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Value priced 1911 suggestions

PhinaddictPhinaddict Member Posts: 7 ✭✭
edited December 2008 in Ask the Experts
I have been out of the loop for quite a few years. I would like some suggestions on not the cheapest 1911, but the best values in standard 1911 models. Cap out at $750, new or used. Up that price, what's the best value? Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Taurus PT1911, dollar for dollar the best 1911 on the market, a NIB blue for less than $600 in your hand. If I where in the market for another standard size 1911, I'd buy one.
    For what it's worth.
    W.D.
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  • Wehrmacht_45Wehrmacht_45 Member Posts: 3,377
    edited November -1
    The Taurus 1911, Springfield Mil Spec and GI45 (military flavor), as well as the new Para Ordnance GI expert are all guns in the sub 600 dollar range.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello You should be able to get a good to very good condition series 70 colt for the upper limit of your price range.You might even get a used not abused but with finish wear 1950's to series 70 GOLD CUP for this amount of money.ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS ARE NICE. I would stay away from any 1911 clones made in ASIA "they do make some that are ok but Quality control is all over the place" . Springfield PLAIN JANE models are a fair buy but one of the most over looked great pistols are the colt model 1927 from Argentina.I would MUCH rather have a pistol that shows some finish wear then one that has a bunch of aftermarket parts. There are some very nice custom pistols out there but IMHO ten times as many that Bubba put a bunch of BLING BLING parts on while drinking beer on his back porch. These can have all kinds of function problems and more importantly can be a safety hazard."PRAISE THE HARD_BALL GUN"
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Well you said, you'd want to avoid the cheapest, but while I think the Taurus is a nice looking gun, I shot one side by side with my Rock Island.

    The Rock Island easily shot a tighter group. I then had a buddy (it was his Taurus) try the same, same result.

    That's MY Rock Island, and his Taurus, which are just 2 pistols, so it could be a fluke.

    Only point is, you never know. And if I was looking to get something above 'bottom of the barrel' cost wise, I'd rather go with a used colt or similar rather than risk Taurus. It will work fine, I'm sure, but I don't think it is high enough up there in quality to ensure it will do better than the bottom of the barrel ones.
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  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    Best value is Rock Island. Plain GI model for a basic, if you want extras, look at their tactical model
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  • oldnbaldoldnbald Member Posts: 3,578
    edited November -1
    +1 for the RIA
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  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This depends a little bit on what you want the gun for.

    The Taurus will probably give you the most bells and whistles for your money. . .that doens't necessarily mean its the best gun for you.

    In general, I agree with Perry.

    In terms of value, you're probably going to get the most value out of a used series 70 Colt.

    That's a gun that was built right, with good quality control, and will only appreciate with time.

    As a minor point, the more accurate gun isn't necessarily the "better" gun. To a point any stock gun can be accurized by judicious decreasing of slide-frame and barrel-bushing tolerances, but these tricks also decrease reliability, and do nothing to improve questionable metallurgy or reduced quality internal parts.
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  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,681 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    IMO, the best value is found in either a basic Kimber or an S & W 1911. Good quality American made pistols between $ 700.00 and $ 800.00.
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
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  • ruger41ruger41 Member Posts: 14,665 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you like GI style 1911's Auto Ordanance(owned by Kahr & made in the USA) makes a nice one-pal of mine paid $433 plus tax for his. Shoots like a dream. He bought some Wilson mags for it and it is pretty accurate for a GI gun.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ruger41
    If you like GI style 1911's Auto Ordanance(owned by Kahr & made in the USA) makes a nice one-pal of mine paid $433 plus tax for his. Shoots like a dream. He bought some Wilson mags for it and it is pretty accurate for a GI gun.


    + 1, these are CNC made guns, all USA made, and quality,not some of the junk the old Auto-Ordnance made with lord-knows-what parts from Numrich Arms in the past.

    I like my WWII model, and it's pretty correct for a mil-spec.

    BTW, good call on the Wilson mags, the mags that same w/mine were junk IMHO, but the gun was fine.
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