Recommendation on an entry level 1911A1?

[WeldingRod]

Just a hobbyist, need a hand gun, would like a 1911A1 with some of the technological improvements. Looking for the best "bang for the buck", or most gun for my $$$$.
I can get a tight group with a 44 mag desert eagle, so I think I can handle this caliber. However, I don't currently own any hand guns, just a couple rifles, so looking for something for home-defense (hopefully never to use), and target shooting.
I was thinking the 5-700 range, but don't want to make an ill-informed or impulsive choice on a make or model.
I'm told the Armory Coated Champion from SA is pretty good as well.

Thanks in advance for any insight!!!

Don

[wichaka]

Springfield Armory has 2 that come to mind; the Mil-Spec & the Loaded. The Loaded would not be an entry level, but its worth consideration.

Colt would be the other choice. The new series 80 is better than those of old. Its got great fit & finish, but is priced a bit more than the SA Mil-Spec because it has more steel parts, and less cast stuff........so the price reflects that.

Happy hunting......

[Wes Janson]

Kimber makes some very good 1911s, some of the best. So does Springfield. Colt has some very good stuff as well. What sort of price range are you looking at?

[WeldingRod]

Thanks guys, I might save up, and go for a loaded SA,
I might hunt around and see if I can find any good looking used specimens as well.

300-700 range for spendage, (after I save for a bit)

Not competing or anything, so doesn't need to be the absolute perfect and latest technology. Looking for something I'll be happy with for quite some time, adjustable trigger is a nice bonus.

I have no experience with all of these different models, and brands, so I'm totally unfamiliar with all the differences. I've heard of some slight problems with the SA's, unless you go with a higher quality model, something like the champion (maybe it has more steel parts as well).

Thanks,

Don

[wichaka]

Sadly enough the GI, Mil-Spec, Loaded, & TRP all have the same internal and some of the same external parts.

Happy hunting.......

[gfen]

Just a hobbyist, need a hand gun, would like a 1911A1 with some of the technological improvements. Looking for the best "bang for the buck", or most gun for my $$$$

Before I bought my used Colt M1991A1 ORM (gah, I can't remember what I paid other than it was about $50 more than the one I'm about to mention), I was looking pretty seriously at the Rock Island Armoury 1911.

People seem to like the RIAs, and I've heard them mentioned as one of the best values in a 1911s now, but then, like anything else, for everyone praising them it seems there's another person who's going to damn them.

I just suggest it as another option, one that comes in at the bottom of your range, and while it may not have the name of a Springfield, Kimber, or Colt it throws the same bullets in the same way and while the guys at the range may look down their nose a little bit at you, I don't think the thugs are gonna care what they stare down teh barrel of.

[stumbler]

Some people like the Dan Wesson Patriot. www.gunbroker.com (http://www.gunbroker.com)

[Wes Janson]

The Rock Islands can be had for just a bit over $300. I've taken a look at several before, and they would seem to be fairly decent. I don't know a hundredth of what I would need to know in order to say for certain that they are quality guns, but I did note that the slide-frame play was very slight, the basic safety functions all worked properly, the trigger didn't seem too bad, and overall it seemed quite functional.

Personally, I suspect Kimber might be a good choice. Something along the lines of this:
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=26463538

However, this being the Colt forum and all, and you wanting a "1911A1", this might be a better choice:
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=26255616

If you want a gun that looks pretty much like an original M1911A1, but don't want to spend a thousand dollars, this might well be your best choice-looks, quality, and price:
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=26215176

Good luck!

[Cameron]

Be sure to carefully consider the new production Colts. I found two very nice examples of the New Rollmark Colts that have been 100% reliable and very accurate.

Colt's Government Model $549
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ecameron.personal/Colt_Govt_Left_Slim_Grips2.jpg

Target 7 shots 15 yards
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ecameron.personal/Target_15yrd_7shot.jpg

Colt's Commander Model $599
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ecameron.personal/Colt_Comm_Slim_Grips.jpg

[Zac]

Must be nice....I can't even find ONE of those! :mad:


But, I must say that those are two sweet looking weapons!