How many people START with a 1911?

[MrIzhevsk]

As in, how many people do you know/hear of that buy a 1911 as their first gun? Just food for thought.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Not me...After the service, my first purchase was a Rossi Snub-nose .38sp.
It was some years later before my 1st 1911....

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

There is no particular reason it could not be one's first handgun. I've always found the assertion that it is "for experts only" to be questionable.

 

[danez71]

My friend did so only 1 that I know 1st hand.

It was my 2nd hand gun. Sold it... I was spoiled by my 1st handgun.... BHP. Actually the reason was it was just too big for my hand; Colt Govt. Nice gun just not for me.

Traded it in on a M&P9c with thumb safety.

 

[Wolfebyte]

1911 was probably my 5th handgun...

sold it 14 years ago.. missed it.. so I bought replacement 2 weeks ago..

I had many in between.. but to me, nothing compares to a 1911..

 

[bobelk99]

There is a lot to be said for starting with a 22 caliber. That gives one an opportunity to build basic sight and handling skills without the potential for developing flinch and saves a ton of money initially.

After a few K rounds of 22, one can handle a transition to heavy caliber more easily.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

[sigsteve]

It was not my first handgun (a HK USP Tactical .45 was) and it was not because I didn't think I was ready for one or anything like that. It was more because I was "un-educated" about how fine a piece of hardware it really is. It just took me a while to recognize it. I bought a Sig P229 (9mm) for my second side arm and then another two Sigs. (220 & X-5) I then got to wanting a 1911 and after much reading of various brands on the forums I quickly realized that the Dan Wesson was "the" 1911 to buy for the best bang for the buck. (pun intended) I own 2 DW's now. A CBOB in .45 and a Razorback 10mm. The 1911 is a fine pistol and everyone should try one out at some point. A good 1911 (such as a DW, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, STI, etc) are as accurate of a pistol as you could find on this planet. It just not everyones cup of tea.

 

[mljdeckard]

Not literally the first, but I did own one overlapping with my first. It was a junky Auto-Ordnance one. I owned and carried many other pistols before I came back to one.

 

[Fishslayer]

Considered it. My decision was down to the RIA 1911 or the Ruger KP90.

Went for the Ruger.

I'd tried both the 1911 & the Beretta 92 in the military. I like the DA/SA trigger and the decocker.
The Ruger fit my hand better, too.

Still want a 1911, tho.

 

[walteray]

1911 was my first handgun I personnally bought and owned. I had a couple of rifles before that and a shotgun but me and father have traded shotguns and one rifle since. I was raised shooting revolvers and only ever fired friends semi autos. After my second deployment I came home and bought a 1911 I was 22. I am going to buy another one soon (i'm still only 23) I love my 1911 and carry it everyday since i bought it. FYI its taurus, its what i could afford for the features and dont knock em till you shoot one

 

[ephraimf]

My first pistol was a 1911.

I'm looking for a good target .22 now because I can't afford to feed the 1911 anymore.

 

[earlthegoat2]

My first pistol was a Para Ordinance P13. Commander length with 13 shot capacity. I really should have bought a standard Govt or Commander model though because that things double stack grip was a fat block.

 

[MCgunner]

I started with a single action Hawes .22 with interchangeable .22LR/Mag cylinders. Then, I got a used Erma LA22 (Luger style toggle bolt), Colt 51 Navy replica, and in 78, got my first serious centerfire, a Ruger 4" stainless security six. Mid 80s I got a AMT Hardballer (got stolen) and an Auto Ordinance (sold). Swore off 1911s when I got my Ruger P90.

I think you should start with a .22 so as to learn the basics. JMO, though. If you have the cash for ammo or reload, knock yourself out, but you can shoot a .22 all day on tight budget.

 

[Mxracer239y]

1911 was the first gun of any type I ever fired, and also the first one I ever owned.

Loved every second of it.

 

[mothermopar]

Nearly every U.S. military personnel from about 1911 to 1984.

*I know that's not 100% accurate, but the point is evident.

 

[Clifford]

First handgun I ever shot was a colt mustang (think little 1911). I shot nothing but 1911's and S&W revolver's untill I was 19. A friend purchased a glock and let me fire a few thru it. Nice gun but no 1911 or smith revo.

 

[sprice]

I did.

It was a para ordnance that didn't like hollow points so I sold it though.

 

[MrIzhevsk]

well in my own experience it wouldn't be my first handgun or even first semi shooting, but owning in particular. I've been shooting my dads springer since I was around 13 and as time has gone by I've tried a walther PP, a Glock .40, a Beretta 92 and maybe a few in between and while fun, they just don't seem right. I just cannot find anything that even begins to feel as comfortable. I've tried the sig(220?), an EAA, and a Jericho all in .45 and none feel quite right. I think I've been spoiled by the 1911 platform.

 

[readr1]

In 2000, shortly after I got out of the Corps, I traded a 1986 Peugot station wagon and a hundred dollars for my first handgun, a stainless Clackamas, OR Custom Classic. I Loved that gun, shot it till I wore out the extractor and the springs, replaced them and could never get it to work right again. I then traded it in on a Kimber Desert Warrior which I still have and carry daily. Needless to say I love my 1911's and will never be without one.

 

[lab28143]

I just bought a Rock Island 1911 last week. Its the first handgun i've ever bought personally (because i'm just now of legal age in Virgina to purchase one (private sale that is)) It was by no means spontanous nor, the first time i've shot a 1911. I'm not sure weather or not I would say the RIA is my first or not, considering that I'v been around handguns as long as I can remember.

 

[BullfrogKen]

My first handgun out of the Corps was a Beretta 96. I just wanted something familiar.

Then I picked up a S&W 649 and a 66 before I got another semi-auto - a Sig 229.

Of those 4 the only one left if the 649. Everthing else got upgraded.

I made the conscious decision to switch to 1911's from the Sig. I've never looked back.

 

[Mastiff]

My first handgun back in the 60's was a 1911. I think I paid something like $35 to a high school buddy for it. I didn't have any problems learning to shoot with it. I think that calling it an "Expert's Gun" is bogus, but that is just me.

 

[Oro]

I know a few who have. I know I did. It was the first handgun I fired when I was about 10, and I fired every chance I got from then forward. It was the first handgun I purchased on my own when of legal age. And I haven't stopped buying them since.

 

[KingMedicine]

My First handgun was a Glock Subcompact in .40... And i must say it was a pretty bad first handgun. I hated the recoil and lack of grip with my large hands.

Then i found a Kimber Royal Classic at a pawn shop for 500 bucks, and it was almost brand new.... So i would say that the Kimber might be my first handgun i shot regularly.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

nope, it was my 2nd.