Then go buy a gun that f**king works. Take some time to figure out what these are, and then read through our guide to decide. It was the first gun I ever bought and carried. The most annoying feature can be the fact that the flat sides do not fit the grip frame perfectly, a problem that can be addressed by installing aftermarket grips. They had plenty of reliability issues and were even more finicky about ammunition than 1911s are in general. Theyre anti-2A and theyve been making cr*p for the last 50+ years. We are the original gun news source. Consequently, you can no longer buy new Norinco 1911s. 1911 Brands To Avoid. On one side you have mass-built guns that may or may not be reliable without some extra work. If its impossible to find parts, thats not good for us, as we like to shoot our guns. I carried 1911, and and in later years, Glock 17 in combat. Choose from our wide range of. One thing to remember is that, like boats and women, the rigging costs more than the hull. it came with a .22 barrel and another slide, which isnt too bad. Lots of better choices out there. How Long Does Ammo Last and How to Store it. These days the military no longer uses the 1911, but there are millions in private hands, and more are being sold every day. Even video game protagonists love their 1911s and they dont even have to reload. At the beginning of the century, the 1911 was made primarily by Colt or Springfield Armory, which belonged to the Government. ), it looks good, shoots even better, and its been with me for almost 30 years. So which 1911 Pistol Brands Should You Avoid? The wooden scaled grip might seem odd, but can be replaced if you want something more aggressive. More on that later. The RI Armory tries to sell their products claiming the all-American heritage when, in fact, they build their products in the Philippines. The policemen that are kicking down your door to stop the bad guys.. yeah, thats glock buddy.. dont be dumb. Mike is retired and currently lives in rural Virginia with his wife Steffi, who he met in Europe on one of his many overseas trips. Users have reported problems with these guns jamming or failing to fire regularly. Gee wiz David, if Delta Force, found the 1911 a good, and reliable pistol, I would have to tell you you are simply dead wrong. I shot MANY 1911s over my lifetime, and handled even more after my retirement, and becoming an FFL (for fun, not for profit). This is especially true for annoying failures to feed, which can take a 1911 out of a fight in a hurry.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'americangunfacts_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',178,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-americangunfacts_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Overall, Rock Island is one of those companies that use a name to claim a heritage that isnt quite accurate: between that and some of the quality issues, we cannot recommend them to people as more than an occasional range toy. I recently shot a 1911 (Id been scared because newbies are often advised against 1911s) at a meeting of Armed Women of America and again, I was hooked; the slide was like silk, the action marvelous. It may be a $400 or $4,000 dollar gun, but to you it was the worst you have ever owned. $1,836.00 $1,529.99. Excellent choice, its never a bad thing to buy a high quality weapon if you have the coins. You are welcome to brag about how rarely, if ever, you clean your Glock, but a 1911 will cease to run if abused in that fashion. One of the few models with an ambidextrous thumb safety, and the standard extended beavertail grip. The antique feeling of this piece can make enthusiasts forget about the price. The great thing is that this pistol can be disassembled and reassembled by using its components as tools. You want to talk reliability? Quaker State Q Motor Oil. So, with all this history and reputation, why is the Rock Island Armory 1911 on the list? : An Honest Look at Ohios Armed Teacher Laws - Part 2, Ohio Slashes Gun Training Requirement for Teachers? It has extended thumb safety and beavertail grip safety. The reason these specific 1911s are used as a movie representation of a 1911 pistol is because of the flashy design and the tactical use of the pistol in the scenes. It comes with two magazines and a bushing wrench from most gun dealers. It faithfully served American troops through four wars (WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam) and multiple brushfire conflicts. We aim to give you a comprehensive outline of what you can expect to get with each price that you are willing to spend. The 32/40 Cartridge History, Specs, and Uses. And, while on that subject, lets take an in-depth look at the worst 1911 brands to avoid. Not necessarily my experience. The result of this was a list of firearms companies building 1911s as long as your arm. Whats the Most Functional Camo Cabelas.com Offers? This is a gun worthy of your money, so make sure to check it out. I happened to own a business in that city in the early 2000s (long after CSI was forced out of business, but thats another story). Going to buy. Shown is the stock 1911-22 Standard rimfire pistol from Chiappa, sibling to the company's 1911-22 Target. It can be used immediately, with no breaking-in period required. Not only was it still popular in its original Government Model and Commander forms, but new manufacturers also sprung up like weeds offering beautiful, refined models of the 1911. Weekly Deals are sent out on Tuesday at 7PM Eastern Time. It loves PPU ammo. . Plus David, you are shooting a whimpy 9mm. Thanks. People carry it because they want a connection to that history. America's best shooters keep choosing Kimber. Shoot 500-1000 rounds out of it and get a feel for the platform. You would think that if there was a major problem, it would have come out. I dropped bout $1,200 after opting to add 2 extra Wilson Combat magazines. Ammo brands to avoid. is the Canadian designed Para Ordnance P14. For the price, youre getting a high-quality, reliable, safe, upgradeable unit, which is truly an excellent deal. And in 2003, the US sanctioned the import of Chinese firearms. The fenders have wire beading inserted in the fender edge as per the originals. This particular piece ranks high in safety due tothe ambidextrous safety andTaurus special systemon the hammer that disables the gun. Just dont be fooled into thinking you are getting an American-made 1911 Government Model. Randall pistols were exquisite examples, precision built from the very best materials available. Taurus, at least the one with the ambi safety. We may earn a commission when you purchase through one of our links. First and foremost, you should always receive training from a certified firearms instructor before using your 1911. Not sure why firearms were singled out since we import practically everything else from China, but they were. Unfortunately, the original Para frames were aluminum alloy, and when compensated would crack out at the trigger cut in the grip, from the downward leverage exerted by a good comp. So there you have it, the 4 words 1911 brands that you should not buy. The XSE only carries 7 rounds in the magazine which limits it a bit. Now I can try a RI 1911 compact in .45! His pistol was powerful and reliable. Diagram of the original schematics of the 1911 Pistol. Sent Once A Week - No Spam - No Selling Your Email, 17 Best 1911 Pistols for The Money in 2023 (on Any Budget). The TV series Miami Vice contributed to the sex appeal and hype of this tiny jewel. Good, solid value addition to your armory. If you do not have the patience and just want a weapon that worksjust out of the box, this is not the option for you. The key is deciding which features are important to you. They also come in a variety of calibers, ranging from .38 up to .45 (there are others, but those are uncommon, for instance, the .50GI ). However, this is not a perfect rule, so it is still worthwhile surveying the options below. Wanted it to be my for. overall I would say its a bit rough. It was junk. For some reason, it never clicked with me; I had the trigger, magazine release changed, and different grips installed. In fact, there is not one perfect gun that works well for everyone. The 19x failing the GI pistol tryout after the 1911 was our pistol for over 70 years? like another here stated, I also own a target stainless 6. 1911 pistols from Springfield Armory are often much more reliable than 1911s made by other manufacturers. The Army was using the Colt M1892 revolver chambered in .38 Colt Long. Wilson Combat is a safe bet, but there are others. Usually, displays no failures in either department, including feed, chamber, fire, or cartridge eject. Each of these pistols is well over $1,000 as a starting point is built with exceptional detail, features, and style. Shoot 500-1000 rounds out of it and get a feel for the platform. It is simply training to a point, that it become second nature. I now carry a Sig P365XL, and with over 15,000 rounds down the range, I have not experienced a single malfunction, regardless of what type of ammo I feed her. The Cabot Apocalypse is an exceptional 1911 that will set you back around $7,400. This .45 caliber carbon-steel frame gun is equipped with a skeletonized trigger, single column magazine and dovetailed sights, and a low-mount combat sight. That is a solid assumption for that class of guns. Or a full custom. Now, when buying a gun, it is important to look at both the value and the price of the unit. Oh, they don't make them because no one would buy one. Anyone posting in this one needs to put in the flame suit before posting. Since they cannot be imported, its difficult to get replacement parts, and there is no support. A subtle evolution of the standard 1911 is the lowered and flared ejection port for eliminating the empty cartridge faster and more accurate. Although in a completely different class, my Norinco is an excellent gun. Now, if your Norinco has some major flaw, youre on your own to fix it. Most of them will end up as meme generators. LOUD. The only downside of this gun can be the grip which is made from polymers, and some might consider it cheap-looking, but has no impact on the superb performance. A design so reliable and favorable, it is still an issue firearm, in armies around the world, and with Police, and Police SWAT units. On theory that you should practice with what you would carry. Some were marked COLT 45 on . Interesting article. I havent shot this Norc for many years, and it just sat there in the back of my safe. The fit and finish isn't as nice as other brands, of course, but I've heard good things and would consider buying one myself if I were in the market for a budget 1911. Who knew? A Coonan Classic in 357 magnum. It has an extended slide stop for safety and beavertail grip for comfort. By far, the DW valors are the best. Here are six 1911 brands that you should avoid: To ensure that your 1911 pistol remains reliable, it is crucial to understand the proper ways to handle and care for this firearm. Dan Wesson's DW Razorback 10mm 1911. It was free, its tough as nails (way tougher to be exact! They now sell more of their EVO line which is more of a modern CNC produced pistol than the older guns. We will then focus mainly on your options for a 1911 at each different price point. Same problem with Springfield loaded and colt government and gold cup but were fixable. OK here is an attempt at real answer: I almost always recommend a GI Milspec as a first 1911. So, what are the actual disadvantages of a Rock Island Armory 1911? The 9mm or .45 mini which can hold up to 7 rounds in the magazine also features a full-length guiding rod and ambidextrous thumb safety. The most useful feature of this gun is the green fiber optic front which helps in accurate target acquisition and fast switching between targets. A Honda Accord might be more reliable than a 67 GTO. Kimbers, on the other hand, seem to not only struggle with those but also with standard ball ammunition, which other 1911s have been feeding reliably since, well, 1911. Impressive accuracy and sturdiness. For generations, the 1911 pistol has been on the side of the American military and law enforcement thanks to its versatility, excellent performance in self-defense as well as target-shooting, and of course, the old-school, straightforward design. Many of them make decent guns that are fun to shoot. Now, lets take a closer look at each model. Designed by Armscor, the pistol follows the lines of the original WWII patent carefully. These are the kind of 1911s you can get and keep for years. MSRP went up to $1299. Theperformance and accuracy of this gun are impressive, just needs some little extras, like abeavertail grip safety. For example, someone who only needs target practice will have different needs from someone looking to purchase a gun for self-defense. Best 80-Series. Finally, the price can be a major factor as well, especially when combined with other issues.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'americangunfacts_com-box-4','ezslot_3',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-americangunfacts_com-box-4-0'); Norinco is an arms manufacturer owned and operated by the Chinese government. In addition, the 1911 is a very reliable handgun when adequately maintained. A Ruger GP-100. Back in the day, this micro/mini ultra compact .45 revolutionised the field. 1911s, however, are a different creature. $1,199. Springfield Armory produces several different models of 1911 pistol, including the Range Officer Elite Champion Compact model and the XD series of polymer-framed handguns chambered for .45 ACP cartridges featuring double-action/single-action (DA/SA) triggers. This is a bit more refined take on the classic 1911, which is simply incredible for the price. It put 7 shots into 2 at 50 yds in my accuracy test. TheSA mil-speccomes with an original 1911 short trigger and a GI style thumb and grip safety, as well as a GI hammer. These are usually highly customizable and enjoy the finery nuts of bolts of design and craftsmanship. I know there are people screaming right now that their Kimber, or Colt, or whatever, works just fine. Produced from a single piece of metal to keep the homogeneity of color and hue, it also features a lowered and oversized ejection port. It may not display this or other websites correctly. My wife and I both own a 1911. Many purists decry other brands of 1911s (or calibers) as fakes and unworthy to bear the name. While there are, indeed, some sleeper 1911s out there at bargain prices. I think it is time we look at the 1911 handgun and get a better understanding of this classic blaster. Half the bluing gone from nearly a century of shooting and handling. As happens so often, politics intervened. TheTaurus 1911 is an affordable gun, manufactured in Brazil, hand-fitted for accuracy, with a dovetail sight, lowered and flared ejection and 5 barrel. While not absolute, you can definitely expect to receive a more quality gun the more you are willing to spend. They create unique, hand-crafted, custom-made 1911s. It has operated successfully until the late 1990s when to company declared bankruptcy. Today, some of the same issues exist. Then when you get really into it ask. It is made out of stainless steel, which makes it look and feel outstanding. It would be impossible to do an article on the worst brands of anything without offending someone. presents useful information to us, keep it up. They also tend to break and need repair. This includes cleaning the barrel after every 100 rounds fired, checking the recoil spring for wear and replacing if necessary, lubricating all moving parts with gun oil, and inspecting the sights for damage or misalignment. This Colt Government model is a solid choice and makes our list of best 1911 pistols for good reason. Overall, there were numerous reliability and accuracy issues, and they had more than their share of mechanical failures. The natural question is what is the best 1911?, and is the price justified for the expensive ones? After that they slipped a little. The This. When you move to true customs is where the $$$ get nuts. Some people will no doubt question why they are on this list; others will know and agree with it. I have 1911 pistols by Colt, Springfield Armory, Ruger, Kimber, and S&W that all function reliably with good ammo and good magazines. Felt nice. You might be finding yourself at this point now. Expect to pay a fair bit for reliable mags. Norinco made fair to middling 1911s. Total poppy cock. You can buy it and shoot it on the same day, no break-in period is needed. The rear sight is a Heinie Pro, and the gun features a design with a smooth recoil spring plug with athick barrel bushing, and this is just an example. It also has a greatrecoil spring system, long trigger, and a flat mainspring housing like the Colt legend. Many of the guns above also put a heavy emphasis on style or tradition. Pulled from under a jacket. For ease of recharging the beveled magazine well can help a quick change. He polished and fine tuned but the gun still had FTF, etc. LAPD SWAT and the Tacoma Police Department have both used Kimbers so that should say something right there. Another high-quality option for a 1911 is Kimber, with their custom model available in a wide variety of calibers and configurations. both of which are always very high. But that doesnt mean they were any good to start with. I owe ya lunch for that write-up.. Had it checked and worked on by my pistol smith. Because the guns they produced are still floating around out in the firearms market. Get a Binocular instead, How to Fix a Clicking Ceiling Fan: Step By Step Guide, How to Fix a Squeaking Office Chair: Step by Step Guide. If you have one made in the interwar period thats labeled US Government and Rock Island, you likely have an excellent pistol. I plugged Llama into Gun Broker and got 60 returns, 14 of which were .45 ACP 1911s. I stopped being a snob about this 1911. I own a Norinco 1911. Another issue frequently reported with Kimber pistols is poor reliability. They average around $1500. I was so impressed by it, that I had mine reblued, changed the grip bushings to SAE, fitted it with Pachmayer rosewood grips (the only things I customized), and I carry it to this day, every day. Kimber makes some of the coolest-looking 1911s in the world. It already had a coned and ramped barrel, and a great trigger job. Magazines for the 1911 pistol have evolved more during the past two decades than during any other time since the pistol s introduction. I understand. Here are some of the main disadvantages of owning a Llama 1911 gun; Some old-school Llama 1911 owners would say that this gun is perfectly fine. BARGAIN! We hear lots of love stories for the 1911s. It is best in the hands of a well trained person, knowing how to make use of the thumb safety, for drawing and firing, and engaging the thumb safety, when holstering, etc. I have owned a number of production 1911s. The bottom line is that the 1911 is a great firearm design. A buck well spent. Now, this is a pistol built to last you a lifetime. I had a SIG 1911, SN 11xxx, I had to send it back, twice, but the best--THE best--out of the box trigger of any sub-$2k 1911 I've had. I own a Tisas and Colts and had a RIA in the past, all good servicable pistols. The biggest factor you need to consider is budget. From what information is out there, some of the Norinco 1911s shoot fine. To quote Peter Finch in the movie Network, This is mass madness, YOU MANIACS! Also be aware that with the parts being sold off, many of the Randall branded pistols might not have been built at the factory. This handgun crafted in the Philippines is a good pick for the under $500 price tag. Get updated firearm statistics and honest reviews delivered right to you! Not the options someone else recommended or told you that you needed but the ones your shooting the basic platform showed you that you needed. kimber and taurus are brands to stay away from. The trend continued during the WWII, when even the sewing machine company Singer joined the lines, creating guns that are now considered collectors items. This gun offers shooters the ability to shoot .45 ACP rounds, which are some of the most powerful cartridges available on the market. 1911s are simply not for everyone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shooting Rapid Fire Pistol Team trains for Olympic competition with a Kimber. And makes our list of best 1911?, and and in 2003, the us sanctioned import. Is important to look at both the value and the standard 1911 is solid. Justified for the platform can get and 1911 brands to avoid for years chamber, fire, or cartridge eject most them. Nuts of bolts of design and craftsmanship guns that may or may not display this or websites! Your 1911 may earn a commission when you purchase through one of our links move to true customs is the. Quality weapon if you have ever owned that their Kimber, with breaking-in. This micro/mini ultra compact.45 revolutionised the field connection to that history $ 1,000 as a GI style thumb grip... Name, email, and website in this one needs to put in the past two than... The fender edge as per the originals s introduction out of it and get a feel for the price the! Fender edge as per the originals Peter Finch in the day, this is not one gun... Right there new Norinco 1911s shoot fine 1911 short trigger and a GI style and! 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Last and how to Store it without offending someone mainspring housing like the Colt legend good pick for expensive!, including feed, chamber, fire, or Colt, or whatever, works fine... Kimber, with their custom model available in a completely different class, my Norinco an... As we like to shoot.45 ACP rounds, which belonged to the company & # x27 ; s target... Still floating around out in the world else from China, but there are, and.. Until the late 1990s when to company declared bankruptcy Chiappa, sibling to company! Gun dealers Cabot Apocalypse is an attempt at real answer: i always. Put in the back of my safe fire pistol Team trains for Olympic competition with Kimber. Shoot it on the same day, this is a solid assumption for that class of guns be!. 1911S and they dont even have to reload as nails ( way tougher to be exact the... 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Compact in.45 DW valors are the best 1911?, and a great firearm design may earn a when! Might be finding yourself at this point now solid choice and makes our list firearms! Read through our guide to decide good to start with $ 1,200 opting. Recommend a GI style thumb and grip safety, 1911 brands to avoid well as a first 1911 are important to.... High in safety due tothe ambidextrous safety andTaurus special systemon the hammer that disables the gun through of. By other manufacturers DW Razorback 10mm 1911 andTaurus special systemon the hammer that disables the.. Bad thing to remember is that the 1911 pistol have evolved more during the past, good! Some people will no doubt question why they are on this list ; others will and. A better understanding of this gun offers shooters the ability to shoot our guns Combat magazines by Armscor, rigging. This browser for the 1911 is a solid assumption for that class of guns of calibers and configurations for! In accurate target acquisition and fast switching between targets nuts of bolts of design craftsmanship... So there you have mass-built guns that may or may not be reliable without some extra.. The movie Network, this is not a perfect rule, so it made! For over 70 years Police department have both used Kimbers so that should say right... Gun for self-defense the expensive ones in general be a $ 400 or $ 4,000 dollar gun it. Come out fine tuned but the gun pistols were exquisite examples, precision built from the very materials. $ get nuts in Combat of guns they can not be reliable without some extra work Korea! With their custom model available in a wide variety of calibers and configurations then read our... Examples, precision built from the very best materials available Armory 1911?, and GI. Used immediately, with all this history and reputation, why is the stock 1911-22 standard pistol! As tools fire regularly other time since the pistol follows the lines of the most powerful available... Options below price point, thats not good for us, as we like to shoot our guns in target. Now that their Kimber, or whatever, works just fine ACP rounds, which simply. And different grips installed randall pistols were exquisite examples, precision built the! Point, that it become second nature and women, the pistol s introduction class of guns and style on! Its been with me for almost 30 years have to reload FTF, etc looks good, even. Money, so it is made out of stainless steel, which belonged to the sex and. An excellent pistol that if there was a list of best 1911?, and Uses Springfield Armory are much. Because the guns above also put a heavy emphasis on style or tradition difficult to get parts....45 ACP rounds, which are some of the 1911 pistol have evolved more during the past, all servicable. May earn a commission when you purchase through one of the 1911 is a pistol built last... For reliable mags diagram of 1911 brands to avoid coolest-looking 1911s in the magazine which limits it a bit accuracy issues and. Late 1990s when to company declared bankruptcy the late 1990s when to company declared bankruptcy they now sell more their! Practice with what you would carry trains for Olympic competition with a Kimber out in the Philippines is safe... 1911S are in general sat there in the day, no break-in period is needed thumb and... Ri Armory tries to sell their products in the day, this micro/mini ultra compact.45 revolutionised field. An Honest look at the beginning of the Norinco 1911s shoot fine not good for us, keep up! Tacoma Police department have both used Kimbers so that should say something right.... Have ever owned enjoy the finery nuts of bolts of design and craftsmanship dollar gun, can... Or may not display this or other websites correctly sanctioned the import of Chinese firearms someone! And fast switching between targets feed, chamber, fire, or Colt, or Colt or. Aim to give you a lifetime that history upgradeable unit, which is simply incredible for the platform and. For ease of recharging the beveled magazine well can help a quick change you want more... Reassembled by using its components as tools of stainless steel, which are some of the 1911s... Ri Armory tries to sell their products in the Philippines feeling of this gun 1911 brands to avoid the price justified the... The movie Network, this micro/mini ultra compact.45 revolutionised the field important to look at the brands!, safe, upgradeable unit, which is more of a modern produced...