What 1911 is best under $1,000? Para, Springfield , Kimber, Colt, etc?

[Chefcook]

My Kimber Compact Stainless II from the first day I picked it up has been the most accurate and reliable weapon I have ever handled. I got it second hand for way less than $1000 I see them regularly available in the $700 range. Mine produces 8 shot fifty cent piece sized ragged holes consistently at 15 yards. The special part is that it seems effortless to do so. Its a dream to shoot. If you wanna go under $1000 I would recommend hitting Elmore's in Greenwood. Their selection of 1911's is the best in central IN. and if ya catch the Old Man on a good day hes liable to toss you the deal of a lifetime. Although even on a bad day id doubt there's a lemon to be had.

 

[bw210]

Here are three that all are under $1K NIB.

Springfield EMP40 - my current EDC
Colt Officers model
RIA mil-spec.

I would not hesitate to carry any one of these three to protect my life. IMO once you start getting close to $1K for a sidearm, you are paying for bells & whistles. Night sights, better barrels, more frame machine work, carry meld, etc. While all of these are nice to have, you can find new & used very nice 1911's for around $500-$600. With that being said, I really can't say enough about my SA EMP. I have held nothing I would trade it out for as my EDC.

 

[huntall50]

I am following this tread, also. 1) Its about 1911's 2) I looking to pick up another one in 2011. I have 2 RIA, one GI and one compact tactical. I want a alloy frame commander length 1911 in the same price range. Any suggestions?

 

[hodgej1843]

Springfield makes a nice pistol but I got to put in my favorite vote for Colt.

I SECOND THAT MOTION..CANT NEVER GO WRONG WITH A COLT LIGHTWEIGHT COMMANDER

 

[drbarnes]

I have a Taurus pt1911 and have shot over 1000 rounds without any issues. I would recommend it to anyone. For $1000 you could get the gun and 1000 rounds of quality ammo and still have money left over.

Edit: As for the Kimber, SA, Colt question, I have shot a kimber and a SA, both were good shooting guns and I didnt have any issues with them.

 

[Aszerigan]

Used Kimber Gold Match at Beech Grove. Hey, its under $1k.... by a dollar...

 

[FatGeek]

Is there really a big difference of accuracy from a 5" barrel compared to a 4" barrel? I've shot 2 different 1911's w/5" barrel and I shot great! I did find a sweet Citadel with a 4" barrel that's got me in this quandary. If only I had a money tree and I could just get both..........

What does CCO stand for?

CCO is a pistol Colt made using an officer frame and a commander slide, I'm not sure what it stands for. With the shorter grip, it is easier and more comfortable to conceal, but has the 4" commander barrel length.

I don't know first hand the differences in accuracy between a 4" and 5" barrel, so I won't speculate. The reason I want the CCO is I carry IWB with a Crossbreed Supertuck and the CCO will allow me to use the holster and magazines I already have.

 

[wetidlerjr]

CCO is a pistol Colt made using an officer frame and a commander slide, I'm not sure what it stands for. With the shorter grip, it is easier and more comfortable to conceal, but has the 4" commander barrel length...

Concealed Carry Officer

Colt is supposed to release this pistol again this Fall as the "Special Combat Officer". The Colt Commander barrel length is 4.25"

 

[Corporal D]

+1 for a Kimber, I've had my TLE/RL II for about 5 years and I love it. Probably the only gun I'll never sell.

 

[mrfjones]

I have a springer and wouldn't really look anywhere else if I were to get another.

 

[duboismd]

I have Kimber, Springfield(s) and Smith & Wesson. My S&W1911PD is the current favorite and is the most accurate handgun I've ever shot. Springfield and S&W both have a lifetime warranty.

 

[smitty12b]

I am following this tread, also. 1) Its about 1911's 2) I looking to pick up another one in 2011. I have 2 RIA, one GI and one compact tactical. I want a alloy frame commander length 1911 in the same price range. Any suggestions?

I carry a Kimber Tac ProII and love it. It fits into what you are looking for but I don't know what they are going for.

 

[barrelmaker_2002]

I want to get a 1911 to replace my xd9 subcompact and swv40... I don't want some cheap offbrand pistol. From what I've seen Springfield, Colt, Kimber, para all come to mind. I want full size, beaver tail, accuracy and reliability. Any suggestions and reasoning??

I posted a reply to another thread a couple weeks back....most of it will be helpful.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/handguns/101375-i_want_to_buy_a_1911_help-4.html#post1198590

Good luck!

 

[WIZZO499]

Colt is supposed to release this pistol again this Fall as the "Special Combat Officer". The Colt Commander barrel length is 4.25"

Really? That's awesome! The original CCO's are getting rare and I've always wanted to try one out. As you know from arfcom, I'm quite the Springfield fan, but Colt has REALLY impressed me in the last couple years.

On topic, Springfield Loaded, slightly used Springfield MC Operator, slightly used Kimber Warrior, Colt XSE, and Colt Series 70 repro would be my top 5 if you gave me $1000 to buy something.

 

[Airborne33]

I like my taurus pt1911. It's the third 1911 I've had, after a Kimber Custom II and a Kimber Warrior. Honestly It runs smoother, takes more types of ammo, has a better feed ramp polish, and makes tighter groups than the other two pistols. That being said just keep in mind that you don't have to spend 1k to get a reliable 1911. I'd say - find a buddy who has a taurus pt1911. Shoot it. If you like it, buy one and replace all the mags with Wilson Combat. Use the rest of the money to get the right sights and grips installed.

 

[FatGeek]

Concealed Carry Officer

Colt is supposed to release this pistol again this Fall as the "Special Combat Officer". The Colt Commander barrel length is 4.25"

About time! Hopefully the other copy cat manufacturers will finally take the blinders off and follow suit. I'll gladly settle for a RIA, Bersa, Citadel, etc., copy of a CCO because Wilson or Ed Brown parts can always be dropped in down the road. With kids and other priorities, a $1500 Colt is out of reach.

 

[drillsgt]

You might look at some of the new Colt Govt enhanced models I have been seeing around town. They have novak sights, real beavertails installed (the ones I have seen have actually been fit quite well, much better than springfield loaded's), nice extended safeties and come in all steel or lightweight. I have seen them at Plainfield and Elmores, I know in Plainfield they were less and 1k and seemed well put together, don't know about elmores because they seem to want to always tuck their pricetags under the handguns.

 

[vwoodrum11]

You might look at some of the new Colt Govt enhanced models I have been seeing around town. They have novak sights, real beavertails installed (the ones I have seen have actually been fit quite well, much better than springfield loaded's), nice extended safeties and come in all steel or lightweight. I have seen them at Plainfield and Elmores, I know in Plainfield they were less and 1k and seemed well put together, don't know about elmores because they seem to want to always tuck their pricetags under the handguns.

They tuck their tags under because they are more expensive. Everytime I've looked for a firearm they want more than most other dealers.

 

[88E30M50]

My Kimber Compact Stainless II from the first day I picked it up has been the most accurate and reliable weapon I have ever handled. I got it second hand for way less than $1000 I see them regularly available in the $700 range. Mine produces 8 shot fifty cent piece sized ragged holes consistently at 15 yards. The special part is that it seems effortless to do so. Its a dream to shoot. If you wanna go under $1000 I would recommend hitting Elmore's in Greenwood. Their selection of 1911's is the best in central IN. and if ya catch the Old Man on a good day hes liable to toss you the deal of a lifetime. Although even on a bad day id doubt there's a lemon to be had.

I picked up a Kimber Compact in stainless about two months ago and have also found it to be the easiest to shoot and most accurate of all 4 of my 1911s. For me, it's the perfect balance between my full size Springfield and my Kimber Ultra. It's probably the one gun that I can say that I'm absolutely happy with.

 

[Unit308]

Take a long, hard look at the Taurus 1911. Look at the options it comes standard with.
I don't own one (yet) but have fired one of the two that my shooting buddy purchased for just a bit over $600 each.
The one I fired worked flawlessly and gave good groups at 100 feet from a bench rest with our 200 grain SWC handloads.