First Pistol Price Check, Questions, and Advice - Maryland

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DelayedReaction

Member
Joined
May 18, 2004
Messages
645
Greetings All,

I recently started shooting with some of my friends, and I've decided that it's time for me to get my own pistol. I've set myself on the 1911 platform, and specifically the 1911 Mil-Spec. The reviews here have been fantastic, and I love the way the 1911 feels in my hands.

There's a place in Maryland called On-Target, and they sell the Mil-Spec's for $450 (Parkerized) and $560 (Stainless). I would really like to get the stainless model, as I like the way it looks and the fact that it's resistant to corrosion.

Are those good prices? Is there a reason I shouldn't get the Mil-Spec, or the stainless model in particular? What other essentials should I purchase in addition to the handgun, and what would recommend for those essentials? I'm talking about stuff like cleaning kits and other items. I remember 1911Tuner recommending that the mag springs and extractor be swapped out once I've shot for a couple hundred rounds and gotten a feel for the gun.

Any other recommendations?
 
Try White Marsh Arms in Reisterstown. They're friendlier than the folks at On Target and thier prices are generally lower.

As for the rest, the type of material and finish is purely a matter of individual taste because only a neglected gun rusts. A standard cleaning kit, such as the one put out by Hoppes, will suit you just fine - all you'll need to purchase is a brass brush or two. Finally, I think the advice about the magazine springs is just a bunch of baloney. I've owned my Colt M1991A1 for nine years and have shot it often, yet the springs are still taunt and ready to go. (The extractor is going strong, too)

Hope this helps.
 
Welcome aboard! Lots of Marylanders here.....

With all due respect to one45auto, I've always found White Marsh to be one of the most expensive places in the state.....though On Target is no bargain basement either.
People at White Marsh are nice enough and, with the exeception of one individual, so are the people at On Target.

Just to be sure you know......that "Mil-Spec" at On Target, if it's the one in the new case, is the GI Model. Doesn't have the lowered and flared ejection port, if that matters to you.

I bought my SA Mil Spec for around $525 at Christian Soldier up on Harford road (matter of fact, it's Parkerized).

The Mil-Spec has been pretty good in around 350 rounds fired. Of concern: HEAVY trigger pull...needs work, also the slide sometimes fails to lock back on empty factory magazine. No problem with the Chip McCormick 10 rounder that I bought last week.

If you want to run a few rounds through it, let me know.....I have a membership at On Target
 
I can't help you with where to buy in Maryland, but the mil-spec is a great pistol. I found my parkerized version used at a local Gander Mountain store. I was able to take it home for under $400.

My trigger was great, but needed some work once I changed the hammer--which I did as a result of changing the grip safety to a beavertail, which I did...

You get the picture, these guns are good as is, or great project guns. Enjoy yours. If it is anything like the large sample that have been reviewed here and on other forums, it will be a great value, accurate and reliable.

As a side note, mine loves the New in wrap GI magazine you can find at gun shows for $7. I've had no failures to feed or any other problems in this pistol with these mags.

Write us a review once you get it,

--usp_fan
 
Had this thread appeared 3 weeks ago, I would have recommended visiting Walter's Gun Chamber in Parkville, because they are closing out inventory with some nice markdowns. The shop is closing; the owner has decided to retire. It might still be worth a call, though.

BR...
 
If you're familiar with the Glen Burnie area there's always Scott's Gunsmithing, Bart's Sports, A&D Pawn, and Arundel Pawn (in that order). If you wanna get some trigger time on MIL-SPEC 1911s I can volunteer my wifes and mine for a trip to On-Target (I also have a membership so it can be cheap). Both guns are parked 5" Springfields. My wifes was about 550 new and mine I found for 425 used both at Bart's.
 
Dang, Jeep....that's a great price......may have to make a drive up to Timonium to check that thing out.

Wife said that since I can't modify her Mil-Spec (it is hers after all) I should get my own 1911
 
Great. Now I'm gonna have to wake up earlier than Norton and beat him to it.

JeepDriver, I'l be calling and visiting tommorrow.
 
I wouldn't hesitat to buy the used one that JeepDriver has for $450.00, if "very lightly used" means excellent condition. There's nothing wrong with buying an excellent condition used pistol. $450.00 sounds like a good price.

I bought a brand new parkerized one in '95, and it cost me $368.00 out the door. I still have it. It has never malfunctioned with my 230 gr. lead round nose reloads or Federal Hydra-Shok 230 gr. JHP's.
 
Great. Now I'm gonna have to wake up earlier than Norton and beat him to it.
Click to expand...

Don't worry.

It's 3:45 am and we're on our way to get it already so you can go back to (or stay in) bed. :neener:

Actually brother Norton and I are heading to WV to have a looky at some land today so the gun's all yours if you can beat everybody else to it. :)


Welcome to THR.
 
Well, it's mine. $450 for a nearly new stainless Springfield MilSpec. Walked in, saw it was a perfect match, and plunked down Mr. Plastic right then and there. Hopefully next Saturday the paperwork will have finished and I can run it through the ropes.

Oh yeah, Lou from Lou's Sporting Goods in Bowie just called and said he had a Stainless MilSpec for $550. Given the prices in the region I thought I'd give you guys a heads up.

Only a week to go...
 
Hey congratulations.....

I think it might be gettin' to be time for another Maryland THR Pistol shoot now that we have a few new members and a LOT of new toys to play with.
 
Cool...I'll check the calendar and start another thread about it when I get home from work.

I'll send out the usual pm's when we nail down a date.
 
A vote here for Accurate Pawn off 1 near Ellicott City. Good prices and the guy has no issues ordering stuff for you.

Norton- That's rough that you have to buy your own .45 since the wife won't let you mod her's! Wish I had those problems ;)

If I'm around for the get together I'm game to bring anything anyone wants to shoot. Maybe we can post a "wish list" of what people are interested in trying.
 
Ohen Cepel,

I'm spoiled I guess....she indulges me as long as I let her shoot everything and let her have a few things of her own. She's off at a shooting lesson as we speak!
 
Well she didn't seem to like the sks's much, but a military woman such as herself at least needs to try being perched behind my AR15 for a while.


Heck that gun is enough to make anybody smile.
 
Considering that she can already outshoot me with a handgun doing slow fire.....I'm not sure I want her getting at my rifles too much ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
Need some 1911 advice
Replies
10
Views
674
Lofland
L
T
  • Locked
Springfield Armory 1911
Replies
21
Views
1K
Jimfern
J
U
  • Locked
Mil-Spec 1911
Replies
20
Views
4K
3006mv
3
brockgl
  • Locked
Springfield Mil-Spec Quality?
Replies
20
Views
10K
NGIB
N
C
  • Locked
Do SA Mil-Specs have alloy frames?
Replies
4
Views
432
Norton
N
Back
Top