i got my first 1911!

[thefamcnaj]

And boy do I love it. I got the Sig sauer 1911 c3. Its super accurate and ran flawless through its first 100 rounds. I was scared to put that much money into a gun, because I've read a lot of negative things about the 1911 platform. I was also told only to use chip mcCormic mags, but thankfully the Sig mags ran fine.
The gun felt amazing in the hand, and had a great look. It felt much different than any of my 13 poly guns, most notably the 4.7 lbs trigger pull. I'm not considering carrying it yet, until it further proves its reliability. The only negative I have about it is for the price, it mabey should of come with night sights.
Lastly I have a question for the 1911 vets. Do they require more tlc than the polymer service type pistols. More lube, less lube? Grease or oil? Anything besides the rail and slide grooves need lube? Just want to make sure I treat it right.

 

[BossHogg]

Congrats, they are one beautiful gun. I will own one someday, everytime I save up they go up in price. Just keep the slide lubed and you should be fine. They are the perfect size for carry and the weight is just right for the 45acp. A great CCO sized gun, enjoy.

 

[Fishslayer]

I probably run all my bottomfeeders more wet than they need to be, but I use either auto assembly lube (has graphite & moly) or CorrosionX (sets up to almost a grease. Very slick) on slide grooves & rails.

Now whenever somebody is raving about the wonderfully "consistant" trigger pull on (insert striker fired brand name here) you can just grin and shake yer head and think to yerself "Yeah. Consistantly crappy."

 

[9mmepiphany]

Lastly I have a question for the 1911 vets. Do they require more tlc than the polymer service type pistols. More lube, less lube? Grease or oil? Anything besides the rail and slide grooves need lube? Just want to make sure I treat it right.

Yes they do require more knowledge and commitment to maintenance

This article is a good place to start...which should then lead you to here

Besides the rails of the frame and slide, remember to take care (clean & lube) the barrel, locking lugs, foot, link, slide stop pin and the firing pin retaining plate

 

[thefamcnaj]

Those were some good reads thanks for the links. I'm kind of scared of the thing bow all the guns I own are Glocks, hk,s, Ruger sr series and xd's. They are all simple and straight foward, really can't mess them up. I'm starting to think I should of got a cheap 1911 to learn on, especially since the are no smithies around here.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The 1911 takes a bit more to understand.

The good thing is that it is also really simple to take apart and see how it all works. It doesn't require any special tools (really any tools, other than a screwdriver to remove the grips) Sorry, no links, I learned how to do it in the days before the internet.

The thing about the 1911 is that everything is about keeping the balance of the springs correct (the timing) and that most parts will require hand fitting.

Magazines: 1911 magazines are considered consumable items...like brake pads and turbos...when they start acting up (other than weakened springs) they should be replaced.

 

[HDCamel]

You don't even need a screwdriver. The rim of a .45 ACP casing is the exact width of the grip screw's groove.

EDIT: On GI configs anyway. I've never handled the Sig version.

 

[cfullgraf]

There is alot of good information on M1911s in print out there. Get yourself several books and read.

I do not feel the M1911 is complicated or difficult but some things are not intuitive. Go slow and take small steps.

And what 9mmepiphany said.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You don't even need a screwdriver. The rim of a .45 ACP casing is the exact width of the grip screw's groove.

EDIT: On GI configs anyway. I've never handled the Sig version.

Good disclaimer...there are very few 1911s on the market today that use grip screws with the original specs. I'm pretty confident none of the Sig 1911 use them.

 

[Fred_G]

***!! A new gun in the family, and no pitchers?

I love the 1911 platform, but it does take a little more work than most of it's polymer cousins. As mentioned, the springs need changing all along. And some of them are picky about mags. Or at least mine is. Does not like McCormick. But it runs great on the less expensive ACT mag.

Have fun with it!

 

[thefamcnaj]

Fred I would post pictures, believe me I want to. Not to brag I'm just proud of the gun.
Thing is I don't know how to post pictures. I'm a computer noob. Know just enough to navigate THR and youtube gun channels. Ill see if I can figure it out....going to get my son

 

[Fred_G]

Does this look like the gun in question? http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-c3.aspx

If so, nice looking 1911. Let me see if I can post a picture here...

 

[thefamcnaj]

Hey fred my sig is two tone 4 inch 1911. Has stainless upper and black lower. It has the rose wood grips with the sig sauer logo in the middle. Skeletalized(excuse the spelling please) and solid trigger.

 

[Fred_G]

Nice looking gun TheFam. I am not a big fan of the two tone guns. That one pulls it off nicely. Enjoy the 1911!

 

[Dr_B]

You've chosen a great carry gun. I've been carrying a Sig 1911 C3 for a while now. This has been my experience:

Reliability: Mine has fed 200 and 230 gr FMJ, Hornady Critical Defense, and Remington Golden Saber with no problems. I have put over 600 rounds through it. Problems occurred only when I shot some reloaded ammo that didn't have enough crimp. Got some failure to feeds then. But it has been flawless with all factory ammo.

Care: I give it the Q-tip treatment after each range visit. I lube all the parts before putting it back together. My other Sigs don't require much lube, and I am probably over-oiling the 1911, but it seems to be working fine.

Sights: Yep, I agree, for what this pistol costs they could have put some night sights on it.

Grips: They felt weird and short at first. But the texture helps a lot. I've never had a problem holding on to mine.

Magazines: Use the Sig mags that came with it. Mine will lock back on every round with Chip McCormick magazines. I've read that is normal. These pistols like their Sig mags.

Levers and switches: I like the small safety and slide stop levers. I never find the safety off when I pull the C3 from its holster. With my other 1911, I did find that to happen often and it had a much larger tab on the safety.

Holster: I carry mine in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket sized for a Commander 1911. I think CompTac also makes a comfortable holster.

You don't need to second-guess your decision. You don't need a cheaper 1911 to learn on. Just take your C3 out to the range and shoot it. Enjoy!

 

[thefamcnaj]

I think I figured out to do the picture, thanks to the guys over at tech suppport.

 

[Walkalong]

Perhaps it is because I cut my teeth on a 1911, but I have never found them hard to disassemble, hard to reassemble, hard to care for, or hard to operate.

I guess the XD's etc where the spring is self contained and can just be popped out without shooting across the room if one gets careless is easier, I guess.

 

[dcarch]

I used to be intimidated by the 1911. The very first time I tried to disassemble it, I ended up with a pile of parts and no idea how to get it back together. However, after a few instructional youtube videos and a LOT of hands-on tinkering, I can take just about everything down on my 1911. It's a whole lot harder than a Glock, but a lot more rewarding too.

 

[LiveLife]

My Sig grips require hex Allen wrench to remove.