Finally caught the 1911 bug

I've found double stack 1911s based on the Para P14 mag tube design to be only range reliable, meaning the mags must be kept clean and the mag springs replaced more often than any other pistols I know of. Problem is the rounds can bind at the double to single stack transition leading to "bolt over base" feed failures, it doesn't take a lot of fouling to cause this. The RIA 1911-A2 double stack seems as good as the rest that uses this magazine tube design.

I'd suggest the single stack RIA "Tactical" as your first 1911. It won't break the bank and is an outstanding value.

I personally wouldn't waste my time or money on a double-stack 1911, the grip is too big to suit me.

I agree with wally. I have been in LE for over 35 years and have carried 1911s on and off duty the entire time. I have seen just about every incarnation of the 1911 there is. What is the most reliable in my opinion-the single column configuration. It is the only style I will ever use.

Your budget will determine which gun to get. If you can afford a Wilson/Baer/NightHawk then go for it. Colts are still great. Kimbers are excellent. Remington R1 Carry is one to look at.

I have a Ruger SR1911 Commander length, I paid $639.00 for it brand new. I think it's the best gun for the money that I've seen, and I whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who wants a 1911.

If you have the 1911 bug, then get the real thing. There are many nice
1911s for you to pick from. You will really enjoy shooting this platform.

Welcome to the madhouse, my friend. Don't let the 1911 bug ruin your marriage.



Oh, and always post pics when you buy one. We like pics here.

Finally caught the 1911 bug

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Sorry to hear that. Be prepared for annoyance, high expense and general disappointment.

Do yourself a favor and learn how to do basic gunsmithing tasks on the 1911. You should be able to fit an extractor, polish a few things and so forth. Hilton Yam offers a 1911 course called the "Duty 1911 Course". This may be useful.

I have a full size SW1911 in addition to the SR1911 commander, and I think the Ruger is every bit as good as the SW, and its a lot less money.

STI

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

rondog said:

I personally wouldn't waste my time or money on a double-stack 1911, the grip is too big to suit me.

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I can agree with that. I remember when Para Ordinance first came out with the high capacity 1911 flavors and I just wasn't a big fan of them. That being an old 1911 fan it was just unnatural for me to accept the new guns.

The problem being a 1911 by design used a 7 round single stack magazine. The 45 ACP is a short stubby round. The only way to get more boolits in the thing is to either extend the magazine length so it hangs well below the pistol looking a little stupid (in my opinion) or make it wider as in a double stack. Doing the later makes the grip grow fatter.

However, if one wants more boolits in the thing I guess I would go with a Para. While I never liked them the ones I shot did shoot and perform well.

Just My Take
Ron

I did't like the Para because the grip felt wrong and I have very big hands. The single stack models just seem right in the hand, and for the range 10 round mags are available. I have been shooting an RIA for 5+ years, the slide stop needed to be changed the first month, since then...no problems. If there is more money available in your budget check out Sig 1911's.

I have PARA single stack 1911s and they feel very comfortable in my hands. However their double stacks like the HAWK and P14 seemed a little bulky for my taste. I think it is because they use the same grips from their single stacks on their doubles.

ATI recently came out with a 12+1 1911 called the Fatboy Lightweight, kind of an oxymoron in the name but the grip felt much better than a P14 or HAWG. If you can get over it having a 3" barrel, see if you can find one to fondle.

Sorry to hear that. Be prepared for annoyance, high expense and general disappointment.

Do yourself a favor and learn how to do basic gunsmithing tasks on the 1911. You should be able to fit an extractor, polish a few things and so forth. Hilton Yam offers a 1911 course called the "Duty 1911 Course". This may be useful.

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Sorry, completely disagree.

I've owned more than a handful of 1911 style pistols in all of the different sizes and have not had to gunsmith anything. You may have had a bad experience but my experience would indicate that yours was the exception - not the rule.

Personally, I would recommend a 1911 for any personal protection need without hesitation, and a very nice functional pistol can be had at a reasonable price (sub $800) - like a Springfield or Ruger.

If you want a double stack 1911 style (2011) that works then you need to look at either STI for lower cost pistol, or an Infinity (SVI). The SVI / Infinity pistols are custom guns - and they work. Here's a link to the Infinity website that will give you an idea of what Infinity builds.

When you get into double stack style 2011 pistols, you get what you pay for and they're not inexpensive.

For STI pistols, I'd look at the Brazos Custom Gunworks website. They build competition guns and, if you buy a standard STI from them, they go through the entire gun to ensure it is setup correctly.

I have shot Para Ordnance wide bodied 1911's in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. All three of mine have been totally reliable but I have only used them for the normal pistol games. The grips are very wide and acceptable for my large hands . The grip size is the same for all three calibers. The PO magazines work well and function as intended. I tried using MecGar magazines and they function very reliably but often do not keep the slide locked back after firing the last round.

Orange90 said:

As the title implies, I have been biten and can't shake it this time! I am not new to the 45 ACP realm of guns (Ruger P90, XDM, Kriss) but I am looking at getting a solid 1911. My main question here today is... What are some of the high capacity variants of 1911's out there? I have been looking at the Rock Island Armory Tactical Hi-Cap 1911 and seems rugged enough and with 13 rounds to boot. I have also looked into custom 1911's (such as STI, Wilson Combat, etc) but for my practical needs this is not a viable option. Is the double stack system on a 1911 reliable? Obviously quality matters but just in general.

Any advise/opinions are welcome!

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I just bought a 1911 RIA Tactical .45 ACP for $599. They are no longer the $400 entry level gun as was a few years ago.

Just curious as to why the 1911 is so popular and has a big following of handgunners? Especially with the newer designs like a S/A D/A Sig P-220?
I like the feel of it in my hand and the classic style of it.

It kind of sounds like you might be looking for something that's like what your grandfather used- if that's the case, there are quite a few nice GI style 1911s on the market, such as the basic Remington R1, the Springfield Armory offering, or the RIA that some have been talking about

I've owned more than a handful of 1911 style pistols in all of the different sizes and have not had to gunsmith anything. You may have had a bad experience but my experience would indicate that yours was the exception - not the rule.

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It sounds you are not stressing your guns with high round counts if you have not had to replace an extractor. I used to do 800-1500 in a weekend and averaged 200 a week for a few years. The 1911 very definitely has a maintenance schedule that must be followed and it is foolish to believe otherwise. Hilton Yam documents this on his 10-8 blog.

Five out of seven of the 1911's I have owned across a decade were worthless. The only ones that ran at all well were a Colt XSE Stainless that I bought used for $600 and a Colt WW II Repro. Both guns had the barrel dimple and ran well until they needed maintenance. Any gun will need parts as round counts increase.

Orange90 said:

Honestly I want one for my collection. My grandfather used one in WW2 and was one of the first Police Officers in my hometown to use one as his duty pistol while everyone else carried S&W 38 special revolvers. His gun has been traded among the family and I am not sure where it ended up (big family). As for me, I just want an accurate representation of what the gun is all about. There is obviously a following that is second to none. Guns that enter stage left of any conflict seem to be wildly popular i.e. AR-15, Rem 700, AK-47, etc. It must be natural that people love a gun that is so closely related to national pride and self sacrifice! But thats just my 2 cents. I enjoy speculating...

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RIA

http://centerfiresystems.com/

Is the double stack system on a 1911 reliable?

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FWIW

STI, SVI, M2I, Akai, etc. are used in the highest levels of competition around the world. you cannot compete with a gun that is not reliable.

I cannot comment on the budget ones. (no experience with them)

1911 is an American icon. They ALL should work well right out of the box, even "budget" 1911s.
After all, $700 or $800 is still a lot of money. U should not have 2 spend 2K to be able to get it right.