I am trying to help find my dad a good GI 1911A1 reproduction. The Auto Ordinance ones look pretty good, but I really dont want a series 80 gun. Looking for the very basic with the US Government roll marks, etc… just like they were issued in WWII. Looked at the Springfield GI model, but it doesnt have the roll marks he wants. Not opposed to buying an original gun like a Remington Rand or something of the sort, but not sure we want to pay 1000-1500+ bucks for one(which seems to be in the ball park for a decent example).
Avoid the Auto Ordnance.
The Springer WWII GI is going to be the least expensive halfway decent gun out there that’s going to be similar to an actual WWII issue piece.
Those Turkish ones, the Regents look like 1911A1s externally but are Series 80 types. I think cast frame and machined barstock slide. They go for around $450
I’m setting up a deal with someone who has a used one and it might be in my hands at the end of the week.
But you said you want proper markings and everything. You’re better off getting a real 1911A1.
Colt TALO 1911A1
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_141/products_id/411538119
This is possibly as close as you can get after the real deal.
Springfield GI is as low as I’d go.
You can find an actual M1911A1 for less than colt charges for their reproductions.
I searched a bit for an original gun, but 1500-2000 bucks is a bit much. I will have to look at the Springfield GI gun a little more. Kinda wanted some type of “US Government Property” roll mark, but im not paying 1000+ bucks for a roll mark.
Its a shame there arent more out there, but I guess nobody wants a plane jane 1911 anymore, everybody wants them all tricked out.
The problem is that original USGI 1911 and 1911-A1 were so cheap before people bought them up / refinished / nickeled or build some IPSC monstrosity.
Now the market is drying up and collectors are snapping the original examples driving the price up…
The turning point on pricing was Saving Private Ryan. Prices damn near doubled over night, no shit.
Look for a “mixmaster” (unmatched slide/frame) original. Some can be found for under $1000. Other than that, I would say Springfield with a grip change. You could do an Auto Ordnance but it would be hit or miss on quality and operation unless you changed out ALL the small parts (trigger, hammer, extractor, ejector, thumb safety, slide stop, mag release, bushing etc.).
I would be patient and keep looking for an original. I know auto ord has a bad rep for quality(I hear it 's gotten better since taken over by kahr arms).
I am not a fan of Springfields due to being made in Brazil(they are probably the best quality lower price foreign made 1911 I’ll admit)
Another option is to buy something like a low end foreign gun (SA GI RIA ETC) then find an older USGI slide to put on it to give it the old gi look.
I have zero problems buying stuff from Brazil.
Have you looked at the Rock Island Armory 45’s? I know lots of folks like them and then again lots of others hate them. But you can find a used one for around 300 bucks. These are the basic guns with the GI sights. At least this is another option for you.
Alien
When I had a similar desire 5 or 6 years ago, I got the SA GI model and have been quite pleased with it. It is accurate, and with a little trigger work has as sweet a trigger pull as my Les Baer 1911! 
WB
If you want the REAL deal as in “authentic” and price is not an issue, then go here. The best of the best “replica” 1911 that I have heard about:
http://www.cylinder-slide.com/reproduction.shtml
Given that those cost $5000, I assume most of us aren’t likely to order one. On a more practical level, I’d probably start with the Colt offering that was linked to above as well. However, I’m not that much into owning 1911’s just for nostalgia.
BUT cylinder&slide makes a 1911 reproduction, not a 1911A1 as requested…
The Springfield G.I. is very close. You can get a G.I. style safety (made by Colt) from Midway and a set repro grips.
This is a S.A. G.I. with some plastic grips, they’re the wrong color, but the gun is very close.
Exactly right.
I bought a mint one for 100 bucks, (with a bunch of GI ball thrown in), when I was 19. One of my greatest joy’s, is that I couldn’t afford to customize it a few years later when I thought about it. It’s one of the few from those days I still have. Other than the rookie mark from the slide stop, and a tiny bit of surface rust, it’s still about 98%.
Advice to younger guys: hang on to your good guns.
Yup, and for less than that, you could buy a real one that will continue to appreciate.
Colt made some 1911-A1 GI replica’s with US Property markings. You can still find them out there. They did these prior to the more recent 1911’s that are out there now, so you’ll likely pay a little more. I can post a picture of one if you’re interested.
Everything with roll marks, either reproduction or original is way too expensive. I personally am not ready to pony up 2 grand for a decent example of either a repro or original. Thats why I was sorta interested in the auto-ordnance simply because this gun wasnt going to get shot much. For the price of what the originals/repro’s are bringing I could buy the Auto-Ordinance and replace everything inside with quality components and still come in under cost by 500-1000 bucks. The AO frame/slides are investment cast, so I am not even sure if they are worth putting good parts in.
I think I may just grab a Springer GI and call it a day. $569 locally which isnt that terrible a price I guess.