I hankered for an M1911A1 since I got out of the Army.
Mine was a Colt frame with an Ithaca or Remington-Rand slide (I can't remember which, just that I know my pistol wasn't marked Colt, but the serial number, 1164935, is definitely Colt).
My dad gave me his Remington-Rand. I stupidly sold it, bought it back and traded it off for a Glock 21. I was happy for a while, but the hankering returned.
An AMT Hardballer in stainless didn't scratch the itch well enough.
For years now my M1911A1 needs have been served by a Springfield Armory 1911-A1 USGI model. I bought it brand new in 2006 for the lofty sum of $517. I replaced the wood stocks with NOS brown plastic just like my issue gun had.
There's lots of detail differences between the gun I was issued and that Springfield, but it's 80% there and that's enough for me, even if it's Brazilian. But they don't make this specific model anymore.
Auto-Ordnance sells a repop M1911A1 that has fewer detail differences yet. Brownell's only wants $469.99 for it.
Rock Island Arsenal / Armscorp sells a 1911A1 clone at MSRP $530 which is similar to the farbs on my Springfield.
I think the RIA is made in the Philippines, I am not sure where Auto-Ordnance is made.
These are not used or abused guns. They're brand new, albeit not the utter top end.
All three choices do a good job of mimicking the real thing at a fairly affordable price.
They lack the cachet of the real deal. They also lack the 40-50 years of abuse by GI's.
Which brings us back to the CMP...
I remember good old 1164935. It didn't have a front sight. It had distinct evidence of the hatch coaming nailing the mainspring housing and grip-safety. It definitely rattled when you shook it.
My gun was one of the better ones too.
People pay a premium for the real deal. A well worn Remington-Rands have asking prices of $1,500 to $2,500 on Gunbroker as we speak.
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TLDR: I decided long ago that I don't need the real deal. Nor even a close approximation of the real deal.
ReplyDeleteMy first "1911" was an AMT Hardballer that my dad gave me. I gave it back when I got a Colt M1991 Commander. He subsequently gave it to one of his brothers. I wish he'd given it back to me. :)
I traded the M1991 for a Sig P220, which I later sold. And it left me pining away for another "1911". I wish I still had that M1991.
I then had a RIA "1911", one of their GI models. It worked fine, I never had any issues with it. I even liked it. :) I'd even have another in the future if I get the hankering.
But I sold it for the $$ after I got a Ruger SR1911 Commander. Which fills my "need" for a "1911" just fine.
I like the Commander sized "1911's" better than the full sized ones, but I'd be perfectly happy with only full sized "1911's".
I like the "1911" platform, but I'm not generally prepared to pay a relatively high price for one.
Your Mileage Will Vary.
Yup.
DeleteI occasionally get nostalgic for the very first handgun I ever did buy. A first gen Glock 17.
Did you know that there's Glock collectors? Have you seen what a 17 gen 1 goes for?
Yeah... I think I'll just control the nostalgia for a while.
Fyi the auto ordnance is made here in Massachusetts. I heard they used to suck, but I'd be surprised if that's still the case
ReplyDeleteSo we have Brazil for Springfield, Philippines for RIA and Massachusetts for AutoOrdnance.
DeleteNot a single budget 1911 is made in the USA! ;)
My Remington Rand is tight, but I suspect it was arsenal refurbed not long before it was liberated from Uncle Sam.
ReplyDelete