oh no, I think I want a 1911. Where's a newbie to start?
- Thread starter kirby
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sfhogman
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I have a Springfield Loaded, 5" barrel, parkerized. It's got about 8500 rounds thru it, and works fine. Hell, it's a pleasure just to hold and look at. Purchased it in 2000; I couldn't be happier.
Jeff
Jeff
Old Dog
Member
You may want to get down to a range that has a good selection of rental 1911s and try to determine if you like an arched or flat mainspring housing (to some folks, like me, there's a difference and we develop a preference for one over the other).
Do you need an ambidextrous safety? Can you live without those silly front-cocking serrations?
I've had great luck with Springfield Armory, Colt's and Kimbers. Have buddies who swear by their S&W 1911s, SIG GSRs and Para-Ords ...
For under 600 smackers, I'd concur with the others who say the SA Mil-Spec is probably the best all-around entry-level 1911. It's got everything you need on a 1911, and nothing you don't need.
The Taurus offering looks appealing.
Do you need an ambidextrous safety? Can you live without those silly front-cocking serrations?
I've had great luck with Springfield Armory, Colt's and Kimbers. Have buddies who swear by their S&W 1911s, SIG GSRs and Para-Ords ...
For under 600 smackers, I'd concur with the others who say the SA Mil-Spec is probably the best all-around entry-level 1911. It's got everything you need on a 1911, and nothing you don't need.
The Taurus offering looks appealing.
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kirby
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That's my next step.
- About the safety: probably, I'm a lefty. But, I can always add an ambi safety, right? Tons of aftermarket parts for these guns, right?
- About the "front cocking serrations". I'd prefer a gun without them. I'd never move the slide that way and anyone I teach how to do it won't either.
Rotorflyr
Member
The main thing you need to decide is what features you "have to have" from the get-go.....Your a lefty so an ambi would be nice, but it isn't a necessity, I shoot lefty and neither of my 1911's have ambi's on them (yet)
Can you live with "tiny" GI style sights? Do you need "bigger" sights?
Do you want to spend a bunch of $$ to find out you really don't like the 1911 platform (like that would happen!)?
Personally I'd say your best bet for an "inexpensive" 1911 is 1) The RIA's
2) Taurus (feature wise, probably the best bang for the buck)
3) Springfield GI or
4) STI Spartan (brand new so may not be CA approved)
Can you live with "tiny" GI style sights? Do you need "bigger" sights?
Do you want to spend a bunch of $$ to find out you really don't like the 1911 platform (like that would happen!)?
Personally I'd say your best bet for an "inexpensive" 1911 is 1) The RIA's
2) Taurus (feature wise, probably the best bang for the buck)
3) Springfield GI or
4) STI Spartan (brand new so may not be CA approved)
Lobotomy Boy
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I've been kicking around the idea of getting a 1911 for quite a while but always end up buying something else. Sooner or later I'll pick one up, and when I do, it will probably be either a SA Mil Spec or a basic S&W, or maybe the new Taurus. I've had terrific luck with Taurus handguns in the past.
crebralfix
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Read Patrick Sweeney's The Gun Digest Book of the 1911. It provides a good starting point.
copper4262
Member
Springfield Loaded .45 - full size
take a look at the SA loaded - its the first 1911 (first .45) i'v had in a few years - not sure why i bought it - kinda on a whim - but im glad i did - got a deal on it and was going to try and make a few bucks- but now i think ill have to hang on it - very pleasant to shoot - the loaded model comes with all the nice little extra's including ambi safeties - you should check it out - not as smooth as a kimber etc - but still great for the money - the only thing i will be doing with it now is dumping the factory mags and replacing them with wilson combats
take a look at the SA loaded - its the first 1911 (first .45) i'v had in a few years - not sure why i bought it - kinda on a whim - but im glad i did - got a deal on it and was going to try and make a few bucks- but now i think ill have to hang on it - very pleasant to shoot - the loaded model comes with all the nice little extra's including ambi safeties - you should check it out - not as smooth as a kimber etc - but still great for the money - the only thing i will be doing with it now is dumping the factory mags and replacing them with wilson combats
robctwo
Member
I bought the SA Black Stainless loaded earlier this year. Nice gun. Heavy. I like full size stainless. Had a problem with the extractor within the first few hundred rounds. Sent to factory. Quick fix with shipping both ways. The trigger was every bit the 5-6lbs as advertised. I've made some major changes to the gun and love it. Mostly a range gun.
Then I bought the SW1911PD with the Crimson Trace grips. Commander size with alloy frame. Not as good on the range for hundreds of rounds. Better trigger out of the box. No failure issues and never sent to the shop. No changes made at all on this gun.
From my limited experience I'd go with the S&W in whichever configuration you like.
Then I bought the SW1911PD with the Crimson Trace grips. Commander size with alloy frame. Not as good on the range for hundreds of rounds. Better trigger out of the box. No failure issues and never sent to the shop. No changes made at all on this gun.
From my limited experience I'd go with the S&W in whichever configuration you like.
kirby
Member
reliability?
I've done some homework now and I'm a little concerned about reliability of these guns. I've got an HK USP now. I've but about two thousand rounds thru it in a little less than a year. It's had 2 eject failures and 1 feed failure in that time. All were when I switched to some different cheap ammo (I've switched back).
When robctwo says:
I've done some homework now and I'm a little concerned about reliability of these guns. I've got an HK USP now. I've but about two thousand rounds thru it in a little less than a year. It's had 2 eject failures and 1 feed failure in that time. All were when I switched to some different cheap ammo (I've switched back).
When robctwo says:
What does that mean? I'm a bit slack with the HK now, I don't clean it every time I get back from the range. I'm expecting to be able run 200 rounds at the range on a 1911 without having a problem. Do I need to reset my expectations?
Baba Louie
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For me... COLT for my first. It's what they do. (It's about ALL they do nowadays dagnabit). Save up a bit more (maybe another $250 over your $600) and get their 01980XSE.
I wouldn't turn down a S&W, Kimber or even a SIG or Springfield, but I would get one with the ambi safety if I were a lefty and I would get modern 3-dot (at least) sights.
Should you choose to go another route... If you can find a good used Norinco or Systema for 4 bills you can then spend some extra money on parts you want to add.
But I gotta warn ya. 1911's are addictive as all get-out. Somehow over the years I've ended up with 8 or 9 of the darned things in various lengths and steels. Stick with either the 5" or 4.25" bbl. up front. New usually means warranty available (I've never needed to use one... yet) which might be a determining factor in your purchase. Or not.
I wouldn't turn down a S&W, Kimber or even a SIG or Springfield, but I would get one with the ambi safety if I were a lefty and I would get modern 3-dot (at least) sights.
Should you choose to go another route... If you can find a good used Norinco or Systema for 4 bills you can then spend some extra money on parts you want to add.
But I gotta warn ya. 1911's are addictive as all get-out. Somehow over the years I've ended up with 8 or 9 of the darned things in various lengths and steels. Stick with either the 5" or 4.25" bbl. up front. New usually means warranty available (I've never needed to use one... yet) which might be a determining factor in your purchase. Or not.
sfhogman
Member
Here, friends, is The Gospel According To John Browning, from Fr. Frog's website. It's a hoot, and the man speaketh the truth. For thoses who've seen it before, sorry 'bout that!
http://www.frfrogspad.com/jmb.htm
Best,
Jeff
http://www.frfrogspad.com/jmb.htm
Best,
Jeff
Ahh a 1911, my favorite.
Their great guns with alot of history, reliability, and you can modify to your preferance.
You can start out by going to your local gunstore an asking to see all of the 1911's that intrest you. After you check out all of them one will definatley catch your eye. Currentley I have a Kimber Custom II. Good luck
Their great guns with alot of history, reliability, and you can modify to your preferance.
You can start out by going to your local gunstore an asking to see all of the 1911's that intrest you. After you check out all of them one will definatley catch your eye. Currentley I have a Kimber Custom II. Good luck
kirby
Member
That's what I'm looking for. Also, is it critical I get an ambi safety out of the box? With the USP, I added the ambi control lever myself and it wasn't hard (but it didn't need any cutting either.
dmallind
Member
Well safeties aren't THAT hard to put on - a bit fiddly maybe but I'm a lousy excuse for a tinkerer and I can manage, but I certainly wouldn't if I had the choice. It's both cheaper and easier to buy one with an ambi already there - it's a pretty common option on many even moderate-price guns.
A lot of people will talk trash about Charles Daly 1911's, but the fact is they work. My friend has one, and with good mags and proper 230 grain FMJ's it has yet to jam ever since he got a reliability package done on it, which was a 30 dollar expense. The gun cost him 200 used. Is it as accurate as my P220? Heck no. But it will do headshots at 50 yards in the right hands (not mine), and its plenty accurate for non competition use.
tegemu
Member
In your orice range I strongly recommend the Taurus PT1911. The pistol comes with many features that are considered add-ons on other guns and would cost hundreds of dollars more. It is very likely the best value on the market. It also shoots VEEERY SWEET!!!! Reliable and fun to shoot. I am tickled pink with mine as are a LOT of other folks. Do a search on "PT1911" and see what other folks have had to say about it.
kirby
Member
This may be a stupid question but...what are the "popular features"
People have mentioned the Tarus PT1911 is packed with features for the price. It sure seems like it. But do I really want all those features? What are the most common options to these guns? Here's what I can think of and my questions and comments about each:
- Ambi safety. This is probably a must-have for me, I'll know more after manipulating one of these guns this weekend.
- Front serations on the slide. I could take it or leave it, but mostly leave it. I'm growing fond of the smoothe front end, given the choice. But, if the gun was otherwise exactly what I wanted, I wouldn't kill the deal over it.
- Beaver tail. I don't actually like the really big ones. Come to think of it, are there different sizes? Am I destined to get hammer bite without one?
- Grip safety. Can I get a grip safety without a beaver tail?
- Skeletonized trigger. I actually don't like these. Is there a performance benefit I'm missing?
I guess what I'm getting at is: If I'm not so enamoured of all the bells and whistles (except the ambi safetly) is the quality higher on other guns that aren't as feature packed as the Tarus for the price?
People have mentioned the Tarus PT1911 is packed with features for the price. It sure seems like it. But do I really want all those features? What are the most common options to these guns? Here's what I can think of and my questions and comments about each:
- Ambi safety. This is probably a must-have for me, I'll know more after manipulating one of these guns this weekend.
- Front serations on the slide. I could take it or leave it, but mostly leave it. I'm growing fond of the smoothe front end, given the choice. But, if the gun was otherwise exactly what I wanted, I wouldn't kill the deal over it.
- Beaver tail. I don't actually like the really big ones. Come to think of it, are there different sizes? Am I destined to get hammer bite without one?
- Grip safety. Can I get a grip safety without a beaver tail?
- Skeletonized trigger. I actually don't like these. Is there a performance benefit I'm missing?
I guess what I'm getting at is: If I'm not so enamoured of all the bells and whistles (except the ambi safetly) is the quality higher on other guns that aren't as feature packed as the Tarus for the price?
rellascout
member
They are made on the same frame but the final fitting and construction is done by different people and I can see the difference.
The Taurus looks promising but it is so new it is hard to say go for it.
I would save a little more money and get a Colt NRM for about $650.
You could also go with a Springfield GI. Don't go for all the bells and whistles on your first 1911. Get used to the platform. Shoot a couple thousand rounds from a GI stock pistol. Then and only then can you determine what you like about the platform and what you don't.
You can then customize the gun to your liking. The custom from the factory concept is lost on me.
dmallind
Member
ambi safety is good for a lefty like yourself yes.
Front cocking serrations are a "demerit" rather than feature to most people - and few actually use that area for cocking anyway. I, like you, don;t care much.
Beaver tails are pretty much standard on anything but bare bones GI guns these days. Yes you can easily get a non-beavertail safety. I have no problem with hammer bite even with a spur hammer with these, but some do. Subjective thing, but almost everyone but the orignalists semm to think beavertails are a feature.
Skeletonized hammer? Little bit lighter and supposedly infinetismally faster reset. Mere mortals can't tell the difference for the most part, but many people prefer the look (including me in this case - I don't care for solid triggers)
Generally speaking Taurus are a value priced brand for any model. Part of it is cheaper Brazilian labor. They did go out of their way though to make this 1911 comparable to the higher end makes in quality of parts and construction, and I think they did a good job while retaining their low cost. I could quibble a bit on some of the design cues, but the ones I've handled are nicely made. I'll probably pick one up one of these days next time I get a hankering for another full size.
Front cocking serrations are a "demerit" rather than feature to most people - and few actually use that area for cocking anyway. I, like you, don;t care much.
Beaver tails are pretty much standard on anything but bare bones GI guns these days. Yes you can easily get a non-beavertail safety. I have no problem with hammer bite even with a spur hammer with these, but some do. Subjective thing, but almost everyone but the orignalists semm to think beavertails are a feature.
Skeletonized hammer? Little bit lighter and supposedly infinetismally faster reset. Mere mortals can't tell the difference for the most part, but many people prefer the look (including me in this case - I don't care for solid triggers)
Generally speaking Taurus are a value priced brand for any model. Part of it is cheaper Brazilian labor. They did go out of their way though to make this 1911 comparable to the higher end makes in quality of parts and construction, and I think they did a good job while retaining their low cost. I could quibble a bit on some of the design cues, but the ones I've handled are nicely made. I'll probably pick one up one of these days next time I get a hankering for another full size.
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