There's an itch that I get from time to time that no cream is good for. Specifically, a Colt type .45 ACP. I guess I just don't want to die without having owned certain guns, and this is one on that list. There is no logical reason for me to want it, might as well get that bit out of the way.

It should be as GI as possible (think low budget), but with just enough modern refinement to be reliable, have a decent trigger, and be generally smile inducing when firing. In other words, this will be a shooter rather than a safe queen investment so it should be fun.

I could research until I puke, but what say you folks?

Springfield Mil-Spec is my vote. Quality construction (it will work), good support, GI styling with slightly better sights and a few other minor variations...but the basic look and feel is still there. Used to be you could get one for under $500...these days you can still find them for under $600 if you shop around.

If you're not tied to the "GI" look and feel, the new "Garrison" model has a nice set of updates that make it more pleasant to shoot (better sights, better trigger, beavertail to eliminate slide bite, larger controls, flat mainspring housing, etc.), for about $150-$200 more.

Rock Island and some other import companies like Girsan and Tisas are also selling cheap 1911s these days. Folks say they work, but I have no personal experience with any of those and they don't really give me the warm fuzzies. I own an SA Loaded (absolutely love that gun) and an EMP4, and have have plenty of friends that own other SA variants...I have yet to encounter a bad one yet, so I feel like I can truly endorse that product.

ETA: Just to get this out of the way now, somebody will probably be along in a bit to point out that we're supposed to hate Springfield Armory because of a political decision that they made regarding the state of Illinois a number of years back. Don't remember the details, don't really care...if you're looking for a decent budget 1911, they make a good product.

I’d also suggest the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec model - very basic with some helpful features that are subtly-applied (better sights, lowered ejection port, etc.)

It’s a gun you could leave completely stock and still have a blast with, or make upgrades to it if / as desired.

My vote is for the mil spec also.
I have one that was kind of abused and the damn thing hasn't missed a beat.

Not sure which specific model, but my brother in law has a pretty basic Springfield 1911. Matte finish, some flavor of red wood grips & a nice shooter.

Wish I'd been able to snag my buddy's SW 1911 before he sold it. Stainless basic model, but another good shooter. He got it for something like 450 back in 08 or so off the used counter in a Gander Mountains (IIRC) in Beaumont TX.

Another plus one for SA. I have a SA loaded and the trigger is smooth and crisp. It's been a great choice.

The Springfield is an excellent choice and more budget friendly than a lot of alternatives. But for me it had to be an actual Colt Government. There was something about knowing its a Colt that I had to have for my one 1911. In .45 of course.

One of the Springfields mentioned or, if you'd like a little more refinement w/o breaking the bank: Bul Armory 1911

My next 1911 may very well be a Bul Armory Commander.

If it is budget priced you are seeking, I would recommend the RIA.

Springfield Mil Spec
Charles Daly imports a nice looking basic 1911 from Italy (Chiappa made maybe?)

and Rock Island does a nice one as well

An older Springfield MilSpec
Rock Island
Colt 1991.

I'm sure if you look around, you can find a used one in good to great shape for a decent price.
A handful of good magazines, a bunch of ammo and that smile will happen!

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
If it is budget priced you are seeking, I would recommend the RIA.

Finally, the correct answer. RIA #51431.



Got mine NIB for about $480 at the height of the panic and upgraded the grips.



Since they're made in the Philippines you could call them LBFMs - Large Bore Firing Machines

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Blackmore,

Ruger reportedly makes a decent 1911. I've meant to pick one up, but still haven't.

I have a Springfield Milspec I bought new for about 350 or so, some time ago; it's never given any trouble. It's in a state of change, presently, and will eventually end up being customized...the basic pistol works just fine, though.

Kimber makes some golly-gee-whiz-bang stuff that seems to work. I own a couple presently. More image than substance, I think, but they've been popular.

STI 1911's are good. I gave one to my son before he went in the Corps, as he wanted a 1911. It was his first centerfire handgun.

My personal favorite in 1911's are Dan Wesson products. They've climbed in price, but they're well made, look nice, function very well.

In my opinion, Colt isn't what it was. You pay for the pony, like Guess Jeans with a grip safety.

Some don't care for them, but the Sig 1911's are good, in my opinion.

Bac123 posts here; he's into the high-end 1911's for collectors purposes, but probably has more insight into a 1911 recommendation than anyone, I'd think. Perhaps he will chime in.

I'd look at the Springfield offerings or a Ruger, if I were after a basic 1911. Possibly a Rock Island.

Wilson Combat

Wilson makes great firearms. I love my Wilson 1911's...but not really entry level pricing.

Another vote here for Springfield Armory. The force is strong with their budget 1911s.

Aside from the Mil-Spec, you might take a look at the Garrison, which is basically a Mil-Spec with some good, solid upgrades (better sights, grip safety, etc.). Actual range reviews have been solid across the board, and it's blued, so it looks good. Though I haven't shot a Garrison, I've handled a few in my LGS and they appear to be really solid.

If I had to choose between other budget 1911s, I'd choose SA over Ruger and Rock Island, but my experience with the Ruger is limited. I don't own a Ruger, but one of my friends does, and he is underwhelmed with his. He doesn't like the looseness of it. He did tell me that if he had it to do all over again, he wouldn't buy it. That's only a sample of one, but I have handled some Ruger 1911s at my LGS and they were indeed rattly. In fact, I handled their 3-inch Officer's Model in 9mm recently and wouldn't buy it because the safety activation was horrible and it just couldn't compare to SA in terms of overall fit. I was actually a bit shocked and walked away.

The reason I sold my Rock Island 1911 is that it had some failure to feed issues, even with good lube, Wilson mags, and Remington ball ammo. My inspection revealed that the swinging link wouldn't move smoothly and was out of spec. Again, only a sample of one, but Karl Sokol at Chestnut Mountain Sports, a pretty highly regarded gunsmith, told me in an email that he wouldn't work on RIA's because of poor tolerances and fit. His recommendation for the best base 1911?

Springfield Armory Mil-Spec, and the Garrison is a step up from that.

If you're considering the Springfield Mil-Spec, take a hard look at the Springfield Garrison.

Has a few useful upgrades over the Mil-Spec models, which you'll probably appreciate. But it doesn't go overboard, and it still retains a more traditional look. Street price is a bit over $700, roughly $100 more than the Mil-Spec.

https://www.springfield-armory...1-garrison-handguns/


Edit: Great minds think alike, jbourneidentity!

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
If you're considering the Springfield Mil-Spec, take a hard look at the Springfield Garrison.

Has a few useful upgrades over the Mil-Spec models, which you'll probably appreciate. But it doesn't go overboard, and it still retains a more traditional look. Street price is a bit over $700, roughly $100 more than the Mil-Spec.

https://www.springfield-armory...1-garrison-handguns/


Edit: Great minds think alike, jbourneidentity!

Another vote for the Garrison. Got one in brushed blue about two weeks ago. Has some of the best slide to frame and barrel fit of any SA I've seen, and way better than production colts.

Did the usual cut-to-spec/square/polish on the hammer hooks, cut-to-spec/stone/polish on the sear, polish the disconnector and trigger bar, and tune the leaf spring to a crisp 4 lb pull with minimal creep. I used an Ed Brown sear jig and shim for the sear and hammer hook work, and ceramic stones from Brownells.

Only issue I've noticed is the beavertail to frame fit could be better.

I was tempted by various Colt Series 70's I've seen at shops in the past few years, but not any more.

RIA GI….as close as real issued 1911 as you can get…tiny sights and all.

https://www.armscor.com/firear...tandard-fs-45acp-8rd

I have a commander sized one and got rid of the giant wooden grips. I didn’t realize the commander sized came with a bill barrel, solid recoil guide rod and no bushing…otherwise I would have gotten the full sized.

I only own one .45, the Springfield Mil-Spec.

It seems well built and shoots well. No complaints here.