considering switch to 1911

[newkahrman]

I have always carried and shot plastic frame pistols. I currently have a kahr cw9. I went to an indoor range today for the first time and rented a .45 1911 style. The recoil I was expecting just wasn't there. My kahr 9mm actually seemed to have more recoil than the 1911. I am a believer now. I do have some questions though. Does a 1911 generally have more parts to clean and field strip? I am assuming since it has a metal frame I would need to keep it wiped down to avoid rust. I usually just run a cloth over the slide at night when I put it away. I am considering a high standard compact crusader. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Kind of Blued]

If you're going to carry it, consider investing a decent amount of money in a 1911. Their design and usually tight tolerances cause them to be a little more expensive to manufacture, but it's a trade-off. I haven't heard much on the High Standards, but I'm sure someone here can give some input. Just know that the small officer's frames and 3"-3.5" barreled guns aren't nearly as fun as a "range gun", but that doesn't seem to be your priority.

I actually have a full-sized 1911 and a Kahr on me right now. The Kahr has some great qualities, but as you have discovered, few handguns are as "shootable" as a nice 1911.

By all means, every American gun enthusiast should have at least one 1911. Carrying one isn't for everyone, but you can figure that out after you buy one. The main issues are weight and training yourself to instinctively deactivate the thumb safety; neither are a big deal, but both are something to think about before strappin' one on, especially if you're used to having DAO carry guns.

They're easy to take down, require no tools (even though there's a tool designed for the purpose), and aren't terribly hard to keep in proper running order. You could always consider a stainless model if you're concerned about rust and moisture.

 

[SoCalShooter]

1911 is a combat handgun that being said yes there are more parts however personally I do not FIELD strip my guns that often I run a bore snake through'em and check to see if they are decently lubed. You will defininetly need to wipe the weapon down regularly to make sure you get any residue of sweat off of it. I have a stainless 1911 I carry from Springfield and I do wipe it down regularily.

Beware though that between your tupperware pistol and a 1911 depending on the 1911 you are going to get you are going to be adding a serious amount of weight. Mine is 34oz plus the magazine plus two spare magazines, figure thats about 3 to 4 pounds of weight. Thats a very sturdy GUN BELT no dress belts gonna properly support a 1911 unless its heavy duty and the type of holster and the way you plan to carry the weapon comes in to play in a serious way.

If you have a friend with a 1911 who can loan it to you for a day or so I would suggest borrowing it. Just wear it around the house you will figure out quick if you want to carry the firepower.

As for the choice of 1911's personally I have not heard much of the HIGH STANDARDS what I have heard about them as of late is that they are not the same quality that the name high standard used to represent at least in the target 22 category. You do not have to go overboard on a 1911 cause you can seriously spend some money on it. I have had the opportunity to shoot a Charles Daly 1911 and its a pretty nice gun, I have also had a kimber and I have a les baer, two colts and a springer. I like all of them.

 

[MICHAEL T]

A light weight Colt Commander is a great carry pistol/ Only giving up 3/4" of barrel . Recoil not bad at all.
A good belt and holster is required to carry a full size steel frame.
They are a littme more on take down but . not that bad. I have a 14 year old daugther that can field strip and clean She did 5 in one night for me.

 

[buenhec]

I went from 1911's to Sigs which I still like and now back to 1911's. I shoot so much better with them.

 

[abuelo]

Several manufacturers make commander size [ 4 in barrel ] and officer size [ 3 in barrel ] 1911 models in lightweight alloy frames that will meet you about halfway in weight. Don't know anything about the high standard but have had experience with Colt,Kimber and Springfield. All very good options.

 

[benderx4]

I'm in the same boat. Used to be into 1911s big time, got totally out, acquired a nice HK and S&W collection, but now, thinking about jumping back in the pool.

Had about 3 different Springfields and a couple Colts in the past. Yawn ..... want to go in a different direction this time.

Would any of you out there that have actually owned run-of-the-mill 1911s (ie SA, Colt, Kimber, S&W, Taurus) and then moved up to higher end 1911s (Les Baer, Wilson, Ed Brown, Nighthawk), please comment on whether or not it is really worth the extra bucks?

Also, anyone have comments on a Dan Wesson PM7? I could pick up one of those dirt cheap right now.

 

[460 rowland]

1911/pistol

I don't know about the high standard,but i do know that the springfield gi reproduction 5'' 1911 is an awsum,since iown one that has had roughly 50,000to60,000 rounds put through it and keeps on ticking.I also re load for this pistol,and put an average of 400 to 800 rounds a month through it target practicing.If it was me i would say springfield 1911 gi pistol.Never had any major problems with mine.At one time i owned three of these fine pistols.Also have a drop in 460 rowland kit in this pistol,talk about power!!!!!!!

 

[gazpacho]

My (limited) personal experience with 1911s is that the fancier, more tricked out from the manufacturer, the more prone it is to failure. I carry a Colt Commander, stock except for custom grips made from Corian.

I prefer 7 rd Mecgar blued magazines, because they have NEVER failed me with every 1911 I've owned.

The low perceived recoil comes from the nature of the cartridge combined with the weight of the gun.

 

[FoMoGo]

The High Standard Crusader Compact is made in the Philippines and is the same pistol as the Rock island or Armscor.
Google for it and find lots of glowing reports, and people liking them as much if not more than the comparable pistols costing 2-3 times as much.
I just bought one tonight and will be picking it up soon.


Jim

 

[Fozzy_Bear]

I've got a HS Compact crusader myself.

I was a little hesitant because of the low price, but after doing the afore-mentioned google, I went ahead and bought it.

A fine purchase in my opinion.

I Do indeed agree that it shoots as well as guns costing twice as much. - Not as nice as the custom Kimber I have that cost THREE times as much, but heck, that's not a slight against it to say that, is it???

I had 2 problems with it; the first one was positively identified as being magazine related. better mags fixed that. And the second was with Speer Gold Dot ammo. that gun just doesn't like gold dots... It will shoot anything else (even other JHP's) but it just doesn't like GD's and will FTF about once every 15-20 rounds.

Gold Dots are known to be some of the hardest to feed ammo, and it certainly isn't uncommon to find that a specific gun likes or dislikes a specific ammo, so I don't hold that one against it either.


As a matter of fact, that gun is my EDC. (loaded with Winchester Silver-Tips... the pic above was from when I first got it and hadn't discovered the issue with GD's)

 

[1911 guy]

Carrying a 1911.

Buy one, shoot it a lot, then you'll find reasons to WANT to carry it. I can handle a 1911 with speed and accuracy I don't find in any other platform.

Buy a good gunbelt and holster, get some good magazines and shoot. A lot.

The weight can be an issue or not, depending on your size and your level of commitment to carrying a handgun. For some it's important for one reason or another and others find it merely a nuisance. The latter tends to gravitate toward pocket guns, the former toward large caliber, large frame guns. Count me in the former, both my carry guns are fullsize 1911s.

I don't have any experience with the "sawed off" guns, anything less than 5" barrels. I will say, however, that the only things that seem to be lacking in the Philipino guns is the level of fit and finish we've come to expect from the likes of Smith, Colt, Beretta, Sig, etc. They're not bad, but not stellar, either. They do, however, seem to run well. I've got a fullsize Charles Daly (same ilk as the High Standard) that has well over ...nevermind, I won't even guess. But it's tens of thousands of rounds. The only malfunctions have been excessive crud in a class (several K in a day) and magazines taking a dump on me. The only thing I've replaced is the grips because OEM checkered wears holes in my shirts and the recoil spring which is a consumeable item on any pistol.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Would any of you out there that have actually owned run-of-the-mill 1911s (ie SA, Colt, Kimber, S&W, Taurus) and then moved up to higher end 1911s (Les Baer, Wilson, Ed Brown, Nighthawk), please comment on whether or not it is really worth the extra bucks?

They're worth it to only those who can appreciate it.

That's not meant to be a snide or ostentatious comment. For some, it just won't be worth it.

I started out with a Kimber Classic, the entry level Kimber. But I knew if I liked the 1911 system I'd go get a custom.

I didn't get a package custom from Wilson or Nighthawk. Although they are nice, Jim Garthwaite built one of the 2 hi-end 1911 I have. Its an actual custom, not based off a pre-set package of options, but off a "build it this way with these features Jim" job.


For me, it is definitely worth it. But I can appreciate the differences, which is why I had it done in the first place. And it is not a safe queen or range gun; I had it made specifically for daily carry.


If you can appreciate the differences. Little things like a flat top, serrated slide; or seemless tight part fit with blended yet defined edges, without the slippy no-index-points melted butter blah; or gold bead insert front sights; then it might be worth it to you.

You can get by just fine with a Kimber, or an enhanced Colt. Moving beyond those fine examples takes more money, and the returns are less . . . . shall we say . . . tangible. They're certainly small upgrades that most people would never notice, but its because they can't appreciate them.

If I sat down with you, and pointed out the differences between the Kimber and the Garthwaite gun, you'd probably see them. Now whether they matter to you would answer the question, "Is it worth it?"

 

[1911 guy]

Ditto BullfrogKen.

I've got some rather inexpensive Philipino 1911s, some factory Springfields and one Springfield frame turned into a full blown custom build, down to choosing what brand of parts to use.

The factory Springfields don't get shot as often anymore and the Charles Daly guns, while reliable, have to be dusted off occassionally. Most of my ammo is now passed through the "high end" pistol.

If you know the 1911 and know exactly what you want, the difference can be both noticeable and worth it.

 

[robctwo]

I owned and shot a lot of pistols before I bought a 1911. My first was a SA Black Stainless Target. Exractor broke right off the bat. Good customer service, but irritating. The gun had every bit the 6 pound advertised trigger, and maybe a bit more. Not good for target shooting so I replaced all the ignition with Ed Brown parts. Very nice now, and runs a Ciener .22 conversion well, it's main use today.

Bought a S&W1911PD Commander with the CT laser grips. Much better trigger out of the box. Accurat, reliable and lighter for carry. I had it out today at the range giving it some range time. Laser grips are scary accurate from 7-20 yards. Point and shoot, no need to look over the iron sights at all. Great for defense. Only roble I had with it is some brass in the fore head. Fixed with a little filing on the ejector.

Bought a used LNIB Ed Brown Exec Target. Very nice. More "refined". More accurate. Totally reliable. Only issue I have with it is some slight peening at the slide stop notch. That will get resolved if and when I refinish the slide. Paid right at $2,000. worth it to me.

Then I bought the Les Baer PII with the 1.5" guarantee. Also used LNIB. Came with the mag well. I added fiber optic front sight. Tens of thousands of rounds. Wow. Very accurat and reliable. I shoot only reloads and will get a choke on a bad load now and then. I shoot bowling pins at my club and get accused of cheating. Accurate guns are good.

I recently bought a Les Baer PII in 9mm. It doesn't have the 1.5" guarantee. Is reasonably accurate and reliable after initial extractor problems. I'm shooting it more than other guns due to ammo costs.

 

[possum]

switching to a 1911 is fine and dandy, and the 1911's are awesome, i reccomend that you spend series time working with the 1911 on the range, shooting and training. the plastic guns and the 1911 are much different, i feel that you should get some serious trigger time with the 1911 before making the switch to your carry gun.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

In general, I would say beware of short barrelled, compact 1911s. They are much more unlikely to run right.

I have owned several Wilson's. I am down to one of those. While they are nice, they do not do a whole lot better in my hands than a Colt or S&W. I really don't think they are really worth 3 or 4 times the cost of a Colt or S&W, but a lot of that depends on what you value in a firearm.

 

[GLI45]

Check out STI

If you haven't already made a purchase I would suggest looking at STI. Pricier than most ($1000 - $2000), but really outstanding handguns. Since they don't mass produce like many manufacturers, their guns have the feel and performance of custom made. You can also choose from either single or double stack. After a lot of research and test firing many brands (Kimber, Tanfoglio, Colt, Para, etc) I settled on the STI Eagle 6.0 with Dawson Fiber Optic front sight. Dead-on accurate right out of the box and as smooth as a 20 year old single malt.

http://www.stiguns.com/

 

[Bubba613]

I don't like them for carry because they are too prone to operator error. I like "pull, point, and shoot" guns.
My advice is if someone wants to carry one, that better be all he carries.

 

[Walkalong]

I have plain jane ones, and some pretty nice ones. (No, not Nighthawk nice) I appreciate them all. I would love something by say, Rogers Precision. They are works of art, but out of my reach unfortunately.