Author Topic: which 1911A1 should I buy ? (Read 5989 times)

watkibe · « **on:** December 05, 2012, 02:10:49 PM »

I have never owned a centerfire semiauto handgun, but the bug has finally bit !
I think I want a very basic 1911AI, parkerized or blue, plain grips. If it came with 2 mags, or adjustable rear sight, so much the better.

The budget is also a limiting factor, probably $400 to $500 is it.

Can you recommend models that come close to what I want please ?

Thanks !

thumper113 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2012, 04:03:39 PM »

I love my Rock Island. My Uncle has a Colt and my buddy has a Springfield but the RIA is the one I prefer shooting.

watkibe · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2012, 04:12:53 PM »

Thumper, thanks for the reply. By any chance do you have a poly RIA 1911 ? I just saw ads for it this month.
It seems like the RIA website is really a part of the Armscor website; Armscor, of course being a company in the Phillipines.
thanks again
Bruce

FPH · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2012, 04:19:52 PM »

I prefer the Colt.

thumper113 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2012, 05:57:49 PM »

No, hadn't seen the poly until you posted this.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2012, 06:55:17 PM »

In the price range you are looking at, another vote for the RIA 1911. I have owned one for 3 or 4 years, and it has proven reliable and accurate. A lot of bang for the buck. When looking for a new 1911, it pays to spend a few more bucks to get certain features that may not be available on the "Base Model", such as better sights, compared to the small, hard to see WW ll military type, and a beaver tail grip safety to prevent hammer bite.

Personally, I would pass on a poly frame 1911 as an all around shooter, as you risk the chance of less reliability on a new gun being introduced from a manufacturer that differs from the time tested proven design. When it comes to 1911's, kind of the answer to a question that was not asked. Models with proven aluminum frames can be had that are extremely light in weight, if that's an issue.

Larry

reliquary · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2012, 02:50:02 AM »

Another vote for the RIA. I bought one 5 or 6 years ago and it's absolutely great. I have a Commander .45 ACP for a social gun and use the RIA for somewhat heavier loads when in the woods where feral pigs and immigrantes illegales tend to roam.

The RIA in .45 ACP was $385, came with two mags, 5-lb trigger, and better sights than the issue M1911A1. The only thing I did was open up the rear sight a little (I like a lot of daylight) and put some Liquid Paper on the front sight.

watkibe · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2012, 11:56:59 AM »

Hey Thumper, sorry about this: the poly 1911 is made by Rock River Arms, NOT Rock Island Armory.

kynardsj · « **Reply #8 on:** December 09, 2012, 12:26:30 PM »

The Taurus 1911 is a nice gun with a lot of the bells and whistles the more expensive 1911's have.

Savage · « **Reply #9 on:** December 09, 2012, 01:10:40 PM »

I own both the Taurus PT1911 and a RIA fullsize "Tactical". IMO the Taurus is hands down the better gun. Don't know what they're going for now days, but they may be in the $600 range. If you could stretch the budget a bit, say in the $600/$700 range, the Ruger 1911 which is likely a better gun than both of the others. If I were looking for a 1911 in that price range I'd try the Ruger.
Savage

reliquary · « **Reply #10 on:** December 10, 2012, 03:22:51 AM »

My brother bought the Taurus PT 1911 and found that no one made a .22 conversion kit for it because of it had a different ejector. Other than that, it's a very nice gun, but was also priced closer to $600 than $500.

Savage · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2012, 04:38:13 AM »

I have a Ciener conversion that I use on my Taurus PT1911. Just about any 1911/.22 conversion will work as well. Kimber makes a nice one as do several others. I've shot the Steel Challenge match several times with mine, it shoots like a charm.
Savage

Blackhawker · « **Reply #12 on:** December 10, 2012, 04:38:40 AM »

I don't know your intentions for this 1911. If you're buying it for target shooting, plinking and fun, then go with what you like (looks, feel, etc). Anything in the price range your looking at should be "OK". Read a little, talk to store owners, do a little personal research and you should be OK. However, if you're looking for home defense, I'd be a little skeptical in that price range. I have an American Classic that I got for $400 out the door. I'd highly recommend it to anyone for target or fun shooting. It looks great, shoots great, rarely, if ever jams, and even outshoots my friends Kimber in accuracy but I just don't know if I'd leave my life to depend on it. There are just too many quirky things about it that bug me such as grips that keep loosening and need replacement, and the ever so occasional hammer falling to the safe position (one click back off the firing pin) when the slide release is depressed, etc. Stuff like that just shouldn't happen with a higher priced or higher quality piece of iron. If you're looking for home defense or personal defense and something you can bet your life on, get yourself a revolver. You point, you squeeze, you fire. No thoughts, no hang ups, no worries.

FPH · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2012, 05:16:10 AM »

I misspoke for your price range. I've had mine for 40 + years, I forgot about inflation.

FourBee · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2012, 03:52:26 AM »

Thanks Savage for your comments on the Taurus vs RIA, as I was interested in hearing how they compared.
I've handled the Taurus, and it sure looks nice. On the other hand I have experience with the RIA basic no frills, and it is a very nice piece, and of course it's less expensive than the Taurus.

Savage · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2012, 02:06:38 AM »

The difference between the Taurus and RIA becomes readily apparent when both guns are disassembled. Changing out the internals would improve both pistols, but would be a major improvement in the RIA. Of course fitting would be involved, even with "drop in" parts. The one I have has a soft slide, so battering might be a problem long term. Doubt many pistols see 1000 rds thru them in a lifetime, so they should work ok for most folks. The one I have is for sale or trade. I'll keep the Taurus for now, I use it mostly as a platform for the Ciener .22 conversion. It's a good shooter in .45, but I have other pistols that better fill that need. Either the Taurus or RIA will likely make most folks happy. Last thing I need is another 1911, but I'd like to get my hands on the Ruger. I'd imagine at some time I'll pick one up. It's an illness-----------
Savage

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2012, 02:16:26 AM »

I would look for a nice used Colt in your price range . If ammo cost could be a factor then I would look at a good used Browning High Power. Both Colt and Browning have seen harsh used around the world and proven themselves worthy of consideration . Both companies have builh guns longer than many if not most of the new brands have been in business and many of these guns from years back are still in service and depended on by their owners. Don't let a little honest wear turn you off.

oldyeller · « **Reply #17 on:** December 18, 2012, 05:18:17 PM »

Another vote for the RIA it is a true 1911-a1 . All surplus A1 parts fit .Why is this important? If the S hits the fan you can find parts dang near everywhere. And at the 385 mark it is affordable and later on tradeable if you decide to race it a little.OF COURSE if you can find a used Colt in your range (and I mean in a 1911 a-1 not 70 series or 80 or 1991 but a true A1 Iwould jump on it , and as an adendum alot of old Colts have had many thousands of rounds through them and thats a consideration if you find one cheap. Buck for buck RIA is just plain hard to beat for NIB equiptment (but buy one of the new ones as they had trouble a few years back or so (5) I believe, and they came back with a fine piece of equiptment.

PS I don't work for them just find them to be a good all around value.

Mike

thumper113 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 18, 2012, 05:23:35 PM »

And as far as rounds through them, I have well over 2000 rounds through my RIA. I generally shoot 150-400 rounds a month depending on how many weekends I make it to the range.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2012, 04:42:19 PM »

the only thing I can think of that is not the best on a series 70 is the collet bushing. Everything else is fine. The MK IV/ Series 70 I have although converted to a cone bushing with compensator has survived between 250,000 and 275,000 rounds. It had about 100,000 rds on it when I traded for it. I put somewhere over 150,000 rds through it before I retired it from competition in favor of my Para 9x23 comp gun.

I would happily buy a stock Series 70, all I could find for $600

Comments on my new avatar?

oldyeller · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2012, 05:07:26 PM »

SharonAnne now there you go apples and orances on me I too would buy a stock 70 series for $600 any day of the week.
Mike

PS avatar is great!

reliquary · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2012, 04:39:02 AM »

Yeah, +1 on the avatar. Looks like something that should be on an Anne McCaffrey novel.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2012, 05:17:19 AM »

Thank you for the kind feedback on my avatar.

As far as which 1911 to buy I say 'that one'. It is better to have a 1911 in hand than wonder which one you should buy.

Unless you are looking for a bullseye legal hardball pistol, my advice is buy a 1911 with a good beavertail grip safety and good visible sights, in .45ACP. After that it is all details.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2012, 04:20:28 PM »

If you have the money to buy a new 1911 and you don't buy the Ruger, you are seriously mentally ill. There is no other 1911 on the market that comes close to the accuracy and reliability of an out of the box .45acp. You'd have to buy a .45acp revolver to get even close to the bang-everytime-reliability that a Ruger is. Make no mistake. Kimbers and Colts ans Smiths and Sigs bedamned. Custom guns that cost three and four times as much cannot match the Ruger. You might buy a super-tight custom that shoots 1" groups, but be assured it will fail to feed. Rugers are hard to find, and when you do, the dealer wants the suggested retail of $799. Go ahead and pay it. In the end, you will wish you had.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #24 on:** December 21, 2012, 05:42:32 PM »

Wow, Mike in V. That is a glowing endorsement. How long have you had yours and how many rounds through it?

oldyeller · « **Reply #25 on:** December 21, 2012, 05:54:37 PM »

Mike in V. Does the ruger 1911 take all the surplus parts? Does it accept the kits available?

Mike

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #26 on:** December 26, 2012, 05:08:08 AM »

I don't have a Ruger 1911, yet, but we have sold 43 thru the store and have heard nothing but very positive comments from the buyers. Ruger has all the bells and whistles you could want at an excellent price point. Comments such as "this thing is more accurate than my Kimber" have been said by 4 different customers TO ME. I have a Taurus in the 38 Super that I like, but my next 1911 will be a Ruger. By the way, in our store, the Ruger is $10 cheaper than the stainless Taurus. DP

FourBee · « **Reply #27 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:59:15 AM »

I'm not attracted to the extras on a .45auto, but if I were, that Ruger would be on my list.

oldyeller · « **Reply #28 on:** December 27, 2012, 06:41:04 AM »

Would someone answer my question does the ruger 1911 take all the surplus 1911 A1 PARTS

and does it take the Wilson Kits?

??

Mike

jcn59 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 27, 2012, 05:07:46 PM »

I have two PT 1911. The pimped .38 Super was $450. new 6-8 months ago and the .45 was $450 used. No complaints on either.

I have three RIAs~~two in .38 Super and one doublestack in .45. The .45 only shoots factory ammo (100% so far) but might be the most accurate despite a pitted barrel that was on the gun when I bought it new. No complaints regarding reliability or accuracy on the RIAs either. None of these have been shot much.

I had a Colt 1911 A1A1 or whatever they call them and it was less reliable & accurate than these others so I sold it for $450. a couple years ago.