[DodgeThis]

I'm looking into getting a 1911 for edcc. The problem is that the only one I've found that i like enough to dump some cash into is $1400. I picked up the s&w e series. It's the commander size and has the rounded main spring housing. It's absolutely beautiful, but I can't bring myself to wear a piece of gold like that. I'm fine with a cheaper version but I can't find any of the lesser valued brands out there in the same size with the round butt. Maybe I haven't looked in the right places. I had also thought of just replacing the main spring housing, but I'm not real edumakated when comes to 1911 customization. I don't know if it's just that easy or if there's more to it, nor how much it would cost me. I'm looking to take something home around $500. I know that I'm not going to by a Kimber or anything like that for the price range, but that's fine as long as it's functional and trustworthy. I don't mind Rock Island etc. Thanks for your help.

[trip286]

First question, by "rounded" do you mean arched, or a bobbed frame?

[jakewpns]

Its a round heel that he's talking about

[DodgeThis]

Ok. Yeah. That's what I mean. Alright, so I'm virtually mentally handicapped in 1911 talk, but operating them a different scene. But if you look up the e series you'll see exactly what I'm after.

[Overkill0084]

Originally Posted by trip286

First question, by "rounded" do you mean arched, or a bobbed frame?

Unless I'm very mistaken, it's a bobbed frame. There is no E series (that I can find) with the 1911A1 style arched mainspring housing.

Originally Posted by DodgeThis

I'm looking into getting a 1911 for edcc. The problem is that the only one I've found that i like enough to dump some cash into is $1400. I picked up the s&w e series. It's the commander size and has the rounded main spring housing. It's absolutely beautiful, but I can't bring myself to wear a piece of gold like that. I'm fine with a cheaper version but I can't find any of the lesser valued brands out there in the same size with the round butt. Maybe I haven't looked in the right places. I had also thought of just replacing the main spring housing, but I'm not real edumakated when comes to 1911 customization. I don't know if it's just that easy or if there's more to it, nor how much it would cost me. I'm looking to take something home around $500. I know that I'm not going to by a Kimber or anything like that for the price range, but that's fine as long as it's functional and trustworthy. I don't mind Rock Island etc. Thanks for your help.

First, I think you should just suck it up and carry the S&W. That's what it was made for (I'm assuming bobbed, scandium frame). IMHO, if there's one gun in your stable that you don't want to scrimp on, it's the one your betting your life on.
By the time you hunt down a moderately priced 1911 as a starting point and sink money into mods, you'll have a fairly pricey gun in it's own right. FYI: the bobbed frame is a rather involved mod that requires a fair bit of skill to do well. As do mods to any critical part of a 1911. FWIW, I would steer you toward an STI Spartan IV if you wish go forward with this. http://www.stiguns.com/the-sti-spartan-iv/ The Spartan is Rock Islands American Cousin. An ARMSCOR (Rock Island) frame & Slide w/ STI internals. Run the numbers with a good gunsmith and see if it's worth it.

[Dearhunter]

My Rock Island 45ACP match 1911 shoots as good as my Colt Gold cup. It is a great and dependable gun. I shoot mine a lot.
Also the Armscor ammo is a good deal and shoots great. NO hangs.
You can buy a RI in the $500 range.

[danf_fl]

Have you looked at auctions sites?
There are some deals to be had there.

Also, (cough, cough) you could look at (cough, cough) the (cough) Kimber (cough) website: http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/super-carry

[Olympus]

You can buy any standard 1911 and take it to a gunsmith to have the frame bobbed to get that "rounded" look like you like on the Smith. The bobtail is getting more and more popular, but as of right now there are no budget models with a bobbed frame.

Here is a before and after of an inexpensive Metro Arms American Classic Commander that I bought and had customized. I had the frame bobbed like you seem to want.

[axxe55]

the RIA and American Classics have a Commander and Officer sized models that are truly awesome. i have an AC Commander that is very accurate and very reliable. problem is, they don't currently offer them right now with a bobbed frame. but you might look into getting one and having a gunsmith alter the frame to make it into a bobbed one. also look into the Colt Defender line as well. sometimes these can be bought reasonably as well.

[GNXtreme]

I too have an American classic commander. It fits in your price range and is a great gun.