I'm in the market for a 1911.

[Birds Away]

Ok, things are looking up. I am in a position to purchase another 1911. I have had a few, a couple of Colts and a Springer. My budget is $700-$800. I am leaning towards a Commander size but have not ruled out a full size. This will be for carry. I will not buy one with GI sights. I've been down that road and my eyes are too old. Obviously, I would prefer all the bells and whistles I can get for the money. I would like those who carry a 1911 in .45acp to give me their opinions. The guns I am looking at would be a Springer, probably used at that price point, an STI, or maybe a Remington.

 

[223 Gunner]

I have an STI Spartan, it has all the bells and whistles. It is STI's entry level 1911, although I do not carry it, it is a very nice 1911 for the price. The trick is finding one used, they are not on the market often, but they do show up from time to time. The new Ruger is also nice for the price.

 

[kawtech87]

My Kimber Compact was around $850.00

Its commander length slide with an officer frame. I carry it often and have never had an issue in ~1.5k rnds.

If I were looking for another 1911 for EDC I would get a Sig Traditional Compact. Just my .02

 

[themadmedic]

We've thrown around a lot of different options in other threads. You wouldn't go wrong with a Springfield and RIAs are worth looking at.

A few comments on the Remington...I have a R1 Enhanced and think it is an excellent pistol, but a few observations about it: It shoots good, is reliable and mine feeds HP and ball rounds both just fine at this point. In the first couple of hundred rounds it had a couple of FTF with some cheap HPs that had a rough jacket when using the magazines it came with-but did fine with WC mags. It will now feed anything with any mag I use.

Personally, I have mixed feelings on the fiber optic front sight. It is great on the range, but I would likely swap it with a night sight if it were my primary carry 1911.

The only other criticism that I have on it really is that it could use a little more dehorning if it were to be used as a primary CCW. I have carried it IWB with a cover shirt and practiced with it and haven't had a snag and certainly haven't had any OCing it but do notice a few places that could use some attention when handling it.

If you want to try the Remington out bad enough to drive to Indy to do so let me know and we can arrange a time that I will be at ECPR and you're welcome to put as many rounds as you bring through it!

 

[Birds Away]

We've thrown around a lot of different options in other threads. You wouldn't go wrong with a Springfield and RIAs are worth looking at.

A few comments on the Remington...I have a R1 Enhanced and think it is an excellent pistol, but a few observations about it: It shoots good, is reliable and mine feeds HP and ball rounds both just fine at this point. In the first couple of hundred rounds it had a couple of FTF with some cheap HPs that had a rough jacket when using the magazines it came with-but did fine with WC mags. It will now feed anything with any mag I use.

Personally, I have mixed feelings on the fiber optic front sight. It is great on the range, but I would likely swap it with a night sight if it were my primary carry 1911.

The only other criticism that I have on it really is that it could use a little more dehorning if it were to be used as a primary CCW. I have carried it IWB with a cover shirt and practiced with it and haven't had a snag and certainly haven't had any OCing it but do notice a few places that could use some attention when handling it.

If you want to try the Remington out bad enough to drive to Indy to do so let me know and we can arrange a time that I will be at ECPR and you're welcome to put as many rounds as you bring through it!

Thanks for the info and the generous offer.

 

[Fordtough25]

I like the looks of the remington's and Rugers as well, I would also like to pickup a Loaded Springfield one of these days. There's a nice Commander Colt at my LGS, very nice.

 

[gregkl]

I paid $850 for my Springer Champion Loaded. All the bells and whistles, 4" barrel, nice gun. A little over your budget, but maybe you could stretch?

I will do some de-horning and swap the night site out for a FO front. Not worried about low light shooting.

 

[spec4]

Just bought a LNIB Series 80 Colt on INGO (Thanks Buck Shot). The gun is as presented in the ad and I'm a happy camper. I wanted a 1911 that said Colt on it just because.

 

[joshualee49]

My EDC is a Colt Commander. The sights are a small step up from GI - they are the traditional Colt 3 dot system. The gun is sleek and does not snag. It doesn't have what you would consider a lot of "bells and whistles" but this thing has been 100% out of the box since day 1. I probably have upwards of 2500 rounds through it to date - lead reloads, factory fmj, JHP self defense rounds. All have functioned perfectly in the stock 7 round mags that came with the gun.

I know you pay a little bit for the name but I'm telling you - I couldn't be happier with mine. I paid $875.00 NIB for mine and have never looked back.

 

[IndyGunner]

Outside the price range:
Springfield PC9107LP TRP 45 Stainless Night Sights $1,399.00 SHIPS FREE

In the price range: ($858)
Sig Sauer 1911TCO45SSS 1911 Traditional 45 ACP 4.2" 8+1 SHIPS FREE

 

[churchmouse]

Outside the price range:
Springfield PC9107LP TRP 45 Stainless Night Sights $1,399.00 SHIPS FREE

In the price range: ($858)
Sig Sauer 1911TCO45SSS 1911 Traditional 45 ACP 4.2" 8+1 SHIPS FREE

Both of these are very good pieces and the TRP is top shelf.
Look around and you can find a used Springer for reasonable cost.
Consider a range officer with all the toys. They can be had NIB for near you budget. Bobs in Plainfield always has one or more.

 

[D.R.SCOTT]

I carried my Taurus PT 1911 for a while now. I never had a single misfire/malfunction with over 1,000 rounds through it with various ammo, but I do clean it and regularly preform maintenance. One thing I would say to stay away from is an Ambidextrous safety as mine started to loosen up and it creates more of a print when concealed carrying. I'm also not a fan of a two piece guide rod and switched that out as well.

I am going to be getting my third 1911 very soon, I hope you have fun with this wonderful pistol design!

 

[IndyGunner]

Oh... and Kimber 3200052 SS Pro Carry II 45ACP $937.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[G McBride]

I think you should be able to pick up a great used pistol in your price range, and you should be able to buy the gun of your choice in that range.

I have several Colts and I love them all. I also have a Ruger SR1911 and if you were looking for that size pistol I highly recommend that gun. It is great right out of the box and shoots like a much more expensive pistol.

I have two short barrel pistols, the Colt Defender and the XDs that just came out. These are very nice carry guns and conceal well.

Good luck in your search.

 

[gungirl65]

I have a Sig 1911 ultra compact 45 ACP, it's my profile pic. I like the gun really well, it was easy to shoot and accurate first trip to the range.

I bought it very lightly used at a gun show from one of my dealer friends. I gave $810 for it.

 

[Saw46071]

I have a rock island . Commander carry all the time
Put a cyclinder n slide tac 2 kit n it less than
700. 00 oh did I mention bull barrel . This gun
Is perfect for me . Check one out

 

[Saw46071]

I have a rock island commander . It's my every day
Carry . I put a cyclender n slide tac kit 2
Kit n it and put custom popular grips with
Gold torx screws . It's a beautiful gun and it
Has a bull barrel very accurate .

 

[Saw46071]

45 commander

I'm in it for less than 700.00 rock island
Bull barrel it's my every day carry !

 

[Birds Away]

I just completed a trade for my old Colt GI Series 70. I feel better now.

 

[Double T]

I have a Metro Arms American Classic Commander (4.25"bbl) and the ACII(Govt 5"bbl) and have two guns for the price of what some people are paying for 1.

The govt is hard chrome, and the commander is Blued. Fit and finish is on par with the higher end production models, except the commander has a few machine marks on the slide rails (no biggie as they will smooth with more rounds)

I've had no issues other than loading them with the junk ACT mags (bad follower design causing nosedives) and other than that, they have fed everything I've fed them.

I have nothing but great things to say about them, other than they eat a lot