I have an Alabama Remington R1 and it has been reliable but I haven't shot it extensively. I bought a US Army Tisas a couple years ago and shot the snot out of it with every kind of ammo I could find trying to see if it would fail. It didn't. A fellow old vet saw it and had to have it so it went home with him. I considered trying to buy it back from him. I don't mind the military sights on that Tisas model and like the fact that they are forged and the newer ones don't use MIM parts. So I guess I could have just said if it were me I'd buy the Tisas. .02 cents.

 

The YouTube channel "The Turkey's Opinion" uses an R1 to test 45 Super. He says he has a 23 pound recoil spring in it. It works good for him. I've had 2 different RIA 45's that I did not like. I had a Tisas Duty that I put a Wilson FL guide rod and 15 pound spring in. I traded it off. The only 1911 I have now is a Springfield Loaded. It's a great pistol. I bought it used for $600. I've retired my old Canadian P13.

Look the R1 over carefully, there were some that were sub-par a few years ago, if this isn't one of those pistols it might be pretty good.

 

I once owned a carbon steel R1 Enhanced that I bought new. It was everything I could have asked for; accurate, reliable and had an excellent trigger. I traded it to my nephew in a good deal for both of us but I've regretted letting it go. All else being equal, I'd buy that stainless R1 if it's in nice condition.

 

If it's a nice gun and you like it, go for it. It might need some tinkering to get it running smooth or it might not. You could say that about any production grade 1911 though. I'd probably go with Tisas. I have a couple and they've been solid o.o.b. The only things I don't like about them is the ambi safety design and the Cerokote finish they put on most of their line. I'm not a fan of Cerakote on 1911's, just doesn't look right to my old fashioned eyes.

 

A couple friends bought one back in 2016. I was impressed the first time I shot one. I was surprised how soft shooting and accurate it was. Friend 1 hasn’t had a single problem with his, but doesn’t shoot it much. Friend 2 shoots his all the time, sent his back to Remington to address feeding issues, got the pistol back (free of charge) and hasn’t had a problem since.

They both purchased theirs new. Not sure how Remington would handle an issue on a used R1, but if they’ll honor the warranty, then I’d probably purchase it. Otherwise I’d look elsewhere if you’re not capable of tuning the pistol yourself.

 

Looking for a inexpensive 1911. LGS has a used R1S (not enhanced) for around 550 in nice shape. Reviews seem to be mostly positive. Wondering if I'm better off buying a new RIA or Tisas for 400 or so.
Any recommendations appreciated. View attachment 719114

I have one I got on a great Black Friday deal a few years ago. Outside of the usual need to tune the extractor, mine has been flawless.

 

I went with a rock island tactical ii fs and I haven’t had any issues, but I don’t have experience with their stainless finish. You’ll get more features stock with either that or tisas for the money, but I don’t think you’ll go wrong with them or the R1.

 

I was told by a guy who worked at Remington Huntsville, the barrels were made by Lone Wolf. Lone Wolf makes good barrels.

I purchased a Remington R1 after the Company went bankrupt. It is a very good 1911. I would jump on a $500 stainless R1.

 

I was told by a guy who worked at Remington Huntsville, the barrels were made by Lone Wolf. Lone Wolf makes good barrels.

I purchased a Remington R1 after the Company went bankrupt. It is a very good 1911. I would jump on a $500 stainless R1.

They are Storm Lake barrels. There was even a rebate on them at one time where if you bought a new R1, you could get a rebate check or free barrel. Storm Lake was under the same umbrella holding company as Remington.

OP. I have two of them and have been pleased with them.

Just note that the Remington that made them doesn't exist anymore. If are buying the gun, it as is and with zero warranty.

Consider this gun for 599 new from PSA. It's a carbon steel Milspec with extra mags and a carry bag. It is new and will have a warranty.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/springfield-1911-defender-mil-spec-45acp-7rd-5-package-pbd9108l-pkg.html

 

The 1911 R1 was one of the few Remington products I expected to work out of the box during the awful freedom group ownership days of poor quality control. I’d get one for the right price.

 

I had 2 R1’s both Carry Commanders. No issues. Mine were built in Ilion New York. Several friends of mine had R1’s built in Huntsville AL. They both had to send back.
Good Luck! Check out the Magnum Research 1911’s. Awesome pistols for the money.

 

Mine has been great. Very good fit up. It's a shooter.

 

Saw a nice R1, Ilion, NY, at a gun show for 750. However, I couldn't bring myself to spring for the extra coin so I wound up with this for 340:

 

Paid $399 for mine after a $100 cash rebate promotion a few years before the pandemic.
Gifted it to one of my sons three years ago.
Surprisingly nice fit & finish for a basic 1911.
I would jump on that stainless for $500.

 

Paid $399 for mine after a $100 cash rebate promotion a few years before the pandemic.
Gifted it to one of my sons three years ago.
Surprisingly nice fit & finish for a basic 1911.
I would jump on that stainless for $500.
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We were all surprised that Remington was capable of making a decent gun under the Freedom Group.