Posted: 1/31/2010 6:07:10 PM EDT
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I know this question has been asked a million times, but what is your recommendation for a 1911 with 5" barrel for under $700.00? Will not be used as a CCW.
Have been looking at Para, Firestorm, and Kimber. Thanks |
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Of the 3 you listen I would say Kimber. But in that price range you can also get a Springfield or Colt.
What kind of options do you want are you looking for something like a Custom II/Loaded or a GI style pistol? I would say skip Para and Firestorm or stick to a higher quality brand since you are going to spend 700. |
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Honestly, I wouldn't run a 1911 in CCW in that price range. While the Springfield Loaded or Kimber Custom II or STI Spartan would be my choices in that price range, I still wouldn't run one of those in a CCW situation. If you are going to trust your life to it, spend a bit more for something better, at the very least a decent Colt or a Kimber Warrior/Springfield MC Operator (both can be had used for $850 on the EE right now).
I'd either buy a used Loaded for $600 and spend $600 on a reliability job with a known gunsmith, like Novak, or go with a used Springfield TRP. If you look around you can find used TRP's for $1000, there is a mint SS one on the EE right now for $1100. Just my opinion, others will think differently. |
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Quoted:
Honestly, I wouldn't run a 1911 in CCW in that price range. Good thing he posted this then: Quoted:
Will not be used as a CCW. 
OP, Springfield GI or Mil-spec fit into your budget new, a Loaded will fit if used is ok. Series 80 Colts can also be found very easily at those prices used. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted: Rock Island Armory provides alot of bang for the buck. overall reviews are very positive with them excellent customer service as well there is a section at m1911.org check it out |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Honestly, I wouldn't run a 1911 in CCW in that price range. Good thing he posted this then: Quoted:
Will not be used as a CCW.
OP, Springfield GI or Mil-spec fit into your budget new, a Loaded will fit if used is ok. Series 80 Colts can also be found very easily at those prices used. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
Reading is fundamental. Thanks for the catch. In that case, a Kimber Custom II or a Springfield Loaded or a STI Spartan would do just fine. |
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Since RIA has been brought up, I will chip in my .02.
I picked up the "GI" model from Sarco just over a year ago. Latley, as I shoot more and more I have been wanting a nicer pistol, for no reason other than wanting a nicer pistol. I have been looking at Springfield Mil spec's, loaded's and Kimber Custom ll's mainly. After doing a lot of reading on the models mentioned above, I'm thinking about just keeping my RIA and waiting until I can afford at least $1300 for a TRP or custom. The finish on the pistol is my only gripe, other than the sights but I knew they were bare bones. It isn't the prettiest and it seems to wear easily, but the gun only set me back about $360 with tax. The trigger is okay, great for the price. The fit of the parts is very good. Not a shake or rattle anywhere on the gun. At first, using cheap mags I was having FTF issues every other mag. They seem to have worked themselves out now that I have quality magazines. I ran some hollowpoints through it a couple weeks ago and it functioned flawlessly. In all, I'm sure the brands mentioned above make a much nicer pistol, I'm just not sure if the benefits justify the cost. If I'm getting anything it will probably be the Kimber Custom ll. Hopefully someone can enlighten us on the benefits of a "mid range 1911". |
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I know this question has been asked a million times, but what is your recommendation for a 1911 with 5" barrel for under $700.00? Will not be used as a CCW. Have been looking at Para, Firestorm, and Kimber. Thanks Either of those choices would be fine, and others have recommended, don't fail to consider SA. OP, I realize this isn't for CCW, but I would like to chime in on other comments. If a full-size 1911 will run for you at the range, it will run period. I realize there may some issues associated with CCW and a full-size 1911, however you don't need the bells and whistles, or the price tag to confidently carry a medium priced 1911. Ed |
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Latley, as I shoot more and more I have been wanting a nicer pistol, for no reason other than wanting a nicer pistol. I have been looking at Springfield Mil spec's, loaded's and Kimber Custom ll's mainly. After doing a lot of reading on the models mentioned above, I'm thinking about just keeping my RIA and waiting until I can afford at least $1300 for a TRP or custom. In all, I'm sure the brands mentioned above make a much nicer pistol, I'm just not sure if the benefits justify the cost. If I'm getting anything it will probably be the Kimber Custom ll. Hopefully someone can enlighten us on the benefits of a "mid range 1911". I've owned 2 RIA pistols and I agree with you. They're not the fanciest guns out there, but they can't be beat for the money. My RIA's have been 100% reliable and I haven't seen much below $900 that I would take over a RIA. I think at any price, RIA beats out most of the 1911's out there until you get up in the nicer Springfields/Kimbers and $1000+ market. |
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Latley, as I shoot more and more I have been wanting a nicer pistol, for no reason other than wanting a nicer pistol. I have been looking at Springfield Mil spec's, loaded's and Kimber Custom ll's mainly. After doing a lot of reading on the models mentioned above, I'm thinking about just keeping my RIA and waiting until I can afford at least $1300 for a TRP or custom. In all, I'm sure the brands mentioned above make a much nicer pistol, I'm just not sure if the benefits justify the cost. If I'm getting anything it will probably be the Kimber Custom ll. Hopefully someone can enlighten us on the benefits of a "mid range 1911". I've owned 2 RIA pistols and I agree with you. They're not the fanciest guns out there, but they can't be beat for the money. My RIA's have been 100% reliable and I haven't seen much below $900 that I would take over a RIA. I think at any price, RIA beats out most of the 1911's out there until you get up in the nicer Springfields/Kimbers and $1000+ market. Damn, you agree with me  I was hoping someone would strike me down and convince me to upgrade
Come on, somebody tell me why RIA sucks and I need to sell it
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Damn, you agree with me I was hoping someone would strike me down and convince me to upgrade
Come on, somebody tell me why RIA sucks and I need to sell it
RIA sucks and you need to sell it. Happy? 
Seriously though, RIA is a fine pistol for less than $500, but after that it doesn't even compete. I would take a Springfield Mil-spec with no special configuration over a RIA Tactical anyday. But THAT said, going up to a Loaded or Custom II might not be enough of a departure for you from your RIA. It really depends on your desires. I upgraded from a SA Mil-spec to a Kimber Custom II when I wanted a Warrior and in hind sight I wish I had made the jump to the Warrior. Warrior's and MC Operator's can be had used on the EE for $850 RIGHT NOW. For that price, I wouldn't even look at the Custom IIs and Loadeds. And yes, no matter which you pick of these 4, it will be a welcomed upgrade from your RIA. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Damn, you agree with me I was hoping someone would strike me down and convince me to upgrade
Come on, somebody tell me why RIA sucks and I need to sell it
RIA sucks and you need to sell it. Happy?
Seriously though, RIA is a fine pistol for less than $500, but after that it doesn't even compete. I would take a Springfield Mil-spec with no special configuration over a RIA Tactical anyday. But THAT said, going up to a Loaded or Custom II might not be enough of a departure for you from your RIA. It really depends on your desires. I upgraded from a SA Mil-spec to a Kimber Custom II when I wanted a Warrior and in hind sight I wish I had made the jump to the Warrior. Warrior's and MC Operator's can be had used on the EE for $850 RIGHT NOW. For that price, I wouldn't even look at the Custom IIs and Loadeds. And yes, no matter which you pick of these 4, it will be a welcomed upgrade from your RIA. You know I always forget about the Warrior and MC Operator I always think Loaded to TRP but yeah that is good advice. The Warrior is a fine pistol except for the stupid grips which is easily fixable by a trip to VZ grips website. The MC Operator very nice pistol I just never luck out and see one when I go shopping. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Damn, you agree with me I was hoping someone would strike me down and convince me to upgrade
Come on, somebody tell me why RIA sucks and I need to sell it
RIA sucks and you need to sell it. Happy?
Seriously though, RIA is a fine pistol for less than $500, but after that it doesn't even compete. I would take a Springfield Mil-spec with no special configuration over a RIA Tactical anyday. But THAT said, going up to a Loaded or Custom II might not be enough of a departure for you from your RIA. It really depends on your desires. I upgraded from a SA Mil-spec to a Kimber Custom II when I wanted a Warrior and in hind sight I wish I had made the jump to the Warrior. Warrior's and MC Operator's can be had used on the EE for $850 RIGHT NOW. For that price, I wouldn't even look at the Custom IIs and Loadeds. And yes, no matter which you pick of these 4, it will be a welcomed upgrade from your RIA. It's helping, it's not always easy selling a gun you know 
Honest question as I'm a newbie to pistols, what makes the milspec so much better exactly? I have spoke with a couple people who told me theirs had a 7-8lb trigger and wasn't very reliable. Is this common? Finally, would a RIA be a poor base gun for customization? I have been wanting to get some work done, I'm just worried that I could stick $500 into the RIA and still only have a $500 gun and that was the original motivation for the upgrade. Now, I just need to justify it 
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It's helping, it's not always easy selling a gun you know
Honest question as I'm a newbie to pistols, what makes the milspec so much better exactly? I have spoke with a couple people who told me theirs had a 7-8lb trigger and wasn't very reliable. Is this common? Finally, would a RIA be a poor base gun for customization? I have been wanting to get some work done, I'm just worried that I could stick $500 into the RIA and still only have a $500 gun and that was the original motivation for the upgrade. Now, I just need to justify it
I wouldn't fix up a RIA as it uses a cast frame and slide and Springfield uses a forged frame and slide. Plus ask yourself, with all the big name gunsmiths out there, ever see a RIA fixed up? No. Ever see Springfield's? Definitely. |
