[WheelsUp]

Howdy, y’all.

I’m not terribly experienced with 1911s and I need some recommendations for what to look at as a Steel Challenge gun to shoot in single stack division.

My budget is up to $1,500.

-Must be mass produced and available to the general public
-Max weight: 45oz with empty mag
-Must have traditional barrel bushing; cone and flange barrels aren’t allowed
-Cannot have ports or slide cuts that reduce weight
-No compensators
-Must be 9mm
-Should be full size, but no extended slides because it has to fit in the USPSA box
-Maximum of 10 round capacity, no double stacks

I’ve owned two 1911s, both Kimbers. One was a TLE II .45ACP and I still own a 9mm Rapide. I know Kimbers are largely disliked by hardcore 1911 guys, but I’ve had good experiences and like what I’ve had. I’m not opposed to buying another Kimber, but I’ve never shot another 1911 so I’ll accept that I may not know what I’m missing in other brands. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m not afraid of Kimbers, but I’m not brand loyal either.

I’d really prefer something that meets the rules and will run reliably without swapping out a lot of parts, testing different ammunition/springs, or sending it to a 1911 guru for tuning.

I’m going to run iron sights in this division, but if the gun is already cut for a red dot, that would be fine too as I might fall in love with the gun and shoot it in other divisions later. I don’t care if it has a light rail or not. I also don’t care what it looks like, but a finish that will hold up to going in and out of a holster thousands of times is a plus. A fragile finish is the only complaint I had about my TLE II.

Any suggestions where to start looking?

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[CAcop]

Aside from Kimber I can think of Springfield and their Garrison, Colt has a series of pistols they call Competition, and Tisas has a few that fit that bill.

 

[Longbow]

I have an RIA 9mm that I use for SC. Works just fine. But if I have $1500 for a budget, I'd get a SA Prodigy. But if you must get a single stack, I'd get an SA Range Officer or a Smith and Wesson Pro Series 1911.
Get one with an adjustable sights.

 

[ChrisD46]

I have an RIA 9mm that I use for SC. Works just fine. But if I have $1500 for a budget, I'd get a SA Prodigy. But if you must get a single stack, I'd get an SA Range Officer or a Smith and Wesson Pro Series 1911.
Get one with an adjustable sights.

Sadly , SA RO 1911's have been discontinued .

 

[Gary1911A1]

At retail it's above $1500, but for a little more the Dan Wessons are great 1911s'.

Pointman Nine - Dan Wesson Firearms

The Pointman series is built for the range, with an adjustable target rear sight and fiber optic front. Its forged slide has our inverted top rib running between the sights to reduce glare, and has front and rear cocking serrations to enable easy manipulation. The forged, stainless steel frame has…

danwessonfirearms.com

 

[MGGLOCK9]

Easy one to pick/Colt Competition Government ….

Colt's Manufacturing LLC

Mine has never malfunctioned-except when I did something really stupid-which I won’t tell you!

 

[MarkCO]

If Bul has a model that meets the rules, that would be my suggestion. Really like it.

Ruger has some great options in the SR1911 line as well.

 

[MajorD]

Since steel challenge accuracy demands are not at all high ( I have very effectively run matches with a 2” snub revolver) any 1911 that is reliable will do. Beyond that it is what features you want. Do you get hammer bite and require a beavertail and appropriate hammer? ( I don’t so this is a non issue for me, and prefer the traditional spur hammer anyway)
are you left handed and need an ambi safety?
do you like magwells ? ( I hate them, and since steel challenge doesn’t reload on the clock unnecessary unless you like them or use the gun in situations where it might be useful)
unless you are ultra competitive standard 9mm factory ammo recoils so little in an all steel gun it shouldn’t be an issue unless you want to play games ( and already reload your own ammo) to get the recoil as light as possible
i am personally a colt guy, but any decent quality 9mm 1911 will do. The foreign made RIA andTisas 1911’s have a good reliability reputation at under $500.

 

[Three-Five-Seven]

Having seen many failures at the line during competition, I am very partial to forged 1911s -- as opposed to investment cast. That means Dan Wesson, Colt's, and Springfield -- in no particular order. I shot Springfield pistols for many years and they are excellent and easy to work on. Their customer service is the best I've experienced. I now shoot Dan Wesson pistols and like them a lot. Dan Wesson's are ready to run out of the box. I occasionally have shot Colt's pistols in competition and they are good, but seem to need a little more 'setting up' than others.

 

[RSCamaro]

I hear only good things about Dan Wesson and they are near your price range.

I’d personally go with a used piece. If I was looking for a single stack 5” 1911, I would be searching for a used STI or a Les Baer pistol. Both can be found used in your price range. They are the next step up from SA, Colt, or Dan Wesson.

…Ron

 

[ECONKLIN79]

I hear only good things about Dan Wesson and they are near your price range.

I’d personally go with a used piece. If I was looking for a single stack 5” 1911, I would be searching for a used STI or a Les Baer pistol. Both can be found used in your price range. They are the next step up from SA, Colt, or Dan Wesson.

…Ron

 

[ECONKLIN79]

I give my vote for the DW pointman 9. Besides the break in period, and some aggressive texture grip panels, there is nothing else you need to do to the gun to make it competitive.

 

[WheelsUp]

…Beyond that it is what features you want. Do you get hammer bite and require a beavertail and appropriate hammer? ( I don’t so this is a non issue for me, and prefer the traditional spur hammer anyway)
are you left handed and need an ambi safety?

I’m right-hand dominant, so I’m indifferent about ambidextrous safeties. I don’t need it on this gun, but I don’t have a problem with them. The only two 1911s I’ve owned both had beavertails and I like the way they’ve felt.

do you like magwells ? ( I hate them, and since steel challenge doesn’t reload on the clock unnecessary unless you like them or use the gun in situations where it might be useful)

As you mentioned, Steel Challenge reloads are not on the clock, so I don’t care one way or the other about a mag well. Both of my Kimbers had/have a mag well, but I don’t expect to shoot this gun in any event where a mag well would make a difference. It’s not a feature I’d pay extra for.

unless you are ultra competitive standard 9mm factory ammo recoils so little in an all steel gun it shouldn’t be an issue unless you want to play games ( and already reload your own ammo)

I don’t reload. It would be great if this thing will function reliably on factory 124gr FMJ. That’s what I shoot in my Glocks now for GSSF and SC Production.


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[WheelsUp]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, they’ve given me a few things to think about.

I stopped by my favorite gun shop this afternoon and looked at a Remington with a Nighthawk drop-in trigger kit it felt pretty good, but I’m the first to admit I don’t know beans about 1911s. My biggest concern, after meeting the rules, is reliability. I think I do well in a lot of matches not because I’m an awesome competitor (I’m not), but because I very rarely have a malfunction.


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[Bren]

Every time I see a good deal on a used Springfield Range Officer it's a 9mm. Shouldn't be hard to find one. Probably run about $650-750.

 

[Bren]

Sadly , SA RO 1911's have been discontinued .

They have, but there are plenty still around.

 

[NWBoon]

This is an informative thread. Thank you OP and all who responded. A simple, reasonably priced, 10 shot 1911 chambered in 9mm would be cool to own and shoot.

 

[Anthony69]

Whats up with the creepy add above post nine of the under age looking girl?

 

[DaleGribble]

Every time I see a good deal on a used Springfield Range Officer it's a 9mm. Shouldn't be hard to find one. Probably run about $650-750.

This is the route I would go as well.

Quality 1911 that checks off every box at a good price.

 

[Gman3101]

At retail it's above $1500, but for a little more the Dan Wessons are great 1911s'.

Pointman Nine - Dan Wesson Firearms

The Pointman series is built for the range, with an adjustable target rear sight and fiber optic front. Its forged slide has our inverted top rib running between the sights to reduce glare, and has front and rear cocking serrations to enable easy manipulation. The forged, stainless steel frame has…

danwessonfirearms.com

Exacty that.

Ben Stoeger Pro Shop has a package with the gun, 5 magazines, different grips and a magwell for $1999. Great deal….