I'm being tempted by the 1911....

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Don't shoot a 1911. It just may ruin you for all the other wonderful platforms out there. I don't like to shoot anything else. 1911+100 rounds = 1 ragged hole. There are a lot of other guns I have bought, loved, and just had to sell because they were not 1911's.
 
I think part of my desire for a 1911 is because my CZ-75 is far more accurate than my Glock 21, and the CZ-75 seems to have more in common with the 1911/BHP design

I know it's not fair to compare two different calibers and two different architectures, but at 7 yards, I can empty all 15 rounds from the CZ into one ragged hole, about half-dollar size, the Glock at that range does a lot of two-holers, but is a less consistent pattern, at 7 yards with the CZ, I have one ragged hole dead center in the target and a lot of unused target space around it, and with the G21 at the same distance, shooting the same brand of ammo (230 grain WWB ball) I can generally group 3/4 to 1" two-holers, but end up all over the target (nothing outside the 7 ring)

The G21 is still shooting "minute of Bad Guy" (these are the scaled down "center mass" type targets with a large oval shaped target area) and staying inside the 7 ring, but isn't grouping as tightly as the CZ

I now realize that the G21 grip is just a tad too wide for comfort, when compared against the CZ-75, or a 1911, my hand does fit the 21, but it's not as ergonomic as the 75

I stopped off at my gunshop after the range trip, and tried out some 1911's, and I really wish I hadn't, because I fell in love with one, as soon as I picked it up, I *KNEW* this was the right one, it fit my hand like it had been molded to it, the action felt tight and precise, and it had that wonderful single-action trigger pull, it's a Colt Government model with wood/Pachmyr grips, it felt solid, well built, and precise, felt like it had been made just for me

Now, I'm frantically looking through my knife and flashlight collection to see what I could trade towards it, I'll have to trade out of my G21, but there's no comparing the two, the 1911 will give me a more comfortable grip, better accuracy (I'm hoping) and the ability to shoot lead reloads without replacing the barrel, the only thing I'd be losing is the incredibly durable Tenifer slide finishing, and the higher magazine capacity

On the other hand, I *could* get a grip reduction done to the G21, and replace the barrel with a conventional barrel so I can shoot lead, but that'd be almost half what I paid for the gun in the first place....

<sigh> decisions, decisions....

then again, I *COULD* simply save up for a 1911 and keep the G21 anyway, but I'm really starting to get annoyed with the grip width, and have no desire to deal with getting a grip reduction done to it....
 
Well, I've shot a couple 1911's, the people at my R&G club are very freindly, and we all have no problem letting other shooters try our guns, I've shot a mag's worth of ammo from a couple .45 models, and a 10MM, heck, today, the shooter over in the next stall let me try out his Police Positive .38 Special with his special low-recoil target loads, and his .44 Magnum, also with target loads, we're talking a .44 Mag that recoiled less than my G21....

anyway, yes, I've shot 1911's and I do well with them, right now the main annoyance I have with my G21 is it's girth, it's just wide, but then again, to be expected with a double-stack .45

y'know, maybe I just need more time with it, splitting my time between the CZ-75 and the G21 might not be the best idea, both guns are relatively new to me, the CZ I got last week, and I'm dead-on with it, in fact I'm quite deadly with it, if we're ever invaded by paper targets, me and my trusty CZ-75 will take 'em all on!

I got the G21 just shy of a month ago, and have put trigger time behind it almost every weekend, at 7 yards, I can do two-holers and generally group at about 1/2", which was a lot better than my old Taurus PT-99AF, which had a "random" target pattern at any range beyond 7 yards

y'know, maybe I'm overreacting here, I was "in the zone" with the CZ today, we both performed brilliantly, but I just felt...."off" somehow with the G21 today, perhaps my "the grip is too wide" thoughts were subconsiously throwing off my groups....

I know the G21 can shoot well, I KNOW it's accurate, I should just look at this as a challenge, to force myself to shoot better, tighter groups with it as-is and not give up on it prematurely

I'll set some money aside weekly in my "Gun Fund", and eventually pick up a 1911 anyway, I'll hold on to the G21 as it's still a great range gun, and the ultimate nightstand gun

besides, as was said upthread, every collection needs at least one Glock, and this one will be my one Glock....

I just have to keep telling myself my Glock Mantra....
"Boringly Reiable, Tenifer finish, 13 rounds of .45 ACP...."

heck, if I want to shoot lead reloads in my G21, a replacement barrel is a damn sight cheaper than an entire new gun

problem solved, I'll keep the G21 and eventually get a 1911 anyway (IOW, "Get Both!") ;)
 
Baneblade said:
I own both, shoot both, but only depend on one for my life. I have never owned a 1911 that was highly reliable, and that includes Colt, Springfield, and Kimber. They do well, but simply are not as reliable as the Glock.
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Strange how all 3 of my 1911s have been flawless. 2 Colts and a Kimber and I trust my life to one, and would the other 2.
I don't disregard the other designs, in fact I have several and some, like the H&K and the Glock, are among my favorites. They all seem to have the same flaw, though.

They are NOT 1911s.:D
 
What in the world do you guys need bushing removal tools for? I've owned 15 or so 1911's over the years and I've never required a bushing removal tool.
 
My Glock was the first gun that I ever felt great about selling. My 1911's would be like selling a vital organ. I just got done cleaning them.....looks up and thinks, "Good Times."
 
The 1911s, available right now, from many different makers, run very well. I would lean towards Colt, as they have been the best out of the box FOR ME. That said, there are plenty of people who have had very good results from "beaters", myself included. I have a $375 Norinco that runs and runs and runs, and runs some more. It is the best bang for your buck, in my opinion.
If you have a little more to spend, I would send you in the direction of the Smith and Wesson 1911s. For about $700, you can get a very, very good 1911, and it will have a lifetime guarantee, and you will get a nicely fitted grip safety, a very good barrel, and good sights. These three are the things that most people change out of the box with Colts, Springfields, etc, and they are already good to go on the S&Ws. Just food for thought.
For the record, if I had to go into a gunfight with just a pistol, it would be my Norinco.
Steve
 
If you Dan Wesson is the best production model I've seen. No MIM, tight slide to frame fit, and utterly reliable. I have 1000 rounds through mine now. The trigger needs some work to get to my specs, but other than that, wow. They come in right under $1000, but I've seen some at the gunshow for $650-700. Customer service is second to none.
 
If you like your CZ75 so much, I would highly recommend that you take a good hard look at the CZ97, it's a very nice .45.

At my peak, I owned 4 1911 platforms, a couple of which I really liked, and a couple of which I couldn't wait to get rid of. Currently, I'm down to none as I didn't "love" any of them. They did a nice job initially financing my HK P7 collection, however.

Lately, I've been eyeing a beautiful Dan Wesson Pointman 7 at my local Gander MT for $799. They say it's a factory second but for the life of me, I can't tell why? It has all the bells and whistles and seems to be calling my name.

I'm thinking it's time to jump into the 1911 fray once again. Because I do agree wholeheartedly, everyone should own at least one.

P.S. Before you buy, if you get a chance to rent, don't spend your money before you get a chance to shoot a HK45. Talk about a soft shooting 45 and nice ergonomics ......
 
My two cents. A lot of guys here will always steer you to the top of the food chain in any class of gun as if that is the only route, especially with 1911s. I took what was told a huge risk and got a Kahr/ Auto Ordinance for 400. Even my uber snob 1911 buddy who slicked it up for me was favorably impressed with the machining and finish. Haven't shot it thousands of rounds yet but the couple hundred has ZERO FTF or FTE. That will do pig. My eyes are getting weak and the teeny weeny GI sights give me fits. It is a fun gun. I am impressed with the manageability and the most natural point and fire of the 1911 yet. Not my favorite go to pistol but if it was all I had I wouldn't feel insecurity for sure. Even the 1911 guys who only drive Ferrari brands like Wilson and Kimber will grudgingly concede Rock Island makes an acceptable Ford 1911.
 
I bought my 1911 back in about '75. Beautiful piece. Loved it. Had it worked on a bit and it became a sweet shooter (unfortunately, had to sell it about a month ago... I about cried).

As much as I loved it, I have to say the CZ will spoil you in regards to grip feel. Even the 1911 can't match it.
 
I love the 1911 platform... it isn't for everybody, though. I shoot decidedly "non-cadillac" guns, mine are all Springfield Armory. None of them needed any work out of the box to operate reliably -- and I'm on #5 now. Even if you buy a 1911 that has some sort of issue out of the box, they are easy and inexpensive to fix (so long as the frame and slide are within tolerances... some super cheap stuff isn't), and if you like to customize or tweak stuff, the 1911 is probably one of the best platforms for that. I bought an inexpensive Mil-Spec SA and have made it into what I wanted... yeah, in the end, paid a little more than a fully loaded model, but I had fun getting there.
 
I love the 1911.
Go shoot one and then buy it. If you do not like it send it to me.
 
If you Dan Wesson is the best production model I've seen
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Lately, I've been eyeing a beautiful Dan Wesson Pointman 7 at my local Gander MT for $799.
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I really hope you get good results from yours, but I have to steer folks away from this make. I have owned 2, still own one . . . looking to sell. I bought mine because , A, I didn't have one, B, the finish was gorgeous (2 Pointmans with the reddish blue). When I really gave them a workout, several failure to feeds, a horrible, scratchy trigger, and I quickly tired of the sight picture. They are tight, as someone posted, but mine are not true. Gaulling is significant in both pistols. Now, all of this can be fixed, but by the time you pay to get it nice, you may as well have bought nice to begin with.

I have shot the gambit of 1911s. With the exception of trigger pull, Kimbers were the first makes I bought that didn't need a little work. I hear folks talking poorly of Wilson . . . bet they don't own one. I have the budget to play with these things, I realize that others don't. Still, in my pretty substantial experience with makes of 1911s, if I were going to buy midrange and do the least amount of upgrade/work, Colt would be my preference.

Don't have a Kahr . . . so can't comment on that post.
 
cinteal said:
I really hope you get good results from yours, but I have to steer folks away from this make. I have owned 2, still own one . . . looking to sell. I bought mine because , A, I didn't have one, B, the finish was gorgeous (2 Pointmans with the reddish blue). When I really gave them a workout, several failure to feeds, a horrible, scratchy trigger, and I quickly tired of the sight picture. They are tight, as someone posted, but mine are not true. Gaulling is significant in both pistols. Now, all of this can be fixed, but by the time you pay to get it nice, you may as well have bought nice to begin with.

I have shot the gambit of 1911s. With the exception of trigger pull, Kimbers were the first makes I bought that didn't need a little work. I hear folks talking poorly of Wilson . . . bet they don't own one. I have the budget to play with these things, I realize that others don't. Still, in my pretty substantial experience with makes of 1911s, if I were going to buy midrange and do the least amount of upgrade/work, Colt would be my preference.
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Thanks for an interesting post. And, after months of hearing all the DW fanfare combined with the Kimber bashing, I find it rather refreshing. Especially owning 2 Colts and a Kimber that are flawless.
 
Cinteal/Stevie-Ray: Great! Thanks a lot. Just when I finally get my nerve up to jump into the 1911 pool again, you tell me there are sharks swimming around my PM7.

Okay, then, I'm listening. Many moons ago, I had a beautiful Colt Government model stolen from my apartment, and I've never replaced it. Perhaps it's time.

I was also able lately to pick up a gorgeous Python in a trade, and I think it needs a Colt cousin to hang out with among all the other mean S&W revolvers and HKs.

Which Colt do I get? Fortunately, budget is not an issue. I want something I can shoot well out of the box, and not send it anywhere for a trigger job.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but this info could be useful to the original OP as well. Which Colt 1911 to buy and why? Series 70 vs Series 80? 3" 4" 5"? Bob-tail?

I'm all ears!

P.S. Stevie-Ray: If you give gun advice, half as well as you play the guitar, I can't wait to get your suggestions! Thanks in advance. Oh yea, I won't buy a Kimber. Ever.
 
1911

Well, what can you say, about them that won;t cause a flame war or a mines better than plastic.
Nothing actually, I have a few tupperware, no glocks, but tupperware from the other guys,
I do however own quite a few 1911 platform units, from the lowly llama, to the Dan Wessons, and everything you can thing of in between.
Some are incredible shooters trouble free, and others were troublesome, until all the problems were worked out and they too now join the shelf with fully functional and reliable carry units.
As some one said in an earlier post, DON"T buy one, you'll just want more,
Well the bug bit me over 20 years ago, and well now I have two large gun safes full of the 1911 platform units, one or two definetly are not enough, and as I said I also have others, but the .45 round is round of choice as is the platform.
I only grow fonder as I get older.
And it isn't for everyone, but I know its for me.
Give it a chance, rent or borrow or shoot a freind, and see how it feels to have some cold steel in a warm hand.
hey good shootin no matter what you choice, or end up with, thats the main course of action, good shootin that is.
rj
 
"What in the world do you guys need bushing removal tools for? I've owned 15 or so 1911's over the years and I've never required a bushing removal tool."

I replaced the original bushing in my Colt series 80 stainless commander with a Wilson, had to turn the OD so it would go in. It requires just near the limits of my finger pressure ability to remove it by hand, in other words, a perfect fit.
My DW CBOB came with an over sized bushing hole, I need to buy an oversize bushing for it and turn it to the same fit. I replaced the original with another Wilson but it slipped into place.
Some folks like a wrench fit to eliminate any accuracy robbing slop, I think my Colts fit is the perfect compromise. My Kimber match came with an easy hand fit, but no slop, that'll do too. :)
 
It's pretty much a given that I'm going to eventually end up with a 1911 of some flavour, so there's no point in further debating that issue

my current dillema is what to do with my G21, as it's a hair too big in a one handed grip, but perfectly fine and quite comfortable in a two handed grip

It's two potential replacements are;
Springfield XD45 full-size, very natural grip angle, sights are properly aligned when I raise it to eye level, nice solid feel, the things I *DON'T* like about it are the slightly mushy trigger feel, the G21 has a cleaner, more consistent pull, and the fact that the frame rails are polymer, I'm not completely convinced of their long-term durability, it also has a slightly more complicated field-strip breakdown than the Glock

Magnum Research Baby Eagle .45, This is a nice, solid, well-balanced gun that points well, as with the XD, sights are properly aligned when bringing it to eye level, what I don't like about the BE is the shorter barrel and the fact that the barrel walls look a little thin, I'm not sure if it's a polygonal barrel or standard rifling, polygonal would be an additional strike against it

Things I LOVE about the Glock is it's utter reliability, ease of field-stripping for cleaning, the seriously overbuilt slide and the simplicity of it's construction, the grip issue is only an issue if firing it one-handed

If I was to trade out of the Glock, I'd have to put down at least $100-120 towards the XD or BE, I think that money could be put to better use, LWD conventional barrel, reloading supplies/ammo/etc....

Maybe after Christmas, I'll consider getting a 1911, I'm going to own one eventually, it's just a matter of *when?*
 
As some of you may know I just recently purchased a RIA 1911. The second I saw the gun I fell in love with it and had to go back and buy it. After shooting it I was very impressed. Some of you were saying don't buy one because you will end up with a lot, well I have one but I will definitely buy another unless I find a cure for the "1911 disease".
 
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