[zahc]

I just have to have one. What kind do I need? Are they reliable? Do you have to buy a custom or have work done to make them reliable? Can you buy used ones? I just want to have one because I've never shot one.

(and in 3 years, I can fire it!)

[varoadking]

Parole? :neener:

FWIW - I've owner five 1911's. I currently own none. I'm much happier now...

[zahc]

please elaborate.

Yeah, till I'm 21.

[Sean Smith]

What kind do I need?

Any kind you want. :D
I'd suggest starting with a Colt, Kimber or SA.

Are they reliable?

Avoid junk brands and you should be fine.

Do you have to buy a custom or have work done to make them reliable?

No. If it doesn't work out of the box, have it fixed under warranty like anything else.

Can you buy used ones?

Sure.

I just want to have one because I've never shot one.

Shoot first, spend later.

[ARperson]

What kind do I need?

What are you going to be using it for?

Are they reliable?
Yes. But, as with any type of firearm, you generally get what you pay for. Though this doesn't always hold true, it's a general rule to keep in mind when you're thinking about the $300 1911 and wondering why all the other "name brands" are running $600 give or take minimum. Buy right, or buy twice. And there's also the issue of eating ammo. Some ammo doesn't work as well in some firearms, and then there are some firearms that will eat any kind of ammo you put in it.

Do you have to buy a custom or have work done to make them reliable?

Only if you buy the crap model to start with. Most of the better models/brands of the 1911 are good shooters out of the box. I have personal experience with Springfield and Kimber. Just sold the Springfield to help finance another Kimber. And, no, not all Kimber models are super expensive. They have models that comp in price to Springfield and Colt; don't let anybody fool ya. But you don't have to sink another $500 into a 1911 to make it a good shooter either, if you buy smart the first time.

Can you buy used ones?
Of course. There's always a few concerns with buying used, but that doesn't mean there aren't good deals out there.

[10-Ring]

I've shot a bunch & owned a couple, I currently own none...but every once & a while, I'm tempted to buy another :rolleyes: There's just something about them, I guess :scrutiny:

[Siggyboy]

Uhm, yes and no.

Check out the 1911 forum where these questions are pondered indefinately.

[Theophorus]

I am currently waiting for my first 1911 to be ready for ship as we speak. After much consternation I finally figured that the Ed Brown Kobra in stainless was the best fit for me. When you get into the high-mdrange custom pistols alot of it becomes a matter of preference. My choice were narrowed to be between a Wilson Combat Protector (stainless) and the Ed Brown Kobra (stainless). The finish on the Kobra was much more appealing to me as was the lack of frontal slide serrations. I also liked the uniqueness of the Snakeskin treatment. :-) Anyway, you will hear good and bad about every gun. Just do your best to carefully weigh out your options.

Anxious, Theo :-)

[Tomac]

Zahc, you can research 1911's here: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/index.php?s=
Check out the Rock Island Armory milspec 1911. Current dealer price is $299 and despite what those who've never owned one may say it's proven to be an exceptional value for a basic entry-level .45: accurate, reliable, good trigger & hard-chromed barrel (inside and out). Mine's been through 500rds w/o a bobble and all I did was change the recoil spring from the factory 16 lb to a Wilson 18 lb (other changes had nothing to do with functioning: grips & sights). Yes, you can pay *lots* more for a "name brand" .45 but that doesn't guarantee reliability/quality (check out the various "name-brand" forums for their problems). *Any* .45, regardless of mfgr, may need a little TLC to reach its best reliability and regardless of which one you finally choose be sure to buy quality mags & ammo!
HTH, keep us posted...
Tomac

[Black Snowman]

The RIA looks intriguing, I don't know if any of my local shops carry one. Do they have a website? Google turned up nothing. Any online sources?

[jercamp45]

I shot my first in 1976, got my first in 1977....'bout your age(17). Since then I have owned alot of 1911's, and tried all the other various makers of other calibers and syles of semi auto and wheel guns..looking for something that did the job better. 27 years later..I own only 1911's (well, a airweight Jay frame for BUG pocket carry too).
The Rock Island does indeed seem to get fair marks. They are a pretty fair value by all appearaces, but very rough. The same goes for the Griffon and Charles Daly...but in the same price range you can get a Sistema(Argentina made Colt 1911A1 from JLD enterprise...(www.cruffler.com) that is arsenal refinished.
Personally I think I would try to take it to the medium level if I was considering a life long investment and look at the Colt 1991A1's(I have owned three and they were all reliable and accurate enough). With the Colt you know you have a life long friend with a most interesting history. You can shoot it alot, study to see what you really need to modify it(Keep It Simple Sweetie...I have one that has all the bells and whistles of late 70's IPSC mods and I seldom take it out of the safe. It is reliable, but seems too complicated for SD). Reliability first (means good mags...Wilson's are Numero Uno in my book), good sights and trigger second. I like the extended thumb safety for easier manipulation under stress and the humped upswept beavertail to get a higher grip to better control recoil. My large hands feel better with a long trigger and flat mainspring housing..but these latter things are personal preference for fit and feel.
Skateboard tape on the front grip strap is a wonderful thing! Rubber grips suck..they trap moisture which causes rust, grab your concealing garment which can print, and it is hard to change your grip on rubber's.
Two ways to shoot it cheaply.....
One: Speer makes plastic bullets that use the primer to propell the projectile quite accurately out of an otherwise empty case. It will go through both sides of a carboard box...and try to feed them via the magazine..as loading any round through the ejection port is hard on the extractor tension-a most important part for reliability.
Two: .22 conversion unit. Marvel makes the best for accuracy. Ciener is ok as a learning/plinking tool. Kimber and Wilson kits are Cieners with a fancy name that you pay more for.
Also suggest buying a quality piston pellet gun...Webly Tempest. When I was a young Jarhead of 18, I had trouble buying handgun ammo(broke and under 21)...so the .22 conversion unit, plastic bullets and pellet pistol were quite handy. But I also learned to find a reloader and visit indoor pistol ranges....I can get 150 rounds of ammo for practise and 50 might fall into my shooting bag(Ooops!)
Oh, and when you are ready to buy leather...get a quality rig, it'll save you money in the long run. I personally would order all my stuff from Milt Sparks, which does not cost any more than most of the production companies. www.raftersleather.com has some interesting basic stuff...I'd say get horsehide generally, but shark is supposed to be good too. A thick gun belt first, OWB, mag pouch and IWB next. You can conceal the Gov't quite well.
If some interesting temporal alnomalty transported me back to 18, this is what I'd tell myself. Get a Quality Government .45 and put the rest of your money into learning it, shooting it, training, leather, reloading gear. Later get a smaller lightweight version of the same gun for daily carry and when you can afford it, a fancier target/competition gun.
The handgun is the tool of last resort. You want total familiarity with it when life gets interesting and it has to be with you...preferably in the same place all the time.
The shoulder gun is the mission specific and can be changed as requirements dictates. But for your final option, you want something that IS an extension of your hand!
All the website above...1911.org, the site 1911 page, 1911 foruns are all great places to get info as are these wonderful pages on THR.
Some points to ponder...hope it helps
Jercamp45

[Tomac]

Black Snowman, check here ($319): http://www.tdwsales.com/page/page/778575.htm
or do a search for Rock Island at http://www.gunsamerica.com
The Armscor website is: http://www.armscor.com.ph/armscor/index2.htm
HTH...
Tomac

[denfoote]

The answer to all your questions can be summed up in two words: Springfield Armory!!!

www.springfieldarmory.com

[ruger357]

I have had great luck with my Sprinfield GI-Milspec so far. Fit and finish is also great.

[SirVette]

I just want to have one because I've never shot one.
zahc

Shoot first, spend later.
Sean Smith

Exactly. You need to learn more, handle a few guns, then decide.

DA recommended.

[SirVette]

Sometimes "ya can't teach an old dog new tricks."

2 Colts

[zahc]

Exactly. You need to learn more, handle a few guns, then decide. DA recommended.

Double action? I already have 2 of those, an HK USP and a S&W, both DA, both .45.

[Mil Novecientos Once]

Read all the info from these web sites. They'll have an answer for all your questions:

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/index.html

http://www.sightm1911.com/

http://www.m1911.org/m1911dt.htm

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/index.php?s=

Here is my SA PX9109L
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=483827