good 1911 for $600?

[1bluehorse]

I was going to remark about the Iver Johnson review but I see someone else beat me to it....the only 1911's I've ever owned were a couple Kimbers, good guns, but I think they're priced to high anymore. I don't do any of the alphabet shooting sports so have no need, or use for that type weapon anyway. Probably considered blasphemy but I don't particularly care for 1911's anyway...shot a Glock 23 the other day and was very impressed with MY performance with it...never cared much for them either but that day kinda changed my mind...ugly little sucker though...I understand beauty is in the eye of the beholder but this is what beauty looks like to me...

[Ziptar]

Got your C&R? The Colt 1927 Argentina Contract Sistemas can be had for less than $600.00.

That would be my preference, then the Norinco.

I might also go for a 1991A1 heard good stuff about them but, would like to shoot one first.

[felix]

My son bought a brand new 1911 gun made by the national arms company in Turkey. The gun is an exact copy of the series 80, military plain jane version, and is brand-new CNC made all the way through. The delivered price was 360 last Christmas here in FSM. Yes, the gun needs trigger work, sights work, etc., when compared to the more target ready guns. Beer can accuracy at 25-50 yards out of the box with standard military loads. CNC manufacturing implies equal gun-to-gun accuracy. ... felix

[turmech]

Another vote for the Rock Island armory. I like the features of tactical modle.

[bruce drake]

Got your C&R? The Colt 1927 Argentina Contract Sistemas can be had for less than $600.00.

That would be my preference, then the Norinco.

I might also go for a 1991A1 heard good stuff about them but, would like to shoot one first.

Have you seen the recent prices for a decent 1927 Systema? Closer to the 1K range. Great pistols with serious attention to detail when they were first built but a pig in a poke based off the 80+ years of use since they were built.

With that, I placed a Rock Island Armory Government Model on order with my local gundealer today. Total cost will be $408 out the door for a new pistol that many have expressed satisfaction with. It should be delivered in the next few weeks from his distributor.

Bruce

[Old Caster]

I would have said RIA a few months ago if you wanted to go cheap and not have junk but now I most definitely would recommend The Metro. Check Bud's guns as I bought the last one called American Classic. He likely has more now and still had a more expensive one with a different rear sight. I was impressed that it would feed wadcutters and the slide to frame fit was excellent. The trigger was not bad either. I don't know why I bought it because I have quite a few different `1911's already but I saw one at a retail outfit and was impressed with it and found it a lot cheaper on line so I bought it. I thought about shooting it in the Ransom Rest and then doing one thing at a time to it and shoot it each time to see how much difference each procedure made. Somewhere down the line some new bullseye shooter will want it.-- Bill --

[bruce drake]

My personal intention is to use the RIA as an intro pistol for Bullseye. The pistol's frame is the key component for further upgrades as I progress in BE.

I shot BE a few years ago with a S&W Model 22A and a Taurus 99AF for the Rimfire and Centerfire portions (its what I had at the time), but I've decided to use the RIA 45 for both Centerfire and Service model stages of fire for the next year's BE season and perhaps upgrade the S&W pistol for a Ruger 22/45 Target model later so I have the same grip angle for both pistols.

Bruce

[Bullet Caster]

And I thought I was the only one with a Norinco 1911A1. Great pistol and when I bought it new many moons ago I only paid $299 for it. Just about worn the bluing off the muzzle being holstered so many times. Lol.

So good for you Char-Gar and Goodsteel. It's really a good weapon. BC

[Lonerider]

+1 for the PT1911....I have had mine for several years now. Picked her up, for just a tish past $500. No complaints, shot every thing I've ran through her. Cast, hollows, SWC, hardball and so on. I liked that Taurus had some added features that I did not have to by after market accessories and take it to the gunsmith. At the time I bought her, there was no AMRICAN MADE 1911 in my price range. One of the other forums I am a part of, suggested looking at the PT-1911.....I did and do not regret the purchase. Its all steel and I am confident enough to have a Rowland 460 kit for her and she shoot just find with those hot .45 loads.

If Ruger would offer their 1911 in a blue, I would not hesitate to own one. I can not speak for the other brands that have been talked about.

But what I do know is, that my Taurus PT-1911 works great...inspite of some gumbling against her.

Something I might suggest and in which you are already started....take the time to research what appeals to you. It was a year and half, before I purchased the PT 1911...siffting through all the garbage about Taurus. Maybe at one time the bad press was valid....not sure that is the case now...at least not with my PT-1911.

Regardles of what model you choose....there will ALWAYS be neysayers...telling you why you should not own this or owned that....just smile at them and tell them to go to hell in a gentle voice. Yours choice is yours and yours own...only you know what your needs are and what will speak to you. I am a firm believer, that regardless of the brand....you will know the one that is for you....might be the atmophere of the store, connecting with man across the counter, a chip on the grips....or some other wierd set of circumstances....but it wont matter, because when the time is right....you will know and you will choose based on your criteria and its going to be just fine. From that point on, it will not matter what others say.

I still get harassed after all these years about my PT-1911 not being a Kimber or Colt or what ever....and you know what...doesn't bother me a bit....because I know that what I have....still shoots better then I am able to.

Good luck and good hunting.

Lonerider

[soldierbilly1]

First, at your price point, I would buy used. Second, look at the Ruger 45, they used to sell the P 345, which was known for its out of the box accuracy. it is a good solid firearm. I believe they are below your $600 guideline.
I have a Kimber Custom II. Its a fine shooter but they go for about $800 now, new, and today, I would buy something else. Yes, it is overpriced.
go used!!
billy boy

[Stephen Cohen]

Got your C&R? The Colt 1927 Argentina Contract Sistemas can be had for less than $600.00.

That would be my preference, then the Norinco.

I might also go for a 1991A1 heard good stuff about them but, would like to shoot one first.

I have to say Im supprised an American would plug the Norinco, I had one myself and it was a really great gun and shot as well as my springfield factory comp. Some very good race guns were made with Norinco frames and slides.

[Ziptar]

I have to say Im supprised an American would plug the Norinco, I had one myself and it was a really great gun and shot as well as my springfield factory comp. Some very good race guns were made with Norinco frames and slides.

I'm not picky. We are talking about a sub $600 1911. While either isn't perfect they're a good start for someone on a budget. For the cost either is better than a Llama or Ballister Molina.

Just as you said, many have been tweaked into a fine race gun.


Don't get me wrong I'm not 100% pluging chicom by any means. 99.999999999% of what comes from China is junk.

Have to admit however Norinco made a decent 1911 copy. Their Winchester 1897 copies aren't bad either.

[Mavrick]

Four years ago, I bought a Firestorm, from the Filipines.It cost $666.-- OTD with a Yaqui-slide, and two more 8-round mags.
It is CNC, with wide-beavertail safty, extended safety, extended slide-release, lowered ejection-port, and dove-tail rear sight. The only thing I did before running over 10K of boolits through it, was replace the front sight with fiber-optic, install an extended mag-release, and pin the grip safety.
I use it for Steel Challenge, and to try every possible combination of powder I can find. I want to know what can and can't be used in a .45. I use two boolits in it, the Lee 160RF and the Lyman 452374, with every lube I could think of.
It feeds anything I try, faultlessly, unless I load it so low that it can't help but malfunction. (I wanted to find the minimum possible)
Last year I took second in the Nevada State Steel Challenge (Class B) This year I intend to move up, and have bought a Tanfoglio Limited in .40 'cause I don't like the way I lost last year.
The Firestorm's not goin' anywhere...she's too reliable.
Have fun,
Gene

[Grandpas50AE]

I bought a slightly used Kimber Pro Carry HD II a few years ago for $600. Feeds anything I put in it and shoots more accurately than my aging eyes are capable of. With the all steel frame it balances really well too, and reduces felt recoil (as if that's really needed with .45ACP). Nothing wrong with a used gun, just have to know what to look for to weed out the keepers from the "I shouldn't have ever bought this junker".

Lots of folks at my range have started with the Mil-Spec Springers, and all shoot well as far as I can tell. They may not have a bunch of bells and whistles, but they shoot good.

Good luck.

[Crash_Corrigan]

I bought a Taurus 1911 when they first appeared in my gun shop locally. I have never regretted it. \

I had a Ruger P 90 in SS at the time and that thing felt like a brick in my hand and was plug ugly but wow could it deliver the loadings downrange.

It was pretty near perfect except being ugly and cumbersome for me. However it could take abuse and never failed me. I carried it around as an armed guard for a few years and I felt confident with it.

Ah the Taurus was an entirely different kettle of fish. Good looking, balanced and felt great in my hand. I paid a skosh of $500 out the door and I have never looked back. It is a highly underrated weapon. It comes with hundreds of dollars of extras which you have to pay for with a RIA. Air gauged barrel, lowered and flared ejection port, elongated beaver tail safety, ambi safety, very decent sights,commander style hammer, front and rear grooves on the slide etc. There are more but you get a very accuracte and reliable well made 1911 for a decent price.

I have run over 6,000 rounds though mine and I finally just replaced the recoil spring. Not because it was needed but because of the round count. I get 1.25" groups of 5 rounds at 25 yds from a rest with my reloads. The trigger is excellent at 3.25# and is crisp and reliable.

It has had only possibly one box of 50 factory rounds through it and that was just so I could be sure where they would print on the target and the recoil and velocity.

After that I just used Clays at 4.5 grains and a 200 gr LSWC boolit to achieve the same velocity and POI as the factory round.

I have had no problems with the supplied two 8 round Taurus mags. I also have 3 Colt 7 round mags and two McCormick 10 round power mags. The gun eats anything I feed it and never burps.

The only negative thing I can say is that the finish on the gun is not durable. I had it reblued and changed out the grips and it is now gorgeous.

I love it and I would recommend it to anybody who wants a 1911.

[Grandpas50AE]

1bluehorse.... those are some very purdy revolvers young man!

[sqlbullet]

For $600, Springfield GI or Remington R1.

If you only want to spend $400, RIA.

Here is a great guide.

[tacofrank]

I've been very happy with my Springfield Armory Mill Spec.