quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:

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.

Is that the one where you need a bent large paperclip for the hole in the guide rod to take it apart? My officer sized is like that.

Does it matter to you where it's made? Lots of cheap 1911 imports right now.,

I was in a Gun Shop yesterday looking for a Springfield 1911 myself and they kept wanting me to try the Tisas 1911 they had for $400. They said they had it next to a Nighthawk and you couldn't tell the difference. I would still like to find a Springfield in stainless finish.

quote:

Originally posted by kho:

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.

Yup. My one and only 1911 is a Colt GI type. Got it via some horse-trading with a SIGforum member. It appears to have been used (but not abused) quite a bit, works fine, I always wanted one, ever since qualifying with, and carrying one in the Navy in the 1950s.

A good friend bought a 1911-A1 made by Auto Ordinance last year.

I've not shot it, but he says it's pretty close to GI.

His claim is that it's backed by Kahr since Auto Ordinance is owned by Kahr. While Auto Ordinance is owned by Kahr, I don't know if that implies superior support and/or quality, but might be.

https://www.auto-ordnance.com/...nance-1911a1-pistol/

I understand the desire for an inexpensive 1911 but having grown up with GI models both before and during my military days, I much prefer better sights and a few improvement touches.

Unless you really want an old school 1911, you might look to those which have a few more modern features.

Someone mentioned Charles Daly. It was just such a quest to obtain a sound functioning inexpensive "beater" 1911 that led me to Charles Daly Field EFS model in 2006. These were ARMSCOR made in those days. It has proved very reliable and more than reasonably accurate over the years even handling 400 Cor-Bon ammo with a barrel change in addition to the standard 45ACP. I changed the trigger, slide release, guide rod and plug, and grips, leaving the remaining MIM parts (firing pin stop, plunger tube, sear, disconnector, and hammer) as is.



It is a solid gun but without the fit, finish, and overall refinement of my several Dan Wesson models or my customized Colt MKIV.

quote:

Originally posted by redlickranch:
They said they had it next to a Nighthawk and you couldn't tell the difference.

Well yeah, of course they said that... They really wanted to get you to buy that $400 Tisas.

Look up ATI 45 1911's, another made in the Philliphines brand. I had the Commander model, and never had a problem with it.
I liked it better than the RIA offerings.

I have 4 1911s, ranging in cost from 1K+ to El Cheapo 385 bucks: Sig Nightmare Carry, Colt 9mm Commander XSE, Ruger SR1911 and a Citadel 1911FS.
Experience:
The Sig and Colt have great fit and finish and shoot great.
The Ruger is stainless and to seems looser in fit. Good finish and shoots great.
The Citadel is looser, and its grip safety is not as closely fit as the other guns. Finish is coarse. When new, it locked back with a round still in the mag. A common problem with 1911s with poorly fitted slide stops. QC fail. I sent it to Nevada on the Phillipinos dime and they fixed it in 2 weeks. Now runs like a top. All the 1911 bells and whistles, too.
Would I buy any of the above guns again? I would! Even the cheapie (made by Philippinos who care) shoots fine. My long term plan is to sell the Sig and Colt to finance a 9mm Dan Wesson or maybe even a Wilson, Les Baer or Nighthawk .45 full size. EDC will be the Ruger.
All said and done, the Ruger offers everything you want in a 1911 and nothing you dont. Ruger customer service will take care of you and used ones can be a bargain. If I wanted a Mil-Spec gun the Springfield is the go to. The only thing about a Mil Spec gun is you can get bit by the 1911 bug and the basic spec gun no longer is fun.

I'm going to recommend a Springfield Mil-Spec like many others have, as it is the most budget minded yet still fun to shoot 1911 that I'm aware of. I'd really like to recommend a Springfield Garrison as I just picked on up and I'm very happy with it, but I know you said about low budget and well, its more expensive than a Mil-Spec.

I have owned a cheapo Rock Island GI model and frankly, it isn't as much fun to shoot as a slightly upgraded 1911. I sold it off last year and I don't regret it.

If you absolutely have to have a low budget gun then I'd recommend looking at:

SDS Imports US Army Edition 1911A1, they can be had for around $400

https://www.sdsimports.com/sds...5ACP-p/1911a1a45.htm

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:

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

I saw what you did here!

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:

Is that the one where you need a bent large paperclip for the hole in the guide rod to take it apart? My officer sized is like that.

Yeah, it’s not that much of a problem. My STI 2011 needs a special tool to take apart because of the guiderod. But I’m too cheap to replace it with a Dawson tooless recoil guiderod.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by redlickranch:
They said they had it next to a Nighthawk and you couldn't tell the difference.

Well yeah, of course they said that... They really wanted to get you to buy that $400 Tisas.

Hey they both have triggers and hammers and a safety and barrels……you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference in the dark…….with oven mits on…….after a 5th of whiskey……and a stroke……..maybe.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
Since they're made in the Philippines you could call them LBFMs - Large Bore Firing Machines

I saw what you did here! [/QUOTE]

You funny, you make me ror

You want a plain Jane GI 1911? Here you go:

https://dahlonegaarmory.com/pr...full-size-wwii-model

$346.64 after you 'add to cart'. Shipping I believe is ~$20.