[MD357]

Ruger uses an investment casting process for their manufacturing of slide and frame. Colt, Springfield and some others use a forgings for the same parts. While investment castings are far better than long ago I am not convinced they are as strong as a forged piece of steel. Call me old fashioned.

Again, experience with 1911 shows it's a moot point. How long has Caspian been around with their cast frames? Competition boys have been using them for YEARS with round counts higher than several here will probably ever see. The Pine Tree plant has been doing this for years, again I offer anyone to provide that there are widespread problems with cast frames under hard use. Also, to clarify your error.....the frame is cast.....the slide is CNC'ed.

Like it or not a Colt 1911 will hold its resale value better than Ruger.

If the OP had said "I'm only buying this to sell this later" then you'd have a point. Problem is that he said he's looking for a gun to shoot. A comparably priced Colt will be at least $350 more. Nonethelss, it's been my experience and I've bought and sold a LOT of guns over the years, that a $300 Ruger will hold it's value pretty darn well.

[tango44]

Sig Scorpion Carry.

[boarderboy217]

Kimber raptor or tle, ati thunderbolt enhanced. Let us know what you pick! Anything that fits your hands will be a good purchase.

[20South]

Originally Posted by bac1023

I vote STI Trojan.

+1 for this

[EKUJustice]

STI Either a trojan or a Spartan and use the extra money to tweek it

[fnfalman]

Originally Posted by copo9560

Colt Combat Elite - I like the 2 tone look and you can't really go wrong with a Colt.

Where can a person find a Colt Combat Elite for $1000?

[dakota1911]

Between two Ruger SR1911s I bought, which would be a very good buy if you find one, I would suggest a Colt I bought because you said "range gun". It is a Colt Gold Cup National Match. One of the new ones with the round top. It was $1.1K, so a little over your budget. Just a thought. I did change the rubber wrap around grips to some from the old Ajax company. Grips are easy to change.

[skynyrd1911]

Colt Combat Elite got mine for $869 plus tax a couple of years ago.

[Soldiernurse]

Springfield Armory 1911 EMP9 NIB $1048.00.

[MStarmer]

Springfield Armory Range Officer. Well under budget ($850) and a solid platform if you decide to modify. Desirable gun if you decide to sell it later.

[G26AZ]

Originally Posted by Unk

I've owned Rugers for over 50 years..sent exactly ONE[1] back for service to date. They build good stuff based on my experience, stand behind their products and represent good value for their price point.

Here are a couple of SR1911 s;



The one with the green dot is a Christmas present for my son.

Best.

Dad - I finally found you! Just in time for Christmas, too!

[Travclem]

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Where can a person find a Colt Combat Elite for $1000?

I sold this one a month ago for $900. Paid $650 for it from a guy who took it in partial trade on a truck.


IMO the quality wasn't there, it was extremely sloppy and poorly fit. I'd recommend a used TRP or Valor.
My TRP is the one in the middle

[Travclem]

Originally Posted by EKUJustice

STI Either a trojan or a Spartan and use the extra money to tweek it

The Trojan would be a great choice. The Spartan is not a true STI, it's Filipino.

[NCWalrus]

Colt anything


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[TxGlock9]

Skip the Rugers.... You'll be much happier with the STI Trojan. You get what you pay for.

Originally Posted by MStarmer

Springfield Armory Range Officer. Well under budget ($850) and a solid platform if you decide to modify. Desirable gun if you decide to sell it later.

Definitely a solid piece. I loved the RO's stock trigger for sure.

[Turtle Dude]

I own dozens of 1911s-from the Colt my grandfather carried in France circa 1918 to a US Shooting Team Kimber In 9mm I bought for my son as his 14th birthday present earlier this year. The cheapest one I still have is a RANDALL stainless I bought probably 25 years ago or so. For the money I find the SA's to be the best buys. The Kimbers are a bit smoother but after 500 rounds the SAs smooth out. the earlier Paras were pretty solid buys as well. If I were limited to 1000 bucks and I was going to put the round count through a 1911 like I did in the mid 80s when I was shooting close to a 1000 rounds a week while shooting Pin or IPSC events almost every weekend, I'd go for the SA since the one I kept as a "loaner" range gun (since given to a buddy who works at the same range) showed almost no wear after about 25K rounds

[ashecht]

Originally Posted by MStarmer

Springfield Armory Range Officer. Well under budget ($850) and a solid platform if you decide to modify. Desirable gun if you decide to sell it later.

when searching for my first 1911, I was down to the Ruger, and the RO. While I liked the ss finish on the ruger, it was the fit of the RO which sold me. Load both, and shake the two of them. Tell which one is silent, and which sounds like a can with rocks in it. Im sure it doesnt affect the performance of the Ruger, since some of my glocks make the same rattling noise. But the RO was DEAD silent. That thing is tightly fit. Even reassembling it is a challenge. I love it and I got it for $745 out the door at my lgs, cash money. It is taking me a while to get used to the target sights though as I am so used to the 3 dot arrangement, but damn that thing is accurate, nice smooth trigger, and we all know that SA customer service is great. Doubt you can go wrong with either

[gunsmoke92]

Take a look at the Magnum Research Desert Eagle 1911. All the bells and whistles, good trigger, and at about $700, you'll have plenty of money to buy lots of ammo for the range.

[greatwun]

I really think you should just save a bit more and go for a new TRP. You won't regret it.


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[GaryC]

For a range gun, Colt Gold Cup all the way. I have two of them (a National Match and a Trophy) and they are awesome.