In the market for a good 1911

I'm traditionally a Remington guy, but their quality has taken a nosedive in recent years. Own several Springfield XDs and love them. But wanting to find a good 1911 and I have no real insight into that specific style. Thanks.

Suggestions, preferences, etc?

1911s range in price from $500 to $8500.

You need to give a budget that way suggestions are tailored for your budget.

I previously owner a Ruger SR1911 and found it to be a great gun for the price and 100% made in the US.
I believe it is Springfield that uses Brazilian frames for most of their guns.

I could probably spend up to a grand. Don't need anything fancy or sexy, no rails and not gonna enter any competitions. But something up to that limit that is durable, reliable and an all around solid gun. Are there any brands I should focus on or steer clear of? If I went down to the shop this afternoon, I'd probably walk away with a Springfield Range Officer.

And I know I really should test-drive several different models / brands in order to make the most informed decision. I just don't have all the time in the world to do that. So my inclination would be to go with a brand I currently own and trust. Unless convinced otherwise, hahaha.

For $1K you could have a Ruger SR1911, several Wilson or CMC mags, ammo and a holster.

That is the route I went.

This^^^ I have two SR1911 Ruger's. Both are the lightweight commander model. I prefer it for a carry gun. I have one in .45ACP and the other is a 9mm. Both have been 100% reliable.

The Ruger is nice, and feature packed for the money. It is a great buy.

I hear a lot of folks in the pistol marksmanship community like the Springfield Range Officers as a base gun that they can upgrade or have a gunsmith tune. I have a Springfield mil-spec that I shoot in as-issued, and would like to get an RO eventually.

The Ruger really has the looks and the features for the money, though.

Springfield Armory would get my money.

Kimber.... That's all

Not to be a dick but if you're putting MOST Kimbers in top tiers then you don't truly know 1911s.

Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk is what I consider top tier.

I shot a full size SIG 1911 a few months ago and liked it probably the best of any I've shot.

I'm not claiming to be an expert rather far from it infact but Kimbers have been known for hit or miss quality for quite a while know.

The 4 brands I listed are hand fit.

Yep,but more than 3 times the OP's budget limit. I don't even think you can get a top quality 1911 for $1000. You might get one that runs but you just as easily might get one that doesn't.

My vote ,even though it's still over budget would be for a Dan Wesson. It might be the cheapest quality you can find.

This is what I was after. Getting some good info here. Ruger, I will have to take a look at. I too have heard less than average ratings on Kimbers, so they are not in the mix. And dadgum, I just googled some prices for those 4 brands you mentioned AU7mm08... too rich for my blood. But what makes them bring such a premium? Is it the custom fit? Or something else?

Correct 4 brands are hand fit by master craftsman.
Really they could be described as functional pieces of mechanical art.

Beretta makes theirs in Gallatin TN. If that's something that matters to you

Go big or go home! http://www.aldeer.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2054578#Post2054578

That said, I have a Rock Island 1911/2011 that I absolutely love, and was right at $600 new.

Didn't know Beretta made a 1911.

I have a desert Eagle 1911 in the classifieds.

Hate to say it but the Remington 1911's are very well made and shoot great, this is from a Kimber Custom Shop guy. For under 1K you can't get custom quality for production price and the R1 is the best 1911 for the money.

If I had the cash this would be gone.

Yep i have a few. Shooters has (reckon he still does) a Nighthawk and said he preferred the Sig

Kimber,Ruger...or you could save up and own a Baer or Nighthawk..Stan Chen has like a 7 year waiting list. Would recommend Colt or S&W....IF you could try them out first.

This is truth too. I transferred a R1 for a buddy and it is the smoothest 1911 I have ever handled outside of a Les Baer

No if ands or buts about it..Smith&Wesson 1911sc..I had one along with a Sig Scorpion and a Kimber cdpII..That Smith just felt and shot better than the other 2 with Sig in 2nd and Kimber in 3rd..Kimber makes a beautiful gun but is overrated in my opinion.

+1 for the Dan Wesson. They are not quite up there with the Baer's, Wilson's and Nighthawk's, but they are way better than any other production gun.

Alright gundoc, you have peaked my interest. The R1 you transferred, new production?

Just think,for only $600 over your budget you can buy a top quality 1911, hand fitted, with no MIM parts, and never have to worry if you could have bought a better pistol.
http://www.indianagunclub.com/Pages/Gun-Club-Guns-for-sale.aspx

Sorry,the link won't take you to a specific gun like I thought.I posted this link because they have some of the best pictures of guns for sale.

1911Addicts.com classifieds have great deals on used high quality 1911's. I have seen Dan Wesson's in different configurations for $1,200 to $1,500. They also have custom and semi-customs. Enter at your own risk.

Yeah, well, within the last year I guess. It was an R1 enhanced with the beavertail, novak sights, front slide cuts ( ) and G10 grips

The R1's from Huntsville are better fitting and shooting than the older ones made in Ilion, NY. But that said the Ilion guns are really nice also.

Don't be a wuss and stop at $1k.

http://www.jjfu.com/damascus

Sexy!...I couldn't bring myself to even look for a price, though!

I personally love my Springfield 1911 A1 Stainless. I carry it often.

Recently I started shooting ATI 1911 without any complaints. I don't expect any of my guns to be safe queens. What's the point of having it if you can't enjoy it.

My Springfield was roughly $1k several years ago but I also had Springfield do some work on the gun too at the custom shop. My ATI was about $400 and I shoot it just as much if not more. I am actually looking at getting another one in the next few days.

Here's a good deal

Helluva deal there saw

Those are absolutely too cool for words!

I'm considering selling my Les Baer

Why not buy a RIA and enhance it as you can.
You can build a pretty good 1911 with a Caspian slide and frame too

His 1911's START at $4299 - my guess is the damascus one is higher than that!

Yet to have the opportunity to walk up to a counter and put any of the suggestions in my hands, much less hit the range and try any. Several, several viable options yall have thrown out there. Much appreciated. Will post up my final decision... whenever I can make it, and provide my reasoning for doing so.

And if I happen to win the lottery, those Gibeon meteorite customs might just get a look. Ha.

That is some beautiful work.

Can't speak for them all but I have a R1 and thus far have no complaints. Not a single hiccup with cheap fmj stuff or my self defense ammo.

I've had a springfield parkerized loaded model. I like it shoots good has a good fit amd finish. Has a nice trigger, you can find them used sometimes from $550 up depending on condition of the gun and the owners financial state

Colt, I have several of them and they have run 100%! I don't use the stock mags. I use Wilson's. You can't go wrong and Colt retains it value.

guy over at 24hourcampfire has a couple of DW Valors for sale. I don't know anything about the seller.