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I am looking for advice, opinions etc on some of the more reasonable 1911's eg Springfield GI or the Armscors. mainly something in the 5" range for under 500 bucks
Budget 1911's
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My first 1911 was a very used and abused Springfield Armory 1911A1 that I picked up years ago. I think I paid $200 for it. It looked like it had been through several wars, the ejector was loose, and the whole thing would rattle when you would shake it. It's the gun the started me on a long term love affair with 1911's.
I really liked the old boy, and it got me thinking about what I wanted on a 1911. At first I thought I'd just have it customized and refinished, but the cost of everything I wanted to do to it was more than the price of a new Kimber. I eventually sold it and bought a Kimber Stainless Classic LE. I really loved the Kimber, but I always regretted selling the Springfield.
I ended up with four Kimbers, three of which are Custom Shop models, and three Para Ordnance P series Limited models. I always missed the old plain Jane Springfield though. I just wanted a plain basic military looking 1911 to round out the collection.
A few years back, when Springfield came out with the WWII GI model, I picked up one of those for $359. It was very much like my first Springfield, except it was new, tight, and very well put together, especially considering the price. It's quite accurate, with a very good barrel to slide, and slide to frame fit. It's been totally reliable with ball type ammo. I have a few friends who bought the GI model too, and their experience has been the same as mine.
I would highly recommend one of the Springfield GI or Mil Spec models for your first 1911. Either one would be a good first 1911. Once you shoot one for awhile, you'll know more about what you like. You could always customize it later, or buy something else and add to your collection.
I've shot a number of other Springfield 1911's, and they all have been very good guns. The Springfield "loaded package" models would also be a great choice if you're looking for something more tricked out to start with.
I really liked the old boy, and it got me thinking about what I wanted on a 1911. At first I thought I'd just have it customized and refinished, but the cost of everything I wanted to do to it was more than the price of a new Kimber. I eventually sold it and bought a Kimber Stainless Classic LE. I really loved the Kimber, but I always regretted selling the Springfield.
I ended up with four Kimbers, three of which are Custom Shop models, and three Para Ordnance P series Limited models. I always missed the old plain Jane Springfield though. I just wanted a plain basic military looking 1911 to round out the collection.
A few years back, when Springfield came out with the WWII GI model, I picked up one of those for $359. It was very much like my first Springfield, except it was new, tight, and very well put together, especially considering the price. It's quite accurate, with a very good barrel to slide, and slide to frame fit. It's been totally reliable with ball type ammo. I have a few friends who bought the GI model too, and their experience has been the same as mine.
I would highly recommend one of the Springfield GI or Mil Spec models for your first 1911. Either one would be a good first 1911. Once you shoot one for awhile, you'll know more about what you like. You could always customize it later, or buy something else and add to your collection.
I've shot a number of other Springfield 1911's, and they all have been very good guns. The Springfield "loaded package" models would also be a great choice if you're looking for something more tricked out to start with.
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816 Posts
Plus Taurus has the lifetime warranty. Les
I've only got 5 1911's, two of which are Springfields. two Colt's and an Essex frame Colt, which I built up while in college. IMO the Springfield is the most gun for the money. If you can swing it, the Kimber is the best out of the box 1911 available. I don't own one yet, but I've handled many and shot two, and have been trying to justify buying one. Hard to do when you have 5 of the same type, and the wife knows guns. I realize that you want a basic 1911 under $500, but if you can at all afford it, the Kimber is the way to go. The reason I say this is because eventually you'll want to add all sorts of goodies to the base model, to make it more "user friendly". Things like commander style hammers, widened ejection ports, checkered or stippled front strap, possibly a flat mainspring housing, (the arched may not fit your hand as well), enlarged safety etc. The point being that all of this costs, and it comes standard on most Kimbers.
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I am becomimg more of a do it yourself gun guy, so my thoughts are to get a budget one for now and build it up over time
I am sort of a DIY type so When I first decided i wanted a 1911 type pistol I bought a used Lama and tryed to "fix it up" I eventually had read up enough about them to build my own If you can find a copy of Pistolsmithing By George Nonte Jr. get it it is invaluable. I then bought a 1911 frame and slide over time I got the rest of the small parts at gun shows ect. and after a year I think I had a nice tight accurate and shootable 1911 A1 as I recall it cost me somwhere around &150.00 altogeather but that was thirty years ago. I do not think you can even touch an Essex frame for that now. But with the internet I am sure the parts are much easier to find now You will need an FFL transfer to get the frame though. I am thinking about doing it again and adding an AR 15 to the arsenal too 
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im not a big fan of inexpensive 1911s but if put up against the wall my pic would be a springfield GI.
Ernest said:I am sort of a DIY type so When I first decided i wanted a 1911 type pistol I bought a used Lama and tryed to "fix it up" I eventually had read up enough about them to build my own If you can find a copy of Pistolsmithing By George Nonte Jr. get it it is invaluable. I then bought a 1911 frame and slide over time I got the rest of the small parts at gun shows ect. and after a year I think I had a nice tight accurate and shootable 1911 A1 as I recall it cost me somwhere around &150.00 altogeather but that was thirty years ago. I do not think you can even touch an Essex frame for that now. But with the internet I am sure the parts are much easier to find now You will need an FFL transfer to get the frame though. I am thinking about doing it again and adding an AR 15 to the arsenal too
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4,219 Posts
Well, If i had my druthers I would prefer a much more expensive 1911 like a wilson, kimber or les baer, but its the whole money thing...
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I'm not familiar with this gun, but this was advertised a short time ago on Shooter's Forum.
txpitdog
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
I have a Smith and Wesson 1006 10mm for sale or trade. It's like new, 98% or better. Not a mark on it. The pistol shoots very well, but I guess I am just used to my 1911. It comes with two mags and a hardshell case. I would like $500 or something in trade. I will consider all trade offers. Buyer to pay shipping.
[email protected]
txpitdog
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
I have a Smith and Wesson 1006 10mm for sale or trade. It's like new, 98% or better. Not a mark on it. The pistol shoots very well, but I guess I am just used to my 1911. It comes with two mags and a hardshell case. I would like $500 or something in trade. I will consider all trade offers. Buyer to pay shipping.
[email protected]
jb,
your post got me thinking about one of these for myself... If ya haven't yet go to 1911forum.com and do some reading...
I'd also ad Auto-Ordanance (now owned by Kahr).. All reports I've found are very good, but some say it's too new to draw any big conclusions..
I've always wanted a stock 1911a1, so plan on putting a Colt on lay away before Xmas, and let the misses pay it off for a gift..
Or I may not be able to wait and..... who knows!
best o luck
Nate
your post got me thinking about one of these for myself... If ya haven't yet go to 1911forum.com and do some reading...
I'd also ad Auto-Ordanance (now owned by Kahr).. All reports I've found are very good, but some say it's too new to draw any big conclusions..
I've always wanted a stock 1911a1, so plan on putting a Colt on lay away before Xmas, and let the misses pay it off for a gift..
Or I may not be able to wait and..... who knows!
best o luck
Nate
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4,219 Posts
I've spent some time reading over at 1911 and those RIA guys love em, I have found them for about 270 and my local guy is selling the SA GI's for 460, the RIA tempts me
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My vote goes for the Springfield 1911A1 as well. Got this one about 15 years?, several thousands of rounds through it and not a single issue. If you buy aftermarket mags, be sure to choose quality ones (which you can sometimes get at discount prices) or you'll be buying some useless sheet metal. I do stronly suggest getting a decent compensator for it too, large oval holes perpedicular to the bore seem to work best.
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Kinda takes all the fun out of it doesn't it?markkw said:
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