The Difference Between a Basic and Expensive M1911

By Seth Rodgers

Despite price differences, all these M1911’s functioned flawlessly. (Photo: Seth Rodgers/Guns.com)
If you’re new to the world of M1911’s, you might wonder why prices vary so wildly — running the gamut from a few hundred bucks to thousands of dollars. After all, the design is over 100 years old and it’s made in some form or another by most major gun manufacturers.
We sniffed around the Guns.com Vault to find some 1911 models to compare head-to-head. The M1911 has evolved a bit to include different sizes but for this comparison, we selected full-size Commanders. It should be noted that due to these being Certified Used Guns we don’t know whether any aftermarket work has been done on these guns.
What are the major differences?
How are these three pistols different? It’s all in the details. (Photo: Seth Rodgers/Guns.com)
On the onset, the specs are more or less identical from one model to the next with overt differences coming down to aesthetics like finish, grips, mainspring housing and sights. So, what sets apart a $3,000 M1911 from its $500 counterpart? That price difference is determined by all the little things you can’t see, some of which don’t have an MSRP.
All the Basics – Rock Island Armory
Rock Island Armory

Source: Guns.com