Most Reliable and Accurate 1911 under $1,000 USD

Favorite Vice Handguns
139

Robert:

I would love to. Don’t know when I will get the opportunity, though.

141

Robert:

Thanks for the pictures and followup.

Yeah, I get it about the paper clip, now. I won’t be buying that gun!

142

I’m old enough to take that as an insult. Hahaha

You’re probably dead on. I was raised on long guns. I am definitely guilty of not holding pistols tight enough. might explain why my daughter does so well… since she is small, I taught her to hold on tight. It would seem the 1911 is more sensitive to how you hold/shoot it.

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144

All:

Okay, so I miss my Para Ordnance Gun Rights 1911, but also my Colt Government 1911. I guess, I am trying to more or less replace one of them.

Thanks everyone for your input. I have narrowed it down a bit.

I am heavily leaning towards a Colt. Buds Online has a couple listed that are serious contenders (each of them are under $1,000 and well rated):

Colt Competition 1911 Series 70 Government Model

Colt 1991 Series O1091 (Series 80, I believe)

So, Series 70 or Series 80?
Seems from what I have read, Series 70 = better trigger; Series 80 = safer (and other features?)

Thoughts?

146

Robert:

I have held a Coonan .357 mag 1911. It seemed pretty solid and great caliber.

Not sure I want to go outside the box, though. Kind of the point to get something iconic.

148

Robert:

Ok, sounds like Colt’s support is questionable. Sorry to hear that.

I guess it is fair to say that Colt today is not the Colt of 30+ years ago (which is when I had the Colt Government). But, isn’t Colt making a comeback now? They have put out some really nice snubbies lately.

150

Robert:

Wow! Bad luck for Colt - but they are trying to make a comeback. So, something like Charter Arms, they have a mixed bag of (some) good products and bad finances.

You think they aren’t to be trusted?

I have (knock on wood), never had to send a gun back to the manufacturer for anything. But, I sure would like to know they will be there years from now if I ever want parts, newer models, etc.

I don’t know enough about Coonan to say much, but there are other brands that are still solid and well known.

I think Para Ordnance was taken over by some other firm. So, not sure about them. Any other suggestions?

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Wow! Now you have my attention. That would be nice in .357.

155

My vote is for the Colt Competition. I have one in stainless and in .45 and love it. It feeds and shoots everything. It’s the first and only 1911 I’ve owned, so I have no other 1911 to compare it with, but it’s by far my favorite handgun to shoot.

2 Likes
156

Equin:

So, no worries about the company (Colt) ?

158

Robert:

When it comes to recoil, I am fine with revolvers all the way up to .460 S&W. But, for semiautos, I get kind of picky about it and don’t like a lot of recoil. So, thanks for thinking of me on the recoil issue for semiauto, it would matter to me.

I think one of the reasons I shot my Para Ordnance so well was that it weighed 41 ounces (best I recall), which for a .45 acp in 1911 format, that is on the heavy side. It did not recoil too much, and it had a match grade barrel (5 inches), so I shot it very well.

That is one of the most important things I am looking for in a 1911 - high degree of accuracy (for me in shooting it). And actually, I would prefer a 6 inch barrel. Springfield has a 6 inch barrel in one of theirs. There are a couple of other gun makers that have 6 inch barrel 1911’s, too. I still like the Colts, but I don’t think they have any 6 inch barrel 1911s.

160

Robert:

Thanks for all the info on the Coonan. But, I am really more interested in mainstream gun makers and to start, .45 acp. Will be looking at/for .40 S&W and 9 mm, too.

What about the S&W 1911 Series E? Price is right. Looks okay. Seems to be rated okay. Any downsides?

162

Thanks, Robert.

Yeah, I know about that wifey rule (I buy something for me, she gets something for her, typically costing even more). So, I have to be careful with my gun purchases, too. But, unlike you, I am not allowed (actually, she isn’t either), to run up a bill that we can’t/won’t pay off at the end of the credit card month. So, that keeps the purchase down even more.

Frankly, I have had guns costing over $1,000 USD, and most of them have been a big disappointment for me. So, except for a very few guns, I don’t even bother with handguns, rifles, or shotguns, costing over $1,000.

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165

Nice picture, SAK67.

Is the 1911 a Rock Island Armory?

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@JohnB,
Yes it is, Rock Island Armory 40 Smith & Wesson FS Ultra.

172

Robert:

There’s the big difference between you and me: I have never modified or built any guns (other than changing grips on guns I bought). This is why I (have to?) stick with name brand, reliable guns, and you don’t.

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173

SAK67:

I wouldn’t sweat it. For when you run out of comments and have not made it to the 20 character minimum, just add dots…

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176

Robert:

I agree - looking for similarities is more positive, but it is clear we do have the big difference, but that is ok.

Great that you can build your own. I am happy with factory built guns. I don’t even want custom guns. And, the less my guns need changing or fixing, the better. Same for the ammo I buy. I don’t buy reloads and I don’t do reloading. I am fine with other people doing that, just I don’t want to.

Just some personal quirks that aren’t going to change.

178

Robert:

I have and like the Glock G21 in Gen3 and Gen4. Not sure I need a Gen5.

Would also like a stainless steel .45 acp, which generally means a 1911 (I know, there are exceptions). For .40 S&W, I have the S&W M&P 1.0 and 2.0. For 9 mm, I have the S&W M&P 1.0, as well as Walther Creed and PPS M2. So, I am looking for stainless steel versions in .40 S&W and 9 mm, too.

I am full up on poly’s. Just need some stainless steel for my semiautos.

180

What about Smith & Wesson and Ruger, 1911’s?