Hey 1911 guys, A quick question, please impart your wisdom

[orangeninja]

I have recently decided to do somthing other than a Sig (thinking outside the box) and am going to get a 1911. My only non-Sig pistol.

I wanted a basic 1911 with a Beaver tail and hammer to match, other than that, bone stock is fine with me, why mess with what works right?

My question is, should I get a Springfield GI Stainless or a MilSpec. The Milspec has a lowered ejection port, does this make any kind of difference at all?

Also I was looking at the Champion, and the only thing preventing me from getting one, is the itty bitty sights on it, however, I could add after market sights eventually.

The full size GI's seem to be comming with 3 dot sights now, so the mil-spec and GI both have acceptable sights in 5 inch.

The gun will be used as occasional off duty carry piece, thus my interest in the 4 inch (I'm in hot hot hot Texas) but I'm not sure if the extra inch is a big deal.

Having no experience with 1911's, is it possible I can drop in a beaver tail myself? Or is it better to get a smith?

Secondly, which would you choose and why? 5 inch GI, 4 inch GI, 5 inch Mil-spec?

Lastly, does a lowered ejection port affect reliability one way or another?

 

[birdman]

Hello,

I'm cetainly no expert but were it my choice I'd go with the 5" Milspec. First of all I don't like stainless 1911's. I also live in sunny North Central Texas and I can understand why you might want a stainless gun for concealed carry but the proper holster will protect your weapon. The extra 3/4" barrel length will be advantageous balistically with no disadvantage unless you plan on carrying the weapon OWB. Even then you can conceal with the proper wardrobe change. After saying this, I have to confess that I carry a Colt Combat Commander simply because I prefer the balance and asthetics. Yes you can get a Wilson "drop-in" beaver tail grip safety. At least it was a drop in part on my CC. This allows me to let my thumb ride on top of the safety while still being able to disengage the grip safety which is the way I prefer to shoot 1911 pistols.

 

[akviper]

It's more bucks but you might look at the SIG 1911. It would keep it all in the family.

 

[FunGunner]

The Milspec has a lowered ejection port, does this make any kind of difference at all?

Some will tell you yes, and no. I'm in the no crowd, if the gun is put together right, it makes no differance.

I wanted a basic 1911 with a Beaver tail and hammer to match, other than that, bone stock is fine with me, why mess with what works right?

Unless you do a LOT of shooting with it a stock Sgrip is fine.

Secondly, which would you choose and why? 5 inch GI, 4 inch GI, 5 inch Mil-spec?

Kind like asking what flavor you like best of ice cream you've never had. But, getting a 5in has advantages.

Having no experience with 1911's, is it possible I can drop in a beaver tail myself? Or is it better to get a smith?

There are part makers that put out a "Drop In" Sgrip, but it aint going to be pretty. You can fit a Sgrip yourself, but I give you a 55% chance of being happy with it. I've fit two before, and after fitting, lapping, fitting, shaping, blending, and refinshing for more than a good part of a day, I'd rather have some one else do it from now on.

 

[HighVelocity]

Just get a 4" Springfield Champion Loaded and be done with it.

It already has a beavertail and skeletonized hammer, flat mainspring housing, long trigger, Novak night sites, bull barrel. You just can't go wrong. It comes in stainless and parkerized.

 

[MarquisDS]

Another Option

I like the Kimber Pro Carry II With Night Sights or the Ultra Carry....
Compact Pro
Ultra Carry
Get a Gun that is already Tricked to your liking as 1911's aren't the easiest gun to shadetree smith.....

 

[cxm]

Best Value Bar None Is....

Alduro,

To me the best value by far in a COmmander size 1911 type is the S&W SC1911. LOTS of features for a low price.

They are good to go out of the box... including the trigger not needing work... and a lifetime warranty.

Try one... you will not be disappointed.

V/r

Chuck

 

[9mmepiphany]

i settled on the SW 1911Sc too after looking very hard at the kimbers, the para ords and the springers. besides having all the features i would have eventually added, the prive was great and it looked better balanced with the barrel the same lenght as the original commander (4.25")

the lower ejection port has two advantages...only you can decide it you really need them. it doesn't ding the empty brass during ejection (mostly a reloader thing) and it makes it easier to eject an unfired round.

 

[orangeninja]

Thanks guys. I completely forgot S&W. Though I kind of wanted somthing under $600.00 and I don't see many used 1911's in the commander size. I'm leaning towards a full size Milspec stainless, but may also look at a couple of Armscor ones. The one Armscor one I shot that belonged to High Velocity was a hoot, and I can buy 2 of those for what 1 tricked out Springy cost.

 

[Technosavant]

I'd go Milspec. As said, that lowered/flared ejection port is primarily to prevent dinging the brass (a big issue for reloaders), but I am a fan of something that helps get empties (or live rounds, if need be) out of the gun more easily. The GI is a good gun, but the Milspec isn't that much more, and the few additional features are worth it, IMO. Either one is a good lower end 1911 that would serve very well as a base gun for a further buildup.

Get it, shoot it, and then figure out what else you want to do to it.