1911 for my oldest Princess

[22LongRifle]

Well, after truely "studying" alot of my books and doing some internet browsing and gunshop foundling, my 14 yo has decided she wants a 1911.

Now, she shoots weekly with me at the range. Been through three NNA shooting camps help there and has been messing around in local IDPAish shoots with me at the LEO range.

She has a G19 now. But she doesn't like it. Its as old as her, been checked out by a Glock armorer, but its just what she wants. I'm going to keep it and just leave the 22lr upper on it for a practice weapon to my compact Glocks.

So she was looking at the 1911s and decided that is what she wants. I'm going to get a 22lr upper for her to practice with and use in shoots for awhile. I want her to get the "feel" for the single action and what it takes to bring the weapon into action without worrying about the recoil.

She wants a blued slide on a stainless frame. Don't know but I bet she saw it on Walker or one of Chuck Norris's movies!

Anyways, for a "starter" I was wondering about a RIA. I don't really want to spend alot, but I don't want junk either. And we both like the looks of the "WW2" style gun. I plan just to use it with 22lr 99% of the time anyways. I figure about $500 for the weapon and magazines and sights. I'm buying the 22lr upper next week.

Is this a decent idea?

22lr

 

[1911 guy]

If she likes the G.I. look.

You mentioned she likes the look of a G.I. 1911 and the fact that she's an avid shooter. Spend another fifty bucks and buy her a Springfield Armory G.I. model. The RIA is a decent gun for the money, but she'll be able to add mods to the Springfield later if she wants to, and it will be a frame worth upgrading. It's also going to be milled, drilled and finished square, so the conversion unit will be less likely to have any issues.

If this were a whim, I'd say get the RIA. Since she's already a shooter, spend the coin (and the difference isn't much) to get something better.

I happen to like the Armscor pistols (makes RIA) and have 2 Charles Daly (another Armscor product) that shoot well. But it just isn't up to the same quality that a bit more money gets you.

 

[critter]

Second on the Springfield.

 

[robctwo]

My daughter is still working on me to get my SA Black Stainless Loaded with the Ceiner .22 upper. It's my first 1911 and I did a complete upgrade on the ignition parts. Very nice trigger. She will probably talk me out of it. She shoots the .22 like a champ, and really enjoys the soft reloads of 3.9 Clays under 200 gr SWC. I suppose I could talk to the wife about my needing a Marvel 1 to replace it......and maybe a Fusion kit to fiddle around with.

 

[Drail]

She doesn't like the Glock? She wants a 1911? This sounds just like my wife. I introduced her to IPSC and built her a nice Springfield and two years later, she's whipping me and most of my friends at matches! (including some of the local cops) That's a smart girl you have there. Take real good care of her. Awesome post.

 

[SRT1]

Second to the upgrade for the money. If she's that young, it's something that she's going to have and treasure for a while - make it good. Nothing against RIA's, just that I'm putting myself in your shoes. If my daughter wanted one (she's only 11, so I've got time), the pistol that Daddy gave her would be special. I'd go Kimber myself, but that's just me. I think it's great that you two shoot together and enjoy it. Good memories being built right there!
Good luck!
SRT

 

[22LongRifle]

I'll see about adding some "coinage" to the pot!

If I really had about $1000 to spend, I would have my gunsmith (1911 pro) build her one up.

Thanks guys! I'm just now recovering my expenses from the youngest Princess and her Rugr Bearcat and Henry!

22lr

Pic of the two at the last NRA shooting camp we had.

 

[Chrome]

If she likes the GI, buy her the nicest GI you can afford. She will treasure it for a lifetime, and hopefully it will last her just as long.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[RobertFBurnett]

+1 for Springfield G.I., like others have said above RIA is a good gun, a Springfield is a great 1911...just keep her away from any Wilson's

Also if you have not seen this already (I recommend it to all the guys asking about guns for their ladies) I believe a member here runs this site http://www.corneredcat.com Its a site by and for the woman shooter...obviously your daughter has the basics down, but theres alot of other good articles I never would of thought up.

RFB

P.S. I'm staying in your budget too, check out some Kimbers too.

P.P.S. Theres also a kind of new 1911 thread with probably 100+ pics on it of ALLlll kinds of different ones. Worth 15 minutes of Father/Daughter time.

 

[22LongRifle]

Thanks for the site RFB.

I've seen the 1911 pics! I might have to work some OT!

I know its almost taboo, but I'm thinking about getting one in 9mm. Cheaper ammo.

22lr

 

[SRT1]

Kimber Aegis! Change the grips though. Meh.
Good luck!
SRT

 

[jimbob86]

Her hands are big enough for a 1911? And reaches all the controls?

Mine are not, so I got the Springfield EMP.....

 

[22LongRifle]

Yep, she can work everyting on a 1911. I've seen the EMP, but can't get a 22lr upper for it.

22lr

 

[Dobe]

22LongRifle

Thanks for the photos of the youngster enjoying her instructions. It does us all good to have the youth shooting and enjoying it.

 

[Supertac45]

At that age with excellent taste, I'd spend the bucks and buy her a Baer of her choice. She'll have it forever and made in the U.S.A.

 

[Babalouie]

Springer GI !!!!!!! You just can't beat the bang for the buck.

 

[1911 guy]

Why you should avoid Baer, Kimber, Wilson, etc.

They all make a good 1911, but you're dealing with someone new to the 1911. Get her a platform she can upgrade with features she wants later, not a compilation of features someone else wanted to put in a gun offered for sale.

Now about that custom build you mentioned for about $1,000. If you can come in under a grand for a custom build, including price of the gun, that's a steal. I supplied the parts and pistol for a build and it still cost $850. In all fairness to the 'smith I had everything but slide, frame and barrel replaced, frame checkered, refinished, etc. He also did very nice work.