equipped 1911. The SA will make a good piece. I have a LW Champion that I have worked on and made a really nice carry gun out of it. |
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If the $" was supposed to be 4" then the SA Champion Operator will fit your need. Good luck getting a holster though. A 5" holster will work and will be easier to find to fit a rail equipped 1911. The SA will make a good piece. I have a LW Champion that I have worked on and made a really nice carry gun out of it. Yes, I was typing too fast for a non-typer.... I agree, the 4" Champion would fit nice, only if I can get it in blue/black, no more stainless. 77 |
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IMHOP you need your left nut removed for selling the RRA, unless I was the purchaser then all is fine. I do agree.....the good thing is I sold it to my good friend, he has not shot it yet, and we have an agreement, the seller has first dibs on the guns we exchange, so it is not far away. 77 |