Buying first 1911. Please help.

Status
Not open for further replies.
1

1911JMB

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
875
Despite my username, I don't yet own a 1911. In fact, I have fired only 7 shots from a handgun, my friends dads friends ww2 Ithica. The slide had a very loose fit to the frame. It was dirty and had to have the slide slapped forward for each shot. I am not looking to compete, but I would like to get a full sized government model I can carry when I turn 21. I don't know many specifics about individual brands, so please reccomend specific 1911(s), and include storys about how they have functioned for you. Heres what I am looking for in my first 1911.

A good trigger pull that is non ajustable.

A modern extractor if possible, so I can load one in the pipe without the mag. This is a preference, and is not remotely essential to me.

No series 80 safety, as I have been told they are unnessasary and complicate things needlessly. Please tell me if you dissagree.

Complete reliability. I think a gun should work flawlessly for thousands of rounds, unlike the 1911 I shot.

As much accuracy as possible, although thats the least important.

I would like to $1,100 or less if possible on the gun itself, but if needed I will spend more.

I don't want to have to go to a gunsmith. I want it to work well out of the box.

Lastly, I since I am only 19 and living in Michigan, as I understand it, I pretty much have to go to a gun show, because I can't buy a pistol from a ffl. I am only familiar with michigans laws concerning long arms, so I would appreciate instructions from a fellow Michigander or a RKI about what I need to do.
 
Get a Springfield WWII GI model. For about $400 it's the best value in the 1911 market. They're as reliable as any 1911 and you can get into it without such a huge investment.

HOWEVER, before you buy anything you should either get someone who's familiar with 1911s to let you shoot theirs (a good one) or rent one at a range. 1911s are not for everybody (only the elite ;))
 
Check out the Springfield line. They make a lot of good 1911s. See which one you like the best.
 
If you want a 1911 with the more "modern" creature comforts -- beavertail grip safety, rounded hammer, extended ambi safety, & great trigger out of the box take a look at the Armscor 45 -- Springfield Loaded features at a bit under GI features.

Use the forum search, I've been very satisified with mine.

--wally.
 
There is a good chance I will get a springfield. I have wanted a 1911 since I was very young, and the one I squeezed 7 shots out of did little to change my mind, even though it malfunctioned a whole bunch.

Has anybody tried a Dan Wesson 1911? I have read they cost about 800 bucks, yet produce 3/4 inch groups at 25 yards and are extremely reliable. can anyone verify that?
 
www.M1911.org has a pretty good forum. Like you, everything I've read about the Dan Wesson 1911 is good. Unfortunately, I havn't even been able to locate a dealer for them yet, let alone see one for real. Possibly, where you live there are more Dan Wesson dealers, but I couldn't find any listed in the whole state of Idaho and only one in Utah. I've heard Dan Wesson has some distribution problems.
My Kimber Stainless Target .38 Super is accurate and reliable. I like it a lot, but it's the first 1911 I've ever owned, so I'm no one to give advise about which 1911 is best. :)
 
A good trigger pull that is non ajustable.
Click to expand...
No 1911 has adjustable trigger pull, in the sense of "user adjustable." Trigger pull is adjusted by a gunsmith smoothing internal parts and/or changing and tweaking springs.

A modern extractor if possible, so I can load one in the pipe without the mag. This is a preference, and is not remotely essential to me.
Click to expand...
Then you're not looking for a 1911.

No series 80 safety,
Click to expand...
Colt and Para Ordnance use the Series 80 safety system. Most manufacturers do not. Colt now offers a new Series 70 model from their Custom Shop that should fit your price range.

Complete reliability. I think a gun should work flawlessly for thousands of rounds, unlike the 1911 I shot.
Click to expand...
I agree ... it should. For the price you want to spend, your chances are at best 50/50. Regardless of manufacturer.

I don't want to have to go to a gunsmith. I want it to work well out of the box.
Click to expand...
Good luck
 
I have a Series 70 Colt Gold Cup and a Series 80 Colt Gold Cup. They are both very nice pistols and quite accurate for an out-of-the-box factory firearm.

I recently purchased a SIG GSR 1911. It puts my Colts to shame. The SIG's frame to slide fit is incredibly tight, the Colt's are sloppy in comparison.
Overall the SIG is much nicer than either of my Colt's.
I now want to bring my Colts to a gunsmith and have 'em worked over so that they are brought up to the standard displayed by my SIG.
 
I would ignore who ever gave you that advice about a Series 80. Sure, they aren't the "original" design - but then again neither are Series 70s :neener:

As a user (and especially one who has never owned a gun before) you would never be exposed to any complications they present. Some gunsmiths don't like them - but thats mostly because they are bad gunsmiths. Any halfway decent smith has no problem working with them. As far as being unnecessary - thats your call. What they do is prevent the gun from discharging if - when the conditiosn are right - you accidentally drop it on the ground.

Most manufacturers (or at least those who want to sell guns in California) have some similar type of safety employed.

My suggestion would be to get the Springfield (cause its cheaper - but also a foreign gun) or the Colt. Look for a used Colt - lots out there to choose from. The COlt will hold its value over the long term far better than any other 1911 and at the end of the day everything else is just a copy of a Colt anyway.

Plus, the Springfield has the dumb lock and key system on it.
 
I recommend the Springfield GI, or perhaps the Mil Spec (a little more $, but a couple more features). Top notch forged frame and slide on these. They contain some MIM small parts, like everyone else, but fit and finish is excellent, on average. The lifetime warranty is a bonus.
 
I've got two Colts...one 1991A1 series 80, and one 1911 without. I can see no difference in the trigger pull on either and both are more accurate than I am capable of. So don't overlook late model Colts.
 
I've got the WWII looking Springfield 1911, I haven't had any problems with it and it's as accurate as my Hi-Power. The sights are small and hard to see, but I like the overall style of the pistol.

I think it's illegal for you to buy a pistol at 19, you really need to check on this.
 
Wait a couple of years, continue doing your research while you wait to turn 21. Look at it this way, they'll be more of them around then for you to choose from.
 
I am almost positive a 19 year old in michigan can get a pistol legally. I have met people in the past who have said they did, but had to go to a gun show. Plus I was told I have to buy my own handgun for police academy which I will be going to at the age of 20. I'm not sure what I have to do about permits, because my only gun purchases usually consist of going to to department stores to get shotgun ammo, and those places can't tell you much about handguns as they don't sell them. I'll go to a regular gun shop and have them explain it to me.
 
I found out some info on the Michigan State Police website. Incase anybody cares, people under 21 in michigan have to do the same thing someone 21 or up has to do to get a handgun; get a purchase permit from the local police, buy the gun within ten days, and go back to the police station and fill out some registration papers. The only stipulation is, as I said before, I have to get it from a private individual because of federal law.

Hawkmoon,
Would you perhaps reccomend I wait a while until I can offord to spend another thousand and get a Wilson, Les Baer, Ed Brown or something similar?

By the way, if I didnt think they were so ugly, I would probably get a sig 220. Speaking of sig, I have read that Sig GSR's are great, and I have also read that they have a lot of problems. Sir Aardavark seems to like his. Could someone else elaborate?
 
Charles Daley
Auto Ordnance
Caspian
Ed Brown
Click to expand...


Whoa! complete opposites of the spectrum!

I wouldn't really recommend the auto ordnance or the Charles Daly. Both have seen problems and are on the really lower end of the 1911 scale. If you want to buy a cheap but reliable 1911, stick with the Springfield Armory GI Milspec, or even the Rock Island Armory 1911.

Personally, I'd look for a series 70 Colt Government, or if you want the bells and whistles go for a Series 1 Kimber. Both dont have any Schwartz/FPS and both are great guns. I personally prefer the internal extractor, I dont believe the external extractor hype. The Series I guns are extremely accurate. I've read that the Series II are accurate, but slightly not as accurate as the Series I guns? I have a Series I Kimber that I absolutely love, and it has been reliable for a long time.

Furthermore, please dont drop a round into the chamber without the magazine. Chamber a round FROM the magazine, then unload, and reinsert a round in the magazine for maximum capactiy. If you drop a round in the chamber and drop the slide you WILL eventually break an extractor claw.

Oh yeah, you can also try Springfield Armory Loaded, but stick with Colt or Kimber if you can.
 
Has anybody tried a Dan Wesson 1911? I have read they cost about 800 bucks, yet produce 3/4 inch groups at 25 yards and are extremely reliable. can anyone verify that?

I don't mean to question your ability but a lot of that has to do with the shooter too. Not just the pistol.

I have a Springfield WWII that is suprisingly accurate considering what I paid for it. It hasn't had a FTF or FTE since I bought it. The trigger pull isn't match grade but I new that going in.

Maybe the old Ithaca you shot needed a little TLC, or you had some crappy ammo.
 
Check out the handguns for sale forum on AR15.com

Somebody has three NIB Springfield MilSpecs for $475 delivered (each). Great deal on a great first 1911. Reliable, decent trigger, decent sights.
 
I own a Dan Wesson Patriot

It's my only 1911 style pistol, so I am hardly as experienced as many others here on this topic. But, you did ask.

I really like my Patriot. I bought it used at my dealer/range and even spoke with the former owner, who bought it new. He said he had put around 500 rounds through it. For $525, I couldn't pass this baby up. I've put close to 700 through it myself and am quite happy with it. Most of the rounds were Georgia Arms 230 grain hardball but also some Georgia 185 JHP.

I've put hex screws on it since this phoyo and will be putting some Carbon Creations grips on it soon, but I must admit that I like it as it is also.

attachment.php
 
Another vote for the WW-II G.I. model .45 from Springfield, as these things
are definitely shooters. I have shot WW white box 230 grain ball, Rem-UMC
230 grain ball, Mag-Tech 230 grain ball, and my very own Magnus 200 grain
L-SWC's without a problem.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top