which 1911A1 should I buy ?

[SharonAnne]

oldyeller, if the Ruger 1911A1 is as advertised, a 1911A1, then yes it will take GI parts and if the Wilson parts fit GI then they will fit the Ruger also

[PeteG]

I just gave my wife a Kimber 45 1911  it sure is nice

[SharonAnne]

I do so hope she appreciated it.

[nwhunter]

In your price range I would go for a citadel or ria. I have a compact citadel I bought in the past year like new for $400, I have several colts, but you can't touch a colt for $500 any more.
 

[Swampman]

The Remington R1 for $600.00 out the doors is a great buy.

[watkibe]

I found that availability is an issue. Everyone is sold out or SR1911s, R1s, Springfield GIs, and RIA's GI. There are a few stainless or 2 tone R1s on GB, Bud is sold out of almost everything. Yep, almost.
All of my handguns until now are Rugers. The SR1911 is just too fancy for my tastes. Remember, I wanted something the same as the old army issue 1911-A1.
So what Bud still has in stock is called the TISAS Classic 1911-A1 45ACP 5" GI Black. It looks dead on basic, just what I want. The reviews are all very positive. It's a little below $400 for cash, a little more for credit. Only has 1 mag, but extras are $15, and I got it already. Yes, that's right, I bought. It has plain Turkish walnut grips and a Parkerized finish. Some double diamond checkered walnut or the same in rubber from Hogue will be all I can think I want different...now. I'll shoot it a bit to see whether checkered hardwood or hard rubber is best for hanging on painlessly.
So, thank guys for all your suggestions. I bought something different, but your posts were always in my mind as I tried to decide what to do.
BTW, TISAS is a major gun maker in Turkey. Looks them up in Standard Catalog of Firearms or similar. Turkey in general has a good rep for less expensive but nicely functional double shotguns and rifle as well as semi-auto handguns. When I get it, I could be persuaded to post a picture if someone wants to see it.
@MikeinVirginia: All my handguns are Rugers. I wanted to buy the SR1911, even though the SS finish, and the bells and whistles didn't thrill me. I had to let reality overcome my brand loyalty to not buy the Ruger. My psychologist says I am a little bipolar, but I have no serious mental health affliction. Thanks for your advice and diagnosis !
Thanks again
watkibe

[SharonAnne]

me, me, me, I want to see it!

[FourBee]

Me too, watkibe.   I noticed you said, "when I get it".  Are you saying it's on back-order, or is it just a waiting period?   Reason I asked is that I've been hearing lots of gun related items have been cleaned off the shelves, and back-orders are back-logged to the hilt, and hunting ammo is on the back burner in order to turn out plinking, and target ammo.

ps:  Oh; Bud's!  On-Line Store.  I was thinking it was a local purchase. 

[SharonAnne]

I just did it. I ordered an American Tactical 1911 4.25" .45ACP from Buds Gun Shop.  Basic, it does have a beavertail. $404.69 delivered to my local FFL. 

The USA made 1911s are all back ordered. You can get any Taurus 1911 in the $600s. There is a nice Bersa 5" 1911 .45ACP for $568.
 
American Tactical has a full featured 5" 1911 .45ACP for $751. Buried Bomar style rear, cross dovetail front. Ambi thumb safety, beavertail, flat checkered mainspring housing, add on mag well, skeletonized aluminum trigger. 1913/picatinny rail. Checkered front strap. If the fit and function is even ok then it is a steal.

 If I didn't already have a 5" Para P14-45 I would have bought it, however I wanted a 'commander/ lt. colonel' size.

[Spirithawk]

The RIA A-1 Government Model is about as basic a 1911 A-1 as you can get. Made to Colt specs anything that fits a Government Model will fit it. Well made, acurate and priced fairly.
 

[Mike in Virginia]

Ruger. 

[Swampman]

The Ruger is too expensive.....

[Mike in Virginia]

I know, Swampy.  It really is too expensive for what it is.  I'm awaiting the day it will be commonly available at a reasonable price. 

[oldyeller]

Alas my heart is broken the ruger 1911 is not a true A1,But ooh-ooh-ooh I want one of those Turk shooters.Cost is right it's an A1.Curses then SarahAnne goes and orders an American Classic now I have to look that up.geez gang.

[oldyeller]

OOPS SharonAnne.

[SharonAnne]

sorry oldyeller, I bought an "American Tactical".  I mentioned the Bersa 'American Classic' as being nicely set up. The 5" American Tactical on Buds Gun Shop looks REALLY good. All the bells, whistles and 2 horns.

The "American Tactical" is made in the Pillifeens, er, Phillipines. shouldn't that be spelled  Fillipeens?

[watkibe]

I have shot several hundred rounds through my $400 Turkish 1911A1. Early on, there was one bobble, the round sort of hesitated between the mag and the barrel. I just pushed the slide closed and fired the round. No problem of any kind since, with factory PMC or S&B, or my handloads of Lee's 230 gr round nose over a bit of Unique. It hits where I look. Today I bench tested it at 25 yds. Every shot was in the black. I was amazed. This gun shoots better than I do.
I did it a favor in return: I put on some Hogue rubber grips, checkered with the double diamond pattern, and they look fantastic !  They fit my small hand better, I love 'em !
 
When I bought this gun, the biggest deciding factor was availability. This gun was in stock, everything else was back ordered or just out of stock.

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree with some of the others. If i had to rely on protecting my family with a 1911 and i were you id save a little longer and come up with about 600 which would get you something like the sti spartan or tarus or at that level you could buy a good used entry level kimber or springfield which is the route id go. Ive owned a slug of 1911s through the years the most recent new purchase was a ruger which by the way was a decent gun but nothing special. Im down to only 3 1911s right now and they were weeded down to those 3 by a combination of accuracy and reliablility and im surely not a brand snob or did i pick them because of the brand. Funny thing is all 3 i have now i wouldnt part with and all 3 are kimbers. the least shot of the 3 has well over 50k through it and i wouldnt even coment on a gun being a good one unless it had at least 5k through it. to me a good 1911 will feed anything put in it period. Until you get the round count up in that area all you really know is that its pretty.

[FourBee]

The least shot of the 3 has well over 50k through it and i wouldn't even comment on a gun being a good one unless it had at least 5k through it. To me a good 1911 will feed anything put in it period. Until you get the round count up in that area all you really know is that its pretty.

Yikes! Lloyd;  $6,000 to spend on 5k rounds of ammo to determine whether a gun is any good or not?   

Of all the guns I've shot combined, I haven't shot much more than 50k, and that includes 365 days in Nam with an M16 24/7, and 3yrs on the Rifle Team. 
I've had to determine if a new gun is any good once I run a few boxes of ammo through it.  Just sayin'.

[watkibe]

Somebody wanted a picture, so here ya go.
This is my $400 Turkish Tisas 1911A1 Government Model, with Hogue grips that I put on.
 
Their website is http://www.trabzonsilah.com/eng/index.php . You may have to click on the "English" button if it comes up all in Turkish. Here in the US we tend to think that we are the center of the world and that nothing worthwhile happens anywhere else. In my more cynical moments I could almost agree with that statement, but in Turkey, the Trabzon Gun Industry Corp. is a big deal. There is a video on the site that shows the production floor. It's not that different from the American hi tech manufacturer that I worked for: CNC machine centers, and lots of QC. They show a customer list under "References" that includes what must be every agency of their government that needs to be armed.
Yes, I am happy with it !

[SharonAnne]

looks 1911 to me

[Swampman]

Here in the US we tend to think that we are the center of the world and that nothing worthwhile happens anywhere else.

And we are right.....

[watkibe]

Thanks for the warnings earlier in this thread about making my new gun my carry or nightstand gun right away. I have no plans in that direction. When comparing revolvers and semiautos, I am always reminded of P.T.G.G.B. This acronym means "Pull Trigger, Gun Goes Bang". Thats why a Ruger SP 101 is my personal and home security weapon.

[1911crazy]

For only $400 and it shoots and cycles too such a deal?   I still am looking for a shooter beater, woods, truck, atv gun? I did find a used argentine molia 45acp for $400.
I been chomping on the bit for a new IRA 1911a1 in nickel finish too.  I sold my 70's colt 1911a1 in nickel figuring down the road i could get another one but the new IRA just maybe the hot ticket for nickel finish.

[1911crazy]

Here in the US we tend to think that we are the center of the world and that nothing worthwhile happens anywhere else.

And we are right.....

Ditto but my CZ85DB pistol in 9mm luger is one of the best 9mm pistols i have ever shot and owned.  Some of the other gun manufacturers across the pond are worth looking at.  Some are playing catchup but some are quality pistols too.

[1911crazy]

Thanks for the warnings earlier in this thread about making my new gun my carry or nightstand gun right away. I have no plans in that direction. When comparing revolvers and semiautos, I am always reminded of P.T.G.G.B. This acronym means "Pull Trigger, Gun Goes Bang". Thats why a Ruger SP 101 is my personal and home security weapon.

For home protection its a revolver or pistol as some will say but i still go for the 12ga pump with 00 first. If the dogs are really PO i grab the shotgun. (is the intrruder a person/bear?)

[Lloyd Smale]

cast your own bullets and reload and there not alot more expensive to shoot then a 22lr. Ill continue to believe in my process. two hundred rounds of ammo is about need just to break one in and surely isnt going to bring any problems up to the front. to me its important i have confindense in the fact when i pull the trigger its going bang and is going to continue to if im in 100 degree temps or -10 degree temps and if the gun is clean or dirty your not going to find any of these answers in a couple boxes of ammo. Its ok for a plinker or even a hunting gun but if my familys lives could be on the line i want to KNOW it will run EVERY time.   

The least shot of the 3 has well over 50k through it and i wouldn't even comment on a gun being a good one unless it had at least 5k through it. To me a good 1911 will feed anything put in it period. Until you get the round count up in that area all you really know is that its pretty.

Yikes! Lloyd;  $6,000 to spend on 5k rounds of ammo to determine whether a gun is any good or not?   

Of all the guns I've shot combined, I haven't shot much more than 50k, and that includes 365 days in Nam with an M16 24/7, and 3yrs on the Rifle Team. 
I've had to determine if a new gun is any good once I run a few boxes of ammo through it.  Just sayin'.

[williamlayton]

I shoot what I carry and caeey what I shoot----I also know of Murphy's law.
All I can do is all I can do---but---I will do that.
Blessings

[reliquary]

I carried an issue-specification 1911A1 in places that ranged from RVN to Alaska with never a failure on its part.  If it's properly maintained and cleaned as needed, it will function when needed. 
 
At the recent Carthage, TX, gun show, stock RIAs were listed at $435, which is up a little from the $385 I paid about 4-5 years ago.  IMO, that is still a great $400 gun.

[FourBee]

I carried an issue-specification 1911A1 in places that ranged from RVN to Alaska with never a failure on its part. If it's properly maintained and cleaned as needed, it will function when needed. 
 
At the recent Carthage, TX, gun show, stock RIAs were listed at $435, which is up a little from the $385 I paid about 4-5 years ago.  IMO, that is still a great $400 gun.

Yes they will, but must add, after several rounds in extreme cold, the slide can get stiff real quick like.