I've had several .45's over the years and have traded or sold most of them. Now in my mid 60's I'm looking for one that I can shoot regularly and not worry about re-sale or collectible value. So, I've decided to buy a new Inland Mfg 1911A1. The reviews are great, well under a $1,000, and manufactured to milspecs albeit a beveled mag well (which I like) and a Series 80 type transfer bar.
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we are in rich times for sub 1000 dollar 1911's for sure, really sub 800 and I certainly like the used route, and I'm talking about 1911's that work. Knowing what I know now my first would be a used Wilson Combat, looking at 4 CQB's right now that are in excellent condition and way less than newI bought a full size, 5" Ruger for $600. Stainless, beaver tail, Novak sights, series 70, beveled mag well, etc. Learned all about the 1911 from it. Manipulation, take down and such. Then bought a used Ed Brown. Kept Ruger for back up.
I went with a Kimber Custom II 9mm and enjoy it. If I could do it over again I would definitely go for RIA GI std .45acp full size, then I would go for an commander length 9mm after.As the title says, if you were starting from scratch buying your first 1911, what would you go with?
As the title says, if you were starting from scratch buying your first 1911, what would you go with?
Nice list of 1911's. I bought a DW Guardian last year for my birthday and love it. I looked at the Colt and the Sig Sauer line but bought the DW.I am living in a low $1000's budget realm. Not ready for a Ferrari, but would like a nicely equipped Corvette.
I'm leaning to .45 ACP. A couple that have caught my eye that I am rather interested in at the local shop include:
DW Valor - stainless (used)
Colt Gold Cup '80 National Match (used)
Colt Commander 100 years of service (used)
Sig Sauer Model 1911 Sig Sauer (used)
Springfield Armory Model 1911-A1 (used)
Springfield Range Officer (used)
Colt are reasonable now. Quality never quits. You could go all out and get a mid line Wilson Combat. either way, SHOOT it!!!! Nothing has more character than a quality gun that is USED and appreciated. A safe queen is only good for your great grand kids to sell. I can rub some wrong, but unless you get a top shelf custom Kimber full size, DO NOT get a stock Kimber 1911. you well spend more money sending it back to the custom shop to get it to work than its worth. I been the RO and armorer for a long time and when it comes to duty/fighting guns in 1911, Colt and WC never fail. stock Kimbers, SA and SW ALWAYS have problems.As the title says, if you were starting from scratch buying your first 1911, what would you go with?
I don't get why some of you folks are constantly saying stock kimbers, now it includes S & W and Springfield, this is so untrue and a very reckless statement, I have 6 Kimbers and 2 Springfield's that run fine, did you forget to count mine and the thousands and thousands that are just fine. You realize if this was true they would all be out of business. A truly irresponsible statement!Colt are reasonable now. Quality never quits. You could go all out and get a mid line Wilson Combat. either way, SHOOT it!!!! Nothing has more character than a quality gun that is USED and appreciated. A safe queen is only good for your great grand kids to sell. I can rub some wrong, but unless you get a top shelf custom Kimber full size, DO NOT get a stock Kimber 1911. you well spend more money sending it back to the custom shop to get it to work than its worth. I been the RO and armorer for a long time and when it comes to duty/fighting guns in 1911, Colt and WC never fail. stock Kimbers, SA and SW ALWAYS have problems.
Save up and invest well. I have 3 Colts, 1 WC Vickers, 1 HK Compact. all of these have been used in gunfights, WC hasn't seen the elephant yet but is now my carry/duty gun
Sorry forgot to add are always unreliable, these kind of generalizations drive me nutsI don't get why some of you folks are constantly saying stock kimbers, now it includes S & W and Springfield, this is so untrue and a very reckless statement, I have 6 Kimbers and 2 Springfield's that run fine, did you forget to count mine and the thousands and thousands that are just fine. You realize if this was true they would all be out of business. A truly irresponsible statement!