Bought my first 1911 today...let the addiction begin.

[TahoeDust]

I got rid of my M&P fullsize 9mm and Shield 9mm and ordered a Springfield Champion Operator Lightweight. It should be here tomorrow. Is there anything I should know as far as break-in is concerned. Should I be OK taking it to the range just as it comes out of the box?

Lame stock pic....

 

[Valkman]

Congrats! Man it's a great feeling to shoot your first one and realize how great they fit the hand!

I'd field strip it and clean whatever stuff they left on at the factory to protect it - grease, oil, whatever. Then lube it like the manual states and go shoot it! Congrats again!

 

[bannockburn]

Nice choice for your first 1911! I would do as Valkman advised and field strip it and give it a good cleaning (and put some oil/lubricant on the slide rails and frame), before I headed to the range. Let us know how it does at the range.

 

[bikerdoc]

You gonna love it.

 

[bottom shelf]

For sure clean and lube it. Most don't come with shootin oil in them. They've got shippin oil in there.

 

[Browning Guy]

Oh-Oh! You'll be sorrryyyy! Said NO 1911 owner EVER. Welcome to the frenzy. Like mentioned before get a good "field strip video" and take it down to remove the shipping oil or grease and replace it with a good gun oil. Then: 1)go to the range, 2)shoot it, 3)have fun, 4)wipe that silly grin off your face, and 5)let us know how it went!

 

[drband]

wipe that silly grin off your face,

Yep-- 1911 syndrome-- it's very infectious and gets progressively worse -- no known cure! Symptoms can be managed with regular range time and additional 1911 purchases...
Welcome to the madness![emoji12]

 

[JTQ]

Put some lube on it. Here are a couple of good 1911 lube video's.

FMG Pubs How to Lube An Auto Pistol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eUacqOIAaU

Wilson Combat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4D2mRlDo48

 

[KevinB]

I agree with others, standard SOP around here with a new gun is a field strip, clean, and lube before shooting. This website has great instructions for how to properly handle and care for a 1911.


http://www.10-8performance.com/pages/1911-User's-Guide.html

 

[RainDodger]

That's a gorgeous little gun you've got there. How does it feel to be infected now? Pretty soon you'll get the shakes and realize you need another 1911 because that's just not enough.

Only one criticism: it is a sin to get rid of any guns these days. You should be sort of ashamed of doing that.... but we'll forgive you if you sold them to someone worthy.

 

[sauer1911]

Tahoe Dust! Now that I have reread your post, I no longer scoff at your 9mm 1911 purchase. I was kinda miffed that you would get a 9mm instead of a .45acp

I was wrong, I see you dumped a pair of 9mm for the 1911! Whew!

Almost had to go and look a STI 9mm and the like.

Welcome to the fold.

be safe

 

[ColtPythonElite]

That is a nice looking gun. I like a Springfield. I had a Loaded for about 7 years. I had zero complaints.

I would squirt some oil on it and go shooting. I just bought a new Colt. I shot it right out of the box. I put 900 rounds through it before I ever took it apart or cleaned it.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

Very nice choice. I LOVE Springfield Armory. You made an EXCELLENT choice. Enjoy it and congrats. Look at their custom shop

 

[JFrameTwitch]

Have you dissasembled and reassembled before? If not, take care when inserting slide stop. Sometimes it's tough on new guns especially if you haven't done it a thousand times. This will probably be mentioned in whatever field strip video you choose. You going to use that rail?

 

[moxie]

Great! Now get about 8-10 decent mags and an Uplula magloader if you don't already have one. And a lot of ammo. Now go shoot as often as you can.

These are really good mags: SKU: CM45-7-B-H-CMF
http://www.topgunsupply.com/check-mate-.45acp-7rd-blue-hybrid-cmf-full-size-1911-magazine.html

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Clean, lube, shoot repeat

Nice choice. congrats.

 

[TahoeDust]

Thanks for the kind words reaffirming my choice. I was looking at some Sigs some low end Colts and Kimbers, but from what I read I felt like this is the best I was going to do in the sub $900 range.


"Only one criticism: it is a sin to get rid of any guns these days. You should be sort of ashamed of doing that.... but we'll forgive you if you sold them to someone worthy. "

Haha...I hate selling guns but I just had to free up the funds if I wanted this one right now. I may pick up another M&P in the future. They were solid guns.

Is there no quote function on this board?

 

[VThillman]

When you use "Quick Reply" there is a checkbox.

Not sure what it's good for.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

When you use "Quick Reply" there is a checkbox.

Not sure what it's good for.

If you hit the Quick Reply button in the box on the right of someone else's post, and then check the box, it does a quote with the original poster's name, like this.

 

[JeffDG]

Congrats and welcome to the club! I'm picking up an RO Compact tomorrow from my FFL.
My number one will still always be my Colt.

 

[bullzeye8]

Nice gun! The addiction definitely will begin. I would suggest a fullsize next and you will like 1911's even more.

 

[tark]

Be warned! 1911 addiction is just like heroin addiction: Once started, it takes more and more to get the same effect, You're gonna want more 1911s...and more.......

 

[rhinoh]

Don't say you weren't warned about the "idiot scratch"!
And if you do it, we do NOT want to see pics...

 

[Brin]

The first thing I will do with a new gun is field strip and clean it. If it has an aluminum frame, I will take a real close look at the steel slide for rough spots that will damage it. If you find rough spots, clean them up with a small file or a stone and W&D sandpaper, then oil things that rotate and grease the slide with a little wheel bearing grease.