What’s the best American made 1911 for under 1k or so? And I know everyone loves Dan Wesson but those seem to all start at 14 or 1500 these days so that’s out. I def. Want an American gun in .45
I really like my Springfield Armory Ronin O.R.full size. Is very well fit and finished and shoots great. To be honest I'm not sure if they are considered made in USA, I seem to remember hearing at one point S.A. frames were made in Brazil.
Posts: 346 | Location: SW,MI | Registered: July 25, 2008
Originally posted by limblessbiff: What’s the best American made 1911 for under 1k or so? And I know everyone loves Dan Wesson but those seem to all start at 14 or 1500 these days so that’s out. I def. Want an American gun in .45
Colt
--------------------------- My hovercraft is full of eels.
Originally posted by McGregor: I really like my Springfield Armory Ronin O.R.full size. Is very well fit and finished and shoots great. To be honest I'm not sure if they are considered made in USA, I seem to remember hearing at one point S.A. frames were made in Brazil.
Springfield stopped using Imbel steel for their 1911s in the mid-2000s. They manufacture their own frames and slides in the US now.
For under $1K you're probably looking at Rugers or Springfields if you looking at brand new. Everything else is probably going to be above that.
Posts: 5341 | Location: Kansas City, MO | Registered: May 28, 2004
I have a full size Ruger and a LW commander style and have been pleased with both. I would not be afraid to buy a Colt. I have 2 I have had for many years.
Posts: 5951 | Location: Central Illinois | Registered: March 04, 2001
As a big Sig fan, I thought I'd love the 1911 X, but not so much ☹️. I compared it to the Springfield Garrison, Springfield Ronin, a 9mm double stack (I forget which gun), an the E-Series S&W...I kept going back to the S&W & posted about it in a few places. Someone found me a used S&W in "Like New" condition (I hate spending on new) for a great price, so I jumped on it. So glad I did, this gun is awesome
Problem is for a decent one like the Competition, he's going to be $1,200 which is over his budget. The OP still hasn't mentioned if he's fine going with a used gun which opens his choices up quite a bit.
If he can go used, mrprovy has a point in that the S&W E-Series is incredibly hard to beat for what it brings to the table and might be able to find one new right at his budget.
Posts: 5341 | Location: Kansas City, MO | Registered: May 28, 2004
Colt competition, comes in blued or s/s. I bought one of the earlier 9mm S/S ones, they also make in .45. Slide to frame fit and barrel bushing fit is bank vault tight so is the trigger pull. It's a nice shooting gun and comes with nice features: Fiber optic front site, G10 grips, skelatized hammer and trigger, etc. etc. Nothing holds value and resells like a Colt in the under $1000 range either.
There's plenty of them new on gunbroker at under $1000.
We got in a Springfield Garrison at work the other day. It has the best trigger of all the 1911's in the shop, and that's for an $800something dollar gun vs some twice the price, Colts and Kimbers included.
______________________________________________ "If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
I would agree with those pushing Colt, Springfield, and Smith and Wesson. I'm less interested in Springfield's stuff these days but I honestly can't put my finger on why.
Posts: 5479 | Location: Iowa | Registered: February 24, 2011
For aesthetics and the all-important “authenticity” factor, I’d go with a Colt. However, the equivalent Springfield is a bit cheaper and IMO has slightly better assembly and quality control.
Problem is for a decent one like the Competition, he's going to be $1,200 which is over his budget. The OP still hasn't mentioned if he's fine going with a used gun which opens his choices up quite a bit.
Ah. I hadn't checked prices in a while. Last I looked into it the Competitions were about $850 and you could still get a basic Colt 1911 for like $750. Used, I'd still go Dan Wesson. Should be able to get a Razorback/Heritage for under a grand.
