OK, its time!

[Billy]

Its official! I'm in the market for a 1911. I'd love a Kimber or something high end. But, I'm thinking more realistic. I need to get something affordable and something quality made. I know its hard getting both of those values together. I'd like to pick up something full size, single stack and preferably new or used from someone I know. Thoughts, opinions?

[Slowbra01]

well, unless you're getting a para double stack 1911 or one from RIA or other custom, they're all going to be single stack. Before we can give you suggestions, give us a price range! You can begin at Rock Island Armory for low end but good value and start moving your way up to Springfield Gi's. What will be its intended use?

[JaxChris]

You can get Rock Island's for 350-400$ new, and Springfield starts at 600$. If you want to tinker and slowly build it out go for the Rock Island as a starter 1911 and discovery what you like and don't like. If you just want a one time wham bam I'm done, then check out the Springfield TRP & Operator models.

Although I hear they are amazing pistols, I could not spend 2500$ on a Nighthawk or Wilson Combat 1911.

[Billy]

This will be MY first 1911. So, I'm going to want to tinker with it. Something I can modify and customize to my needs and likes. It will be mainly a toy and range gun. It won't be a CCW piece or anything like that. So, I guess I'm looking for something entry level that I can screw around with and bang nails in with. I'm thinking under $600.

[Cris]

Springfield GI should put you right around $600. Now, you should also look into what you want to tinker with also. With some of these models maybe not allowing you to end up with the final product you may want.

[Secpro]

I go tmy GI for under $550. great solid 1911. I haven't found the time to tinker, but I do know what I want to do it though.

[Satan_3pc]

:+1: On the Springfield GI!!!

[Slowbra01]

only issue that you will run into with the GI is that the sights are fixed. Is that something you want? As a gun you want to tinker with, i think you are better off with a RIA tactical. You can play with that as much as you want and with the price difference, you can start buying the parts you want to play with.

[Chris]

PT1911

[sirhcskoorb]

Let somebody who has wasted a lot of money save you some trouble.
Save your money until you can afford at least a Kimber.
You are wasting your time with a $500 1911.

I know some people may be offended by this, I'm sorry, it's not meant that way at all.
But the 1911 design is from a time when skilled hand fitting was a given part of the process.
Guns designed around modern manufacturing cost less to make and to buy for a reason.
Kimber custom IIs and Para Experts sell for around $700, thats the min. starting point IMHO.
If your anything like me you'll start socking away cash for a nice Wilson after your first trip to the rage.
It's doesn't take much to get hooked :)

[bttlefed]

You could always buy a Springfield TRP or Operator and be done with it. I have owned 20+ 1911's and the TRP is the only 1911 I still own and will never get rid of.

[Cris]

You could always buy a Springfield TRP or Operator and be done with it. I have owned 20+ 1911's and the TRP is the only 1911 I still own and will never get rid of.

I like your taste. I will eventually get an Operator for myself. Just gotta stop tinkering with everything else.

[Secpro]

The TRP is the shit. I know a guy now with a good deal for like $1300 but I don't have that to put towards another gun right now.

[goyena70]

RI Tactical, you may end up loving it.

[Rattling Bones]

Well if your looking for a 1911, i recomend buying a Rock island armory. When i fist bought mine i did not like it. Not because of how it shot. it was chewing up my Brass. so i didnt play with it much. One day i was out shooting with some friends. They asked why i wasnt shooting my new pistol. I responded by telling about the brass issue, they laughed for a min. Then my buddy said he was going to go get some beer and would be right back. so he drove to town, he got some beer and 400 hundred rounds, for my 45 ACP. when he returned he placed the ammo at my feet, and gave me an ultimatum that i had to shoot all of the ammo. If i did so and still dont like it he would buy it from me. now to make a a long story short, i LOVE MY 1911. 45. IT is the nicest pistol that i have ever owned. Its the only pistol that i have tricked out. i bought the thing for 426.26 dollors and now have droped about another 700.00 dollors in it, from comp, trigger all the way up to having a custom made muzzle brake. oh and i just got it engraved and have some 24 k gold inlay put in the engraving. all i have to say rock island armory is the way to go, there cheap and you can upgrade them most parts fit like a glove some times you need to take some parts to a gumsmith for five min worth of work