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UWone77
17 May 2021, 11:24
What's a decent 1911 that's reliable, maybe not as feature rich, aesthetically pleasing that you don't mind beating up at the range?

Recommendations?

alamo5000
17 May 2021, 11:33
I have a Sig RCS. Not sure if they still make them or not but it's definitely good stuff. It's not some $3000 pistol, but it has a great trigger and handles and shoots like a dream.

RiverRat
17 May 2021, 12:03
Tough question without knowing if there are any "must have" or "no way" properties, what format you want, and where price becomes an issue.

But I'll nominate these Government models:

1) Springfield Loaded (https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/1911-loaded-handguns/1911-loaded-45-acp-handgun/). IMO, just the right number of features make this is the best steel framed mid-quality 1911 on the market. Its biggest drawbacks are the Parkerized finish, the holster-eating front serrations and an almost obligatory mag replacement. But mine is so good that I'll never sell it. 100% reliable and the trigger is almost as good as my DW Specialist. There are models in the Ronin and Range Officer lines that might also fit the bill, depending on what you like in a 1911 - but for my taste, the Loaded is THE mid-range 1911 to get.

2) Speaking of Dan Wesson.....if you're willing to go with an aluminum frame, the Vigil (https://danwessonfirearms.com/product/vigil/) doesn't feel like an "entry line" 1911 (probably because it isn't?). Harder to find at a decent price than the Springer is, so it might not qualify as "range beater."

I've heard stories of good Ruger SR1911s and Reminginton R1s floating around, so they might be worth handling.

UWone77
17 May 2021, 13:32
1) Springfield Loaded (https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/1911-loaded-handguns/1911-loaded-45-acp-handgun/). IMO, just the right number of features make this is the best steel framed mid-quality 1911 on the market. Its biggest drawbacks are the Parkerized finish, the holster-eating front serrations and an almost obligatory mag replacement. But mine is so good that I'll never sell it. 100% reliable and the trigger is almost as good as my DW Specialist. There are models in the Ronin and Range Officer lines that might also fit the bill, depending on what you like in a 1911 - but for my taste, the Loaded is THE mid-range 1911 to get.


RR,

Thanks for this. The loaded was exactly what I was eyeballing as well as the Range Officer. The rail was basically the only feature I was looking for. Just bored with polymer guns and wanted to start shooting a 1911 again. Wanted more of a work horse one that I didn't mind getting beat up at the range.

Joelski
17 May 2021, 15:55
I have an RO on my to-do list. While I'd love a nice Wilson, I wouldn't carry it very much, so it's going to mainly be a range toy/plinker/camping gun.

apmcdaniel
17 May 2021, 17:52
I've seen this question or a similar one asked a few times. My answer is always a full-size Sig 1911. Second would be either Ruger or Remington 1911s.


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UWone77
17 May 2021, 19:33
I've seen this question or a similar one asked a few times. My answer is always a full-size Sig 1911. Second would be either Ruger or Remington 1911s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why the Sig?

I'm just leaning towards the Springfield line because they offer some decent LE prices.

alamo5000
17 May 2021, 20:51
Why the Sig?

I'm just leaning towards the Springfield line because they offer some decent LE prices.

I can't speak for apmcdaniel but I have yet to have a malfunction with mine. It has great workmanship and it shoots better than me.

The fit, finish, feel is all awesome.

In the 1911 department, at least with mine, Sig is punching way above it's weight class. I've seen other 1911s that were twice the price (or more) that don't have the same all around package that mine has.

I've had mine since at least more than ten years or something like that and I cannot recall ever clearing a malfunction. I don't know how many rounds that is but it's enough to make me really happy with that gun.

It's one of those that I am not going to sell. Ever.

apmcdaniel
17 May 2021, 23:28
Why the Sig?

I'm just leaning towards the Springfield line because they offer some decent LE prices.


Why the Sig?

I'm just leaning towards the Springfield line because they offer some decent LE prices.

Springfield is also a good choice, especially if you are getting a good discount.

I apologise for not giving more detail. Like alamo5000 stated - the two I owned were great shooters, and reliable right out of the box. I have 2 Remington R1 that are the same.


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Joelski
18 May 2021, 15:19
It figures the two Sigs I like are on DC/Limited quantity status.

The We the People, and Spartan Carry are some sweet-looking pistols.

UWone77
18 May 2021, 18:34
I looked at the Remington R1 before, they were okay. Online reviews don't seem all favorable. The price is definitely attractive though.

RiverRat
19 May 2021, 08:41
UW,

Ah, wanting a rail changes things. I didn't expect that to be a desired feature because I had "range toy" in my head, instead of "nice workhorse you still don't mind marking up at the range." Kinda is a different thing, but I'm tracking now.

The Loaded Operator (railed) is a serious step up from both the Parkerized Loaded and the Range Officer Operator. It strikes me as "more than decent" - its knocking on the door of being a TRP without the hand fitment. Far more durable finish, good Trijicon night sights, hopefully better mags, recessed pin, magwell (2-piece, but it's a production gun so yeah). It still has the 2-piece guide rod - mine has been trouble-free. Biggest downside might be how much harder to find and more expensive this configuration seems to be.

If you could A/B a couple, I'm sure you could find a crisp setup. It's worth the effort, SA 1911 triggers do have some modest variability. If not, oh well - I've only encountered one SA trigger I thought truly iffy and that was a mil-spec from a display case where it might have been subjected to who-knows-what.

I guess it's up to you to figure out if the value proposition exists for the more expensive model, or if the RO Parkerized Operator and it's hideous fiber optic sight is OK (no bias there, heh heh). I will say for me, it would be no contest.

But if you said "railed 1911" from the get-go, I might have pointed you at a pre-2020 Specialist Black (grin). It's very much a working gun.....but one does tend to gasp when subjecting it to range damage.

BoilerUp
19 May 2021, 11:19
I'm not a 1911 expert, but I think we had a similar thread going a year or two ago and that thread ended up costing me over a 1K as I stumbled into this TRP trade-in at the LGS. I don't understand putting target sights on an "operator" handgun, but I've otherwise been very impressed. I'm tempted to put the Harrison rear sight on but this is pretty much a range toy for me so it's not a priority.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-36gKncS/0/99f4af1f/X2/i-36gKncS-X2.jpg

UWone77
19 May 2021, 13:54
I'm not a 1911 expert, but I think we had a similar thread going a year or two ago and that thread ended up costing me over a 1K as I stumbled into this TRP trade-in at the LGS. I don't understand putting target sights on an "operator" handgun, but I've otherwise been very impressed. I'm tempted to put the Harrison rear sight on but this is pretty much a range toy for me so it's not a priority.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-36gKncS/0/99f4af1f/X2/i-36gKncS-X2.jpg

The TRP was my first choice, but not avail with the LE pricing. I really like the feel of the checkering on the grips. Nice piece.

mustangfreek
10 June 2021, 08:00
Honestly for a good shooting, not the greatest finish. The rock island armory guns are good shooters. Talking not the bottom basement line, they have a few railed options also

Sigs are not a true 1911 design and full of mim parts for the amount of $$ they want.

Had half a dozen springers and for the money I was never really pleased. Many issues. Sights. Crappy internals and weird grip biting ambi safety

Rugers are entry line also and full of mim and cast parts. Cheap shitty finish ( I can say that as 2 of mine were sent back , both for rusting pretty bad under the grips And frame

Honestly, I’d skip the cheap option and pick up a quality piece.

DW all day.

Joelski
20 November 2023, 15:11
What option did you land on, Rich? Honestly, I can't picture you not rocking at least a mid-range gun. Hell, the new boutique makes have pushed WC, Baer and Nighthawk down into the new midrange, although their prices haven't changed. Shit sakes! What a rabbit hole. Although I am in absolutely no danger of owning a Yost, or a gun made by the renowned Mr. Burton, I still hope to one day get a 1911 made by Wilson or Nighthawk. Those guns can be found used for around 2k or new for 6k+. Now the newer guys like Alchemy, Atlas and Cabot (eek!) are selling guns in the range approaching the world's best full house custom builds. Speaking of, I know where you can score an Heirloom for 13.5k; it's dropped $1,500 in the past couple weeks its been up. That guys book is 3-4 years out if you order today.

All that said, I wanted to move up after completely de-miming my Kimber. I watched and waited. It's all about the patience with this secondary market. Plus, thanks to FJB, it's a buyer's market. Ammo is almost back to pre-pandemic prices and is plentiful (In spite of the govt trying to put the fucks to our supply). and guns can be had right if you watch. I'm not married to the idea of brand new; some people get off on that, but in this market, you can double or triple your money on the secondary market.

Like Freak said: DW all day long. To me, above that price is status in owning a name on the side of the gun. I can't think of anything those other guys offer that doesn't come stock on a DW.

UWone77
21 November 2023, 22:41
I ended up with 3 Nighthawks, but 2 are double stacks, so they're more like 2011's. I've actually enjoyed shooting my 2011 Staccato's more than any 1911, granted my experience with 1911's is still at novice level.

Joelski
24 November 2023, 05:33
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231124/5c8219a91d0076655d676f7f6292c775.jpg
Diggin’ this one.

No love for the V-Bob? I figured Jerry would comment. All but stole this one. It made the rounds of a couple of regulars on another forum and I learned it visited NHC for the smoke job and got a detailed trigger job on the way to getting the flattie. I've put 100 FMJ and 50 HST's through it with no errors on it's part. It came with Milt Sparks pants, too. I made a heck of a right place/right time score for this one. At this trajectory, my next pistol will be a Wilson, Nighthawk or an Alchemy. ACW has the best roll stamp in the industry IMO. I love that font.

Joelski
24 November 2023, 05:34
I ended up with 3 Nighthawks, but 2 are double stacks, so they're more like 2011's. I've actually enjoyed shooting my 2011 Staccato's more than any 1911, granted my experience with 1911's is still at novice level.

The trigger is a big part of the magic with these guns and that comes with the 2011’s too.

Joelski
21 January 2024, 14:07
For a railed gun, the TRP is hard to beat. CZ/Colt is nonexistent, a viable alternative would be a DW Pointman (they come in 9, or .45), or Specialist (Same offering). Sadly, Tisas is making a mockery of the sub-1k 1911 market by offering a decent weapon with decent parts, no fewer sharp edges than the new Colt Series 70 LE, and they have railed models. The Tisas is similar to the SA Mil-Spec in every way expect it comes from Turkey, and that jives hard as the 1911 should only come from the land of JMB.This is my second 1911, and the next one will be an Alchemy Prime, come hell or high water. We have nice stuff on this forum, and that doesn't need to stop at 1911's. I would not spare a second glance at the primary market (other than to spec my Alchemy).The only hardship with this gun is it is getting new sights.https://i.imgur.com/JBGfaYI.jpg

Jerry R
22 January 2024, 10:46
I would have commented, but the only "okay" 1911 I have is a Ruger. Problem with it is that I had extensive work done on it. The only Ruger parts left on it are the frame, slide, and barrel. Every other 1911 is Colt, Ed Brown, Les Baer, or Sig. Purists say the Sig is not a "true" 1911 because it has an external extractor [crazy]. But the Sig has been flawless, and very accurate. And, if it does shit the bed, I have non-mim replacement parts. Oh, I do have a very early Para P-14.

Joelski
23 January 2024, 14:22
I'm pretty happy with this DW. It's been to NHC for work (it has a 3 lb trigger that is smooth as silk), and the famous smoked nitride, which, I fear will negate further work, although I can't think of anything this needs. It came with all tool steel parts from the factory; that's not something any other mass manufacturer does anymore, although I dare say DW is small batch, and the mid 2010's were where it's at. I might grab a Garrison to do the 10-8 Master Blaster build, and they're bringing it out in Commander size in both blued and SS. I might splash in that Tisas puddle just to get some more practical hand-fitting experience, but my next stop is gonna be an Alchemy. I dig everything about them from their designs by master smith Rob Schauland, to the new "gangster" marketing guy that gets so much shit from the diehards. They might not put Wilson out of business (and I hope they don't; I don't want all those refugees chewin my flava!), but they've certainly carved a niche alongside Cabot in the high-end 1911 market.Jerry: when I wrote "Decent" I meant better than Colt and SA. The Browns and Baers qualify as decent in anybody's book!Schauland's out on his own now. Must not've dug the high-end partnership with Cabot. I want to see what he does for his next work of art. The Alchemy Combat Limited brought me around to the Swenson-style square guard (maybe a little less pointy at the turn). That, and a blued finish as good as Turnbull; they crank out some seriously gorgeous guns!

UWone77
24 January 2024, 10:21
There are so many good 1911's on the market, hard to try them all out. I one DW I shot was very nice and the tolerances were tight. I definitely wouldn't mind adding a DW to the collection.

Joelski
24 January 2024, 16:59
I'm loving the .45 ACP thing right now. Out of a smooth-shooting gun, recoil barely registers. I definitely want to add a Stainless to the hoard. Speaking of DW, I was surprised to learn that part of the reason they use a coating on black guns is that all of their guns are stainless, hence they can't take a decent blued finish as well as carbon steel. That, and the 2010 era guns used EB tool steel small parts. All considered, it's the best value for the price, even if the price isn't so good anymore. Watch for one made around 2015 and you'll score a shooter!

FortTom
3 February 2024, 03:12
There are so many good 1911's on the market, hard to try them all out. ......t. I definitely wouldn't mind adding a DW to the collection. This is true. I sort of gave up on the super high end stuff. Really pisses you off when you step in a hole in a trout creek that's about 4 feet deeper than you thought and you soak a 3K pistol and alligator leather holster. I wish I hadn't given my WC Delta Elite away, very nice for less $$ My para's and SA's are about all that come out of the safe anymore. I think my sickness for high end .1911's proved to me that there was a point of diminishing returns and that I could by fine pistols in the 1100 - 1300 range, some cheaper. Plus I don't tend to treat them like precious renisance art pieces, if you get my drift. I just shoot the crap out of them with no worries. Last year was bad for me, range time wise, but this thread has really put the .45 bug back into me. Even if it is retro necro-posting.[:D][:D]

FT

Joelski
3 February 2024, 08:16
I've given up on the budget 1911 idea. $1.5 to 3k will get you some damn fine pistols. Wilson has jumped the shart and gotten away from his roots so many times, it's hard to understand what their true specialty is anymore, and the prices are stupid, as evidenced by the secondary market. I've got an old school Combat Commander coming in, and kind of like the new Garrison Commander in SS, but that is just diverting funds from my Alchemy rig I hope to order this year. My biggest problem there is I am having trouble deciding between the Prime Elite, and HiCap! Regardless, it ain't gonna be some fancy safe queen gun. The guys I hang with shoot Burtons and put them away dirty, which I know would trigger a lot of people, but they're made to be shot, not looked at and fondled (okay, maybe for the times when it's a no-go for shooting). Cabot can be over-the-top by miles, but for those who have fuck you money, why not? I like Alchemy because they focus on classic 1911's (Something Wilson used to do exclusively). and they get it right. The other semi-custom I can think of in that category is Nighthawk plus they'll do work on privately owned guns. Since John Harrison is backing away from custom work, and Wayne Novak is not doing much, the new guys have to pick up that slack. KGB Customs and Integrity Arms, Sbardella, GCI all are doing God's work in the small custom market. Hell, Jason Burton is only in his early 40's; he'll hold the throne of king of custom makers for a couple more decades at least.

TheRifleman
3 February 2024, 08:47
Speaking of low end... Tisas, every poor's favorite new standard, has a bunch of recalls out right now lol.

I won't touch a Turkish gun, even if it's "made here" the money still goes there to that anti Semitic and anti Caucasian state of hate.

Joelski
3 February 2024, 10:53
Same goes for Bul. Pretty but not American made in America. I try my damnedest to avoid buying anything from a country that has a regime that wants to kill us.

TheRifleman
3 February 2024, 13:20
Bul is Israeli, Israel wants us dead? Huh? Or were you talking about China? Now those guys want us dead or at least subjugated.

Joelski
19 February 2024, 16:33
I was thinking it was Turkey like Tisas, my bad. I retract that statement. That said, as much as I like Israel and Ukraine, I support American companies.Here's one for the board: Beater to Badass, this will be the first Full House build.https://i.imgur.com/PDkL5rk.jpgOperation "Save the Pony" is a go.https://i.imgur.com/wSws9F6.jpg

Joelski
8 March 2024, 12:38
Operation: Save the Colt is just about ready to commence! After buying a metric shit ton of parts and even more tools, I've got it stripped to bare nothing and am blocking and polishing the flats, grinding down the frame tangs for a beaver tail GS install, and making plans to work up to checkering the front strap. Slide is going to Noval for dovetails and sights and I need to find a blaster to give the rounds a bead blast finish. All that will be left is some random polishing/blending and it'll be ready for reassembly. Easy-peasy, nipple squeezy! This gun will showcase the Gospel of the great John Moses Browning and once it's done, I'll be in the market for a series 70 Govt model in blue and then I can order my Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime Elite Carry! Still mulling over the optic cut for an SRO, but will probably leave that for a Quantico Hi-Cap build, or a Schauland Performance Monolith. Somebody Stop me!! At this point, plastic guns have all but lost their lustre for me and the power of cold, hard steel is what gets my blood pumping like back when all this stuff was new and fresh. hell it still is for me. Sorry for the enthusiasm, trying to resurrect some of the life on the forum.

https://i.imgur.com/iTKYFC1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bsYsuva.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7wG6f7y.jpg

Stone
8 March 2024, 22:08
That OTIS file set is sweet! I searched earlier and its discontinued but found a place that has the last half a dozen of them on the planet in stock, ordered 2 sets! If anyone is interested PM me... Dude, is that a mixing board? :P

Joelski
9 March 2024, 10:46
Tascam 32 track digital recorder.

Files are a particular rabbit hole with 1911's. I'm just finally getting my checkering files sorted; one more order ought to do it. I don't want to start the job until I have everything and Brownells is pretty much it for that kind of stuff.