WTB 1911 - best bang for the buck?

[Bubba]

I've been thinking for a while about drinking the 1911 kool aid but don't have a bundle to spend. I'm looking for a full-size model of decent quality that will be mostly a range queen and maybe get me off the couch and into the occasional steel match or other competition. My budget is $900ish. I found a Colt Government XSE that I liked at Cabela's during the NRA sale over the weekend, but didn't have the money in hand and I'm sure I can do better than Cabela's non-sale pricing. Any suggestions on best value in the sub-$1k 1911's? Also, after looking through 25 pages of existing threads, I've found PSS and Bite the Bullet mentioned as shops with good 1911 selections. Any others I should think about in the central or northwest portions of the state and are prices at the Indy area shops good enough to make a 2 hour drive to browse?

 

[WhitleyStu]

Nothing like a "hands on" visit to a shop with a good selection of 1911s to help you decide on which brand and model is right for you. If you take a very close look at the machining and fit you might find one you will be happy with. With the price range you are looking at a Colt or Kimber will fit in your budget without having spend extra money on gunsmith work to get you a nice functioning pistol.

 

[42769vette]

I've been thinking for a while about drinking the 1911 kool aid but don't have a bundle to spend. I'm looking for a full-size model of decent quality that will be mostly a range queen and maybe get me off the couch and into the occasional steel match or other competition. My budget is $900ish. I found a Colt Government XSE that I liked at Cabela's during the NRA sale over the weekend, but didn't have the money in hand and I'm sure I can do better than Cabela's non-sale pricing. Any suggestions on best value in the sub-$1k 1911's? Also, after looking through 25 pages of existing threads, I've found PSS and Bite the Bullet mentioned as shops with good 1911 selections. Any others I should think about in the central or northwest portions of the state and are prices at the Indy area shops good enough to make a 2 hour drive to browse?

you could always build a 1911 the way you want. 900 would make a pretty nice one

 

[Nayls47]

Rock Island Armory or Springfield Armory

A Rock Island is about $399.00. I don't think you could go wrong with it, and you would still have plenty of money for ammo and holster and other goodies.

 

[Benjamin]

Kimber and Colt make some nice pistols, you should be able to pick one up for $800-$1000. I would say next is Springfield then Taurus and finally Rock Island Armory. One good thing about buying a nice 1911 is they usually hold their value extremely well.

 

[nighthawk80]

A Rock Island would make a nice "beginners" gun. You could pick one up cheap, and figure out what features you like best, then sell it and recoup some of your money and build one with all the features you like.

 

[Bronsonbull]

A Taurus PT1911 can be had for under $600. Pretty loaded for that price and great shooters.

 

[Bubba]

Thanks for all the responses. I've handled the Taurus and it just didn't feel right. I liked the balance of the commander-length Springfield I held (don't remember exact model) and the big Colt, but the big box stores generally price the Kimbers and Springfields out of my budget. Are there any shops other than PSS and Bite the Bullet in the central/NWI/northern areas that are must-see's when shopping for a 1911? I don't mind making a day trip out of shopping as long as I know I'll be seeing a good selection.

 

[Ryninger]

When I was in your shoes I fell for Kimbers! Good luck in your search!

 

[pierce195]

STI spartan is good bang for the buck. They are now making them in 9mm.

 

[super38]

Feel the guns locally and then make a purchase online. There a few good deals out there to be had.

Couple months back, I picked up a Colt Trooper 4" at $325, deep blue, two grips and two holsters.

Deals are out there, just take your time looking around.

Super38

 

[Misplaced Yankee]

I was bitten by the 1911 bug about a month ago, never succumbed though. Ended up debating pretty hard over a Charles Daly Commander though. Found a couple around $500-$550 at the time. My other option was a used Para Ordinance P12-45 due to sentimental value for around $750-$800. After handling a ton of these, those were the two I came down with.

Only the Kimber was amazing though, I would have gotten one in a heartbeat if I had found it closer to the $800 tag.

 

[Misplaced Yankee]

Though if I had the money, I'd try and grab this

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...imber_custom_ii_45_auto_full_size_1911_a.html

 

[theturtle06]

Thanks for all the responses. I've handled the Taurus and it just didn't feel right. I liked the balance of the commander-length Springfield I held (don't remember exact model) and the big Colt, but the big box stores generally price the Kimbers and Springfields out of my budget. Are there any shops other than PSS and Bite the Bullet in the central/NWI/northern areas that are must-see's when shopping for a 1911? I don't mind making a day trip out of shopping as long as I know I'll be seeing a good selection.

Elmores in Greenwood had a very healthy selection of 1911s when I went down there a couple weeks ago - they had another Scoremaster in their case it was a little more pimped out than mine though.

 

[robbran144]

u got a gun show coming up soon in valpo, might look there for a good deal

 

[hammer81]

i like my taurus is a good and i got it for 550 .00

 

[Robert Richardson]

Feel the guns locally and then make a purchase online. There a few good deals out there to be had.

Couple months back, I picked up a Colt Trooper 4" at $325, deep blue, two grips and two holsters.

Deals are out there, just take your time looking around.

Super38

Yeah, that's the way to support our local dealers!

 

[JeremySS]

Hard to go wrong with Kimber, Springfield, or Colt. Also take a look at Para-Ordnace as they offer double stack versions. Sig and Wilson Combat make nice ones as well, but they may be a little pricey.

 

[super38]

Although I said I look online, my last few buys have been at local dealers but I don't mind saving myself some money if I can find it online for a few hundred cheaper. As a matter of fact, a good friend of mine, an injured Vietnam vet (agent orange) makes money each and every time I buy a gun online. He's my FFL transfer and this is the only job he has, so yes I do keep some money locally when I make out of state purchases. And it give me time to visit with him.

A deal is a deal, period!

Primers are $40-55 a thousand locally (i've heard of gun shows selling them as high as $100 per 1,000) and online I can still get them $30 and under....Guess where I am going?

Some of the locals are price gouging... It's their business and if they feel my patronage isn't that important, I have no problems going elsewhere.


Super38

 

[Robert Richardson]

Although I said I look online, my last few buys have been at local dealers but I don't mind saving myself some money if I can find it online for a few hundred cheaper. As a matter of fact, a good friend of mine, an injured Vietnam vet (agent orange) makes money each and every time I buy a gun online. He's my FFL transfer and this is the only job he has, so yes I do keep some money locally when I make out of state purchases. And it give me time to visit with him.

A deal is a deal, period!

Primers are $40-55 a thousand locally (i've heard of gun shows selling them as high as $100 per 1,000) and online I can still get them $30 and under....Guess where I am going?

Some of the locals are price gouging... It's their business and if they feel my patronage isn't that important, I have no problems going elsewhere.


Super38

No you said "purchase online". No need to get all wadded up. Now back to the thread.