[Guest]

im looking to buy a 1911.

what is a good price for a decent quality used one? what brands would i probably be looking at.
what would i want to check functionwise.
how available is a tool such as the one described above.
i only prefer used guns..

 

[jakeg823]

price range? do you want it to be all decked out...or plane-jane, mil-spec kinda gun....

its safe to say any colt, springfield, or on the cheaper end, a Rock Island Armory(I have a High Standard, which is also made by the same company, according to the errornet at least, armscor, and its great!)...and if you really wanna get fancy, and pay on the higher end, get a kimber, but many will disagree with me on that(but its ok, cuz i'll disagree w/ them on the springer, they're great guns, just not my preference)

 

[Guest]

revised specs.

max:$500
plain is best.
functionally well.
can i have a few dings. (it adds character). but nothing too bad.
what locations can i find a specimen such as this at

 

[Will_M]

Perhaps a Rock Island Armory Tactical model.

They have the GI model for a little cheaper, and my regular shooting buddy has one. However the upgraded sights on the Tactical model are WELL worth it. GI sights suck. Period.

The only reason to get them is if you are trying to get a mil-spec model for nostalgia's sake.

At $500 max, pickings are slim.

 

[Will_M]

Forgot to add. Check it out here:

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/1911.aspx

The tactical model also comes with a beavertail grip safety and ambi thumb safety. It's a steal

 

[jakeg823]

I'd also highly recommend staying away from GI sights(my Kimber CDP has excellent night sights, and my High Standard has GI, and I'd much rather have the night sights, or simply white dots, because I have horrible eyesight, and need all the help i can get), but at $500 you cant be too picky. in that price range i'd say look for a Springer or a RIA.

If you feel like making a trip to the Jackson area, I'd go to Great Southern Firearms in Pearl, they usually have quite a few used 1911s. A few weeks ago Gander Mt. in Hattie had a used Springer, but when i was in there yesterday I didnt look.

For a RIA though you're almost guaranteed to find about 100 of em at any decent gun show, find the sticky w/ the list of shows for the next Hattie show.

 

[Guest]

whats the avg gun show price?
sometimes i am weary of gun shows for quality reasons. and i would rather find one on here and support the msgunowners family.

 

[jakeg823]

Anywhere from a couple hundred all the way up to the biggest rip off ever....hard to say an average though cuz the prices have changed radically at the past few I've been to

 

[stidgun]

www.chuckhawks.com/metro_arms_american_classic.htm

 

[e.martin]

not to hijack but where does one buy and RIA in the metro area who carries them

looked at the Rem. 1911 that was sweeet don't know the price point

I will say this for alittle over what you are willing to spend you can get a new GI sprinder for like $615 if I remember right to me it would def. be worth saving the extra cash and snagging one of them

 

[talonted]

don't get a GI springer... if you're getting a springfield try and find a used Mil-Spec. The bonus features are well worth it. You may be able to scoop up a used Para-Ordinance in that price range too.

 

[jakeg823]

not to hijack but where does one buy and RIA in the metro area who carries them

looked at the Rem. 1911 that was sweeet don't know the price point

I will say this for alittle over what you are willing to spend you can get a new GI sprinder for like $615 if I remember right to me it would def. be worth saving the extra cash and snagging one of them

Never seen a shop with one. Only seen em at the gun shows.

 

[Joe S.]

id say go with a Springfield Mil Spec. or the new Remington

 

[bonedust75]

I strongly recommend a Norinco even though they are getting harder and harder to find. You can get a Norinco anywhere from $300-500 bucks and they are great guns the steel that the slides are made from are recycled railroad tracks so it is awesome quality steel. I loved the one I had look at the pics from a few threads ago.

 

[crossedcannons45]

dont do the springer GI unless you like GI sights...dont know many who do. I agree that saving up for a springfield mil spec would be a good idea but this brings forth the adage: If you want a $300 gun your better off saving up for the $400 one a step above it, If you want a $400 gun you are better off saving up for the $500 model a step above it....repeat ad nauseum.

I dont know of anywhere you could find one used except for gunbroker.

Why not a new one? If you get a new one you have an excuse to buy 500 rounds and go shoot them to break it in and you never know what some knucklehead has done to "customise" (read: eff up ) the gun which is a commonplace problem with 1911s since they are a "tinker's" gun anyhow and everyone is an aspiring gunsmith (even me) I say buy new and make it used

 

[slabsides45]

Unfortunately, you've picked a platform that comes at a price premium. In the $500 range there isn't much, that's an in-between price. My experience is that you go from a $400ish RIA up to the basic Springers and Kimbers, which are more in the $650 area. You can sometimes find a used gun for a bit less, but unless it's been abused, you usually only save 10-20% off msrp.

My opinion after owning Kimbers, RIA, Dan Wesson, and Ed Brown (and shooting most of the rest) is that the RIA is an excellent starter 1911, and that it's very reliable with an excellent service network (never have needed it for mine, btw). DEFINITELY get the better sights (read: Tactical). If you want it at the best possible price, go look at the Sarcoinc.com website, you'll be blown away by their prices. Find a friendly local FFL and you're set.

 

[powerstrokin06]

I have to agree slabsides45.....You dont see any used Rocks cause they're so dang good nobody dumps them back on the market....I cant find nothing negative about a Rock...Have handled them but not yet purchased one...Philly Gun and Pawn has four parkerized GI models for under $400 NIB>....