[Lennyjoe]

Tomorrow is #38 for me and I was thinking of spoiling myself.

Im in the market for a 1911.

Never owned one.

I am open to suggestions for a first time owner of a 1911.

Most likely gonna use it to replace the G19 for CCW.

From looking around I have been impressed by the SA Champion and the S&W 1911.

So, should I start with a mil spec or go all out?

I have been holding onto $650 in cash waiting for the 1911.

[hillbilly]

I say go all out.

I own a Springfield Loaded model.

Kimber also makes good products.

The extras you want will be as follows:

1) Extended beaver tail on the back strap to protect your hand from beng "bitten" by the hammer.

2) Extended saftey that's easier to reach with your thumb.

3) Good sights.

All the other stuff---press check serrations, checkering, extended slide release, beveled magazine well, that's all nice, and up to you to choose.

But you really want your hand protected from hammer bite, the safety easy to use and find by feel alone and good sights.

Kimber, Springfield, Dan Wesson, Smith and Wesson, Colt, Wilson Combat and many other companies make 1911s with those three features and many more.

I own the Sprinfield and have a real urge to get a Kimber Ultra Carry II now.

The first time I shot mine on my pistol range, all I could say was "What took me so long to get one of these things???"

hillbilly

[SAG0282]

1) Happy Birthday :)

2) I recommend a SIG GSR

[Black Majik]

For $650 go for a Colt NRM Government (New RollMark)

For all out, go Valtro! :D

[ReadyontheRight]

Check out the Dan Wesson Patriot Expert (adjustable sights) or Marksman (fixed sights).

http://www.1911forum.com/dw_001_01.shtml

[ReadyontheRight]

And Happy Birthday!

FWIW -- www.AIMSurplus.com has used police return Colt Model 80s in stainless for less than $500 right now. You could buy one of those and have a gunsmith build it into a competition 1911 for you.

[Dobe]

Colt, Springfield, or Kimber will serve you well. I have been happiest with Kimber. For the money, I personally believe that you get the most, assuming that you want the same thing in a 1911 that Kimber offers.

Welcome to the 1911 world.
You'll enjoy it.
Dobe

[WhoKnowsWho]

Happy Birthday!

I just saw the new CDNN catalog and they have a deal on Dan Wesson Pointman Major pistols, but they have adjustable sights which would not work with CCW. They also have some SA pistols that are tempting.

For $650, you can't really go wrong with everything in that price range. SA, Dan Wesson, Colt, and Kimber being the main ones without going into the sky high prices and the low great deal prices like Rock Island.

A no frills Mil Spec with good sights will feel just as good in your hand as an all out model, as long as you like the short trigger (feels good to me), and don't get hammer bite (I don't). It's really a toss up, once you get one type, you will probably want the other type afterwards anyways.

[The Real Hawkeye]

The Springfield Loaded Champion is a good choice. Springfield is doing a really nice job lately. Don't go with anything with a berrel shorter than four inches on a 1911. They are the ones that most people have reliabilty problems with, and even if you get one that works well, it will require more frequent replacement of the recoil spring to keep it working. The Chamion is a good choice, in that price range, for a CCW. Happy birthday.

[Lennyjoe]

Lot of good choices offered.

Forgot to add, Im a lefty so an ambi safety is a must.

[withawhat]

I just purchased a Dan Wesson Patriot Marksman as my first 1911. Awsome to shoot nad from what I hear Dan Wessons customer service is great.

[10mmshooter]

I'm not too sure of what company makes a 1911 with an ambi-safety as standard equipment, but I will chime in here with another vote for a Dan Wesson.
I have a Pointman Major in 10mm, and I absolutely love it! I predict another Dan Wesson 1911 in my very near future.:D

[Sean Smith]

I don't *think* any 1911s at that price point have ambi safeties. Except maybe some third world slag gun. But with the $100 you'd have left over you could have one added to a Colt.

With that in mind: Colt Commander 04691.

[PCRCCW]

Most SA Loaded's Ive seen around here have the ambi safety's. Id probably recommend them slightly less than a Kimber...but they are close enough that its gun dependent. Find a tight fit in the barrel/frame/slide and a trigger that you like and snag it..................Happy Bday.......Shoot well.

[Shmackey]

That's enough $$$ to start out nicely. Two things for you to decide first of all:

(1) Do you want it to be classic (old-school grip safety, spur or ring hammer, etc.) or do you want it to be modern (beavertail, skeleton hammer, etc.)?

(2) What size? Gov't makes a lot of sense for a first 1911, but not everyone can CCW a Gov't. I see that you're looking at one Commander-style model and one Gov't-style model. Note that a real Colt Commander is 0.25" longer in the barrel than a Springer or Kimber compact.

Once you decide those two things, you narrow down your choices quite a bit. I guess there's a third question: are you willing to (or do you *want* to) get some custom work done, or just use it as-is? If custom, then the new Colts are the hands-down favorite. If you want a modern 1911 and no custom work--and you're willing to put up with less-than-the-best parts--then the usual suspects from Kimber and Springer make a lot of sense.

[Ala Dan]

Happy Birthday Lennyjoe-

Why not celebrate with a

Springfield TRP?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[M2 Carbine]

The Kimber Ultra Carry is in the $600 price range.
The Ultra's are my carry guns.
A couple friends and I have over a dozen Kimbers that have been 100% fine guns.

If you want an Officer's Model size and steel frame, the Kimber Compact Custom is a good one. (my first Kimber but too heavy for me to carry)

I've got an original government 1911A1 but that's also too big to carry. (paid $17 for it new :D )

If you have $600 to spend I would get as nice a 1911 type as I could.
I wouldn't get a $400 "cheaper" gun.

I'm sure the other brands, beside Kimber have some good reliable 45's, I just don't have any experience with them.:)

[BHPshooter]

I know nothing about 1911s, so I have nothing useful to add... but...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Wes

[Skunkabilly]

Something in .38 Super?

[mrapathy2000]

I second the Sig GSR

[Lennyjoe]

Im kinda partial to the Champion.

Kimber seems ok, just dont like them as much as the SA Champion.

Gonna go out fondling some more this weekend

[Stasher1]

I second the Sig GSR

They're a good bit more than $650. My local dealer (who usually has pretty good prices) has one in the case for $899.