The Firearms Forum banner

1911's Which one to buy?

Tags
1911
9K views 60 replies 31 participants last post by  soundguy 
#1 ·
There are so many new ones out there. I have been looking at .45 caliber, the Ruger, the Remington and the Springfield with either a 4.5" or 5" barrel? Any comments on all of them?
 
#2 ·
Welcome from sunny Pittsburgh! I can't say about the other pistols, but I have a Springfield Armory and I love it. It eats any ammo I feed it, no failures. I have heard only top notch reviews from the others you listed, so you can't go wrong.
 
#3 ·
In my stable right now, I've got a Springfield (2005 vintage), a Taurus PT1911, and an ATI Commander (Phillipine clone). Can't say that I've got any problems with any of the three.
I had a Rock Island but a friend talked me out of it...thus I wound up with the ATI.
A Ruger Commander is on my must-have list some day too.
The Springfield has been my daily carry for nearly a year now. I've added an ambi safety plus some internal goodies but the pistol has been flawless.
The ATI will be my new carry gun once I finish breaking it in and tricking it out.
The Taurus is my beat-around farm gun. It was a "bubba-rescue" project that I've been slowly building from the ground up...with a bunch of use in between build stages. :)
A co-worker of mine has a Remington. Very nicely fitted and has been a good shooter. The trigger is a bit rough for my taste but for an out of the box pistol it actually isn't bad. I like the feel of the Ruger trigger and fitting a little better though.
Another coworker has two Rugers. One full size and one Commander. Both are nicely built and have performed flawlessly with darn near any ammo they've been fed.


I really don't think that you can go wrong with any of em. Out of the three you mentioned, they're all good quality pistols. Find the one that's optioned out the way you like it.


What's your planned use?
For just range shooting, I prefer the 5" barrel Government Model length.
If you're looking for it as a SD carry gun, I'd go with a 4.25" (Commander length). That 3/4" length difference doesn't affect shootability much at all but concealability is much easier.
If you want mainly a concealed carry gun, then check out some of the compacts too...they're not as much fun to spend a day at the range with as a larger pistol though.
 
#5 ·
I have several older Colts, a Springfield and a Kimber. All shoot well and all are reliable. Find your price range and choose one of the major manufacturers and you can't go wrong.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RCC
#8 ·
I have the Ruger Commander and I love the gun. My son has a Remington and its a good gun also. Double D kind of talked me into the S&W and if I pick up another one it will be a S&W.
 
#12 ·
This is a great gun and is very affordable. Its the rock island 2011 tactical. I have run several thousand rounds thru mine without issue. Any ammo you want to use is fine....
Firearm Gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory
 
  • Like
Reactions: Guts3d
#13 ·
I've only had my 1911 for just under a year so I consider myself a rookie compared to others. My recommendation would be (for a first 1911) is a full size traditional 5" barrel, 45, non railed.

The very next gun on my list is the Ruger Commander. I like all Springfield's especially the TRP (also on my list). I currently own the Kimber Tactical HD which I bought through PSA for a smoking deal during last year's Fathers Day sale.

Depending on your timing, you might keep an eye open for those Father's Day sales which pop up right after Mother's Day.
 
#14 ·
The railed rock island is a pleasure to shoot. The full length dust cover actually helps with recoil. I own 20 1911s of all different makers and this tactical model has to be on the top of my list for dependability. Its actually funny to say when I have several that cost 3 times as much. Another great reasonably priced 1911 is the STI spartan. Match ready right out of the box.
 
#34 ·
Good choice, I am sure the Remington will serve you well. Let us know how it shoots and don't forget to post a range report, we all love to hear how things are working out for new members. I have a Ruger SR1911 Commander that I love to shoot. Remingtons and Rugers are both excellent examples of how a 1911 should be.
 
#20 ·
These E series S&Ws are very nice....I love mine.
Firearm Gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory
 
#22 ·
Let us know how you like it. I have put my 2011 tactical thru its paces and have stacked 5-6 different types of ammo on top of each other in different magazines and limp wristed it and shot it upside down trying to make it hiccup or fail and it refuses to fail...
 
#23 ·
I think Rock Islands are great. I don't like the stake front sight they put on some of them but other than that, spend a couple hours stoning the internals and put a $10 spring in it and you have a gun that is just as nice as the Remingtons and Springfields.
 
#25 ·
Well, these days that is a tough question!

There are over 100 companies making 1911's. Each company makes many different models.

So, you probably have a choice of about 500 different pistols to choose from!!!

Have fun.
 
#27 ·
Unless you get a really bad one (made by a drunken sailor on Monday), you prolly won't have any trouble with any M1911A1, it's a proven design. I agonized over this same choice about 7 years ago and asked everyone I could about a reliable 1911, but stumbled on a Rock Island Armory 1911 at a local gun shop. Frustrated with trying to make a choice I just bought it. I replaced the blond stocks and started shooting. That was 6 1/2 years ago and my RIA has not choked on any round I've put in it. I've run cast, coated, and jacketed bullets from 185 gr. to 230 gr., SWC to RNFP. I put better sights on it and installed a longer trigger w/stop and cleaned up the innards a bit. I shoot it at about 18-20 yards most of the time and with 200 gr. SWC I can keep all shots around 2", rested. Good buy!
 
#29 ·
Congrats! Was that a large pizza? Hey hitting a torso-sized target offhand at 25 yards is MIE (minute of enemy) combat-accurate so it's a great start. Once you get used to the trigger and sights and try out some different loads you'll shoot good groups I'm sure. Enjoy!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top