Decent 1911's

[UWone77]

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]

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]

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. 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 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]

1) Springfield Loaded. 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]

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]

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]

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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Why the Sig?

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

[alamo5000]

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]

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]

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]

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

[RiverRat]

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]

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.

[UWone77]

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.

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]

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.