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Loking for a 1911A1

TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
edited February 2002 in Ask the Experts
Hi all, I'm brand new to these boards and new to gun ownership as well. I live in Rhode Island and recently took the "test" to get my blue card so now it's just a matter of finding the right weapon.I know I want a 1911 but am not sure which brand to get. I read a review in "Combat Handguns Magazine" about the Rock Island Armory 1911 and the price (less then 300) looked attractive but I read some stuff here about RIA that you guys said and it doesnt seem like a good first time buy. I get the impression that to get a decent 1911 its going to cost me about 500-600. The two companies I'm loking at now are Auto Ordanance and Springfield Armory. What do you guys think? Is there a quality first time buy less expensive then those? I know SA has a good rep, what about AO?Thanks in advance for your help.Trent[This message has been edited by Trent (edited 02-18-2002).]
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Comments

  • chappsynychappsyny Member Posts: 3,381 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Springfield Armory all the way! They're reasonably priced (relatively), well made and acurate firearms. Thier line of mil-spec 1911's are particularly low priced.IMHO, if you want the best, save up a couple hundred more dollars and go with a used Kimber, you'll deffinately be glad you did both when you shoot it and if you ever go to resell it. Good luck.
    New Hampshire, USA - "Live Free or Die!!!"[This message has been edited by chappsyny (edited 02-18-2002).]
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  • cb1100fcb1100f Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm a newbie myself to large caliber handguns,and looked and listened to a ton of advice before picking a used Norinco 1911a1.I don't know what you intend to use your gun for;home defense,range shooting or what but I'm very happy with mine.My gunsmith told me the Norinco is used as a platform for many "race guns".Just my humble and in no way learned opinion.cb1100f
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  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I plan on using it for both home defense and range shooting. Not competively mind you, just for target practice and honing my aim. Does norinco have a website? How much did you pay for yours used?
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  • nmyers@home.comnmyers@home.com Member Posts: 205 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have also heard that Norinco frames are good quality....but, what if you have a problem with functioning?Norinco's are sold "As is, where is". No service, no parts, no nothing. If you want to take your chance, fine. As for me, they don't get any of MY money.I'd rather buy US. SA Inc has a lifetime warranty; that's the kind of company that I want to do business with.Neal
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would definitely avoid Auto Ordnance pistols. If you want a good, solid 1911 type pistol, I would suggest a Kimber or Springfield. My first choice would be Kimber as the ones I have owned have all functiond flawlessly.
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  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hmm, SA has a lifetime warranty huh? That does sound good, Ill have to check out AO's warranty policy...
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  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah kimber pistols do look nice, but when im going to buy a kimber im going to go all out abd get a really nice one. why do you say avoid AO pistols? bad experiences?
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One more thing, you don't need to spend a fortune to get a good Kimber. Their basic full size model, in blue, with fixed sights can be found used around 400-500 dollars. I have found that Kimber fixed sight models shoot to point of aim right out of the box.Springfield also makes a very nice pistol, but I don't think they are as refined as the Kimbers.
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    every auto ordnance pistol sold thru the shop I work at came back for repairs. I don't know if they have improved since Kahr Arms bought them, but the ones I have seen and fired were pretty bad. Poorly fit, soft steel, lousy trigger pulls, uneven finish.
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  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Really i didnt know kimbers were that cheap usedI would like to get the commander model with the 4.25 inch barrel, but keep in mind I live in RI and theres only like 2 gunshops neither of which are very large. It might be harder for me to find good used weapons.
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  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    hmm well thanks for the info chris ill have to see if i can find any info about them since kahr bought themlooks like ill end up going with SA if i cant find a used kimber...
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wouldn't buy a Norinco. I don't believe in buying anything Chinese...they eat dogs over there! And the Norinco pistols are not as nicely fit and finished as the American made pistols. In guns, like everything else, you get what you pay for!
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You will find plenty of used Kimbers right here on Gunbroker. Just have it shipped in to your dealer. Make sure you check the feedback of the seller so you will know you are dealing with an honest person
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  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    oh i didnt realize this site had a used gun section i only stumbled onto the forums by accident thanks
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are looking to purchase ANY firearm, I wouldn't look at their warrantee policy first. Anyone can put junk in a box and slap a warantee on it. Most find out, by reputation, that the item isn't worth sending back and they don't. Hence, the warantee isn't taken advantage of and the company selling the junk continues to profit from impulsive buyers. Gun Tests magazine didn't rate the Norinco very highly and I haven't heard one good thing said about the gun by anyone yet. It may be a platform for some race guns but so is the EAA Witness. Most Witness owners that I know have been disappointed by their products but they are still used as a PLATFORM for race guns. Are you willing to put the kind of money into a Norinco that competition shooters invest? If you are looking at a Norinco to begin with then I am going to assume that it is the price that attracts you. Hence, you probably don't want to invest the big bucks that the race-gun guys invest when building a firearm for competition. Springfield's mil-spec is quite reasonable. They have a lifetime warantee but I wouldn't use that solely as a basis from which you make a decision. Treat that as an added "perk". A warantee isn't something that you want to take advantage of if you can help it. Buy something that doesn't need a warantee.
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  • pjpjrpjpjr Member Posts: 125 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Save your money and buy a Colt or Springfield 1911 pistol. You won't be disapointed! Any of the others mentioned, AO, Norinco, Llama, etc. are not worth the money and have virtually no resale! My personal favorite, a stock Colt Combat Commander, a proven performer!!! used for under $500.00.
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  • bwabwa Member Posts: 224 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Trent,Welcome to the fraternity of law-abiding, responsible people who wish to exercise their 2nd Amendment right to protect their households with a firearm(originally to defend the country, too). There's strength in numbers; may the tribe increase.Recently I thought I would get a 1911 as a defensive instrument, and went about my typical, methodical procedure of consumer research. I ended up getting a revolver instead, so I'm hardly an expert. But after handling various models and gathering information I became convinced that Springfield and Kimber were the superior manufacturers. I have a long history of extreme frugality(instilled in me by an extremely frugal father) which drives me to attempt to find the cheapest version of everything. I've found repeatedly(often the hard way) that that is often an unwise way to go, particularly when buying 'durable' goods, items which I intend to keep a long time and which must hold up and perform. And one need not go to the other extreme, either. I bid on a brand spanking new Kimber model on Gunbroker, which I later learned was priced quite reasonably, I thought, at $639.I'm told that the FBI recently inked an exclusive contract with Springfield, which, I think, makes a statement about that company's products.Keep an eye on the Gunbroker auctions, as someone else encouraged also. Both new and good used stuff is available. I wish you well in your search.And encourage others in your neck of the woods to join the fraternity as well!
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  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the welcome I browsed the auctions and found a nice used kimber that I hope to get for around 600. Thanks for all the advice and as I leave for Air Force basic training in April Im sure Ill find many other brothers in 2nd amendmant arms
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  • agencyburnagencyburn Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I recently bought a Springfield Compact model off of this very site. For the money i'd say its THE best deal in 1911 out there.I am very pleased with the pistol, the blend of a perfect carry gun and serious stopping power.At the range, I am able to get 2 inch groups at 35 feet no problem.Plus I took advantage of the loaded coupon included with the gun.Also, the STI VIP is one sweeeeeeeeet .45steppin up to the 10mm--Colt DELTA ELITE
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  • just-shootjust-shoot Member Posts: 233 ✭
    edited November -1
    Trent, when I was shoping for a 1911 I considered only SA, Colt, Para Ordance, and Kimber. I have read good & bad reports on all except Kimber on the expert board. No one ever talks bad about Kimber. I chose Springfield V12 and have been very happy with it. If your headed to basic training in a few weeks, you may want to hold out a little on purchasing a gun. You won't be able to take it with you. After basic, if you stay in the dorm, you'll have to keep it in Security Police armory, if they allow you to own a hand gun. Quite possible airman were only allow to own long arms. Plenty of horrer stories from guys who have stored thier with security police. It's also possible that once the paychecks start rolling in, you just mite have the extra cash to buy quality. If your first station is stateside and you come out west, any large city will have more gun stores than what you can visit in one day. good luck.
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