A big Thank You to all ... got a 1911 instead

[axeman_g]

I am a new owner of my first 1911. I have owned about every 9mm there is, but when it came to getting a powerful, compact, slim CCW weapon, the 1911 platform won out over all others.

I came about a mm away from buying a CD EMS and decided to hold off after I listened and learned some more. I went to my favorite gun store and looked at some kimbers and springfields. I then said exactly what I was looking for was a mid priced, 1911 with 4 inch barrel. I need an ambi saftey as I am a lefty, but all other controls would be fine. Finish was not an issue.

Salesman pulled out a Colt 1991 A1 Commander that was LNIB. I dont even think it has 100 rounds through it. I was basic model, parkerized with rubber/plastic grip panels. Price was $380. No ambi saftey, but adding should not be expensive.

I jumped on it. What did I do to myself? What should I look out for or look forward to? How do I tame some of the recoil? Any recomendations on additional 8rd mags (wilson etc etc)? How about parkerized ambi safties? Can I add it myself.

Any help greatly appreciated

There will be no more annoying questions about lefty guns and which is better crappy1 or to crappy2 guns.

 

[kalibear45]

Congrats on your purchase. You can't go wrong with a 1911. I recommend Wilson Combat 8rd mags. They also make a good ambi safety, although it only comes in blue. Try www.brownells.com for a decent selection. Might want to have a local gunsmith fit it.

 

[Smoke]

Stay away from the "Foreign" or off-brand mags and you should be fine.

Ambi-safety can be added yourself if you are competent with basic tools.

Taming recoil should not be too much of an issue. Go out and practice with it. You hae a very good gun and if you are used to shooting 9mm, it won't be much of an adjustment. Don't be intimidated by it. I've seen small women and 12 year old boys that shoot .45 1911's very well.

 

[stans]

Congratulations and welcome to the cult of the 1911, bet ya can't buy just one!!!! You might want to consider some new grips for that 1991. The factory plastic 1991 grips had a reputation for being brittle and cracking. Bet some nice, checkered wood grips would look sweet.

 

[oscar]

A great choice in my opinion. I have a Commander and the recoil is not bad at all. If you can shoot a 9, you can shoot the .45. I like Shooting Star 8 round mags in stainless. As has been said, any quality mag should work fine. Check different ammo to see what works best.

 

[VaughnT]

Congratulations on the buy. You won't be disappointed, I'm sure!

As to what you should do to it, well, personal preference is the key. I like rubber grips from Hogue, but they do tend to grab at the clothes.

This being a "used" gun, and the fact that you need an ambi safety, I would send it to a top smith for the once over. I just got my 1991 back from Ted Yost in AZ and he does some phenominal work. His prices and turnaround time are second to none and I'd strongly suggest you get in touch with him.

What you want is a complete spring replacement and all the parts spec'd for safety reasons.

Whatever you do, don't give your baby away to some local smith. You might get a butcher and have to spend a ton more money to get it fixed (happened to me).

Shoot her a few hundred times to get a feel for what you like about it and don't like. By then, you'll know if you want a beavertail grip safety, stippled frontstrap, dehorning, new sights, etc. Then call Ted.

 

[sig970]

I'm going to second the suggestion on the 8 round Wilson Combat magazines. They work flawlessly in my Kimber.