First 1911 help for a 1911 newbie??

Have you checked out Sightm1911.com's reviews of various offerings? It may give you some insight:

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/1911_reviews.htm

on the for sale board there is a nighthawk for $1750 that is a heck of a deal. but if i had the money that you described i would either get a sa trp operator, or the mc operator which is what i have and love. and with the money left over you can get mags and stuff with the loaded coupon and still be in your price range.

I know that you usually 'get what you pay for' but I've heard some positives about the Taurus 1911's which are in the $550-600 range... For someone who doesn't want to spend $1000+ for a 1911 is this a reasonable option or just a bunch of problems?

I have a Taurus PT1911 and I LOVE it. It is the first 1911 I have owned or shot and the only problem I've had with it was the ambi safety jammed during reassembly. I had the smith replace it with a Wilson non ambi safety. The safety upgrade is something I had planned on doing anyways. I have had it less than 2 months and already put 1100 rounds through it all of them were flawless.

Kimber.

I think we all need to back up for a minute. Do you want a 5" gun, a 4" gun, or something else? Are you looking for a fixed adjustable rear sight? Standard sights or night sights? Blued, stainless, or other finish? Is a light rail acceptable, or is it to be avoided? Any other particular preferences?

Good choice.

Absolutely great choice for a first 1911. A Baer is an outstanding gun. Be warned, you will quickly become addicted to this platform.

For the money I don't think you could have made a better choice. Just as a FYI when you go to field strip it don't try to turn the bushing with the slide in battery. The bushing to barrel fit will be very tight so you always want to pull the slide back an inch or so before turning the bushing. I pull the slide stop and take the slide and barrel off together trapping the spring but some people don't like doing this way.

I'm surprised at the guys recommending a Taurus. While it may be a fine gun, do you really think it's on par with the Les Baer, Nighthawk, Wilson, etc. stuff? Really?

+1 The Les Baer was a very good choice.

Baer TRS

Colt, Springfield Armory, Dan Wesson for Production Guns.

Custom Guns; Nighthawk, Fusion, Wilson, Les Baer then Ed Brown in descending order for my money. YMMV


Not a Kimber, Taurus Sig-Sauer or Smith and Wesson for me but there are a lot of windows out there to shop at.


http://1911auto.org/forum/


http://forum.m1911.org/

So, did you pick up the new Bear today? Bet you're still grinning like an idiot, aren't you? I know I was when I got my Nighthawk. Feels good to own one of the best 1911s made, doesn't it?

Can't wait for your pics and initial range report.
Jack

Get the cheapest Springfield you can find and have a good smith do whatever extra you want done to it. That way you get only what you want done, the way you want it done, correctly.

Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special is really hard to beat even if you spend a lot more.

Great choice. I have the PII with 1.5" guarantee in .45, and a regular PII in 9mm. Two of my favorite guns.

1911 choice.

I guess I'll chime in, owned several 1911's over the years and I've always had great luck with Les Baer guns. Spend the money once, don't waste your time with anything else, for the money you can't beat them.