I'm now officially a Man. Bought a 1911.

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Trey Veston

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51 years old, served my country in the Navy and then the Army, married and divorced, owned several houses, and have three grandkids, own a couple of dozen firearms, but I had never owned a 1911.

I was issued one in the Navy in the 80's as a member of a Crisis Response Team. It wasn't a typical rattly old 1911 as it had adjustable sights and performed very well. My team was led by a former SEAL BUDs instructor and we had a Hogan's Alley range and completed a combat handgun and combat shotgun course, as well as counter-sniper training. I loved that 1911.

I got out of the Navy and went into the Army as a 12B Combat Engineer and was issued the Beretta M9. I bought a 96F for my personal carry weapon to maintain familiarity with my service weapon, which then led to a Glock 22 when I got out, and three decades later, I have three Glocks, three M&Ps, and a P365 as my carry weapon.

I really liked the feel and trigger of the 1911, but just couldn't justify the added weight, size, reduced capacity, high cost, and spotty reliability of the platform.

Why spend $900+ for a heavy, low-capacity and outdated weapon?

Then I was at the LGS last week and saw a Kimber in 10mm on sale for $700. I asked to see it and as soon as I wrapped my hand around it, I remembered that feeling of a perfectly balanced weapon with everything where it should be. I quickly handed it back and headed out the door before I gave in to temptation. I'm not spending $700 on a pistol that I have no use for. Nothing but a range toy. My G29 has twice the capacity with an X-Grip adapter and swallows the recoil while being 100% reliable and tough. Nope. Stupid to even think about it.

Then last night while working a 12hr graveyard shift, I was here on this site browsing forums and stumbled into a thread about the Hi-Power. It had links to Gunbroker and affordable examples. I clicked on the links.

The Hi-powers reminded me of my old Beretta long ago sold off. Curious, I searched for another one and a link for a Beretta Cougar in .40 S&W appeared. Looked at a couple, then a link appeared for a Remington R1 Limited in .40 S&W. Price was $549 for a NIB example. Clicked on it and fell in love.

Nope. Don't have any need for a 1911, especially a full-size one in .40 S&W that only holds 9 rounds. Makes no sense. It has giant target sights and a dull finish. No need. But it's only $549!

So I look on Buds Guns to see what they go for... $980. Great reviews. Dang.

Went back to Gunbroker and ordered it.

Probably won't find that good of a deal on a decent 1911 in a caliber I am well-stocked and reload for in quite a while. I actually looked at 10mm and .45 ACP versions and they were $200 to $400 more. Who cares; this will only be a range toy.

So I will soon be the owner of my first 1911. I am ashamed and proud at the same time.

Now to get an appropriate leather holster and quality magazines for it. Hopefully I remember how to field strip it after all these decades.

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You think you're nostalgic now? Wait until you trip that trigger the first time. It'll be like falling in love all over again.

I really wanted a 1911 for my 18th birthday, but I didn't actually get one until about 20 years later, maybe a little more. I don't carry mine any more, but I still shoot it hands-down, no-questions better than any other pistol I own.
 
Nice 1911 OP.

I was in the Army as an engineer myself. I always seem to get stuck with the M60 and usually was allowed to have a sidearm also. I was issued both the 1911A1 and M9. When I deployed to the gulf in 1990, they tried to issue me a brand new M9 and I went and scrounged an old rattle battle 1911 instead. I currently own 3 1911s; two in 45 and 1 in 9mm. I really want one in 38 super. I might look into a barrel swap on the 9mm vs a complete pistol. Even with my small hands the 1911 fits me better than the M9.
 
51 years old, served my country in the Navy and then the Army, married and divorced, owned several houses, and have three grandkids, own a couple of dozen firearms, but I had never owned a 1911..,
So I will soon be the owner of my first 1911. I am ashamed and proud at the same time...
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Sounds like you already have your man card. But, rest assured, now that you have your 1911, the exclusive platinum man card will be arriving in the mail shortly.

Enjoy!
 
Trey Veston

I have lots of love for my 1911s as they have always fit my hand perfectly, had great balance and handling (very much like the Browning Hi-Power does), and they come in four of my favorite calibers (.22LR, 9mm., .38 Super, and .45 ACP)!

Here's hoping your reacquaintance with the 1911 with your new Remington R1 in .40 S&W is a reliable, accurate, and trouble-free relationship for many years to come! Looking forward to your first range report!
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Congrats, and welcome to the club. I own quite a few types of guns but there is no gun I shoot better or enjoy shooting more than a 1911. I have two 9mm Dan Wessons, a Guardian and Eco, a 1911ish EDC X9 and EDC X9S and my son has a SA Mil Spec 45. The X9S is now my carry gun. In regards to reliability, I don't remember any of them having a malfunction of any kind. Using quality magazines will go a long way towards maintaining reliability.
 
@SUBJ "I'm now officially a Man. Bought a 1911." ... 51 years old, served my country in the Navy and then the Army, married and divorced, owned several houses, and have three grandkids, own a couple of dozen firearms, but I had never owned a 1911. ...

... BUT ... have you ever cut steel with fire? :scrutiny:

As I recall, in one episode that was expressed as the Tim "the Toolman" Taylor's test of manhood. :D
 
If you had gotten a .45 or a 9mm you would have a lot more (less expensive) options. My only 1911 is the Ruger. I really like it though.

FWIW. I am a .40 fan also. I just have that caliber in other platforms.
 
The last 1911 I shot was about a year ago when a guy teaching the beginners pistol course my girlfriend attended let me shoot his high-dollar STI 2011 in .40 S&W. I picked it up and rang steel on plates as fast as the instructor. He said I really should look into competition. No thanks; no time. I did GSSF for a couple of years but now I work weekends. I have a few nice soft-shooting loads in .40 S&W for GSSF matches. Be interesting to see how they do in a full-size 1911.
 
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