First 1911?

[Ronin13]

I'll throw in my .02, I personally own and use my Springfield 1911 GI Champion- MSRP $624.99, and I love it and use it as my CCW that goes everywhere with me. I've owned it for 7 months and fired well into the 1,000s of rounds. Are there better out there? Yes. But for the price and purpose it is, IMO one of the best guns you can buy. My brother owns a Dan Wesson Custom (Retail: $1460) and besides night sights (which mine doesn't have) it really does the exact same thing as mine. Sure he has a dove tail, better grip and ported hammer, but it serves the same purpose mine does: single stack 7rd mag that's easily concealed, shoots .45 bullets, and is easy to field strip/clean... isn't that all a pistol is supposed to do? KISS= Keep it simple stupid.

[Dalendenver]

Take a look at the SA Range Officer model. There is a review in the latest American Rifleman but I have read several reviews on it. They are all uniformly praising it. A ready for competition full size for cheap, about $800. With the fabulous SA service backing it.

[sneakerd]

I agree. I've seen and handled one at a range, good stuff.

[opie011]

Thanks for all the input guys! I'm leaning towards the Springfields and love the Dan Wesson Guardian Graves pointed out but with the wife not working now it a little outa reach. I really want a 4" but the full size is growing on me.

[Byte Stryke]

Now I am trying to get Momma to give me a pass to go shooting this weekend!


Ohh, and Just for the trunk Monkey:


PFFFFFFTTTT

[BPTactical]

Now I am trying to get Momma to give me a pass to go shooting this weekend!


Ohh, and Just for the trunk Monkey:


PFFFFFFTTTT

Meh........... I guess its OK for a Kimber

Byte finally took off his training wheels and got a 1911!

[BigNick73]

I've got a Springer Loaded and a Taurus PT1911, and owned a pre-70 Colt Gold Cup for a time . All have been flawless other than the springer having jacked up sights from the factory. The Colt by far had the best fit and finish and was the most accurate, the springer is nice and is my CCW since it's stainless, but don't discount the Taurus. It was inexpensive and has given me no problems that weren't caused by me changing out parts and playing with stuff.

[Atrain1]

Go get your self a Rock island armory tactical compact for about 425.00 last time I checked at jensons, or on gunbroker. I have owned and shot alot of 1911's, it has been my favorite gun since I was a Kid. I have fired every thing from a singer 1911 to a RIA. I currently own 2 RIA 1911's one I will never fire as it is highly polished nickle, and the other has a nice trigger job and a pollished feed ramp, and I have never had one hickup with my RIA. It is unbelievably smooth and reliable. I would deffinetly trust my life to it. There is also Charles daly and Armscor. Armscor owns RIA and used to own Charles daly. and Ati mil spec will run you 379.99 before taxes and it comes from the phllillpenes like all the guns mintioned above. Taurus pt 1911 is a great gun I also have 2 of them, its kind of hard to find aftermarket parts to fit, but other than that they are great guns very accurate, and reliable. I have not shot an ATI but I have heard they are as good as a RIA. And I would reccomend a RIA to any one. You can get the tactical 4.25 inch ATI at jensons for just over 400.00 I think that is a great deal. I hope this helps, I have put my Rock island armory up against kimbers and came out on top, just to let you know how accurate they are, look up Kimber vs Rock Island Armory. And notice that the kimber has what looks to be novak sights, and the RIA has the stock iron sights and look how close they are.

[Ah Pook]

I have a SS 4" Champion and like it a lot.

One thing to be aware of is a lot of .45acp HP ammo was designed for a full size (5") barrel. Once you get below a 4.5" barrel length there could be issues with bullet expansion and performance.

[Atrain1]

My RIA 1911a2