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

[Shooter45]

Originally Posted by reynolds357

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.

I haven't seen a single stack race gun in years as most are wide body 1911's. I did tighten the slide a bit on my personal race gun then added Accu Rails.
Frame to slide fit is mostly cosmetic unless you are a bullseye shooter. In my experience building many 1911's, frame to slide fit only accounts for 2% accuracy. That's shooting between build steps.

The STI Spartan sells for $600 and it IS match ready out of the box. Adj rear sight,fitted barrel, crisp trigger, etc. The trigger on my Spartan came from the factory at less than 5 lbs and after firing a few thousand rounds, it's just over 4lb. I need to do a trigger job to get it to about 2.5 lb but haven't yet.

[Ben Built]

How does the Spartan compare to CZ 75B or CZ 97B? Or even perhaps the RI A1 .45 ACP?

I was also looking at the Colt XSE even though it's a little more money...

As I mentioned before, I would like something that is really reliable and accurate out of the box...

Thoughts/Suggestions?

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

I haven't seen a single stack race gun in years as most are wide body 1911's. I did tighten the slide a bit on my personal race gun then added Accu Rails.
Frame to slide fit is mostly cosmetic unless you are a bullseye shooter. In my experience building many 1911's, frame to slide fit only accounts for 2% accuracy. That's shooting between build steps.

The STI Spartan sells for $600 and it IS match ready out of the box. Adj rear sight,fitted barrel, crisp trigger, etc. The trigger on my Spartan came from the factory at less than 5 lbs and after firing a few thousand rounds, it's just over 4lb. I need to do a trigger job to get it to about 2.5 lb but haven't yet.

I see single stack race guns all the time. You know there is a class for them.

[Neverhome]

I have the Taurus with the laser sight and am very happy with it. Double D is giving you an excellent price.
I am not familiar with the Rock Island firearm. I do own the Taurus .45 and the .357 wheel gun and have owned the 9MM. I have not had any problems with any of them.

Neverhome

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by Ben Built

How does the Spartan compare to CZ 75B or CZ 97B? Or even perhaps the RI A1 .45 ACP?

I was also looking at the Colt XSE even though it's a little more money...

As I mentioned before, I would like something that is really reliable and accurate out of the box...

Thoughts/Suggestions?

In my opinion, the Spartan is better for the money. The XSE I don't think is match ready like the Spartan.

[J_S_GR]

Well the Para served me well. I only got to shoot it for about a week after I bought it though, because after that I had to have some emergency surgery and haven't been allowed to lift anything over 5lbs and the doc said I wasn't going to be able to shoot for at least six months due to stress that would be caused around my incision areas.

Only got 58 rounds through it. Handled well, no problems with it at all. Thanks for the suggestions and I'm still saving up to maybe purchase one from Double D if he has any available I might be interested in after Christmas. It's killing me looking at the Para every day and not being able to do anything about it.

[Shooter45]

Originally Posted by J_S_GR

Well the Para served me well. I only got to shoot it for about a week after I bought it though, because after that I had to have some emergency surgery and haven't been allowed to lift anything over 5lbs and the doc said I wasn't going to be able to shoot for at least six months due to stress that would be caused around my incision areas.

Only got 58 rounds through it. Handled well, no problems with it at all. Thanks for the suggestions and I'm still saving up to maybe purchase one from Double D if he has any available I might be interested in after Christmas. It's killing me looking at the Para every day and not being able to do anything about it.

I feel your pain. After my surgery in March, it was a while before I was able to shoot. Then I couldn't hold a group worth looking at. It was embarrasing. But I'm now back on my game, my groups are getting tighter and my speed is coming back. I'm still not 100% but I'm getting there.
Just keep a good outlook......it helps.

[jacksonco]

Originally Posted by hogger129

In my opinion, the Spartan is better for the money. The XSE I don't think is match ready like the Spartan.

At least the Colt is American made. The Spartan uses a Philippine made frame doesn't it. And as for the Colt XSE, my commander is a tack driver. Other than adjustable sights what could the Spartan possibly have over the XSE?

[J_S_GR]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

I feel your pain. After my surgery in March, it was a while before I was able to shoot. Then I couldn't hold a group worth looking at. It was embarrasing. But I'm now back on my game, my groups are getting tighter and my speed is coming back. I'm still not 100% but I'm getting there.
Just keep a good outlook......it helps.

Aw geez I didn't even think about the effect it'd have on how I shoot when I actually can. I already shake like a clumsy person in an earthquake. But honestly I'll be happy just to get back out there.

[Shooter45]

Originally Posted by jacksonco

At least the Colt is American made. The Spartan uses a Philippine made frame doesn't it. And as for the Colt XSE, my commander is a tack driver. Other than adjustable sights what could the Spartan possibly have over the XSE?

Hummm..............how about $300.


The Spartan does use a frame from the Phillipines that is made to STI specs. Then fitted with STI parts.

[uberguy]

I picked up first one SA - Springfield Armory 1911 Commander size in a local shop not long ago in this price range and liked it so much, went back to buy a full size 5" - both were used but like new in the $400 +/- price range. I own other Colts and Kimbers, but have more like $800-1200 into those - so, my vote is a good used SA in the lower price range, if you can find one. Separately - I recently bought a 45 ACP S&W M&P for my south paw son in the $500 range that shoots perfect every time, but it's not a 1911.

[Bigbill]

My last two brand new 1911 purchases were an Auto -Ordnance WW2 army copy for $389 in '05 and a New Springfield armory GI Mil-Spec 1911 for $424 in '05 too. I purchased them a week apart. Both are flawless right out of the box in cycling/functioning.

I found a used norinco 1911 for $300 with high milage. I installed a new USGI 45acp barrel from sportsmansguide for $59 along with a national match rel bushing from CDNN for $12. After watching all the 1911 dvd's on gunsmithing/building the 1911's and being a retired engineering tech/class a machine builder i did all the fitting myself. Now even with a loose frame to slide fit using new russian wolf 45acp ball ammo she shoots one three shot clover leaf per mag no matter who shoots it. Now little by little i'm purchasing all the 1911 tools and fixtures so i can tighten up the frame rail to slide fit next just a tad to improve the accuracy.
Next i need to benchrest it using my 200gr swc reloads to see how accurate it is with good ammo. then i can work on the frame rail / slide fit next.

The chinese norinco's make great platforms for doing builds because of there forged frames and slides. All the springfield armory's 1911 are all forged too. The new AO i have is investment casted (frame) but she shoots great too.
I have a 1990's SA NM series 90 1911 that i have had since the 90's and it was jamming 1rd per mag. It was my fault i was putting 1 rd in the chamber and closing the slide on it rather than feed it from the mag. Lessons learned. Its new and has been in the safe for all these many years because of it jamming 1rd per mag. After working on my norinco with success i remembered my 90's SA sitting in the safe. After inspecting it i found the extractor needed tuning and now it also shoots and cycles flawlessly too. Its serial number starts off with NM and she has the higher sights and a very tight frame to slide fit i have ever seen on a 1911. Here's a pic of her in black park she's so purdy i never traded it in nor sold it, i kept it hidden and out of sight for all these many years.

[Bigbill]

Sorry i say look at the new AO WW2 army copy 1911 and the SA GI or Mil spec 1911 I think both of these are awesome buys. But if you find a norinco in its orginal untouched condition grab that too. In its orginal condition the norc was and is ok too. My norc is the best shooting 1911 that i have and the only difference between the other three is there tighter because there still new.

Look at the used 1911's too. Check the slide fit and the ramp to see if its been reworked. I'd try to find a used 1911 in its orginal condition too. I just seen an SA 1911 used for $399 in execellent condition.

I really like the plain jane 1911's with no bells, no whistles and no frills just give me the dependable shooters for a decent price.

In the past i had two new colts in the 70's and 80's that were jammamatics and a new colt python back then that had cylinder timing problems too.

I do not believe in break in time, it should work flawlessly right out of the box. If the chinese at norinco can clone the 1911 perfectly why can't an american company who has been manufacturing them for many years do it too. Springfield armory and auto ordnance can do it.

[slickab]

METRO ARMS

American Classic II

[JUNKKING]

DD awhile ago you posted a pic of a tactical 1911 you have black with black grips. I forget the manufacturer can you still get those? I believe it was a 2011 tactical.

[Double D]

You mean this one? The grips are blue...and black I guess...I am no longer selling guns and my supplier is out of these right now but you might be able to find one out there somewhere. Its called the rock island 2011 tactical. There are several other tactical models but you must specify 2011 tactical. Great gun for the money.

[JUNKKING]

That would be the one. Thanks I will look around.

[JAS]

Pawn shop should give you a good deal if you know him. They never give much when they buy them but ask alot when they sell.At least here in Tn. they do

[JUNKKING]

A pawn shop would be my last place to look for anything. They have strict return policies which are no returns and I dont feel like haggling for an over priced anything. heir prices on their items are normally retail or higher and you really have to work them to think you got a good deal all along they know they stole it from whomever they bought it from. They take risks buying things from strangers but they dont lose a dime of they know what theyre doing and most of them can pretty much off the top of their head quote you the retail price on just about anything.

[JLA]

Yep. Pawn Brokers will make you feel like they arent ripping you off if you know them. but they are. I have many friends that engage in the trade and all of them will tell you the same thing. They are in business to make money, and your money will spend just as easily as anyone elses.

I was always taught to never profit from your family or friends, so I do not shop at pawn shops regularly.

On a side note, regarding firearms. Pawn shops are a common place for dumping broken or damaged firearms. Back before i becam a gunsmith I had a gunsmith in granbury TX rebarrel a S&W 586 i had bulged the barrel on. He bent the frame removing the old barrel and put it back together thinkin id not notice. I noticed straight away and he calimed it was already bent. He flat out told me to dump it in a pawn shop and use the proceeds to buy another .357. Folks do it all the time.

[Ironvarmint]

Rock Island!! I was on vacation at Ormond Beach Fl back in July and my nephew came down from Georgia. He brought his RI with him and we went to a gun range to have some fun! I have never shot this 45 and I haven’t shot a 45 in over 30 years (since I got out of the Army Military Police). I couldn’t believe how well this thing shot! Very good grouping, I got back to Ohio and now I own a Rock Island. I bought a tactical Rock Island. I paid a little more then you want to spend but my nephew said he paid around $400 for his. You can’t go wrong with this!

[Ironvarmint]

DD I look and look for this 2011 tactical. You cannot find it any more, I got lucky and my nephew found it at his local gun shop in Ga. I bought it as quick as I could and now it resides in Ohio. I sleep better now!

[gun runner]

Save your money and get a new Colt 45 1911

[Double D]

Originally Posted by gun runner

Save your money and get a new Colt 45 1911

Why? Do you own one? Tell us more...

[gun runner]

I dont own one but my uncle on my mothers side has one, I shot that pistol 100+ times and it was very accurate, heavy, and built like a steel safe. Also because its a Colt

Although I dont want a pistol, Instead Im planning on purchasing a pair of Colt revolvers. If I wanted a Semi- auto pistol it would sure be a colt.