Thinking about going .45 acp

[pitor]

Originally Posted by jmlutz

This was my experience with the second RIA I bought, first one was a piece of shit also. I may have bought the only bad ones that slipped out, but I doubt it. Good luck.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11131

Hmmm good to know this, I definitely do not want to deal with issues on my first go around with a 1911. Thanks Mike

Originally Posted by FfNJGTFO

I like mine... The Para-USA "Expert" $500-650 range.

That's a good looking gun, and a small price tag to go along. Where are Paras made?

Originally Posted by TLE2

Kimber has a <1000 45. Despite the ribbing Kimber gets here, mine have been solid firearms.

Kimber!!? The only concern is I've heard and seen pictures of their internal machining marks, looks beautiful on the outside but under the hood it can be a mess sometines. Or is that something unusual and in general Kimbers run good?

Originally Posted by skosh69

, if I had $1000 to spend on a 1911, I'd choose either the Springfield Loaded or the Kimber TLE II. Both have everything you would want or need in a 1911. I would choose the Rock Tactical 3rd behind those two.

Another option is to save another $500 and that would bump you up into the Les Baer PII or Dan Wesson Valor arena.

There are plenty of other $1K options out there... Para, Taurus, Sig, Colt, S&W. Good luck deciding.

Things you may want to ask yourself are:

Is it going to a range only gun or do you plan to carry it also? That decision will help decide full size commander or officer size. I know plenty of people that carry full size 1911's daily.
What type of finish do I want: Stainless, blued or parkerized?
What type of sights, fixed or adjustable? Night sights or not Fiber optic front sight or not?
Do I want front strap checkering?
Am I ok with an external extractor? Or does it have to be an internal?
Do I want a rail?
Do I want an ambi safety?
Does it have to be new? Sometimes you can get a great deal on a used gun vs buying new.

These are just some things to consider

Remember the old saying, "buy once....cry once". Make an educated decision the first time, so that there are no regrets and no buyers remorse.

Excellent points . I'm still learning. Mainly home defense but I will carry too. Government looks magnificent but definitely not carry-able, so the commander is the one. I don't care for the shorter officer size right now. Stainless or blued are fine, no fiber optic, night sights a plus.

Will a no-ambi be slimmer than an ambi? That would be a plus to me.

Front strap checkering, that sounds like a good thing. I'm guessing it's not a standard option? What about the front barrel lug (is that the name? Lol)?

S&W 1911 looks great too.

What makes the SA Loaded a loaded? I like the SA Range Officer's price point and it seems to have good craftsmanship and parts behind it.

Thanks for all the input so far guys. Keep it coming

[AFJuvat]

To add to my earlier comments in the interest of full disclosure:

One gripe I do have about my RIA is that the slots machined for the front and rear sights are NOT the same as Novak.

If you want to change the sights, you need to either find ones made for RIAs, or send your slide back to RIA and for $120 or so, they will machine the slide and install your Novak sights.

[guitargain]

I have an E Series S&W 1911 and love it. Less than $1000

[sdmc530]

Originally Posted by AFJuvat

To add to my earlier comments in the interest of full disclosure:

One gripe I do have about my RIA is that the slots machined for the front and rear sights are NOT the same as Novak.

If you want to change the sights, you need to either find ones made for RIAs, or send your slide back to RIA and for $120 or so, they will machine the slide and install your Novak sights.

This is very true^^^^

A lot has already been stated. I will defend the RIA brand I have two and both run very well. Not one complaint. HOWEVER if I have $1000 I would set my sights a big higher. I too would look to find a well made gun for all of the 1K. Springfield, Kimber, maybe Colt. I would check online for a deal on a STI or like has been stated find a bit more cash and go up to the next level even.
If you were set at the $1000 that is a good chunk of money for a gun, I wouldn't shy away from all that has been listed.

S&W have probably the finest factory trigger on a production gun in that price range but a 1911 should not have an external extractor, come on S&W!!!

Good luck, can't wait to see what you get.

[FfNJGTFO]

Originally Posted by pitor

That's a good looking gun, and a small price tag to go along. Where are Paras made?


Thanks for all the input so far guys. Keep it coming

Charlotte, NC

[pitor]

What about Ruger 1911s? They look spiffy, and made in ole' US of A.

[guitargain]

Originally Posted by pitor

What about Ruger 1911s? They look spiffy, and made in ole' US of A.

I like those a lot too. I almost bought one instead of the S&W.

[sdmc530]

Originally Posted by pitor

What about Ruger 1911s? They look spiffy, and made in ole' US of A.

Father in Law has one....not a fan of it or his R1.....thought they just made a 1911 because everyone else did. Nothing special.....and Rugers billboards of directions on their guns just bug me for some reason.

[pitor]

Originally Posted by sdmc530

Father in Law has one....not a fan of it or his R1.....thought they just made a 1911 because everyone else did. Nothing special.....and Rugers billboards of directions on their guns just bug me for some reason.

Yeah, the whole roll marks on slide, a little is ok, the whole slide, both sides is annoying

[Caleb]

Ahem...... if you can find one under $1k.