joepistol
Well-Known Fanatic
..." snagged it for $699 .." that was / is an incredibly good deal.. Since owning 1911's from Colt, Springfield, Dan Wesson, Rock Island Armory, MetroArms,( & a few others I'm probably forgetting).. I feel qualified to offer my opinion(s).. First a few ?'s for you..
.1) how important is resale value to you ? From a functional standpoint, there's little difference between most models ( shocking , but true )
A lower priced 1911 from a company like RIA, MetroArms, & a bunch of other brands, MAY ( not will ) be as accurate, reliable, etc.. as other name brands selling for 2 X the price, or more.. BUT..understand that buying a lower price 1911 to "try"one ,may not be the best purchase, IF you look @ resale value..or consider selling it in the future. Most experienced 1911 owners probably have shared my experience..that is, buy an inexpensive 1911, shoot it awhile, then start upgrading it.. a trigger job, new grips, change sights, add extended controls, etc.. and you end up with an entry level 1911, set up the way you like..but you'll have 2X or 3X what you paid for the pistol, invested in upgrades.
This is not a problem, really, if you plan to keep the gun a long time & have it stay in your collection. Problem arises if you decide you want to sell it & buy a nicer pistol. Selling it, you will most likely get around what you paid for the pistol, when first purchased (if that) the $ spent in upgrades will (usually) NOT be returned in a sale..
If resale value is important, best return will be on a big name (popular) 1911's ..Colt is best @ this, Dan Wesson, Springfield, & others, may be close to Colt.. Wilson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Guncrafter, etc.. are (or may be) a good used purchase , as the can be found @ great deals, if you hunt for them.. though entry price will be beyond your $1K level (probably) but will sell used @ much lower price than new..
This is my experience, buying pistols , & even selling a few. Good luck with your purchase decision..
I will add my experience is, Springfield Armory does offer good value for their price..IMO.
.1) how important is resale value to you ? From a functional standpoint, there's little difference between most models ( shocking , but true )
A lower priced 1911 from a company like RIA, MetroArms, & a bunch of other brands, MAY ( not will ) be as accurate, reliable, etc.. as other name brands selling for 2 X the price, or more.. BUT..understand that buying a lower price 1911 to "try"one ,may not be the best purchase, IF you look @ resale value..or consider selling it in the future. Most experienced 1911 owners probably have shared my experience..that is, buy an inexpensive 1911, shoot it awhile, then start upgrading it.. a trigger job, new grips, change sights, add extended controls, etc.. and you end up with an entry level 1911, set up the way you like..but you'll have 2X or 3X what you paid for the pistol, invested in upgrades.
This is not a problem, really, if you plan to keep the gun a long time & have it stay in your collection. Problem arises if you decide you want to sell it & buy a nicer pistol. Selling it, you will most likely get around what you paid for the pistol, when first purchased (if that) the $ spent in upgrades will (usually) NOT be returned in a sale..
If resale value is important, best return will be on a big name (popular) 1911's ..Colt is best @ this, Dan Wesson, Springfield, & others, may be close to Colt.. Wilson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Guncrafter, etc.. are (or may be) a good used purchase , as the can be found @ great deals, if you hunt for them.. though entry price will be beyond your $1K level (probably) but will sell used @ much lower price than new..
This is my experience, buying pistols , & even selling a few. Good luck with your purchase decision..
I will add my experience is, Springfield Armory does offer good value for their price..IMO.
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