Best 1911

[Glocktogo]

Best 1911 is an entirely subjective term these days. They run from basic to wild, one holers to reliable as the day is long. Currently I don't care for any of the sub $1K guns. If I had to buy a new one today I'd probably go with a S&W 1911 though. At least the warranty and service are great and you have a fairly good chance that it will run.

On the used market I'd look for a Nowlin 1911 (wouldn't pay for one made since John Sr. died). For a basic I'd look for an early Springfield GI in the old blue & white cardboard box (when they still made them out of surplus GI parts).

For a build I'd look for a Series 70 Colt, or do it right and build on a Caspian slide and frame. There are only two builders I'd consider and both are here in OK.

But that's just me. I'm pretty jaded on 1911's.

 

[spd67]

I have a Springfield Champion and love that gun I paid about $800.00 for it new.

 

[Jon1911]

Norinco? Did they make some good 1911 pistols? Not familiar with them

My Norinco has been flawless. Got it used for $400 last year.


That being said, I've never heard anyone who wasn't enthralled with their Ed Brown or Les Baer. I have yet to shoot either, but just handling was pretty impressive.

 

[JD8]

I think the frames and slides were pretty good but the guts suck.

You're incorrect here. Norinco uses no MIM. The "guts" are better than most sub $1000 1911s out there including the chrome'd barrels.

 

[Traxxis]

For a build I'd look for a Series 70 Colt, or do it right and build on a Caspian slide and frame. There are only two builders I'd consider and both are here in OK.

But that's just me. I'm pretty jaded on 1911's.

I just picked up three Caspian carbon frames and one Stainless .45 slide. Now I'm on the hunt for two 9mm slides. These will be my first total builds...

 

[HiredHand]

You're incorrect here. Norinco uses no MIM. The "guts" are better than most sub $1000 1911s out there including the chrome'd barrels.

By suck, I meant that they were pretty rough not that they were MIM parts.
Nobody in there right mind thinks that a sub 1K 1911 is going to be perfect. Heck, the high end 1911s aren't always perfect inside and out either.

 

[HiredHand]

Best 1911 is an entirely subjective term these days. They run from basic to wild, one holers to reliable as the day is long. Currently I don't care for any of the sub $1K guns. If I had to buy a new one today I'd probably go with a S&W 1911 though. At least the warranty and service are great and you have a fairly good chance that it will run.

On the used market I'd look for a Nowlin 1911 (wouldn't pay for one made since John Sr. died). For a basic I'd look for an early Springfield GI in the old blue & white cardboard box (when they still made them out of surplus GI parts).

For a build I'd look for a Series 70 Colt, or do it right and build on a Caspian slide and frame. There are only two builders I'd consider and both are here in OK.

But that's just me. I'm pretty jaded on 1911's.

What two builders do you like?

 

[Traxxis]

What two builders do you like?

Of course Nighthawk for me, and Guncrafter's Industry, or Volkmann. Haven't had a chance to work with a Volkmann, but I will soon.

 

[Isha's Pa Pa]

Who manufactures Charles Daly?

They went out of bussiness !!

 

[JD8]

By suck, I meant that they were pretty rough not that they were MIM parts.
Nobody in there right mind thinks that a sub 1K 1911 is going to be perfect. Heck, the high end 1911s aren't always perfect inside and out either.

What do you mean by "pretty rough?" Please be specific. Also, what high end 1911s & sub $1000 guns have you owned to compare? Just curious.