Recommendations on a cheaper end 1911

I am starting to look for a cheaper end 1911 that is accurate, reliable and has standardized parts. I have already own a Dan Wesson that I have had customized and tuned. I haven't kept up on guns or brands so I thought I would ask here to see what the latest going flavor is. I thought about a RIA as I have looked at them in the past.

 

My SA Milspec was 530 a few years ago. Main shortcoming I heard was it is not as easy to change the grip safety as other models. So not one I'd get if you want or might eventually want a beaver tail.

 

I've not shot a RIA but have heard mostly good things, and the price is good.

Not sure where your "cheaper end" range stops, but I'm real happy with my SA Loaded's. Kinda' mid-range money.

FYI, I know some 1911 purists consider it blasphemy, but my 9mm Loaded is a super fun tack driver, and a little cheaper to feed.

 

SA Ronin. In 10mm

 

I may get flamed here but I’ve had a Taurus pt 24/7 for a while and it has never given me a single problem. If your just looking to send some rounds down range I would recommend looking at Taurus

 

I had an RIA tactical in 9mm back in my 1911 obsession a few years ago.
It didn't like cheap reman ammo, but none of my 9mm 1911s did either.
Not a bad firearm for the price..






Sold it after buying the Dan Wesson, which I ultimately sold as well..
Although the DW was probably one of the most accurate firearms I ever owned.

 

I have an RIA Citadel model. Slide has more serrations, better trigger and hammer, and I believe other internals upgraded from stock RIA 1911. Came with 3 mags for about $500 used, several years ago. Swapped out the wood grips for Hogue. It's a solid firearm, accurate, and even got all 9s and 10s when I certified with it for my CCW.

 

That DW Bobtail though... Yowza!

 

If you can find a used Para 1911 it should be pretty inexpensive and the quality is phenomenal. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore, but quality 1911 parts from other manufacturers work if you ever need them.

I got this one for $350 used at a Cabellas a few years ago. I love it because it didn't cost a fortune and is 100% reliable. I've got other 1911s and some 1911 model variants that are far more expensive and this one can hang.

 

This is the part where I point out that Dan Wesson is a CZ company. If you want that same quality in a modern-frame pistol, get a CZ. Not that I'm a fanboy or anything...

 

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/985108746

 

I've handled a lot of CZ pistols in gun shows and shops over the years.
They always felt good in the hand, but I never bought one..

Not a fan of DA/SA with a decocker, except my WG Sigs.
I'm sure CZ makes a DAO, I've just never seen one locally, as well I don't go to gun shows anyone...

 

My CZ's ergonomics fit me like they were made from a mold of MY hand. The most intuitive and naturally pointing handgun I've had, with the 1911 a very close second.

I can look at an object or spot on the wall across my 20' bedroom with the (empty) CZ in my hand, then close my eyes and present the weapon and be spot on. (or at least center mass)

I have a few things to choose from, and the CZ SP-01 top right is what goes on the nightstand when I lay me down to sleep, pray the Lord my soul to keep... And the little P-01 next to it is what goes camping with me. (You know, gotta' conserve space and weight in the RV.)

Not that I'm a fanboy or anything...

 

Agreed 100% on ergonomics.

I also have an SP-01 and a P-01 and really enjoy both of them, but the P-01 is my take anywhere, everywhere, always gun.

 

I like the OD Green!

 

I think I want a commander length in 9mm.

 

Fixed it for ya…

 

6 months ago I had the sudden urge for a 1911. Just wanted a .45 range toy and didn’t want to spend much money. I settled on Taurus bc it looked good and fit my budget. And I’ve got no complaints. I don’t have the experience with other brands to compare but I can say the Taurus feels solid, is accurate, and has never misfired. I love the way it looks.

I have several Taurus guns bc I like the look and price and I’ve had good luck with all.

 

I will defend Taurus. I’ve read about the quality problems but those seem mostly in the past. Half of my current handguns are Taurus (1911, .22, three revolvers) and I’ve got zero complaints with any. They fit my budget and I like the aesthetics. Just fine for me for range toys.

My defense pistols are Glock Canik and Springfield but I’d have no fear trusting a Taurus.

 

Interesting about grips. I've had my SA Commander for years and put the Hogue on just after I got. Now has a Houge Laser grip.

 

I feel the same way. Not sure if it’s fully warranted as I don’t recall ever having problems with a Taurus. I did, however, have big issues with a S&W Shield 2.0 that didn’t like to go in to battery. It would hang up just at the last mm of engagement as the slide and barrel moved forward. It was almost visually imperceptible until you realize you have a dead trigger. Full magazine was the worst, but it would do it with out a magazine at all. Yes, rack and slap it would fix it, but I never trusted it. Sent it in 3 times and it always just came back with sand in it. Demonstrated it to the dealer and they just said ‘You need better training’. While I wouldn’t disagree 100% with the statement itself, the logic is flawed. I’ve never had that issue with any other pistol. Purposely riding the slide on reloads, limp wristing while racking the slide, using the slide catch as a release mechanism instead of slingshotting - whatever I tried on other pistols I couldn’t get them to replicate the SW issue. So I moved on.

 

Keltec for the win, if they make a 1911 model, which I doubt. I would also be very apprehensive about sooting it if they did so....biggest pos ever. Inherited one from an Uncle. Junk!!!!

 

The cheapest 1911 I recommend is a full size 45 acp Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. I’ve had one and it ran great. I did buy a Tisas Tanker 1911 (4.25” barrel) and I loved the size but after a few magazines I’d get feeding issues/fail to return to battery. I traded it in shortly after, I never keep firearms that aren’t reliable. I used new Wilson magazines and a few hundred rounds thru it to “break it in” but is was never 100%. Try to get a 70 series if possible, the way it was originally designed. I did have a new Colt 70 series full size that was excellent.

 

I got a SA Milspec “Defender” series about 4 years ago. I believe it’s the same as a regular Mildpec but a little cheaper since it came in a cardboard box instead of a plastic case and with only one mag instead of two. Maybe there are other minor differences, but mine has been flawless with no issues after almost 1000 rounds of a variety of whatever cheap FMJ and JHP I could find.

 

Here’s mine:

 

As a follow-up to an old thread I just ordered a Tisas 1911 Carry B9 9mm 4.25" 10rd Ed Brown Bobtail for $550 shipped to my dealer including transfer.

 

I was looking into that Tisas today and discovered the full-size .45 version

Looks like when added to cart it could be had for $420 shipped. So id be all in $440.

https://battlehawkarmory.com/product/sds-1911-b-45acp-5-blk-8rd-eb-bobtail-1

did you pickup yours from FFL yet? Any further opinion on it?

 

Family Firearms is where I ordered mine from and they already had my FFL on file.

 

I was wondering if it had come in yet and you were actually able to handle it in person. But then I realized it’s been less than a week bc i don’t even know what day it is anymore