I finally succumbed to the Cult of the 1911

[Dorrin79]

well, I finally decided resistance was futile.

Went by McBride's yesterday on the way home from work and purchased a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911 (the normal Mil-Spec, not the new "GI" Milspec). I'll probably put some different parts in it eventually; for now I wanted a simple (and inexpensive) 1911 to play with.

Paid $469 for it, which is a really good price (especially for McBride's). Also got two 8rd McCormick mags and a cheap holster.

Initial Impressions: Nice Gun! Hefty, very slim and well-balanced. I indulged myself with a couple of dry firings to test the trigger; crisp and short with a stiff but not hard pull. The action is smooth. I like the raised (Novak?) sights. Parkerized finish is much nicer looking than online pics would indicate. It fits my hand well (but I already knew that 1911's did).

I'll be taking her to the range either today or tomorrow to see how she performs.

Anything I should be aware of concerning these? Any suggested modifications right out of the box?

 

[critter]

I've got one. Only mods mine has is a few thousand rounds downrange. Helps slick things up. Good gun-good shooter. ENJOY!

 

[El Tejon]

Cult? I had no idea I was in a cult.

McBride's in Austintacious? Great gun shoppe! Hint to those visiting, the firearms on to the left!!!! I went right and found turkey calls, but no firearms.

El Tejon, looking confused and thus normal, "[insert Yankee accent] Hey, eh, yeah, youz guyz, where are da firearms, huh?" DOH!

 

[Dorrin79]

El T - I did the same thing the first time I went in there. They really ought to put up a sign or something...

Good store and good staff. Prices on some of their guns are kinda high, although no worse than Red's.

Their selection is mind-boggling - even better than Carter's Country in Houston (although CC has better prices)

 

[10-Ring]

Careful, 1911's can be very addicting I've had 2 on my quest for the perfect one for me

 

[MK11]

speaking of upgrading a mil-spec, has anyone used the Springfield Custom Shop? They've got a modification package for about $500 that I'm considering.

 

[MacPelto]

$469...yeah, that's McBride's! That's why I usually buy from Heritage. No slam on McBride's, they have a really good selection, and they're the only place in town to get blackpowder stuff (straight back from the doors, and up the stairs), but they are a bit pricey on the new stuff.

Good job, and welcome to the 1911 club!

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Down the slippery slope you go.

ZM

 

[Art Eatman]

Find a copy of Hallock's "how to" book on the 1911. It shows a good number of easy things to do yourself to make your pistol work a bit better. Not any big-deal major thing so much as the cumulative effect of small stuff.

I started hanging out at McBride's right after Jack opened, in an old wooden house on the corner there. Watched the kids grow up...

Next time you're by there, tell 'em "Howdy" from me. Joe, Jay, James, Jackie, Oliver...

, Art

 

[1911Tuner]

Ken Hallock's Little Book

Ken advises removing the dimple from the magazine followers...
Don't do it. The template for the follower angle is good, though.

Dorrin, If you need instructions for the 1911 detail strip, let me know.
I have it written up and saved to a folder. Cut and paste is nada problemo.
I'll post it here, or send it on an E-mail...Moderators' call..

Welcome to the cult...Therein lies madness...

Cheers!
Tuner

 

[Dorrin79]

Tuner - that's what I'm afraid of! I really ought to be buying stuff for my new house, but I just couldn't resist the urge to get a 1911 any longer.

Art - I'll say hi for you next time I'm in there. The staff is the best of any gun shop I've been in - which helps to make up for their markup in my eyes.

I'm going to post a range report in a seperate thread...

 

[Shmackey]

I just spent more on my most recent 1911 than I spent for it.

So yeah, I'm in a cult.

 

[alamo]

I've noticed McBrides prices haven't been as outrageous as they used to be but they are still high. I only go there to look. I've bought several guns at Heritage. Check out Cost + 10% on Burnet LANE (not Road), it is behind the Academy Sporting Goods on Burnet Road. It is a small shop with a small selection but they've got very good prices on many types of guns and a good ammo selection. A fella named Jim runs it. What he doesn't have in stock, he can order for you. I've bought a number of guns there at the lowest prices I've seen around town.

 

[Quartus]

Springfield's Custom shop

Can't say about the Custom shop, but their regular customer service is PUKE. Search TFL and you'll find some horror stories. I'll sure never do business with them again. There are a lot of good custom shops out there.

As for joining the 1911 club, well, we all grow up sometime.


Welcome!

 

[ruger357]

Congrats and enjoy.