How many people START with a 1911?

[Quiet]

I was raised on .45ACP 1911s.
It was what I was taught with as a kid and grew up around.

The first handgun I ended up buying was a .40S&W Glock 22.

I still don't own any 1911s.

 

[psyopspec]

First I shot was a relations' commander-length Colt in my early teens.

First handgun owned was a Springer GI 1911 after coming home from deployment. Since then I've sampled quite a few, and while I have no problems with the 1911 as a platform, I find it's just not ideal for me.

 

[CajunBass]

A 1911 was my first semi-auto handgun.

 

[MachIVshooter]

A Colt Mk IV was my first semi auto, bought 5 months after I turned 18. I got a Ruger Security-Six 4" stainless two months earlier, and that was my first handgun.

 

[rogsir]

My first handgun was a 1943 remington rand, it is still my best handgun.

 

[jfh]

I started with a 1911 as my first handgun. At about age 43, 22 years ago.

No issue--although I also shot some .22 handguns about the same time. I'd come from a hunting (duck, pheasant, deer) and marksmanship family--but I'd had little to do with firearms for twenty-some years.

In those first couple of years after my interest in shooting was re-ignited, I also bought a S&W 41, S&W 52, GP-100 / 6", and had inherited a Pre-27 .357 / 3.5". Since I had a primary background in .22 marksmanship, I thought I'd go that way--but I got hooked on club-level PP- / IPSC-type shooting with the 1911--so I went off to learn reloading and to start to enhance my SA 1911 NM 'basic' with appropriate Ed Brown parts, etc., etc.

It seems to me that, unless one gets hooked up with revolvers first, an ideal setup for serious shooting would be a 1911 in .45ACP and a .22LR switch top for it. Personally, if that newbie handgun shooter is interested and motivated, I'd recommend an 'enchanced' model, with a beavertail, adjustable sight, etc., etc, not a basic 1911. The only extra tweak that might be needed then is the appropriate mainspring housing if the one installed doesn't quite fit you--and installing that could be your introduction into amateur "gunsmithing."

An alternative setup could also be CZ-75-type pistol, again preferably in .45ACP, and again with a .22LR switchtop. The EAA 'Elite Match' series and the EAA switchtop can be had for well under $900.00 total--say, a $1000 with some extra magazines. The only caveat to the CZ-75 design is to make sure your hand fits well--that's a big grip.

There's any number of reasons the 1911 is considered to be one of the finest handguns ever--and it can serve as an excellent foundation for someone committed to becoming a handgun enthusiast. Specialty interests--customizing, reloading--can come out of this base.

Jim H.

 

[EddieNFL]

Colt Government in 1974.

 

[hank327]

The first handgun I bought was a Colt Government Model 1911. But I was given one to use and care for a while by my Uncle Sugar a few years prior to that one.

 

[Strahley]

Not me, a 1911 was my 3rd handgun

They are good shooters and look nice, but there are too many other better choices (for what I want a handgun for)...so I'm not really all gaga over them

 

[germ]

My first was an RIA 1911 a little over a year ago. Shortly after, I got an XD9. I much prefer the 1911, and I have small hands. In late 2008 I went to a local range to try out as many guns as I could. First was a Taurus 38, but I didn't find it very comfortable. I thought that the 1911 was such an antique why even try it? I was determined to keep an open mind, so the next gun I tried was an SS S-A 1911. I fell in love the first time I squeezed the trigger. Now I know why they've been around so long. I said, I gotta git me one a dem!! I'm quite certain that at least one 1911 will remain in my arsenal for the rest of my life. Can't wait to get one in compact size.

A few months ago I got to shoot a 686. Fit me like it was molded right in my hand. I have-ta git me one a dem too!! Does this ever end?

 

[KM]

My first pistol was a Sig P220, followed by a HK USPc .40, a glock 19 and then a Springfield Operator.

Out of them all, the Springfield was by far the most accurate and fit best in the hand. I'll be getting another, or a Dan Wesson later this year. Currenly only have a Glock 21, but it is a fine .45 as well for it's purpose.

 

[Walkalong]

My first pistol. 1911 at age 17. Amazing weapon.

 

[ScratchnDent]

It was the first center fire handgun I ever shot, at about 11 years old. After straying for several years, I picked one up again, and now I will never be without one again.

 

[Hatterasguy]

A 1911 was my first handgun because thats what I wanted.


Now I need to get a Walther P22 so I can afford to shoot.

 

[BullfrogKen]

It was the first handgun I'd shot, too.

My sister had a regular babysitting customer, and he had a Colt Series 80. One weekend he invited me over and allowed me to put a few magazines through it. I must have been 14 at the time.

 

[LonGr]

My first center-fire handgun was a blued Colt Gold Cup that I bought in 1982.

My first handgun was a blackpowder .44 Rogers & Spencer reproduction.

 

[Nushif]

I shot my friend's 1911 as one of my first guns and you know ... it don't really grab me. Even now I don't see myself gravitating to that kind of pistol, unless it's a New Agent.

 

[hiram2005]

My first handgun was a S+W model 18, but my first semi was a Colt Combat Commander 45 in satin nickel with smooth walnut panels.

 

[Rittmeister]

I learned on .22, and fired numerous handguns (pistols and revolvers), rifles, and shotguns as a teenager.

When I was old enough and had a choice, the first gun I purchased was a 1911. It's still the gun I shoot the best with. I have others now too, but it's easily my favorite.

 

[MrIzhevsk]

well then it looks like the path I'm choosing isn't all too uncommon. I definitely remember my dad renting a ruger .22 for me to shoot at our local gun store and another friend of ours setting me up with one on another couple occasions. I'd really like to get myself a springfield 1911 loaded (if I could ever find a parkerized one ) because of the lifetime warranty and overall I've heard nothing but good from their customer service. Hopefully I'll be able to post here soon and tell what my first handgun is!

 

[Colton White]

ME

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

First real firearm I ever shot was a rental Springfield 1911. I still haven't bought one for myself, but its first one my list once I can afford another gun.

 

[medalguy]

I would NEVER recommend a 1911 for a FIRST gun. Think of all the other guns you would not have the opportunity of owning and selling and fondling if you started with the best!!

 

[NinjaFeint]

My father. He just bought his first Glock yesterday though.

 

[Straight Shooter]

First pistol I shot was a 1911 Government in the Navy. First pistol I purchased was a Colt Commander when I got out in '93.