first handgun purchase

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Spike_akers

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Richmond VA
first i'd like to say im new around here and so far it looks like a great place. im turning 21 in the next few months and im determined to purchase my first handgun (not first one ever, just first owned by myself.) and had a few questions for you guys.

first off as this will be my first firearm purchase from a shop (first firearm not handed down, or bought privately) what in Virginia, what would i need with me to make the purchase? i know i will need two proofs of identity, but what can i use for them? drivers license obviously, but what else? and is there a waiting period in Virginia for handguns?

also, what are some good shops in the richmond area that have a large selection? im interested in the taurus PT1911, or any decent 1911 under $700 as i have the most experience with 1911s and i like their feel better than other handguns i've used. any opinions besides the taurus?

and for my last question. is there a good range in the area? i would hate to have to go out to my dads in deerfield every time i want to shoot

anyway, thanks in advance for any help.
 
As for the 1911 under $700, Springfield Armory has their GI models that were around the $500-600 mark (not sure on current pricing). I believe their Range Officer goes for around $800.

I'm not really a 1911 guy, but when I was tempted, SA was the only brand I was looking at. Check on Remington R1 prices too, they may be in your range.
 
I like my Rock Island 1911. Should be available for much less than $700.
 
Your get a lot of features with the Taurus . That means quite a bit IF you want those features. (many do). My personal experience has been with three of them , one range gun, and two that friends carry. All shot and functioned well.

RIA has a good reputation for lower priced guns. They also offer some basic and some enhanced versions. Seldom a complaint .

I have owned several 1911's by Colt , Detonic's, Para Ordenance, Remington Rand, etc. Most were very good guns . Detonic's was the lemon of the bunch.
I presently own an American Classic (Metro) in a Commander size . It has good features, including sights, beavertail grip safety, etc. Fit and finish on mine is very good, function has been flawless, and accuracy above average. Not bad for a cheaper end gun and I wouln'r hesitate buying another.

Overall the field is pretty darn good for 1911's and Remington as well as Ruger, and Springfield, make a quality example at mid range prices
 
what about the Colt 1991? ive seen them rather cheap, but to be honest a cheap colt scares me. i havent heard enough about then to consider buying one though
 
As far as I know, in VA you will only need your driver's license with current address. The NICs check will take care of the other concerns unless you don't fill out Form 4473 properly.
 
I would like to suggest you look at like new, used guns, since the 1911 is not usually a high capacity handgun it is likely a relatively slow seller at this point and some people may be trading them in so they can buy the in demand high capacity guns due to fear of a ban.
 
what about the Colt 1991? ive seen them rather cheap, but to be honest a cheap colt scares me.

The Colt 1991 is a better pistol than every other one that's been mentioned in this thread so far.

The quality is the same as every other mass-produced Colt (which is to say excellent), it just doesn't have as many features as their other pistols, and was originally introduced to meet a lower price point.
 
The Colt 1991 is a better pistol than every other one that's been mentioned in this thread so far.

The quality is the same as every other mass-produced Colt (which is to say excellent), it just doesn't have as many features as their other pistols, and was originally introduced to meet a lower price point.
im not arguing with you, but i've heard that the QC on the 1991 isnt very good.. so you could get a lemon more often.. i dont really know though...
 
RIA, STI, Taurus, American Classic, and I'm sure there's more but that's all I could think of off the top off my head under 700 new.

Taurus has a stainless model, American classic has a Hard chrome, STI probably has one of the better guns for the guns and RIA makes great guns and are probably the cheapest.
 
are there regional boards here? i cant seem to find them.. and i was thinking the same thing about trade in.. i know a guy i work with at the shop just traded in a few handguns so he could get an AR before the ban... anyway, anyone know of a good shop in the richmond area? im not fond of greentop...
 
m not arguing with you, but i've heard that the QC on the 1991 isnt very good.. so you could get a lemon more often.. i dont really know though...

You've heard wrong.

The pistols coming out of Hartford these days are some of the best Colt has ever made. Colt has invested heavily in new CNC equipment lately, uses less MIM parts than most makers, and features more skilled hand-fitting than most other mass-produced 1911s these days. Unlike the RIA, STI,or American Classic pistols, Colt are manufactured with forged slides and frames. They are also fully manufactured in the USA, unlike RIA, STI, American Classic, Taurus or Springfield Armory. The 1991 is made to the same level of quality as every other production-line Colt, but doesn't offer as many features in order to meet a lower price point.

Colt customer service is excellent, and the head of the Colt Custom Shop is an active participant over at the 1911 forum. He goes by the handle BJT72. If you have a problem with your pistol (which isn't likely), he WILL make it right.
 
ID needed in VA...

You will need your driver's license, AND a secondary "official" something with the same address, name, etc.
Second one can be as easy as a check book, car registration- just make sure all info matches that driver's license..
Just curious, why do you not like Green Top?
Pud

Also, you only have to wait for the results of the state police background check to come back, then you go home with your new fire arm....
 
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You will need your driver's license, AND a secondary "official" something with the same address, name, etc.
Second one can be as easy as a check book, car registration- just make sure all info matches that driver's license..
Just curious, why do you not like Green Top?
Pud
the last 2 times ive went there with my father, we've gotten incredibly rude service, and theyve always been over priced, and we were told "we will not compete on prices"... which i know i dont spend alot of times in shops, but i feel like alot of them compete, especially whne they are trying to charge 275$ more for a mosberg 500... thats why i dont like green top
 
First post, I thought I had to comment here.
I turned 21 a little over a month ago, I've bought a few handguns since then. Most recently I've been in the market for a 1911 and I was searching around from LGS to LGS and online but with the rush I've sworn off online orders for the time being.
As to 1911 "bang-for-buck" I would go with springfield, Kimber, Ruger or Colt.
If you do not have the $ on hand for a Springfield loaded or Kimber custom II I would look for the Ruger sr-1911 or a Springfield GI. I saw a RIA tactical for 450 and it was easy to pass up in favor of spending more for a higher quality 1911. Ultimately it was between the Springfield range officer for 749 plus tax and the Springfield loaded for 849 plus tax. OTD with the Springfield loaded stainless for 905 and haven't looked back. Although I am not naive to the fact that "there's always a better gun for only $100 more."
Whatever you do please don't buy a Taurus. The range officer is a much better 1911 but I went in favor of the stainless loaded over the range officer because it felt much tighter and the beaver tail was better feeling IMO.
Whatever you decide to buy, enjoy it and I hope your birthday is one to remember.
 
DeGoff's in Richmond. It's a much smaller shop than the others, it may be more to your liking. I was shopping for a Colt Gold Cup when I looked at Taurus and RIA. I bought the RIA , a 1911-.45 tactical. Great trigger, accurate and reliable. I put a nice set of Pachmyer grips on it, and it has served me well for ~ six years. I recently bought another RIA 1911 this time in 9mm ...used. This gun came to me with extraction problems. The RIA folks sent a UPS driver to pick it up and paid all the shipping. It did take two trips to Nv. to get it running right, but the customer service people, gunsmith and shipping dept were great to deal with. You may have to order it, they are not fancy but they work well. You can also buy these on line and spend a little less.
 
I spent 700.00 on a Kimber Custom II Target a couple of years ago (maybe more like 4?) I have been very happy, would be surprised if you could get it within your budget. Should be close. I have seen Kimber flamed on the internet for years and have never actually witnessed the atrocities in my 1911 or friends. I suspect at one time there was something to it when they shifted from a "craftsman" kind of operation to mass production. I think it is far overstated at this point. It is (or was) known as the producer that brought the features of a "custom" 1911 to mass production and set the bar in that niche. Remington, Ruger, Springfield, and Taurus too have tried to follow. You could say that Colt with the 1991 tried to introduce Colt cache at this price point.

STI, RIA use the Phillipine frames to enter the fray and some love 'em. At the price point you mention I still like the above paragraph, but STI does really good work at a bit higher level. The Spartan is what you are talking about if you go STI and it's certainly credible.

Above your price point and shooting at the Wilson, Baer, Brown market is the Dan Wesson. Smith and Wesson has jumped in to make it more confusing and their price point is settling in between the first and third paragraph.

What do you think of external extractors? Schwartz safeties? Beavertail grip extensions? Form an opinion on these issues before making a decision. IMHO you should avoid Detonics, Para-Ordinance and AMT. They are not really surviving the competition.

P.S. Then ther is Sig Sauer and the imports, doesn't get any easier.

I would give preference in a tough decision to good organizations to stand behind the arm. Smith and Wesson is premium in my book, Taurus still highly suspect. Remington is apparently going through another corporate sale and the last one did them no favors.

You chose the most complex market to ask people to comment on, advise. So forgive me for rambling.
 
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I would not recomment a 1911 45 as your first handgun. Ammo is costly and rare, and recoil of the 45 will encourage flinching.

Have you taken a handgun safety class yet? Do that before buying.
 
I spent 700.00 on a Kimber Custom II Target a couple of years ago (maybe more like 4?) I have been very happy, would be surprised if you could get it within your budget. Should be close. I have seen Kimber flamed on the internet for years and have never actually witnessed the atrocities in my 1911 or friends. I suspect at one time there was something to it when they shifted from a "craftsman" kind of operation to mass production. I think it is far overstated at this point. It is (or was) known as the producer that brought the features of a "custom" 1911 to mass production and set the bar in that niche. Remington, Ruger, Springfield, and Taurus too have tried to follow. You could say that Colt with the 1991 tried to introduce Colt cache at this price point.

STI, RIA use the Phillipine frames to enter the fray and some love 'em. At the price point you mention I still like the above paragraph, but STI does really good work at a bit higher level. The Spartan is what you are talking about if you go STI and it's certainly credible.

Above your price point and shooting at the Wilson, Baer, Brown market is the Dan Wesson. Smith and Wesson has jumped in to make it more confusing and their price point is settling in between the first and third paragraph.

What do you think of external extractors? Schwartz safeties? Beavertail grip extensions? Form an opinion on these issues before making a decision. IMHO you should avoid Detonics, Para-Ordinance and AMT. They are not really surviving the competition.

P.S. Then ther is Sig Sauer and the imports, doesn't get any easier.

I would give preference in a tough decision to good organizations to stand behind the arm. Smith and Wesson is premium in my book, Taurus still highly suspect. Remington is apparently going through another corporate sale and the last one did them no favors.

You chose the most complex market to ask people to comment on, advise. So forgive me for rambling.
the only experience i have with external extractors is on a kimber... and have to say didnt like it... like beavertail extensions.. and pardon me asking, but what is a schwartz safety?
 
I would not recomment a 1911 45 as your first handgun. Ammo is costly and rare, and recoil of the 45 will encourage flinching.

Have you taken a handgun safety class yet? Do that before buying.
i have been shooting since age Six, and this is not the first one i have ever shot. its just the first one i have ever personally owned. i am used to .45ACP, and actually have quite alot of ammo, as i pay for my own ammo when my friends bring their hand guns over.. read original post because i stated that. please dont assume that because i am asking these questions i am green when it comes to operating and safety.
 
To some John Moses Browning was a genius of the first order and anything that deviates seriously from his orginal design is nothing short of heresy.

Others are more pragmatic. Some of the greatest unsettled debates about 1911's revolve around the extractor and making the cocked and locked condition more palatable for either users or the manufacturers lawyers. Kimbers employ the Schwartz safety. You must do your own research regarding which of your possible choices employ the extractor and safety features YOU prefer.
 
rswartsell wrote,
Kimbers employ the Schwartz safety.
It's like fingernails on a chalkboard.

It is a SWARTZ firing pin safety.

And as usual, may the schwartz be with you.
 
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