Help me pick my first 1911

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dennisH87

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Hello, I'm in the market to buy my first 1911. So far I'm looking at Springfield Armory's GI model. http://www.gunshopfinder.com/springfield/PW9108L.aspThis pistol is at the top of my price range. I'm working on a tight budget. What I'm asking from you guys is are there any other 1911's that are of good quality but less expensive than the Springfield? I found a Brolin 1911 that had nice sights and more options than the Springfield but I'm afraid that the quality won't be comparable to the Springfield. The Brolin was listed at about $350 and the springfield at $450.

Thanks, Dennis
 
ya, but i really don't like the sights on the Springfield. They are the low military style. Can i change out those sights later for high 3 dot sights or am i stuck with the low military sights that came on it.
 
Yes you can change out the sights. I would go with a Springield. It is a great starter gun and you can build on it later if you want to. Customer service is top notch as well, Ive also heard the same with RIA as well.
 
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dennisH87, what part of IN are you in, the south? I've got one of the RIA tactical's you could try out.
 
i'll probably get yelled at for this, but look at a Taurus PT1911, I like mine, there is NO play between the Slide/frame, Its very accurate. At least handle one.

I like Springfield's too as well as alot of others. I have also heard for the money RIA can't be beat.

basically you have to decide if you want the RIA Tactical or Taurus PT1911 that has some upgraded features like ext beavertail safety....etc, or the Springfield and upgrade as you go along.

I paid $490 out the door for my Taurus I think RIA Tacticals are $390-$430, or something around there.

I can tell you though, When you get up around $550-$610 which is what most places sell the Taurus for.....I would rather have a Springfield Mil-Spec or similar
 
Well i ended up taking the plunge today and bought a 1911. I went with the RIA but not the tactical model. Its almost identical to the springfield GI. It has identical grips but with out the "US" on the side. I bought it used at a gun show for $325. With tax and 3 mags my total was $369. Not bad i didn't think but give me your input.

The gun is in mint condition except for the grip safety doesn't work. It needs a new spring and even if you hold it in the safe position with your hand it still fires. I'm going to have that looked at by a gunsmith unless you guys could tell me how to fix it. Other than that I am very pleased with the gun. I fired about 12 mags through it and it operated properly. I did however have 2 rounds that needed to have the slide pressed forward to fully chamber the round. Do i need a new slide spring as well?

As of right now its in pieces on my desk and I'm trying to figure out how to put it back together. lol I'm still a noob with field stripping it because I've never had anyone to show me how to do it and my pistol didn't come with a manual.

I'll post you some pics when i get my camera around.
 
My concern isn't the price paid, it's the grip safety failures. I'd be having that corrected ASAP. Re price, if it had any defect or broken parts, I would have requested a price off-set equal to the cost of repair, and shipping. JMHO.
 
i didn't find out that it was broken until i took it home and shot it. I would have said something to the guy then but i didn't know. I don't think that it will cost too much to repair but u'd know better than i would.
 
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rock river makes a 1911 sells for around 350.00 new. used who knows, either way it aint too pretty but feels like a 1911. shoots ok and for the price for a first, and on a tight budget. but youl probably be happier holding off and saving a few more months
 
I have a Taurus PT1911 That shoots great but I have had to change out the locking hammer because it broke after only a few hundered rounds. So I did the whole trigger job its real nice now. I wont buy another anything that locks
 
i didn't find out that it was broken until i took it home and shot it. I would have said something to the guy then but i didn't know. I don't think that it will cost too much to repair but u'd know better than i would.
Click to expand...

I hate to be the guy that gives you advice after it's already over, but check this out so you know how to do a safety/function test the next time you buy a used one.

Here's the link


Only word of advice, is make sure you ask before doing the hammer follow test, as it involves dropping the slide on an empty chamber, which can damage an expensive trigger job where the sear has been stoned. Once or twice won't hurt anything, but some folks will take offense if you don't ask first.

Jason
 
ya, Jason G, i know i made a mistake. The gun had a zip tie through the chamber and around the grip safety so i couldn't test to see if the spring worked. And not to mention there was two other guys behind me that wanted the same pistol and were trying to barter with the guy to get it before i could. Gun shows aren't where i like to buy guns. I prefer from a dealer or even better somewhere i can test fire it first. Overall i am still very happy with the pistol. I fired another 9 mags through it without incident. I came to the conclusion that the person that had it before me purposely disabled the grip safety. Probably because it didn't fit their hand right causing the firearm to not discharge when the trigger was pulled. Its not even the same one that came with the gun. It looks like its from an older model because almost all of the bluing is worn off of the grip safety and is not worn anywhere on the gun.

I've attached a couple pictures of it so you guys can get a look at it.

I shot it today at about 15 yards standing rapid fire and got groups of about 3 - 4 inches. I'm new to pistols so I'm not sure if that is a good group or not, but I was happy with it.
 

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Looks like the grip safety is not even sticking out. I'm guessing that it just sort of clacks loosely in and out if you move the gun? The previous owner may have done some devious misdeed with the spring, hopefully they just didn't clip off the grip safety spring. Shouldn't be too hard of a fix I wouldn't think, but I have never changed one out personally. The only thing is that the spring that operates the grip safety is also the sear spring and the disconnect spring, so it might be something that takes some adjusting after fitting a new one. You don't want to be the guy at the range that goes full auto because of a sear related problem. Maybe someone here that is a smith could advise?

lol I'm still a noob with field stripping it because I've never had anyone to show me how to do it and my pistol didn't come with a manual.
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Here's a semi-decent link for field and detail stripping a 1911.

Jason
 
ya, the spring is disconected. I havent taken it appart yet but its pretty obvious. I dont even think its the right safety becuase the hammer actually hits the safety when you push it up with your finger, and it doesnt stop the hammer from falling unless you press really hard and in that case its probably just contacting that hammer with such force that it is holding it. I'm going to take it to a gun smith when i get a chance. I've allready got a grip safety lined up to buy from midway. And while I'm at it I'm going to get a new trigger, sights, and possibally grips. What do you guys recomend for a good pair of 3 dots White/White sights? I dont want to spend very much ($15-$40).
 
What do you guys recomend for a good pair of 3 dots White/White sights? I dont want to spend very much ($15-$40).
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That may be a toughie. Most aftermarket sights are upwards of that price range. Do you know what dimensions the dovetails are on that pistol? That's gonna figure into the equation in terms of what's available.

Jason
 
no, i dont know the size, I'm not even sure if i have the tactical or USGI model. Its got a differnt hammer on it, like the tactical and as well as a beavertail safety unlike the USGI model. Can anyone help me on this?
 
Yours looks to me like a Milspec that someone added a beavertail grip safety and commander hammer to, but I do not know a whole lot about Armscor/RIA's model designations.

Edit: FoMoGo beat me to it.

Jason
 
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