My vote is for the Smith E series
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw1911-e-series-45-acp
Street price will be north of $700 but it will run out of the box. The mouse will make fun of the external extractor though.
My vote is for the Smith E series
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw1911-e-series-45-acp
Street price will be north of $700 but it will run out of the box. The mouse will make fun of the external extractor though.
See the respect I get? Make fun but I will go public with the E series SW1911 being the best sub $900 1911 on the market. My second choice being the Springfield RO or Loaded. Third place the Ruger SR1911.
OK I like all of those but I keep the SW1911 in the bag as my spare.
The only real issue I have with the S&W beyond the external extractor (a 2 on a 10 scale...) is the blingy snake scale cut and series 80 internals.
Ruger SR1911 was my first 1911 and it was a very good gun. Not great, but decent for the price. I preferred the look and feel of it better than the SA RO or Loaded, but that's just me. I thought it ran just fine out of the box and was very accurate. Mine had a pretty sweet trigger and I had no issues with it. The SA RO or Loaded (possibly used for the price you're looking at) are both fine choices as well.
Another that churchmouse will not like hearing is a Sig 1911. If you can find a used one in your price range, they're nice guns. My Sig TacOps 1911 is very nice and I got it for right around your target price, but that was on sale around Christmas a couple years ago. They have plenty of different models, so there's something for pretty much every taste. They're usually around $1k, but if you can find one for a better price, I think it would make a great first 1911.
You guys.......
Told ya...
Meh........if you like-em buy-em. Run-em.
What ever fits your hand and works well for you.
Another S&W E-Series fan here, as well as the Ruger SR1911. I have the all-black SC E-Series round butt, and LOVE it. Great shooter, great looking (I know, looks are subjective, but I think it's beautiful, especially with the factory wood grips), and easy to clean, remove the firing pin, etc. The only thing I'm not totally crazy about is the full-length guide rod.
This summer, I picked up the new SR1911 lightweight commander in 9mm, and it's been nothing short of fantastic... definitely exceeded my expectations at the price point. If you haven't yet shot a 1911 in 9mm, you really should, it's a hoot! The only thing I didn't care for about the Ruger out of the box is the 10# recoil spring... it made the slide feel sort of "lazy" when cycling. I upgraded it to a more standard 14# spring, and it's been 100% reliable with an improved cycling experience.
I have WTB to thank for my SR1911 fondness. He let me shoot his full-length SR1911 a while back, and I thought it was fantastic.
Another S&W E-Series fan here, as well as the Ruger SR1911. I have the all-black SC E-Series round butt, and LOVE it. Great shooter, great looking (I know, looks are subjective, but I think it's beautiful, especially with the factory wood grips), and easy to clean, remove the firing pin, etc. The only thing I'm not totally crazy about is the full-length guide rod.
This summer, I picked up the new SR1911 lightweight commander in 9mm, and it's been nothing short of fantastic... definitely exceeded my expectations at the price point. If you haven't yet shot a 1911 in 9mm, you really should, it's a hoot! The only thing I didn't care for about the Ruger out of the box is the 10# recoil spring... it made the slide feel sort of "lazy" when cycling. I upgraded it to a more standard 14# spring, and it's been 100% reliable with an improved cycling experience.
I have WTB to thank for my SR1911 fondness. He let me shoot his full-length SR1911 a while back, and I thought it was fantastic.
Trp. great carry features like low pro night sights and checkered front strap, super accurate, reliable, whole package!