What would be my best 1911 option for $450-550?

[JFletch]

Kinda bought on a Whim though. I do Love my 3 Colts though.

[Double D]

Originally Posted by H-D

How much for stainless?
I got the blued with the acc rail but at tax time I want to get a SS one to keep it company

I want to say around 629.00 639.00 range for the stainless without the rail.

[hogger129]

Rock Island

[American Leader]

JF, I know a very nice man who purchased a RIA Officer for $365 and loves it also. Good shooter!

[Double D]

Originally Posted by American Leader

JF, I know a very nice man who purchased a RIA Officer for $365 and loves it also. Good shooter!

I cant buy them for that. They cost me more than that plus shipping to me and then shipping to wherever. Goes to show what the millionare stores are doing to the little guys.

[Chinook]

This is very true. Sad but true. I still go to the local, mom 'n pop stores for firearms, and ammunition. You pay a higher premium, but many times they are able to help you out(not necessarily with lower purchase price, but other things...little things i 'spose!) more-so that the big-box chains. There is one range that I have become very fond of. Except that they make you shoot TMJ bullets, pressed into AL cases. The whole "clean fire" gig here in Oregon... Dont get me started. But Ron, and Judy, the owners of my favorite shop, are more than willing to place special orders for that Blazer Clean Fire in .45ACP for 16 dollars a box. I dunno what he's doing to get them to me at that price, but I dont ask! I just say, "Thank you... And Ill see you in a couple days!" The smaller shops are my personal favorite. Especially since I seem to have so many new questions every month! I give you "small-scale" shop owners all the praise in the world! I will always patronize businessmen/women in your position Dan! Your shops simply mean too much for me to only stop in, "every once in a while."

Anyhoo. The OP got himself a fantastic 1911, for a great price! Enjoy it, and keep the smaller guys in mind too! Like maybe for that Christmas time splurge!

[Joelkw]

What about "American Tactical", i hear they are pretty good.

[Double D]

Originally Posted by Joelkw

What about "American Tactical", i hear they are pretty good.

Yea, they are along the same lines as the rock island and about the same price.

[hogger129]

The ma & pa stores in my area carry the brands I'm looking for. I actually find that the prices are better at the local shops than at a place like Gander Mountain.

I know too when I bought my Springfield it seemed like the shop I bought it from kept their guns all well oiled and clean where Gander didn't and let them get dusty in the display case.

Plus the smaller shops seem like they aren't as busy and have people around if you have a question or want to handle a firearm.

Either way I would rather support local businesses as much as I can.

[ET.]

Originally Posted by hogger129

Either way I would rather support local businesses as much as I can.

I agree. I wanted a 1911 & shopped the internet, then went to my trusted LGS. I ended up getting a Springfield Range Officer for $749 +tax. My wife liked mine so well she made me go back with her to the same store & help her buy a 9mm Taurus pt1911 ($490 +tax). I probably could have met or slightly `beat those prices on line, but I'd rather buy from a local entrepreneur if the price is reasonable. If I can save enough money to justify it then I'll go to the internet. I won't over pay just to keep it local.

[franco45]

Great prices DD. I have an RIA tactical in 45 acp. It's a great value and a real good shooter. I want one in 9mm or possibly a Taurus in 9mm. Where are you located?

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by Double D

I cant buy them for that. They cost me more than that plus shipping to me and then shipping to wherever. Goes to show what the millionare stores are doing to the little guys.

I always buy my guns from either a small gun shop in town or the pawn shop. Both beat the big box stores prices pretty handily.

[Double D]

Originally Posted by reynolds357

I always buy my guns from either a small gun shop in town or the pawn shop. Both beat the big box stores prices pretty handily.

He said he bought a rock island for 365.00 out the door. That is dealer cost before shipping. Now, there are several guns I can beat big stores on but thats crazy when they sell for my cost before shipping. The big money stores buy hundreds of guns at a time and dont pay shipping. The little guy pays full price for the gun and full price for shipping and is FORCED to cut profit to nothing to compete. So, when you walk out of your little store with a gun for less, be assured that your store owner only made 12-15.00 tops on that sale. I can guarantee that. I have been a gun dealer for over 2 years. I know what I am talking about.

[RunningOnMT]

I'll admit to having bought a couple guns on line but one thing we all need to consider, there is a risk that internet sales could put the small dealers out of business and personally I like having the local shops around in which to browse. Besides the local shops carry a ton of misc. items that would be a pain in the butt to have to order individually on line. If the difference between an internet price and the local shops price is small, say $20.00 or less, I'll go with the local shop every time.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by Double D

He said he bought a rock island for 365.00 out the door. That is dealer cost before shipping. Now, there are several guns I can beat big stores on but thats crazy when they sell for my cost before shipping. The big money stores buy hundreds of guns at a time and dont pay shipping. The little guy pays full price for the gun and full price for shipping and is FORCED to cut profit to nothing to compete. So, when you walk out of your little store with a gun for less, be assured that your store owner only made 12-15.00 tops on that sale. I can guarantee that. I have been a gun dealer for over 2 years. I know what I am talking about.

I know what their cost is on the stuff because they let me get on their computers and order what I want. Neither one of them pay shipping unless it is on something I have to have right then. They are both small shops, but they are both high volume. I was in the pawn shop last week when the UPS man came with what looked to be between 70 and 80 long guns. That was their weekly order.

[Double D]

Originally Posted by reynolds357

I know what their cost is on the stuff because they let me get on their computers and order what I want. Neither one of them pay shipping unless it is on something I have to have right then. They are both small shops, but they are both high volume. I was in the pawn shop last week when the UPS man came with what looked to be between 70 and 80 long guns. That was their weekly order.

Exactly my point. If someone has the ability to spend money, they get discounts and free shipping. Otherwise, you pay full price, full shipping and cut your profit to compete.

[okiefired]

Armscor (Rock Island) should have been in the second post on this thread.

okie

[jacksonco]

Regarding the Citadel 1911 models I forgot to mention that they use the 70 series firing system. I still believe that for a $500 dollar gun they can't be beaten.

[aandabooks]

I've been reading that the RIAs are getting better and better. I was offered one for $450 OTD with a grip wrap on it the other day. I passed because I just can't make myself trust them yet.

[Ben Built]

So I am looking to purchase my first hand-gun and I have heard some very good things about the 1911 models. I also really love the way they look. I would like to spend around $600. Reliability is my number one priority followed closely by accuracy. I was looking at the CZ 75 b 40 S&W but I am open to suggestions. Is .45 ACP ammo a lot more accurate? It is a bit more expensive, is it not? TIA.

[Shooter45]

The STI Spartan is a well built, very accurate 1911 avail in .45 acp and 9mm. And it's in your price range.

[reynolds357]

I still say Remington R1. Those pistols are built so good that you could easily turn one into a race gun. They have better machine work than Kimber, Colt, Smith, or Springfield.

[Shooter45]

Originally Posted by reynolds357

I still say Remington R1. Those pistols are built so good that you could easily turn one into a race gun. They have better machine work than Kimber, Colt, Smith, or Springfield.

While I don't own a new Remington R1, I did have an opportunity to fire a hundred rounds down range. Now I have owned Smith, sold it, Springfield Armory, several, Colt,many and several Kimbers.

Based on your experience, tell me how the machine work is better on the Remington. The Remington I fired was pretty accurate but wouldn't hold a group smaller than any of the brands you mentioned with the exception of an old Colt.

As you stated, the Remington can be built into a match ready pistol as with any 1911 for enough money. The STI Spartan is a match ready 1911 out of the box and it's in the range the OP is willing to spend.

I'm just confused about the better machine work statement.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

While I don't own a new Remington R1, I did have an opportunity to fire a hundred rounds down range. Now I have owned Smith, sold it, Springfield Armory, several, Colt,many and several Kimbers.

Based on your experience, tell me how the machine work is better on the Remington. The Remington I fired was pretty accurate but wouldn't hold a group smaller than any of the brands you mentioned with the exception of an old Colt.

As you stated, the Remington can be built into a match ready pistol as with any 1911 for enough money. The STI Spartan is a match ready 1911 out of the box and it's in the range the OP is willing to spend.

I'm just confused about the better machine work statement.

Tighter tolerances on the frame to slide fit. That is the main thing you are looking for as the foundation of a race gun. The rest of the stuff gets replaced.
The STI Spartan is match ready at that price? Ready for what kind of match? The only ones I have seen that I would consider even remotely ready for competition are out of this price range.

[Double D]

I just sold one of our members an R-1 enhanced that was a fine specimen of a gun no doubt about it. But, to say that the r-1 is hands down better machined than colt, smith, springfield and kimber, well, I guess you must be much more knowledgeable than most of us here. Smith and wesson just set up a new plant this yr to make only 1911s with all brand new cnc machines and are turning out some very tight tollerence e-series 1911s, as are many other makers. I have not personally taken apart and measured tollerences to compare gun to gun and can only assume that you have to be able to make such a statement.
I would also like to add that shooter45 is a renouned pistol match shooter and has taken the spartan 1911 out of the box and won 3 matches with it. He speaks from experience.