[jhumphrey]

I'm ready to take a break from the heathen polymer and get some American steel. : The first thing I noticed when looking at different 1911s is the price difference between brands. Anywhere from $500 for a Springfield or Rock Island to $2000 for a Colt or Wilson Combat. Now that I've got the itch I want to scratch it as soon as possible, but I'm willing to wait and save up more $$$ for something truly superior. So the question is, would you recommend I lose my 1911 virginity on a $500 gun, or save myself for a $2000?

A couple of years ago, I did the same thing. I had owned poly guns and decided I just had to have a 1911. So, I bought the Para Ordnance GI Expert ESP (its was their "upgraded" gi expert). I believe the cost was around $600 at the time. What a piece of junk it turned out to be. I couldn't shoot it (regardless of ammo or magazine used) without at least two FTF. It would jam, consistently, on the first shot of a new mag. I took it to my range master, who's a 1911 aficionado, and he couldn't get it working right. I ended up getting rid of it and bought a Xd. It hasn't failed on me once, thus far. I heard a couple of months ago that Para did a recall on those pistols due to the feeding ramp having a design flaw or something that caused consistent jams. I don't know if that's true or not, but I wouldn't purchase another one to find out.

Now, with that being said, I swore off 1911s because of that. But, now, Im getting the bug back and am looking at other 1911s. I will not spend $1000+ on a pistol. I realize you may get "better" quality, but its a personal choice. A close buddy of mine recently purchased a Rock Island for about $350. He has shot several hundreds of rounds through it (various types) and never had a hiccup with it. I have fondled it several times and it seems like it is holding up well. The frame/slide is still tight. If I decide to foray back into the 1911 realm, Im getting that pistol. With it being mil-spec, it gives me the chance to customize later if I want. Personally, the one thing I don't like about his is the sights (low profile mil-spec). Other than that, it feels like higher priced 1911s in my hand. I have watched him shoot it on the range and the accuracy is what you'd expect from a 1911.

Just my .02 worth

 

[jhumphrey]

I have 1911's. SA milspec and the colt defenders. Also have a colt gold cup. they are all terrific. prices range from 7 - 2200. all depends on your wallet. anything that is from SA, colt, wilson, BAER they wont let you down. Absolutely love shooting mine. Their appetite sux as it can get spendy lol
One thing you can think about is the ole saying " BUY ONCE CRY ONCE"
SHADOW

I have another friend that has a SA GI. It looks like the WW2 issued ones. He has shot it several years and never had a problem with it. It retailed for around 500 back when he got it, IIRC. My other buddy has the RIA (retails around 350). The two look pretty much the same. Take me, I bought the Para, which was near 650 out the door. I thought higher meant better, but I was wrong.

Id either buy the SA or RIA if I were going to get one. With the money he saves, he could customize one of them to his preference, with money to spare (especially if he went RIA). Im not saying they are perfect, but neither are the "high end" 1911s either.

 

[jhumphrey]

As far as customizing goes to increas accuarcy he could just get the Springfield Range Officer. It is basically the Milspec and the TRP in one and at half the price. Adjustable sights, match barrell, NICE trigger.. i think 7 will carry it out the door here in town.
SHADOW

700 isn't bad for a Springfield. The only two brands I would ever consider would be a Springfield and a RIA. Realistically, Id get the RIA before the Springer though....that extra $400 goes a long way.

 

[jhumphrey]

I like the RIA 1911. I bought the standard GI model and since have taken it over to Nighthawk Customs for an ambi safety and Novak sights. If I had it to do over again I'd have bought the RIA Tactical because it already has the ambi safety and the slide is dove tailed for Novak sights. I replaced the wood grips with a set of Hogue rubber grips and now every thing is set up the way I like it.

-bob

Thats exactly what I'm talking about :thumb:. Sure, one could spend $2700 (YIKES!) on a HANDGUN thats the "same" as your RIA - albeit in a pretty package. Im sure, at this point, you've spent maybe $500 total on your RIA. Think about what you could do with that extra $2200 :rofl:. You've spent a fraction of what the "top brands" costs, you're happy with it, and it does what its supposed to do.

$2700 on a gun of any sort really brings the "a fool and his money is soon parted" saying to life.

 

[jhumphrey]

I prefer, "Don't argue with a fool. He'll bring you down to his level and beat you with experience".

Potato, pototo. You can call me fool, but theres no way Id ever spend $2700+ on a handgun. If you have the budget for it and thats what you want, go for it. Most people I know don't have that kind of money. I just see it as moot to tell the OP he has to spend $1k+ for a "good" 1911 when there are other options out there that will do the same thing and keep money in his pocket.

To each his own

 

[jhumphrey]

I know lots of guys who will spend $5000 on a tennis bracelet for the wife, $3000 for a set of blinged out rims for their truck, $3000 for a paint job on the same truck, and $3000 on a nice watch, but they won't spend $3000 on a super reliable weapons platform that might save their life and their family.

It's crazy when you consider that people will skimp on such an important decision. Will a $500 RIA get the job done? Probably, but I'm quite confident that the Wilson will do it every day of the week, for years on end, and do it more accurately. I spend thousands of dollars on power tools that are purpose built and used only periodically, but they are needed for a specific task. My guns are the same, I need absolute reliability when a job needs to be done.

Cor-Bon tests 1 out of every 1000 rounds they produce, and they make some of the hottest loads on the market. They don't test them on a bench mounted barrel, they test every round using factory Wilson 1911's, and they say nothing else will do it as well for them. They want real world tests using real world guns. You think you're hard on guns? Try shooting nothing but Cor-Bon's for thousands of rounds, and do it without FTL or FTE's. That's why you pay $2700 instead of $500, when things get stupid crazy, you don't have time for mistakes...

I guess Im to minimalist for that. I wouldn't spend 5k on jewelry, car parts, or tools (unless my lively hood had to have the tools). Just like I wouldn't spend 2k+ for a handgun.

If accuracy is that large of a factor, why not just purchase a Wilson Combat barrel and drop into your RIA? Cost of the RIA: 350. Wilson Combat barrel (which can be purchased anytime): $200. So you've invested $550. By my calculations, you're still 2,150 in the black. Once again, to each his own.

I was just wondering, how are the lower end guns, such as Rock Island or Citadel going to wear out or break if you properly maintain and take care of them?

Jungle Work

You'll find many on here thats going to swear that the higher end, custom built gun is the greatest thing out there. I know people who own Kimber, Para, Springfield, Taurus, and RIA. Out of them, the only ones I know that have had zero problems are the "lower" end of that group. Funny that many will sing the praises of high end 1911s, but its been my observation that the lower end has held together and had zero problems compared to the "top o' the line" brands. Thats why if I ever go 1911 again, it would be a Springer GI or RIA. Ill fine tune it to my preference as I go and have money left over to boot.