I’ve been a Glockster since the early 1990’s. But the first handgun I really “loved” was the 1911. I shoot it more accurately than any other handgun. In fact, when I qualified for CCW, I used a 1911, and the instructor had to caution me to disperse my rounds a little bit because she had to count the hits on target. I had put nearly all the rounds into one ragged hole.
So, I’m out of touch with regard to this platform.
I’d like to put it to you members to point out the best 1911 that meets the following criteria:
Must be 100% with ball ammo. I’m not so concerned with using it as a defensive tool. I still have Glocks for that.
Must come with good, visible sights from the factory: no USGI tiny sights
Must be a good, name brand. No bottom feeders.
Must be under $1,000
Prefer steel frame; prefer stainless steel on top of that.
Must be current production and not some discontinued Unicorn from yesteryear.
I don’t think a Wiley Clapp would fall under $1000 (Stainless Commander MSRP is $1399).
Maybe used. Maybe a used Dan Wesson Heritage (MSRP $1298). Maybe a Stainless Colt Railgun (MSRP $1199).
Probably a Springfield Stainless Loaded (MSRP is $963). Or a Range Officer Stainless if you want adjustable sights (MSRP is $1055). Colt Competition SS (MSRP $999) if you don’t want to give SAI money.
I just got a Dan Wesson Heritage and have been toying with selling it to fund a Dan Wesson A2, because I don’t like stainless 1911s.
Springfield Loaded should meet all those requirements. I traded mine off a few years ago, but it was a great gun right out of the box and never had an issue. It had about 3k rounds when I traded it.
Check out the Colt competition. I have one in 9mm great shooting pistol, it eats everything. They are making stainless versions with series 70 trigger also. Looking at one in 45acp myself.
If you’re not concerned with it as a defensive tool I’d look at Rock Island or something similar.
I was in your shoes a while back. Just wanted a 1911 to have but wanted a name brand one. Bought a used TRP. Honestly, the amount of times I shoot it I could have saved literally half MY money and bought a RI because both will shoot a couple boxes of ammo every few years
For the money, I think the Wiley Clapps are good pistols since they are series 70 and offer some basic upgrades. I had two of them, the Commander models but decided to go series 70 retro though but not sure I like them because the sights kind of suck. If you do decide to get one of the series 70 base models, Harrison Designs offers a nice rear sight called the Tall GI, it’s thicker than the thin factory sight and lines up nicely with the front sight. I’m thinking of just customizing these little by little until I get what I want.
At your price point I can add the Ruger SR1911 to the list to look at. You get some nice upgrades in the box too. They are a good usable gun right out of the box with nice controls and decent sights. As for me I got a SA TRP used for a little bit south of your price point.
In late 2012 I got the bug for something different, a Colt in .38 super auto. I got it as a range toy, really my 1st such pistol but it has evolved into a first choice range and competition pistol for 2 gun, IDPA etc. It has remained mostly stock with the exception of sights and few minor things. The stock grip safety works for me so it remains too.
I have abused it with minimal cleaning and long round counts, it is on it’s 3rd 2000 round no additional lube, no cleaning test. It has performed as well as I could expect a pistol to perform. Were it not for the weight I would carry it with full confidence, clean of course…
IMO a well built 1911 can be a reliable service auto and it need not be expensive as long as it starts from quality. Range use? No problem. Have fun with your choices!
Lotta good suggestions, I am a Springfield Armory guy. You can work your way up their line from Range officer to TRP. I like the new MC Operator with VZ grips for around $1k.
I was going to suggest a Series 1 Kimber, but saw that you stipulated nothing discontinued. In that case, Series 70 Colt. Makes for a great base gun if you want to do a custom build later on.
Springfield Loaded. Mine hasn’t had a hiccup in 4K plus rounds. I shot 1000 rounds straight out of the box- no lube or cleaning- and had two ammo related malfunctions. I slapped an S&A magwell on it and routinely beat shooters with much more expensive 1911’s.
Another vote for the springfield loaded. I use mine as my training pistol. It was the first 1911 I bought, and I got it through the gun store employee purchase plan. Runs awesome, only had to replace the recoil spring so far. I also have a TRP and a MC operator. Carry the operator as my duty gun now as I always work nights and it is a lot easier using the weapon light. As Papabear said the new VZ grips they are putting on them are pretty awesome. The only issue I have had with it is that surefire lights don’t seem to fully lock in place. I swapped to using a TLR-1 and no issues so far.
The range officer would also be a solid pick if you want adjustable sights.