[Moparmike]

I have looked and did a search, and I know I have seen half a dozen of these threads, but didnt find any. VB must not like the search terms I use.


Anyway, I am looking for a 1911 for under $500, of decent quality, and one that will accept aftermarket mags, a bigger beavertail (if it has a tiny one), and above all else an extended slide release, both legnth and width. The 1911's I tried today (SA GI, 1991-A1, TRP, DW) all had slide releases that came ---><--- that close to giveing me a blister. I have tried Glocks with better releases! :eek: :scrutiny:


This will be a CCW peice, and I would prefer a full-size govt model. I am trying to trade off my Witness 10mm in partial trade for a 1911, and will be checking out another gunstore tomorrow.

Any ideas?

[valor1]

May I suggest the Rock Island Armory 1911's. They got good reviews and I handled them well.

[Amish_Bill]

You should be able to find a Springfield Milspec for about $400.

A Norinco often goes for less, but it's still a good clone of the government model.

[George Hill]

Spring.
Field.

[Maddock]

and above all else an extended slide release, both legnth and width.
Good luck on your quest. The Springfield Mil-Specs and the NRM Colts that I’ve seen lately have looked pretty good.
I would urge you to reconsider the extended slide release. Mucho problems can be avoided by using a best quality STANDARD slide release. The added mass can cause problems with premature lock back and failure to lock back.

[Moparmike]

Yes, but what kind of problems can be had from beating on the slide release with a hammer?;)

[Josey]

I do like the Rock Island. They make a model for about anyones taste or budget. I just looked one over that had all the features you wanted and more.

[BluesBear]

Yes, but what kind of problems can be had from beating on the slide release with a hammer? And why would you need to do this?

If you're testing slide releases in the store make sure you do it with the magazine out of the gun. I don't know how many times i have watched people complain about how stiff the release was while the mag was still there.

Many people advocate using the slingshot method of releasing the slide. I even had one customer who had me machine a slidestop down smooth so it couldn't be used manually. To each his own.

[Majic]

If the empty mag is still in the pistol you are fighting against the magazine spring. Drop the mag and it will be decidely easier.
You should get in the habit of not dropping the slide home under the recoil spring pressure with an empty chamber. You will save the battering the pistol will go thru.
Extended slide lock levers are more trouble than any benefit you may think you are getting.

[Moparmike]

Why is being able to reach the slide release a bad thing?

[farscott]

I have some of the shortest fingers that any grown man has, and I have no issue manipulating the standard slide stop on a 1911 now that I use proper technique. I also tried extended slide stops on two 1911's, and I found three issues: 1) Occasional slide lock with rounds in the magazine, 2) Slide lock not occurring when the magazine is empty, and 3) Broken extended slide stop. I now only use standard slide stops. If you are looking to CCW with an extended slide stop, you may also find some holster fit issues.

As for a quality 1911, I would suggest finding a used Colt 1991, especially a stainless one. You can then use a drop-in Wilson beavertail and slightly bob the hammer spur. With stainless, the only finish work needed is either polishing or bead blasting. If you are a careful shopper more concerned with function than appearance, you should be able to find a pistol that does not look good but can be made to go bang every time for very little.

My personal best for a stainless NRM 1991 was $250, but that pistol needed some work (mostly a detail strip, cleaning, new hammer, new sear, new Series 80 safety lever, and new springs) to function properly due to some "smithing" by the previous owner (he admitted he "ruined it"). My total investment in that pistol was less than $400 by the time I had it running. I have seen several others in the $400 range, mostly the ones with the big "COLT 1991A1" rollmark. They are not pretty, but they are functional.

[ruger357]

Springfield GI.

[FlyinGN]

Armscor!!! I love mine! NOT one problem and it shoots it's butt off!

[FlyinGN]

Armscor!!! I love mine! NOT one problem and it shoots it's butt off!

http://www.hunt101.com/img/174122.jpg

[BluesBear]

While a Springfield GI is a good sturdy gun, I believe the added features of the Colt NRM makes it worth the slightly higher price.

The Colt NRM has a lowered ejection port. Springfield GI does not.
The Colt NRM has a beveled magazine well. Springfield GI does not.
Springfield GI has a titanium firing pin. Colt does not.
Springfield GI has a lawyer lock in the mainspring housing. Colt NRM does not.
Springfield GI has tiny GI sights. Colt NRM has 3-dot sights.

[Gunsnrovers]

Springfield Milspec is $479 here in the PRK. Springfield GI is $399.

[halvey]

Colt 1991A1. I've seen used ORM's for under $400.

[Al Thompson]

Why is being able to reach the slide release a bad thing?


Sometimes you reach it when you don't want to. :)

For speed reloads, your off hand "should" do most of the work.

If you have a Glock in your battery, I'd make sling shotting the slide a standard on all my autos. :) Especially if you carry one at work or for defensive purposes.

[hillbilly]

At Ozark Sportsman Supply in Tontitown, the walking out the door price, taxes, everything, on a Springfield WWII model is $465.

Saw them last week.

hillbilly

[mpthole]

After reading Tuner's review of the SA Milspec, I doubt that you could go wrong with it. Myself... I've been very pleased with my Rock Island. With some fine tuning (thanks again Tuner!) and a King's Grip Safety (not shown in picture), its now my favorite pistol to shoot! In fact, I like it better than the SA Loaded model I just picked up.

http://home.att.net/~mpthole/images/RIAback_640.jpg

[Correia]

When I do speed reloads from slide lock, I use my left thumb to hit the slide release. Bring hand up with mag in it, slam into gun, left them drops release while resuming firing grip. You don't have to shift your grip to do this. Your off hand is already right there anyway. There you go.

[Sean Smith]

Why is being able to reach the slide release a bad thing?

It isn't. The problem is that the extended slide releases on 1911s tend to not be as reliable as the standard models.

[Wildalaska]

Hell ya want a NRM...call me...but please dont hurt it with an extended slide stop.

WildgrrrAlaska

[Moparmike]

I would like that WA, but shipping to AR might be expensive. Do you have a market for a Witness 10mm?;)


I meant to go to Ozark Sportsman Supply today, but I will tomorrow Hillbilly. Thanks for the tip.

[DMF]

If you're looking at the GI .45 from Springfield, I urge you to consider the Mil-Spec instead. IMHO, the beveled magwell, 3 dot sights, and lowered ejection port are worth the additional $70.

[patriot9]

Springfield Mil-Spec, with only one problem. I have the "bite scar" on the webbing of my hand from trigger bite. The standard grip safety is longer than the GI, but I need a longer, semi-beavertail, that is parkerized. Then it would be perfect for me, and still well under $500.
I know, I know, if I held it tighter, it wouldn't happen. Well, too late. It did, and still does.
Anyone know of a source for a parkerized semi-beavertail?

[George Hill]

You mean "Hammer Bite"?

[cracked butt]

If you are reloading the pistol, Why not just rack the slide? You'll be using gross muscle movements rather than fine movements- the slide is very easy to find with your hand when the clock is ticking versus having to feel around for a tiny lever to close the slide.

Just my $.02 worth

:cool:

[Delmar]

Moparmike-check your PM's

[jAK-47]

Although I don't own a 1911 (YET), I was always taught to chamber a round using the "slingshot" method. Supposedly, it better mimics what the gun does when a round is fired. If you depress the slide stop you're not chambering a round as "aggressively" and in some guns, it can cause problems.

Also, in IDPA or life-threatening situations it's better to use two fingers than one. Slam the mag home and grab onto the back of the slide (that's what the grooves are for) and let it fly. You can do it while bringing the gun up to acquire your target too.

Just my 2 cents,
jAK-47 (gotta get a 1911):D

[camaroman]

Another vote for RIA. I have had one for over a year. I bought it used and trust me it was USED! I will be buying a RIA compact soon.

MPTHOLE:

What all did you do to tune your RIA? (Nice pic btw.) I worked mine over with the dremel, she really sings now! Also added WC hammer, WC beavertail, WC sear spring, and CMC trigger. The only reliability issues were from a worn out sear spring and recoil spring.


Hey look my first post :cool:

-D

[mpthole]

patriot9 said: I have the "bite scar" on the webbing of my hand from trigger bite.
George already made the correction with "Hammer Bite", but it may also be the grip safety causing the problem and not the hammer. My "temporary" solution was to install a drop in King's Grip Safety. I had to relieved the top of it so the hammer wouldn't ding it so bad. It doesn't look the best, but it sure works well!

camaroman: The only real issue I had with my RIA was the barrel link pin would fall out when I was cleaning the gun. I was able to have a good friend install a new one. (Here's a link to that thread) (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63612)
Other than that and the King's Grip Safety, I haven't done a thing to the pistol.

It shoots point-of-aim and I almost every shot is touching each other when I do my part. The trigger pull is about 3 and 3/4 lbs. I've got close to 1,000 rounds through it and it still functions great (with ball ammo)!

I have not installed any new springs or parts other than that barrel link pin and the grip safety.

YMMV. :)

[unreal45]

Another vote for a springer milspec.
I would not get the GI because of its small sights.
The milspec also has a lowerd ejection port.
Springers are the best bang for the buck IMHO

[camaroman]

mpthole: I was shocked the first time I shot it, I was expecting descent but not shots touching each other. I start playing a game at the range, shooting in that half dollar sized hole the first 10 rnds made. After a lil grinding and polishing she functions slicker than owl crap (and from my last deer hunt, thats slick!) I have an afinity for Springfield and Para, but I will never sell my RIA. BTW, the RIA is quite suitable for the .460 Roland conversion!


Happy Shooting All

[Correia]

On the slide release vs. the sling shot. Use what works better for you. I find hitting the slide release with my off thumb immediatly after doing the reload, and getting my shooting grip is faster, but a good friend of mine who posts on this board who I shoot with all of the time uses the sling shot method, and he is a Master class shooter. So try both. Pick the one you like the best and practice the heck out of it.

[Cameron Lamont]

Could you borrow the extra $49 off a mate and buy the best darn .45 out there?

Colt Government Model

http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/CameronLamont/Colt_Govt_Left_Slim_Grips2.jpg

Regards,
Cameron

[waktasz]

I have found that my sweaty ass hands make the slingshot method much harder. If TSHTF I think I will be dripping sweat, kinda like last week's IDPA indoor match where I could barely get a hold of my slide it was so damn hot.

[russlate]

Pardon me but what does NRM stand for?

Thanks in advance for enlightening me. I've been away a while.

[BluesBear]

NRM = New Roll Mark

The recent Colt 1991A1 nicer, more vintage looking slide markings instead of the huge 1991A1 marking of the originals.

[Uncle Don]

I just picked up an Armscor 45 for simple plinking. At $369, I didn't expect much but was very pleasantly surprised. I've had only about 300 rounds through it so far but it hasn't hickup'd even once and at 50' offhand, I put 26 out of 30 rounds in the black of a B-16 target. No regrets at all and it keeps up with my Glock 30 without any problem.

[Jacobus Rex]

I'll have to say that like several others, I think the Springfield Milspec is a good way to go. You could change out the slidestop if you wanted. I bought a new one for less than $400. It has been a great gun. Shooting a little low is the only "problem" that I've had.