Choosing Your First 1911

Xavier Thoughts aka Nurse With a Gun ^ | 7-27-08 | Xavier

[Bodhi1]

The first problem of choosing a 1911 is narrowing down the field of bewildering candidates. It's a process of elimination. The 1911 performs many shooting tasks extremely well, but it is often modified from it's basic format to perform some better than others. Knowing your reasons for wanting a 1911 as well as your intended purpose for it's use can narrow the field of candidates quickly.

Do you want the 1911 to have one in your collection? Yes, that's a valid reason. Do you admire the tradition and the history? Another valid reason. If these are your reasons, then a military styled 1911 is your meat. Look for parkerized Government Models with small fixed sights a lanyard loop and high ejection ports. In order of expense, these include: Rock Island Armory, Springfield, Colt, and genuine GI guns. Each of these manufacturers make a GI styled 1911, and they will float your boat if you want a GI styled 1911. Such a pistol will serve admirably as a carry gun, although the finish must be oiled, the sights are small, and it requires a bit more effort in concealment.

[edpc]

Personally, I have a full-sized Springfield 1911A1 and a compact Kimber. However, if someone wanted to try a 1911 style .45 and didn't want to spend a lot of money, I'd suggest the Taurus PT 1911. It's a decent quality gun with lots of features found on custom guns. Best of all, it's not a wallet buster at $600.

[sig226]

We’ve been selling a respectable number of those, and we generally don’t stock Taurus automatics because the owner of the store got tired of paying overnight freight to return them when they broke. These are well made and the customers like them. The stainless one is under $700.00.

[sig226]

I’m seriously considering starting a daily firearm thread. I already run one daily, though, so two of them is a bit much. It would work if 5 or 7 people did it and each took an assigned day. Topic: whatever you found noteworthy, as long as it’s related to firearms. Interested?

[bmwcyle]

Buying less expensive guns can be a problem. My Taurus PT 99 9MM took new springs after 20 years. It is still one of the best firing guns I own. You should fire high quality guns to know how well a gun can fire. Then if you buy a less expensive gun, you will know to return a lemon. I have not had to do that yet.

[tcostell]

I don't know ... I'm not much of a pistolier, but I've had really great luck with other low priced guns.

My Stoeger 2000 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun is as fast cycling and reliable as any gun I own. I have a Mossberg Silver Reserve O/U that I've put 15,000 rounds through without a hitch and still closes tight. Just this past weekend I shot two 24's and a 23 with it.

And my main "practice rifle" is a Moisin Nagant model 91 that will put 5 shots in 2 inches at 100 yards. Not a one of those guns cost me more than $400 with the taxes and fees included, and I've never had a problem.

[Shooter 2.5]

Have you decided on what you want to do already?

I noticed your interest in Glocks sort of waned.

[bmwcyle]

Dead is dead, if you can hit the target in the black with a Romanian AK-47 with a Aimshot $125.00 site, mission accomplished.

[Shooter 2.5]

I’m finally set with my 1911’s. I was looking for a standard full sized Government and the stainless Taurus seems to do the job. I was a little disappointed when I found the stainless was in a Matte finish and the writing made it impossible to polish. I did notice I could polish the frame.

The new grips should be in about two weeks.

There’s a sharp corner on the right side of the grip safety that has to be taken care of. It took a slice out of my hand on Saturday. The tang has to be lowered anyway. I’ll do that when I get the grips.

I’m really happy with the sights which are dead at IDPA distances.

I’ll try posting a picture of the pistol when I get the grips.

[P8riot]

I have 26 1911s at last count, but my favorite is a stainless Springfield .45ACP Champion modified in 1997 by the late Joe Bonar of Novak's in WV. I have several high end 1911s from Wilson, Les Baer, STI, etc..., but not a one of them aims and shoots as well as my Bonar Champion.

For a first time 1911 buyer, I would have to agree that the Taurus is an excellent pistol, with many really nice custom features that you would pay extra for otherwise. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the stupid integral lock that they placed on the hammer, but I'm sure that if you wanted to it could be replaced with a non-locking hammer.

[B4Ranch]

If you can get the idea up and off the ground I have an excellent link for you, Jim March's Revolver Checkout

[TexasRepublic]

I wanted the best 1911 money could buy, without paying beyond that. I bought a hard chromed Les Baer custom 1911. Some of their models will group 1 1/2 inches at 50 yards. Even some rifles can’t shoot 3 minutes of angle!

[sig226]

Want to take a day?

[Shooter 2.5]

I’m thinking of a ittle red Lok-Tite on that hammer lock.

That Champion I have is pretty cool. It was a gift from my son.

Post some pictures of your’s when you get a chance.

[Shooter 2.5]

I would settle for some nice gun pictures on Friday if someone wanted to get it going.

The rest of the week is swamped by just the threads from the bang list.

[P8riot]

You mean like this?

[P8riot]

I’ll post more when I get home, but right now I’m on the road (so to speak).

[JMJJR]

Huh ?

there are other brands besides Colt ?

;)

[Shooter 2.5]

I can’t see any ports. Is it a V-10?

what work was done to it?

[P8riot]

Nope not into ported pistols.

Here is what is on the work order:

Conceal carry Pkg
Novak sight Pkg
ghost rear double dot night sight
match bushing
crown bbl
Reliability Pkg
Carry bevel Pkg
Videki trigger
Trigger job
Extended grip safety
Extended thumb safety
Sighted in with 230 gr JHPs at 25yds