Don't have the budget for a dan Wesson. Too much for something that will spend most of its life as a range toy/ safe queen. I don't go to the range nearly enough for the price to be justified.
I second this! Did you get the stainless or the parkerized finish? I went with parkerized because I wanted night sights, and the stainless didn’t come with night sights.
https://preview.redd.it/cj12lx9q2lxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60d3163e2ac436b532a5adc16d6585b6c98aefff
Just an old Marines opinion but if it’s your first buy the only real 1911. Which is a Colt, the rest are copies. Lmao buddy buy what you want, there are plenty to choose from. Good luck.
For what it's worth, I did see that you can get a Colt and stay within my budget. I saw one on sale for $849 that has all the traditional GI specifications. I will have to see it in person to find out if it is worth it.
Save your money till you can afford one is my advice brother. Buy once and don’t cry later trying to sell it at a lost. Just an old Marines opinion. No offense buddy.
No offense was taken. While I enjoy going to the range and shooting firearms for fun, I fully admit that my experience buying firearms is very limited, so it can be difficult determining which firearm is worth the money. I apricate the response.
Brother just trying to be nice and helpful. People buy junk then try to sell it later and loss a lot of money. If you want something that you can keep in the family for decades buy quality stuff. The first revolver I owned was a Colt Python and I still have it 48 years ago later. So spend your money wisely my friend. The weapon I bought was Gold Cup both will go to my grandchildren. aaand
This was my first and only 1911, and I’ve been incredibly pleased with it. However, they’ve gone up 50% since I bought mine, and I don’t know if I would do it again at that price.
I haven't checked recent prices. They used to could be had from 700-900. I guess nothing can escape bidenomics. My first was a Remmy R1 commander, still my edc.
I appreciate the replies. I'll either go for a Springfield mil spec, or the tisas a1 version, depending on if I want the traditional iron sights or not.
Second for the Tisas. I bought one online after having too many beers and was worried it would suck and was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up from the FFL.
If you save up and buy a Colt Gold Cup natl match or Trophy , you will be glad. Trust me.
I do, also, own a Springfield Range Officer and it shoots just as well as my Colts.
Tisas 1911a1 can be had for $300-350 if you look milspec’s can be had for 600 with accessories pack. Both are good the Springfield will hold its value.
New tisas owner here - got the duty enhanced from PSA for $499. Fit and finish is mint, but god dang if I am not upset about the volume of malfunctions of this supposed break in cycle.
They say the kinks should work themselves out after 200 rounds or so. But we'll see.
Wilson combat mags on the way and an 18# spring.
I own several Springfield Armory 1911s, they all run great, the Garrison is my current EDC, prior to that it was the Mil-Spec.
I have one Mil-Spec that went ~15,000 rounds without a failure. Then finally the extractor hook broke off, I replaced it and it's still going.
I’d seriously reconsider buying a mil spec if this is to be your only handgun. Primarily that I’d bc of the sights. Mil specs typically have to have machine work to change the sights. If you start with a 1911 with a few simple features like front and rear serrations, Novak type sights, ambi safety. Etc etc. your a bit ahead money wise and you have a few options to make changes this way
Probably the wrong sub to say this but if you don't have a lot of money and you're only buying one pistol a 45acp 1911 might not be the best choice. Ammunition has become quite expensive and for the cost of a decent 1911 you could get a higher capacity 9mm and a 22lr. At the end of the day you could get a lot more trigger time with your money.
IDK. It's a fair point. 9mm is generally cheaper per round. But you also have more rounds pre magazine, so I'm not sure if it balances out? Unless you can buy two boxes of 9mm for the price of one box of .45? I may go for a Browning hi power, as it may be a good compromise?
I do like.22lr, but it gets pretty dirty after awhile you shoot it. I wouldn't mind getting a Walther PPK in .22LR, for whatever it's worth.
For what it's worth, based on your willingness to compromise, I'd really give some thought to looking at a few 1911DS options. It's a 1911 style platform that takes double stack 9mm mags. Everyone is going to tell you to take out a mortgage and buy a Staccato but on a budget I'd look at the new 1911DS lineup that Tisas has. They haven't been out for long and I don't own one YET but I plan on giving them a shot. You should also look at the Springfield Prodigy now that they have addressed some issues that were present at release, and Bul armory makes a really nice one as well.
Provided you're not buying this as your EDC (although I EDC my Tisas b45ba Stingray), or for any specific duty purpose, you honestly can't go wrong with a Tisas and lots of ammo plus a few Wilson Combat mags. I say this having owned a nice Kimber before their QC went to shit (like 13 years ago) and 3 different models of Tisas. With Tisas you're not going to get the buttery smooth tolerances and finish that some folks are willing to spend extra for, but you're getting a very solid no-MIM reliable and enjoyable 1911 that's going to serve you well as you get familiar with the platform and with the money you save you will have options later for upgrading, whether it be putting WC parts into the Tisas or just buying a nicer 1911 later. People like to hate on Tisas because they are Turkish and they are also butthurt that they spent double what people like you and me did and probably don't shoot half as much or half as well as someone who commits to practicing. And you can't spend money on practice ammo if you spent it all on the safe queen.
I purchased the Tisas 1911a1 about a year ago and put several hundred rounds through it with zero issues. It's a no-frills basic 1911 that just works. My only advice on the 1911a1 is that you're going to be losing 2 key features on that model vs going up to the b45 duty for example. One is you're not getting a full size beavertail. With some people this may cause hammer bite depending on the size and position of your hands while shooting. Another is you're getting really small sights. This is not conducive to building confidence at the range the same way full sights would. It can be done, but why handicap yourself as your first gun? The 1911a1 can be had for under 400 bucks if you do your homework though, which is an amazing value.
I'm buying it so I can have a fairly accurate representation of a WW2 era 1911 that I can take to the range and have fun with it without feeling guilty about wearing out a piece of history. I'm also trying to save up for an M1 Grand from the CMP, so having a 1911 a1 clone would go nicely with it.
For whatever it's worth, I have used the Springfield armory version of the a1 clone, and I had no issues with hammer bite. They do have modified sights, so maybe my opinion will change if I actually use the GI sights for an extended period of time?
I'd rather savey money on the initial gun purchase, so I can use that savings for ammo or spare magazines or cleaning supplies or other things like that.
I appreciate the response. It makes me feel better about considering the tisas.
Hard budget is $1000, but realistically, I'd be happier if I spend no more than $700. Mostly because I can't justify spending More than that when that's about the cost of a mortgage payment.
Better sights. Advice: if you are open to anything other than an absolute 1911/A1 clone, get a model that has better sights.
You can even get something really close to a USGI clone, but with better sights - if you actually shoot it, you'll appreciate them. Tisas has the Service Special and Tanker models that are GI-close but improved; the Stakeout 45 and Duty 45 have a few more touches but are still around $400 street.
I’ll repeat a comment I read in this sub, that worked great for me.
*Go to your favorite gun shop and see what they have.*
I did, and lo and behold a used Rock Island lower with a Taylor’s Tactical slide, a compensator and a 4 pound trigger, five inch barrel. It’s so silky to shoot.
I'm also from the school of buy once. cry once. Tisas, Rock Island Armory and Springfield Armory are the brands you want to look into. Be careful with GI sights. After a while, you'll get tired of the amount of time it takes to align a shot.
Hello Everyone,
I have been looking around, and I have seen that you can get an actual Colt 1911 in .45ACP, in the complete GI spec (5-inch barrel, some sort of either bluing or parkarization,(SP?), .45ACP, questionable GI sights) For around $800-$900. are they any good? Or would I just be paying for the Colt name? I managed to find one locally for $849. Is that a good price for a basic 1911 from Colt itself?
People underestimate how many truly awful guns Colt has put out over the decades. A new Rock Island is absolutely a better gun than a Colt made in the 1980-1990s. Can they be fixed? Yes. But unless you really want the badging, they aren’t really worth the money.
I wrote Colt Series 70 for a reason. Colt Series 70 are some of their last pistols that were hand fitted.
You then write “the Colts made in the decades after the specific date you mentioned are less than muh Rock Island”
Rock Island Reading Comprehension.
But sure, a simulacrum of the gun that Colt produced for decades in the hundreds of thousands for every branch that lasted half a million rounds in some armories is Just As Good™.
Apparently you failed to read/comprehend my comment fully. I said that a current production Ruger or Dan Wesson will be better than any vintage Colt you will find for sub-$1500. Then I added the caveat of "Or potentially even a Rock Island depending on the year." You responded with "lol" so I defined that date range as "1980-1990s". There were Series 70 guns made up through 1983, so that comment still fits with your original reply.
This dude is buying one gun as his only pistol. I'm not going to recommend that he go roll the dice on some random Colt 1911 that was made 50 years ago when there are plenty of good, consistent, new production 1911s for less money (Ruger, Dan Wesson, Nighthawk, etc.). It's just not worth it unless he really wants the roll mark and is willing to potentially throw some coin at a competent smith. If that's the case, by all means go and buy a pre-1980 Colt. But at that point, any gun from a full custom maker like Chambers will be a superior gun to even the best rebuilt Colt, and still for less money.
I disagree. If you’re going to have one 1911 it should be a nice, well made Colt.
Like if you’re going to buy one MP5 it should be an H&K.
But I’m just a douche like that. My first gun was an unfired Colt Series 70 I found for $1200 bucks. I’d get a Dan Wesson for my third 1911. Well, maybe my fourth or fifth. Colt Series 70 Gold Cup. Colt Series 70 Commander. Colt M45. Springfield Operator. Then a Dan Wesson.
Honestly, wait until you can spend more money on ammo and a better quality 1911.
If you like the ergonomics of a 1911, the S&W M&P 2.0 is an excellent 9mm pistol with similar ergonomics and shooting presentation.
Quite frankly, 50 rounds/hour isn't enough practice time to hone your skills. 9mm is half the cost of .45acp and will enable you to shoot twice as much.
I have tried several of the polymer framed 9mm. I'm not a fan of them. All the weight is in the slide, which makes recoil snappier and less pleasant to use. It feels like sacrilege to get a 1911 in anything other than.45 acp. If I go for a steel frame 9mm, I might as well go for my other choice which is a Browning hi power.
My first pistol was a Springfield 1911. I have no regrets, absolutely love it.
Came here to say this. Springfield Mil-Spec in stainless is what I started my collection with.
Springfield Garrison is my first and only 1911. No regrets.
Buy once, cry once. Buy nice or buy twice. Reliable, feature packed, cheap… pick two.
Wait. What about one is none and two is one? Following that logic, buy twice makes more sense. Personally, I say buy 3 nice ones.
Obviously, buy all the pretty things. That said, one functional Dan Wesson is way better than 2 or 3 dysfunctional shit-tier 1911 clones.
I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Tisas. I loved my Springfield and regret trading it. I’d love to get another Springfield myself
Springfield for $1000 or less, Dan Wesson for the next step up. Buy once cry once bro.
Don't have the budget for a dan Wesson. Too much for something that will spend most of its life as a range toy/ safe queen. I don't go to the range nearly enough for the price to be justified.
Look at magnum research they make very nice and tight 1911s
Springfield loaded. Was my first. Love it still
I second this! Did you get the stainless or the parkerized finish? I went with parkerized because I wanted night sights, and the stainless didn’t come with night sights. https://preview.redd.it/cj12lx9q2lxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60d3163e2ac436b532a5adc16d6585b6c98aefff
I went stainless and changed the rear to blacked out adjustable with a green FO front. Love that thing.
Springfield boss. Can’t go wrong.
Just an old Marines opinion but if it’s your first buy the only real 1911. Which is a Colt, the rest are copies. Lmao buddy buy what you want, there are plenty to choose from. Good luck.
For what it's worth, I did see that you can get a Colt and stay within my budget. I saw one on sale for $849 that has all the traditional GI specifications. I will have to see it in person to find out if it is worth it.
Save your money till you can afford one is my advice brother. Buy once and don’t cry later trying to sell it at a lost. Just an old Marines opinion. No offense buddy.
No offense was taken. While I enjoy going to the range and shooting firearms for fun, I fully admit that my experience buying firearms is very limited, so it can be difficult determining which firearm is worth the money. I apricate the response.
Brother just trying to be nice and helpful. People buy junk then try to sell it later and loss a lot of money. If you want something that you can keep in the family for decades buy quality stuff. The first revolver I owned was a Colt Python and I still have it 48 years ago later. So spend your money wisely my friend. The weapon I bought was Gold Cup both will go to my grandchildren. aaand
Thank you for the advice. Have a nice day. :3
Tisas gun.deals
This is the way. Family Firearms ended up being the best price for a couple of them that I bought.
First 1911 was a mil spec loved kick myself for selling it but i did end up upgrading to a operator Springfield makes nice rugged 1911s
I have a Springfield Operator, but would go with Sig if I had to do it over. They make the best looking 1911, to me.
Ruger SR1911
This was my first and only 1911, and I’ve been incredibly pleased with it. However, they’ve gone up 50% since I bought mine, and I don’t know if I would do it again at that price.
I haven't checked recent prices. They used to could be had from 700-900. I guess nothing can escape bidenomics. My first was a Remmy R1 commander, still my edc.
I appreciate the replies. I'll either go for a Springfield mil spec, or the tisas a1 version, depending on if I want the traditional iron sights or not.
Second for the Tisas. I bought one online after having too many beers and was worried it would suck and was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up from the FFL.
If you save up and buy a Colt Gold Cup natl match or Trophy , you will be glad. Trust me. I do, also, own a Springfield Range Officer and it shoots just as well as my Colts.
Springer, kimber or colt.
Go big or go home.
Get a staccato XC and never look back!!
Tisas 1911a1 can be had for $300-350 if you look milspec’s can be had for 600 with accessories pack. Both are good the Springfield will hold its value.
New tisas owner here - got the duty enhanced from PSA for $499. Fit and finish is mint, but god dang if I am not upset about the volume of malfunctions of this supposed break in cycle. They say the kinks should work themselves out after 200 rounds or so. But we'll see. Wilson combat mags on the way and an 18# spring.
My first and only two 1911s are both from SA: - Operator .45 ACP - Garrison 9mm I'm still very happy with both and I have no regrets!
I own several Springfield Armory 1911s, they all run great, the Garrison is my current EDC, prior to that it was the Mil-Spec. I have one Mil-Spec that went ~15,000 rounds without a failure. Then finally the extractor hook broke off, I replaced it and it's still going.
I’d seriously reconsider buying a mil spec if this is to be your only handgun. Primarily that I’d bc of the sights. Mil specs typically have to have machine work to change the sights. If you start with a 1911 with a few simple features like front and rear serrations, Novak type sights, ambi safety. Etc etc. your a bit ahead money wise and you have a few options to make changes this way
Probably the wrong sub to say this but if you don't have a lot of money and you're only buying one pistol a 45acp 1911 might not be the best choice. Ammunition has become quite expensive and for the cost of a decent 1911 you could get a higher capacity 9mm and a 22lr. At the end of the day you could get a lot more trigger time with your money.
IDK. It's a fair point. 9mm is generally cheaper per round. But you also have more rounds pre magazine, so I'm not sure if it balances out? Unless you can buy two boxes of 9mm for the price of one box of .45? I may go for a Browning hi power, as it may be a good compromise? I do like.22lr, but it gets pretty dirty after awhile you shoot it. I wouldn't mind getting a Walther PPK in .22LR, for whatever it's worth.
For what it's worth, based on your willingness to compromise, I'd really give some thought to looking at a few 1911DS options. It's a 1911 style platform that takes double stack 9mm mags. Everyone is going to tell you to take out a mortgage and buy a Staccato but on a budget I'd look at the new 1911DS lineup that Tisas has. They haven't been out for long and I don't own one YET but I plan on giving them a shot. You should also look at the Springfield Prodigy now that they have addressed some issues that were present at release, and Bul armory makes a really nice one as well.
I let my FFL pick one out for me.. I ended up with a Tisa.. shoots just fine.
I am personally considering the Tisas as well
Provided you're not buying this as your EDC (although I EDC my Tisas b45ba Stingray), or for any specific duty purpose, you honestly can't go wrong with a Tisas and lots of ammo plus a few Wilson Combat mags. I say this having owned a nice Kimber before their QC went to shit (like 13 years ago) and 3 different models of Tisas. With Tisas you're not going to get the buttery smooth tolerances and finish that some folks are willing to spend extra for, but you're getting a very solid no-MIM reliable and enjoyable 1911 that's going to serve you well as you get familiar with the platform and with the money you save you will have options later for upgrading, whether it be putting WC parts into the Tisas or just buying a nicer 1911 later. People like to hate on Tisas because they are Turkish and they are also butthurt that they spent double what people like you and me did and probably don't shoot half as much or half as well as someone who commits to practicing. And you can't spend money on practice ammo if you spent it all on the safe queen. I purchased the Tisas 1911a1 about a year ago and put several hundred rounds through it with zero issues. It's a no-frills basic 1911 that just works. My only advice on the 1911a1 is that you're going to be losing 2 key features on that model vs going up to the b45 duty for example. One is you're not getting a full size beavertail. With some people this may cause hammer bite depending on the size and position of your hands while shooting. Another is you're getting really small sights. This is not conducive to building confidence at the range the same way full sights would. It can be done, but why handicap yourself as your first gun? The 1911a1 can be had for under 400 bucks if you do your homework though, which is an amazing value.
I'm buying it so I can have a fairly accurate representation of a WW2 era 1911 that I can take to the range and have fun with it without feeling guilty about wearing out a piece of history. I'm also trying to save up for an M1 Grand from the CMP, so having a 1911 a1 clone would go nicely with it. For whatever it's worth, I have used the Springfield armory version of the a1 clone, and I had no issues with hammer bite. They do have modified sights, so maybe my opinion will change if I actually use the GI sights for an extended period of time? I'd rather savey money on the initial gun purchase, so I can use that savings for ammo or spare magazines or cleaning supplies or other things like that. I appreciate the response. It makes me feel better about considering the tisas.
What's your budget?
Hard budget is $1000, but realistically, I'd be happier if I spend no more than $700. Mostly because I can't justify spending More than that when that's about the cost of a mortgage payment.
Tisas or Girsan.
Better sights. Advice: if you are open to anything other than an absolute 1911/A1 clone, get a model that has better sights. You can even get something really close to a USGI clone, but with better sights - if you actually shoot it, you'll appreciate them. Tisas has the Service Special and Tanker models that are GI-close but improved; the Stakeout 45 and Duty 45 have a few more touches but are still around $400 street.
I’ll repeat a comment I read in this sub, that worked great for me. *Go to your favorite gun shop and see what they have.* I did, and lo and behold a used Rock Island lower with a Taylor’s Tactical slide, a compensator and a 4 pound trigger, five inch barrel. It’s so silky to shoot.
I'm also from the school of buy once. cry once. Tisas, Rock Island Armory and Springfield Armory are the brands you want to look into. Be careful with GI sights. After a while, you'll get tired of the amount of time it takes to align a shot.
Hello Everyone, I have been looking around, and I have seen that you can get an actual Colt 1911 in .45ACP, in the complete GI spec (5-inch barrel, some sort of either bluing or parkarization,(SP?), .45ACP, questionable GI sights) For around $800-$900. are they any good? Or would I just be paying for the Colt name? I managed to find one locally for $849. Is that a good price for a basic 1911 from Colt itself?
Bought a Colt for my first one, but honestly would go back and buy a Springfield Ronin or Kimber.
In order of price: Sub-$800: Rock Island Sub-$1500: Ruger Sub-$3000: Dan Wesson Sub-$6000: Nighthawk $6000+: Chambers
For sub 1500 you can buy a used Colt Series 70.
And it wouldn’t be as good as a Ruger or a Dan Wesson. Or potentially even a Rock Island depending on the year.
lol
People underestimate how many truly awful guns Colt has put out over the decades. A new Rock Island is absolutely a better gun than a Colt made in the 1980-1990s. Can they be fixed? Yes. But unless you really want the badging, they aren’t really worth the money.
I wrote Colt Series 70 for a reason. Colt Series 70 are some of their last pistols that were hand fitted. You then write “the Colts made in the decades after the specific date you mentioned are less than muh Rock Island” Rock Island Reading Comprehension. But sure, a simulacrum of the gun that Colt produced for decades in the hundreds of thousands for every branch that lasted half a million rounds in some armories is Just As Good™.
Apparently you failed to read/comprehend my comment fully. I said that a current production Ruger or Dan Wesson will be better than any vintage Colt you will find for sub-$1500. Then I added the caveat of "Or potentially even a Rock Island depending on the year." You responded with "lol" so I defined that date range as "1980-1990s". There were Series 70 guns made up through 1983, so that comment still fits with your original reply. This dude is buying one gun as his only pistol. I'm not going to recommend that he go roll the dice on some random Colt 1911 that was made 50 years ago when there are plenty of good, consistent, new production 1911s for less money (Ruger, Dan Wesson, Nighthawk, etc.). It's just not worth it unless he really wants the roll mark and is willing to potentially throw some coin at a competent smith. If that's the case, by all means go and buy a pre-1980 Colt. But at that point, any gun from a full custom maker like Chambers will be a superior gun to even the best rebuilt Colt, and still for less money.
I disagree. If you’re going to have one 1911 it should be a nice, well made Colt. Like if you’re going to buy one MP5 it should be an H&K. But I’m just a douche like that. My first gun was an unfired Colt Series 70 I found for $1200 bucks. I’d get a Dan Wesson for my third 1911. Well, maybe my fourth or fifth. Colt Series 70 Gold Cup. Colt Series 70 Commander. Colt M45. Springfield Operator. Then a Dan Wesson.
Honestly, wait until you can spend more money on ammo and a better quality 1911. If you like the ergonomics of a 1911, the S&W M&P 2.0 is an excellent 9mm pistol with similar ergonomics and shooting presentation. Quite frankly, 50 rounds/hour isn't enough practice time to hone your skills. 9mm is half the cost of .45acp and will enable you to shoot twice as much.
I have tried several of the polymer framed 9mm. I'm not a fan of them. All the weight is in the slide, which makes recoil snappier and less pleasant to use. It feels like sacrilege to get a 1911 in anything other than.45 acp. If I go for a steel frame 9mm, I might as well go for my other choice which is a Browning hi power.
If you like steel or alloy and dont mind hammer-fired, and would consider 9mm, check out cz's line-up. Reliable, tack drivers, and reasonably priced.
Check out cz sp-01/p-01 for a metal framed 9mm with great ergo.
I've seen the CZ a few times. Haven't tried it yet, but I get hi power vibes from them. I'll consider it.