In the near future I'm looking to purchase a 1911 I'm not brand specific mainly wanted to keep the price below about $700-$800 max. I shot all the name brands from Kimbers,Colts ,Taurus down to the Para, all shot fine so I don't have a problem buying a cheaper version so that I can customize it the way I want it. I tend to like the Taurus or maybe the Remington but not against buying a Rock Island or ATI if the price is right and I can install a better trigger and such. Any ideas for a good 1st 1911??
Recommendation for first 1911!
- Thread starter Bam Bam
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I don't know your skills but from what I have read you don't just "install a better trigger" on a 1911. Iirc, it's more a tuning and trueing operation best performed by skilled and highly experienced smiths.
I took an old colt apart once to thoroughly clean it. I won't do it again. I will say that is when I realized the brilliance of John Browning.
As for guns in that price range, I hear good things about the Rugers and Springfields.
I got lucky, I bought a custom built colt from a member on here. It has a permanent home now
Good luck
I took an old colt apart once to thoroughly clean it. I won't do it again. I will say that is when I realized the brilliance of John Browning.
As for guns in that price range, I hear good things about the Rugers and Springfields.
I got lucky, I bought a custom built colt from a member on here. It has a permanent home now
Good luck
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Personally, for a starter or any level 1911 Springfield has one for every price range. The range officer would be a good first 1911 in your budget range. I love my trp, and had a loaded and range officer that were great. My brother shoots a mc operator
I like my Remington R1 a lot. Got it from another member here. It's a semi-replica of an old GI 1911, except with better 3 dot sights. It's very well made for the <$700 price range new. I got mine used for less. I think if you are spending $1,000 you get a lot more options to choose from in makes and models. But at $700-800 the main ones I see are Remington, Springfield and Ruger for solid basic models. If you want something in that price range with more features, like extended beaver tail, maybe extra grip stippling, etc., then Rock Island seems to be reasonable, offering more bells and whistles in that price range.
I have several 1911's, STI, Sig, Rem, S&W, Rock Island. For the money ($550-600) you'd be hard pressed to beat the Rock Island. I have the commander length, it came with VZ grips, Fiber Optic front sight, adjustable rear sight, mag well, and front strap serration. I did a trigger job to it like I do all my 1911's, but the out of the box trigger pull is good, and the gun is very accurate and reliable. I'll put it up to any of my other 1911's. The recoil actually feels softer than my full size guns and gets right back on target. Get the version like mine, either Commander or Full Size and you won't be disappointed. Also this is the first 1911 that I don't have to disable the grip safety, this one works great with my high grip.
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Because you have some gunsmithing skills, learn to tune the internal extractor in a 1911 and buy a Kimber. You can find a Pro Carry II online for <$700.
Springfield Range Officer... Love mine. I have some semi custom 1911's, and this RO has really impressed me. Mine is a full sized 9mm, but I am sure the prophets caliber is made just as well.
LOL, I hear you about a detail strip of a 1911 can be an interesting experience. Thank God for the YouTube, or I would have had to make the walk of shame to the local gunsmith with a box of 1911 parts for him to assemble...
I am not up to a trigger job on one, but it I watched a guy do one, it is mainly bending one of the leaf springs a tiny bit at a time. Very tedious.
LOL, I hear you about a detail strip of a 1911 can be an interesting experience. Thank God for the YouTube, or I would have had to make the walk of shame to the local gunsmith with a box of 1911 parts for him to assemble...
I am not up to a trigger job on one, but it I watched a guy do one, it is mainly bending one of the leaf springs a tiny bit at a time. Very tedious.
Springfield Range Officer... Love mine. I have some semi custom 1911's, and this RO has really impressed me. Mine is a full sized 9mm, but I am sure the prophets caliber is made just as well.
LOL, I hear you about a detail strip of a 1911 can be an interesting experience. Thank God for the YouTube, or I would have had to make the walk of shame to the local gunsmith with a box of 1911 parts for him to assemble...
I am not up to a trigger job on one, but it I watched a guy do one, it is mainly bending one of the leaf springs a tiny bit at a time. Very tedious.
I've always tweaked my triggers some mainly just by polishing everything, but am good enough to perform some decent action jobs on my own weapons. I figured if I can build a AR from a box of parts I should be able to D&A a 1911, besides I can take apart high end luxury cars and put them back together so I should be ok! lol
I'm liking this model for around $600.
https://www.slickguns.com/sites/default/files/rocktt.jpg
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This is a better value:
https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/8672406?emailForPriceConfirmed=3799bb7d
I had a RIA. No complaints about it, but was never 'happy' with it. I wish I had taken my friend's advice and saved up for a different gun. Of course, my friends have Ed Brown and Wilson Combat 1911's... Not putting RIA down at all, just think there are better options for only a few dollars more. And, if later on you want to send it off for some custom work, you might want a better 'base gun'.
The Springfield has really impressed me. Amazing how many companies are making a gun that was designed back in the early 1900's. Fun stuff!
Hey, Bam, ever go near Lake Charles? I go there fairly often, and shoot with another 1911 freak. Maybe we could meet up, and let you check out some different guns.
The Springfield has really impressed me. Amazing how many companies are making a gun that was designed back in the early 1900's. Fun stuff!
Hey, Bam, ever go near Lake Charles? I go there fairly often, and shoot with another 1911 freak. Maybe we could meet up, and let you check out some different guns.
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Nope, sorry, around BR area only
Ok Mickey! Yes the 1 time I had an issue with a trigger,seems nobody wants to let me forget it! Lol I did get a little carried away with that one! But 1911 probably have a good amount of trigger acessories to satisfy me!
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