Which 1911 would you buy for <$1000?

[Dred Bob]

On 10/19/2025 at 10:47 PM, watab kid said:

thisthread has convinced me - im not shooting wid bunch , i thought it was a period correct catagory , now i understand its not , you can shoot a WWII handgun but not a shotgun of that vintage - have fun guys , i get it , im out , i gave away the items [holsters and such] to a frioend that thinks he wants to , 

 

im not mad , just disappointed , im not mad at anything SASS or fafiated , i just expected more somehow , 

 

Not judging.  WB isn't for everybody but if you have the equipment you should consider giving it a try once or twice and you just might find that you're having a lot of fun.  It's not CAS although obviously similar.  It's very challenging and if the equipment doesn't get you (it will) then counting to 5 or is it 7? will.  Clean match?  Forget it, good luck.  Round Count?  ridiculous.  Lots of action, lots of challenge, lots of stuff going bang (hopefully).   I couldn't do it every month like CAS but I very much look forward to every opportunity at State or Annual side matches to shoot a few stages.  It's just a lot of fun whatever the heck it is and a welcome change of pace to do something a little different once in a while with different guns.  That's really all it is.  Best of all it's a chance to make a 1911 try to do what 1911's do.  You pick which one to bring to the dance.

[Whitey James]

2 hours ago, Dred Bob said:

 

Not judging.  WB isn't for everybody but if you have the equipment you should consider giving it a try once or twice and you just might find that you're having a lot of fun.  It's not CAS although obviously similar.  It's very challenging and if the equipment doesn't get you (it will) then counting to 5 or is it 7? will.  Clean match?  Forget it, good luck.  Round Count?  ridiculous.  Lots of action, lots of challenge, lots of stuff going bang (hopefully).   I couldn't do it every month like CAS but I very much look forward to every opportunity at State or Annual side matches to shoot a few stages.  It's just a lot of fun whatever the heck it is and a welcome change of pace to do something a little different once in a while with different guns.  That's really all it is.  Best of all it's a chance to make a 1911 try to do what 1911's do.  You pick which one to bring to the dance.

I am lucky that the two clubs I shoot at offer it monthly. I shoot cowboy two to three times a month and WB twice a month.

[watab kid]

2 hours ago, Dred Bob said:

 

Not judging.  WB isn't for everybody but if you have the equipment you should consider giving it a try once or twice and you just might find that you're having a lot of fun.  It's not CAS although obviously similar.  It's very challenging and if the equipment doesn't get you (it will) then counting to 5 or is it 7? will.  Clean match?  Forget it, good luck.  Round Count?  ridiculous.  Lots of action, lots of challenge, lots of stuff going bang (hopefully).   I couldn't do it every month like CAS but I very much look forward to every opportunity at State or Annual side matches to shoot a few stages.  It's just a lot of fun whatever the heck it is and a welcome change of pace to do something a little different once in a while with different guns.  That's really all it is.  Best of all it's a chance to make a 1911 try to do what 1911's do.  You pick which one to bring to the dance.

thanks DB , i appreciate your invitation and i may reconsider but ive already shot outlaw three gun and then SASS , ive started slowing down , ill think on it , 

 

ive returned to add that [art of my reasons for questioning the rules is that ive had a lot of folks approach me asking about what i do , ive said it was traditional weapons - ive been questioned by a few of those that looked into it and said i was wrong , they were right , 

i dont care at all what the rules committee decide to do in their best interest of the sport , im all for encouraging more and if that does it so be it , 

 

i will decide to do whatever i want to do it may or may not be this 

[Three Foot Johnson]

The Tisas is back down to $319 at Palmetto State Armory for a "Halloween sale". Spooky.

[Lucky R. K.]

On 10/24/2025 at 3:27 PM, Three Foot Johnson said:

The Tisas is back down to $319 at Palmetto State Armory for a "Halloween sale". Spooky.

A really good choice. With some "slicking up" they can run as well as any.

Lucky 

[El Chapo]

I'm surprised there would be so much focus on making a 1911 from the WWI era.  I like the film and WBAS very much, but I think we all want a reliable firearm to be able to enjoy the game.  The minor differences between the original 1911 and the A1 are virtually indistinguishable in a photo when it's in a person's hand.  What's next?  Requiring a certain shade of parkerizing?  Disallowing stainless steel?  That just seems like a rabbit hole not worth going down.

 

If they made me dictator, I'd really like to have plastic basepads, of any thickness or color, allowed.  Something screwed to the magazine would be far superior to leather.

[Mezcal Charlie]

I’m impressed with the mil spec Tisa that the CMP is selling. Under $500 I think and made to spec. May need debuting and a little trigger work but that’s still under a grand. Springfield Ronin and Garrison both well under $1K and look good. I’m still shooting my SA from 1993 (if memory serves) and zero complaints. 

[Mountain man Jim]

Springfield is probably the best option in your price range. If it's just going to be a range toy and occasional wild bunch gun. I would look at the Rock Island Armory options. They're cheap and feel like it in the hand, but they run. Plus, with a little elbow grease and a polishing kit you can slick them up nice. I've run all sorts of ammo from cheap Wolf steel case to random lead reloads. 

[Windy City Kid]

3 hours ago, Mountain man Jim said:

Springfield is probably the best option in your price range. If it's just going to be a range toy and occasional wild bunch gun. I would look at the Rock Island Armory options. They're cheap and feel like it in the hand, but they run. Plus, with a little elbow grease and a polishing kit you can slick them up nice. I've run all sorts of ammo from cheap Wolf steel case to random lead reloads. 

Love my Springfield Mil Spec

["Big Boston"]

On 9/28/2025 at 2:41 PM, Tex Jones, SASS 2263 said:

Springfield is still worth the money.  Their Mil Spec model looks interesting.  Others have mentioned Tisas.  Post your question on the Wild Bunch Forum; plenty of suggestions there.

 

I bought a Springfield Mil Spec, and I like it. I shoot wild Bunch loads and use it for Cowboy 1911 at our local club. I don't know a whole lot about 1911s, but I've had very few issues. It feeds RN 230s best, but I've also shot 200 gr SWC. 

 

For loading I searched here and settled on WST.