My First 1911

I despise GI sights.

If I were in the market for a classy old school 1911 I've got a pretty short list.

I like the looks of the Cinamaron in high polish.

I like the modern touches of the CZ.

There's always something to be said for a Colt.

The Springer would be considered if I came across a good deal on one. I like the greenish finish for some reason.

I recently decided that I wanted a 1911. On a somewhat budget, but still wanting something with quality, I was looking at either the Springfield Mil Spec or the Remington R1. But the Ruger SR1911 kept popping up on web sites I visited, and after shooting a demo, this was my choice. Great shooter.

deputy tom said:

The "sweetheart grips" are a nice touch. tom.

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Thanks. I gave that gun to my father a few years ago, after my mother passed away. I had the sweetheart grips made for it, the pictures in the grips are from when my parents were dating, in the summer of 1961.

The Fusion is a good pistol. I have a Government GI in 9mm.

Nothing wrong with the Remington R1 1911, in spite of the troubles they’ve had with some of their other models. Paid $399 for my new one in ‘17 when they had the cash rebate promotion. Fit & finish are very good for a bargain basic 1911.

My first 1911 was grampa's post WW1. Stupidly sold it and then 40 years later bought a Remington R1 milspec. Never shot it and traded it for a Beretta M9A3.
I did own a Para Ordinance double stack about 8 years ago (forgot about that) , nothing I would recommend.
I think stick with Colt, Kimber or RIA, Springfield, even an R1.
Whatever the price, once you start tricking it out you'll probably invest 2 or 3 times what you paid for it but you only live once.

cfullgraf

I also replaced the Auto Ordinance barrel along the way with a used Colt Mark IV, Series 70 barrel and accuracy improved.

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I use to have a complete Colt National Match barrel (barrel, bushing, link, and link pin), that I picked up at a local gun shop. I could literally drop it into any Colt 1911 I had and it made that gun surprisingly accurate, even if it wasn't before.

LRDGCO said:

I fully support a 1911 A1 look alike, except for two things: sights and feed ramp.

1911 Govt sights are useless. Fine for shooting people at 10 feet, but ideal with which to break from tradition.

My father's 1943 made Navy issue 1911 will feed 230 grs hardball, and nothing else.

Value for money, RIA does a government issue with adjustable sights and it feeds anything I've thrown at it.

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I've had better luck with my Rem-Rand, 1943, which handled my SWC reloads nicely. Of course, i didn't shoot a large amount due to its age.
Been several years now, about time to give it another run.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

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Check out Fusion Arms Freedom Government Model. These are made right down the street from me in Venice, FL and Ive heard nothing but good things from the folks who have one. If I didnt already have a mint vintage Colt, Id snatch one up in a heartbeat!
https://www.fusionfirearms.com/freedom-series-government-gi

Msrp is $695!

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First I've heard of it....love the look and description. Went to web site and they only list 9mm. Guess 45's selling good. Thanks for info.

I just got my first 1911 yesterday. It is the Remington 1911 CARRY model. I got it from Buds for $596. I am going to take it down and clean it tomorrow, honey do's pending. I am going to my club on Monday to avoid the weekend crowd. I had a S&W M&P Compact since 2012, and it was just ok. I should have bought a 1911 first, because I have always liked the traditional MADE IN USA look.

Buds used to sell Tisas 1911's from Turkey. I don't know if they still do. Mine was my first 1911 and cost $399 plus shipping, IIRC. It functions very well, but the GI sights and my middle-aged eyes limit its accuracy for me.

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I shoot my RIA double-stack better, due to its larger sights. It cost me something in the low $400's.

Al-jim19 said:

So I checked out an auto ordnance today:

Dear god the GI sights are tough.

That leaves me with a few new ponderings:

1. Can you easily replace the sights on an auto ordnance 1911? By easily I mean pay a sum for whatever new sights I choose and have them done by my gunsmith while I wait for his $20 fee. Would probably go with standard 3 dot sights or just higher profile, wider black sights, possibly touched up with bright nail polish.

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As you've no doubt noticed, the AO front sight is not in a dovetail, it is a staked tenon. Your sight options will be limited to those that use a tenon, and without modification, those that have the same tenon size as the AO (I don't know what size they use). It's not a Glock. Chances are if you find the sight you want that fits the AO, it's probably not a $20 job, think more.

2. How much better practically is the colt S70 government than the AO? How much more functional is the Springfield Mil-Spec than the AO? After more research I really have narrowed it down to those three.

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The Colt sights will be taller, and the front sight is a tenon, but they are also all black. However, I think they use the same tenon as the Series 80, which uses basically the same sights as the Series 70, but with white dots, so that replacement should be pretty straightforward. If you want night sights, that's a different story.

The Mil-Spec already has three dot sights.

Al-jim19 said:

1. Can you easily replace the sights on an auto ordnance 1911? By easily I mean pay a sum for whatever new sights I choose and have them done by my gunsmith while I wait for his $20 fee. Would probably go with standard 3 dot sights or just higher profile, wider black sights, possibly touched up with bright nail polish.

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There used to be an adjustable sight that would fit a Government dovetail in a 45 ACP slide and use the small front sight. The first company that made them was MMC but the rights have been sold a time or two since they first came out in the late 1980s. I've purchased the original MMC version and one or two of the more recent manufacturers but I do not remember the manufacturer's name. It has been 15 hears or so since I last purchased one of these.

If they are still available, they make a nice sight.

Different fixed sights are available but the installation of the front sight does require the correct tool to stake the sight in place.

cfullgraf said:

There used to be an adjustable sight that would fit a Government dovetail in a 45 ACP slide and use the small front sight. The first company that made them was MMC but the rights have been sold a time or two since they first came out in the late 1980s. I've purchased the original MMC version and one or two of the more recent manufacturers but I do not remember the manufacturer's name. It has been 15 hears or so since I last purchased one of these.

If they are still available, they make a nice sight.

Different fixed sights are available but the installation of the front sight does require the correct tool to stake the sight in place.

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LPA made (might still) an adjustable rear that fit a GI dovetail and worked with the standard tiny front. I've had one on a old Franked-1911 for awhile now. It works well, very precise, just not a real fast sight picture to acquire. It also feels a little flimsy, but has been banged around, in and out of holsters and generally beat on and hasn't broken or lost adjustment.

gotboostvr said:

LPA made (might still) an adjustable rear that fit a GI dovetail and worked with the standard tiny front.

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Yes, the last of these adjustable sights I bought were marketed/manufactured by LPA. Thanks.

OP:

Smith & Wesson E-Series 1911s is a good quality gun in the neighborhood of your price range.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw1911-e-series

SW1911 E-Series at Buds $840
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...cts_id/71978/s&w+sw1911+e-series+8+1+45acp+5"

I own two SW1911s (Stainless GM 5" and candium LtWt Cdr). Good quality and about the best bang/buck out there.

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With just a tiny bit more cash outlay, the Colt Competition guns are do-able. They are a lot of gun for your dollars and have great sights. And total outlay will cost less than buying a basic govt model 1911 and getting adjustable sights installed.

https://www.colt.com/series/COMPETITION_SERIES

Stainless .45 at Buds $950
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...t+competition+1911+series+70+government+model

Blued about $50 less than stainless, 9mm about $50 less than .45ACP.


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Good luck.

cfullgraf

My Colt Custom Gun Shop Combat Commander came with an MMC rear sight. Even with the small front sight it's still a much better sight picture than the one you have with the factory rear sight. Very quick and easy to acquire a good sight picture and capable of some surprisingly decent accuracy.

See you have made a decision. Enjoy!

My first carry pistol was a LW Commander.
A local Smith gave it a throat job and checked (basically blueprinted) some other stuff to make sure it would function. 200 gr Flying Ashtrays cycled like nothing. My point is, buy what you want and someone who has a clue how these work (not a hack artist) can take care of any details.