Trey Veston
Member
51 years old, served my country in the Navy and then the Army, married and divorced, owned several houses, and have three grandkids, own a couple of dozen firearms, but I had never owned a 1911.
I was issued one in the Navy in the 80's as a member of a Crisis Response Team. It wasn't a typical rattly old 1911 as it had adjustable sights and performed very well. My team was led by a former SEAL BUDs instructor and we had a Hogan's Alley range and completed a combat handgun and combat shotgun course, as well as counter-sniper training. I loved that 1911.
I got out of the Navy and went into the Army as a 12B Combat Engineer and was issued the Beretta M9. I bought a 96F for my personal carry weapon to maintain familiarity with my service weapon, which then led to a Glock 22 when I got out, and three decades later, I have three Glocks, three M&Ps, and a P365 as my carry weapon.
I really liked the feel and trigger of the 1911, but just couldn't justify the added weight, size, reduced capacity, high cost, and spotty reliability of the platform.
Why spend $900+ for a heavy, low-capacity and outdated weapon?
Then I was at the LGS last week and saw a Kimber in 10mm on sale for $700. I asked to see it and as soon as I wrapped my hand around it, I remembered that feeling of a perfectly balanced weapon with everything where it should be. I quickly handed it back and headed out the door before I gave in to temptation. I'm not spending $700 on a pistol that I have no use for. Nothing but a range toy. My G29 has twice the capacity with an X-Grip adapter and swallows the recoil while being 100% reliable and tough. Nope. Stupid to even think about it.
Then last night while working a 12hr graveyard shift, I was here on this site browsing forums and stumbled into a thread about the Hi-Power. It had links to Gunbroker and affordable examples. I clicked on the links.
The Hi-powers reminded me of my old Beretta long ago sold off. Curious, I searched for another one and a link for a Beretta Cougar in .40 S&W appeared. Looked at a couple, then a link appeared for a Remington R1 Limited in .40 S&W. Price was $549 for a NIB example. Clicked on it and fell in love.
Nope. Don't have any need for a 1911, especially a full-size one in .40 S&W that only holds 9 rounds. Makes no sense. It has giant target sights and a dull finish. No need. But it's only $549!
So I look on Buds Guns to see what they go for... $980. Great reviews. Dang.
Went back to Gunbroker and ordered it.
Probably won't find that good of a deal on a decent 1911 in a caliber I am well-stocked and reload for in quite a while. I actually looked at 10mm and .45 ACP versions and they were $200 to $400 more. Who cares; this will only be a range toy.
So I will soon be the owner of my first 1911. I am ashamed and proud at the same time.
Now to get an appropriate leather holster and quality magazines for it. Hopefully I remember how to field strip it after all these decades.
I was issued one in the Navy in the 80's as a member of a Crisis Response Team. It wasn't a typical rattly old 1911 as it had adjustable sights and performed very well. My team was led by a former SEAL BUDs instructor and we had a Hogan's Alley range and completed a combat handgun and combat shotgun course, as well as counter-sniper training. I loved that 1911.
I got out of the Navy and went into the Army as a 12B Combat Engineer and was issued the Beretta M9. I bought a 96F for my personal carry weapon to maintain familiarity with my service weapon, which then led to a Glock 22 when I got out, and three decades later, I have three Glocks, three M&Ps, and a P365 as my carry weapon.
I really liked the feel and trigger of the 1911, but just couldn't justify the added weight, size, reduced capacity, high cost, and spotty reliability of the platform.
Why spend $900+ for a heavy, low-capacity and outdated weapon?
Then I was at the LGS last week and saw a Kimber in 10mm on sale for $700. I asked to see it and as soon as I wrapped my hand around it, I remembered that feeling of a perfectly balanced weapon with everything where it should be. I quickly handed it back and headed out the door before I gave in to temptation. I'm not spending $700 on a pistol that I have no use for. Nothing but a range toy. My G29 has twice the capacity with an X-Grip adapter and swallows the recoil while being 100% reliable and tough. Nope. Stupid to even think about it.
Then last night while working a 12hr graveyard shift, I was here on this site browsing forums and stumbled into a thread about the Hi-Power. It had links to Gunbroker and affordable examples. I clicked on the links.
The Hi-powers reminded me of my old Beretta long ago sold off. Curious, I searched for another one and a link for a Beretta Cougar in .40 S&W appeared. Looked at a couple, then a link appeared for a Remington R1 Limited in .40 S&W. Price was $549 for a NIB example. Clicked on it and fell in love.
Nope. Don't have any need for a 1911, especially a full-size one in .40 S&W that only holds 9 rounds. Makes no sense. It has giant target sights and a dull finish. No need. But it's only $549!
So I look on Buds Guns to see what they go for... $980. Great reviews. Dang.
Went back to Gunbroker and ordered it.
Probably won't find that good of a deal on a decent 1911 in a caliber I am well-stocked and reload for in quite a while. I actually looked at 10mm and .45 ACP versions and they were $200 to $400 more. Who cares; this will only be a range toy.
So I will soon be the owner of my first 1911. I am ashamed and proud at the same time.
Now to get an appropriate leather holster and quality magazines for it. Hopefully I remember how to field strip it after all these decades.