Nightcrawler
Member
My first handgun was a 1911. A Chuck Daly 4" that I bought when I was 18 (private sale). Thing seemed okay...sometimes the slide wouldn't go all the way back into battery, though I may have been limp-wristing. In any case I sold it and didn't own another handgun until last June, when I turned 21 and bought my CZ-97B.
Still, I've found myself wanting a 1911. Preferably a Psuedo-GI style. What I mean by this is a basic, parkerized gun, nothing fancy, and no silly front cocking serrations. Traditional spur hammer, but with decent sights and an ambi safety, since I'm left handed.
I've been considering a Springfield Mil-Spec or one of the New Rollstamp Colts.
However...
I handled two Springfields in a Gander Mountain today. I hadn't handled a 1911 in a long time, so I came at them with an open mind.
The two pistols were a Springfield Mil-Spec, for $499, and a Springfield Loaded Full Size, for $599. Both were parkerized.
I liked how the grip was nice and thin, for one. I could reach the slide release and magazine release with my trigger finger well enough.
The trigger on the Mil-Spec was unimpressive. I daresay my CZ-97 has a better single action trigger. The CZ has takeup, but it's smooth. The Mil-Spec's trigger was just creepy. The Loaded had a much better trigger.
On the loaded, I could reach the ambi safety fine with my left thumb. However, I found that with the safety down, the left-hand side of it pressed against my trigger finger, and it was immediately noticable and more than a little annoying. I don't have espeically large hands, though I find I handle fat-gripped guns like double stack .45s, and long-gripped guns, like Desert Eagles, fine. The only gun that I just can't seem to get comfy with (though I'd have to shoot one to be sure) is the large frame Glock.
So, I don't know. I can't properly use the 1911 without the ambi safety, yet the ambi safety bothers my trigger finger. The only option that I think would work would be to get a lefty-only safety, and I don't think anyone makes one.
Also, the grips on the Loaded were hideous. They looked nice, but the checkering was so sharp they felt like sandpaper. Since I like the look of smooth walnut grips better, they'd be the first thing I'd change out on a 1911.
So...while I've been wanting a 1911, given my limited funds, it just got bumped way down on my list of handguns to buy. I'm happy as can be with the CZ-97 for the time being.
Still, I've found myself wanting a 1911. Preferably a Psuedo-GI style. What I mean by this is a basic, parkerized gun, nothing fancy, and no silly front cocking serrations. Traditional spur hammer, but with decent sights and an ambi safety, since I'm left handed.
I've been considering a Springfield Mil-Spec or one of the New Rollstamp Colts.
However...
I handled two Springfields in a Gander Mountain today. I hadn't handled a 1911 in a long time, so I came at them with an open mind.
The two pistols were a Springfield Mil-Spec, for $499, and a Springfield Loaded Full Size, for $599. Both were parkerized.
I liked how the grip was nice and thin, for one. I could reach the slide release and magazine release with my trigger finger well enough.
The trigger on the Mil-Spec was unimpressive. I daresay my CZ-97 has a better single action trigger. The CZ has takeup, but it's smooth. The Mil-Spec's trigger was just creepy. The Loaded had a much better trigger.
On the loaded, I could reach the ambi safety fine with my left thumb. However, I found that with the safety down, the left-hand side of it pressed against my trigger finger, and it was immediately noticable and more than a little annoying. I don't have espeically large hands, though I find I handle fat-gripped guns like double stack .45s, and long-gripped guns, like Desert Eagles, fine. The only gun that I just can't seem to get comfy with (though I'd have to shoot one to be sure) is the large frame Glock.
So, I don't know. I can't properly use the 1911 without the ambi safety, yet the ambi safety bothers my trigger finger. The only option that I think would work would be to get a lefty-only safety, and I don't think anyone makes one.
Also, the grips on the Loaded were hideous. They looked nice, but the checkering was so sharp they felt like sandpaper. Since I like the look of smooth walnut grips better, they'd be the first thing I'd change out on a 1911.
So...while I've been wanting a 1911, given my limited funds, it just got bumped way down on my list of handguns to buy. I'm happy as can be with the CZ-97 for the time being.