[canebrake]

Colt hands down!



OR



Both are in your budget.

[Phelenwolf]

First thing you need to do living in Kalifornia is go to the

http://oag.ca.gov/firearms

and see if the choice you want are legal to purchase. I am so glad that I live in Az where I do not have to worry about what I purchase or what I carry. Good luck.

I just picked up a Para USA GI Expert that was $650 shoots and handles great. I also have a RIA 1911A1CS and a Colt 1991A1.

[nitestalker]

Colt everything else is just a copy of a real 1911.

[drvsafe]

My toss up for my purchase is between a para ssp and a kimber custom 2. Both about the upper 700 range in my area.

[tacticalfun]

Originally Posted by nitestalker

Colt everything else is just a copy of a real 1911.

You do know that john browning designed the 1911...right?

[sweeper22]

Just my opinion...

Buy a good, hearty, reliable, simple, and affordable 1911. Add some great mags and a heap of ammo. Shoot the hell out of it. Seize every opportunity to shoot other (especially nicer) 1911s at the range. Take your time in deciding what upgrades matter most to you for what will become your second (and more expensive) 1911.

Just my own take on your situation. I chose the Ruger SR1911. I think there are plenty of excellent similar options from Springfield, Colt, Kimber, Sig, S&W, Para, Remington, and even Taurus or RIA. If I were to point you in one direction, it would probably be Springfield. They have a handful of excellent and affordable models with an outstanding reputation. Or maybe I'm just a SA fan.

There is no perfect answer. There are only more guns. And more money spent. And more guns. And of course, 1911 pride and pleasure.

[drvsafe]

What about Charles daly?

How's the build quality of the Charles daly 1911s?

[drvsafe]

Better yet, between a colt model 1991 or Springfield mil spec, both around the same price, what's the best choice for a 1st 1911?

[sweeper22]

Originally Posted by drvsafe

Better yet, between a colt model 1991 or Springfield mil spec, both around the same price, what's the best choice for a 1st 1911?

Similarly priced, I'd always lean toward Springfield.

Truth be told, neither is likely to be decidedly better than the other when you're talking like-priced Colt vs SA. So advantage goes to whichever "brand", finish, or features you prefer.

One brand I don't particularly care for is Remington. But I know the R1 Enhanced can be found for well under $800 at the moment. From what I've seen, it's a pretty good gun...almost good enough for me to put aside whatever bias I might have. That's one of the better 'bang for your buck' 1911s out there if you get it at that price.

[canebrake]

Drive-by poster?