Im ready for my first 1911 style weapon

[sm]

Zerodefect,

Yep, works for me.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

It's also a cast frame & slide.

The frame is cast, but I don't think the slide is. I believe it's bar stock.

 

[ugaarguy]

The frame is cast, but I don't think the slide is. I believe it's bar stock.

Either way, there are known quantities out there forged frames & slides at the same price point. I was glad to see that Ruger did forgo the the firing pin safety.

 

[Skylerbone]

The Ruger does not have a cast slide. Many top smiths will only work on a Colt or Springfield because they are known to adhere to spec on frames. Kimber sells more 1911s every year than anyone, do you really think none of them work? I wouldn't trust my life to the current crop of Springfields. Those filler plates from Brownell's aren't meant to replace the Series 80 safety, PM 1911Tuner on that one. http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92823#Post92823. (A link provided me by Chuck Rogers of Rogers Precision). Those parts, as was also pointed out to me, were an attempt to maintain military contracts that Beretta ultimately won. They were mandated for the tests.

If you don't mind the external extractor S&W makes a good first choice and easy transition. If you'd like to keep it original see post #20 or look in to a Colt Series 70 Reproduction. If you're not afraid of Series 80 parts then a Colt is hard to beat.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

The plate from Brownells is there to fill the space left from the 80 series parts that where removed. Its the purpose of the plate so I'm not sure how your saying its not meant for it?

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I'm not getting into the whole cast vs forged debate. There is plenty of that out there already, but I also don't want to see someone turned off of a pistol for no good reason. I have yet to see a cast frame fail. If you have, please prove me wrong on how it's relevant here.

 

[Skylerbone]

That filler plate is a temporary jig meant to facilitate testing of parts. I'm sure you read on the Internet that it converts the whole works over.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Its a spacer but one would need 70 series internals for complete conversion. I've used the plates for years with the stock 80 parts in multiple Colts, with thousands of rounds and zero problems. Unless one wants to fill in the slot with weld, it works just fine.

 

[Skylerbone]

I didn't say it wouldn't work. I said that was not its intended purpose. Damage to those plates has been reported and regardless, you have purposely bypassed a safety. Now you know. The link in post #29 was an eye opener for me. I used to know it all too.

A decoy is never a real duck and rigging up a cheap fix can have real world consequences in regards to a safety first mentality.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Not trying to debate or argue with this question but, what damage has happened with the plates in how many personally owned 1911s?

 

[dcarch]

Were I in your position, I would cast a very, VERY serious glance in the direction of the SA Range Officer. All the reports I've seen about it have been very positive.

 

[Too_Pure]

As others have mentioned, the SA Loaded is a great 1911 for a good price.

You will want to get something that gunsmiths will work on in the case of future improvements should you want to do them, good base guns. Colt and SA are your best bets in the mid price range.