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.

quote:

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

quote:

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.

Springfield Ronin gets my vote.

My SA 1911’s have mostly been great. One had a trip back to the mothership. Came back great.

I figured it would prolly be between Springfield and Ruger, between which of those two?

quote:

Originally posted by limblessbiff:
I figured it would prolly be between Springfield and Ruger, between which of those two?

Colt

Colt, S&W, Ruger or S.A., you can't go wrong with any of them.

I carry a ruger every day

My Springfield Garrison has been excellent. And the Rugers I have had have been great, too.

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.

Smith & Wesson E-Series

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

quote:

Originally posted by 1KPerDay:
Colt

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.

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.

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.

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.

i sold my DW Pointman 45 years ago. I loved that pistol. what was I thinking and now they are going for 2k

only 1911 I have now is a SA Ronin 10mm. wich I like!

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:

quote:

Originally posted by 1KPerDay:
Colt

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.

ETA: Looks like Colt Competitions are widely available for $900ish, at least according to Gunbroker
https://www.gunbroker.com/all/...&sort=13&pagesize=96