Thinking about going .45 acp
 

Yup, thinking about selling the Tupperware and myriad of holsters for it and buying a true firearm, a good ol' 1911 the way JM Browning intended firearms to be.

In talking to Clyde, and expressing my really limited budget, Armscore Rock Island Armory surfaced as a good option. But I'm open to all suggestion that keep my purchase below $1000.

RIA does not designate their pistols as government, commander, or officer. I've been looking at the Rock Standard MS (mid -size). Yay or nay? 4.25 barrel length, full size frame. Looks purdy.

It also looks like i need to start learning to reload. How hard is to do so for .45acp? Suggestions about press, dies, extras needed to make the process easy, and powder brand/type?

I know, it's a lot I'm asking here but i got the bug big time and I'm rather clueless about 1911s

Thank you.

P

RIA is a hit and miss brand. If 1k is your budget then, I suggest you look at a Springfield Armory or a used Colt. You can also look into a used or older 1911 with a good Rep. Just my $0.02

Have a RIA 'Two-Tone Tactical" and I am very happy with it.

Reloading the 45 ACP isn't hard at all. Start with a small setup like a Lee turret press and a set of dies for about $225. The only addition to that I would recommend is a good digital scale.

As to powder and primers, that always boils down to a matter of personal preference and what is available. All manufacturers make at least one powder that will work fine for 45ACP.

For a generic powder that does well in many different pistol calibers, you cannot go wrong with "Universal".

Thank you for sharing your opinions Michael and Caleb. Also looking at Springfield armory, the Range Officer model looks gorgeous and well appointed.

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

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

http://para-usa.com/2013/images/large/96746_expert.png

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

I never had any problems with mine either.

Pitor, 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.

Hmmm good to know this, I definitely do not want to deal with issues on my first go around with a 1911. Thanks Mike
That's a good looking gun, and a small price tag to go along. Where are Paras made?
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?

Excellent points Ellison. 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

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.

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

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.

Pedro, the Rocks are solid platforms, but sometimes need some tuning...and a lot of breaking in.

If you want a basic 1911 platform to tinker with, they are great, but if you want something that shoots out of the box without any tweaking, then they are hit and miss as previously stated.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=888

Charlotte, NC

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.

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

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



http://i.imgur.com/eFLuKAt.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/3me9v73.jpg?1

For a little over budget, you can get into a DW with everything you need.


https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...8+1+45ACP+5%22

;) ... http://www.cotep.org/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif !!

Of the ones I have I got them all on Gunbroker or Buds. My Ranger II was well under 1k and is a GREAT gun, my Trojan 5.0 was slightly over the 1K mark 7 years ago though. The other was WAY under 1K but it was a armscore gun that STI had made for them and just put their name on so it was basicly a RIA. STI's Spartan line wasn't in house built. No longer sell that line.

STI's are great!! Yes the Guardian is way over 1K...so pretty

Thank you all for such great info and willingness to help a newbie of .45 ACP 1911. I heavily leaning to a Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded. What you say? I like it, the appointments look top notch, it comes already with what could be regarded as custom work... :)?

ETA: I could also go with a Stainless Steel Colt Competition Pistol, looks darn beautiful to me.

I'm a Colt fan and have a few so I say get THE iconic 1911 ... an original Colt. Regardless of what you buy I suggest you check out prices/selection at Grab A Gun. They have great prices and excellent service in my experience. I'd also suggest that once you decide which one you want, you watch the prices for the next month. I'd be surprised if there weren't some nice sales around Christmas/New Year this season.

Great info and making this decision even harder. I truly love the Colts for what they stand, what they represent, and how beautiful their 1911 slow. Grab a gun, huh? Is that a website or an actual physical store?

Both but it's in TX so for us Sunshine staters it's online. They ship for six dollars though and more often than not have the best online prices, delivered. Bud's might show a cheaper 'cash' price but I cannot be bothered to send a check or MO in 2016 :D

I have a quick question, can someone explain to me the advantages or need of a flared and lowered ejection port? I've heard it helps with the ejection of spent brass and not getting
it dinged up, apart from adding aesthetic value to the gun.

The Springfield Armory loaded model comes with a flare and lowered ejection Port, it seems the the Colt does not

ETA: what about the main spring housing? Flat or rounded? This is just a preference in terms of how the grip feels in one's hand?

It's pretty much to guarantee reliable ejection of spent casings. Do you "need" it? Depends on the pistol and if has week ejection I think. Any who, it doesn't hurt to have it.

Yes, the MSH decision will be up to you and how it feels in your hand. I have medium to small hands so, I prefer the flat. I would go to your LGS and hold a few rounded and a few flat and see how it feels to you. It also helps with point ability (at least for me) as well.

I like Grab-a-gun as well as Buds, both places are good to deal with. Also, Buds does price matching and/or "OBO Or Best Offer" plus free shipping.

Ejection port is nice to have modified but not necessary. A gun with a weak or bent ejector will still eject but if its not flared it might be problematic. Not necessary but I do prefer it.

I don't own a SA, but a buddy is a big SA fan has a V12, range officer and many many other. The V12 is probably the best Springer out there, love that thing. His range officer is pretty nice too, wouldn't be ashamed to own that piece either!!

I have used buds a couple of times and found they are excellent. Never had an issue with them. Can't speak for Grabagun......

Love my full-size Springfield and I don't find carrying it difficult, pitor. However, I'd also enjoy having a Commander size, too and will one day. Lot's of decent 1911s can be had for $1K so good luck in your search.

WARNING, 1911s are like Lays potato chips, you can't have just one! funny

someone carries something besides .45??? :confused:

I'm quickly narrowing down my decision. It's going to be a full size government model, and either going to be a Colt or Springfield Armory.

From Colt website

"Built on a blued carbon steel slide and frame, the Competition Pistol has been modified with an undercut trigger guard and fit with an upswept “memory button” grip safety. The slide has a lowered and flared ejection port for more reliable case ejection and cut for Novak sights. The pistol comes with a fiber optic front sight and a fully-adjustable rear sight.

The Competition Pistol is fit with a 5-inch National Match barrel, dual-spring recoil system and holds 8+1 in .45 and 9+1 in 9mm. For a nice finishing touch it comes with custom blue and black machined G10 grips engraved with the Colt logo.

On top of all that Colt is listing the Competition Pistol at $899, making it competitive pistols in more ways than one. Colt is at the top of their game when it comes to 1911s and whether you’re a practiced sports shooter or just looking for a great gun to take to the range the Competition Pistol is an incredible value–this gun is going to make a lot of short lists."

Awesome. This might be the one...

So far it has come down to either the Springfield Armory loaded or the Colt competition

Check out the Colt

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ea8bdcdc6d.jpg

Either one will serve you well.

I like it and I know a guy (a big guy) that knows a thing or two about custom grips.

I don't understand the dual recoil spring concept in a fullsize 1911

Me either.

Pedro....go to the Dremel Room and read some of Dave Wait's posts on reliability work and adjustments SOME 1911's need before making your final decision.Dave carried an RIA, but Dave was also a fairly accomplished gunsmith. IMHO, for someone who has yet to carry a 1911, Colt would be ok, Springfield a little bit better, but if I had a grand I may save a little more and get a Dan Wesson. YMMV