What to look for in a 1911

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My first 1911 10 years ago was a used Kimber Custom Classic, the early version.


I bought it wanting something basic, but with "the standard" 1911 upgrades like better sights, beavertail safety, extended thumb safety, etc. I knew I'd upgrade, but I wanted something basic first, just to get an idea what I wanted when I went to have Jim Garthwaite built me one.



I'd suggest you do the same. Get something basic, with a few of those enhancements I mentioned. Once you know what you like, and what you want, then you can either upgrade what you bought or get another.

Like I did. :D


I'd recommend shopping the used market. And I'm partial to Colts, Springfield Armory, and the old Kimber series myself. Although what Ruger just introduced does look quite promising.
 
if you're looking for a beginner's 1911, i have a few recommendations, based on my own experience with these guns.

1. Taurus PT1911. it has a lot of features found on higher end 1911's without the price tag to go with them. i paid less than $500 for mine a few years ago, and haven't had any failures with it.

2. Springfield GI 45. this is a barebones 1911. i have one in stainless steel, and it cost about $500. it's been flawless since day one. it will also make a great base gun for a custom build, if i choose to upgrade it later on.
 
I never really got the need to "melt" a gun before usage. I've attended quiet a bit of training, and the 1K mark listed has been exceed in several of the classes I've been too. I just wear gloves, that pretty much takes care of all my problems right there. If I am in a real shooting on the street, I've only got maybe 50 rounds on me tops. If I'm carrying 500+ rounds of pistol ammo on me, I'll have time to grab gloves and a better weapon too.

Back to the OP: An older Kimber can be a good value and should run well, Colts are of course always a good choice. I've had good lock with Rock Island Armory, and they are so cheap you can afford to dabble in the 1911 pool for the price of a Glock.

-Jenrick
 
BullfrogKen wrote,
I'd recommend shopping the used market.
Click to expand...
Jenrick wrote,
An older Kimber can be a good value and should run well
Click to expand...
Five years ago I would have gone along with these recommendations for a first time 1911 owner. However, since I began participating in on-line gun forums, I've learned that there are a whole lot more 1911 "gunsmith's" than I was ever aware of. Many of these "gunsmith's" have no formal training, but because they could swap parts out on their Glock they felt they could do the same with their 1911's and their handy Dremel tool. There is probably a reason this pistol is available used and at a discount.

Now, unless I'm somebody like 1911Tuner, or I have somebody like 1911Tuner on retainer, there is no way I'm buying a used 1911 unless it looks like it's never been shot. I'll spend the extra money on a new pistol with a warrantee.
 
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With your price point I would look for a used Les Baer TRS. I have owned lots of 1911's, even had a Wilson CQB but it had nothing on the TRS. The TRS I am shooting now has about 16,000 rounds through it . The only parts failure it has had was a bent titanium firing pin (California model) which was replace with a carbon steel unit. This is my favorite gun. IDPA, USPSA or just shooting expired canned goods in the woods. I liked it so much I got a Permier II which is my action pistol gun for now, only because it has a FO front sight that makes it a bit quicker to find under time.

From what I have read the Dan Wessons are great pistols. Never tried one but they sure lood good and have great actions.
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I prefer adjustable sights on my 1911s but I can understand the desire for fixed sights.

I have a 1990 vintage Auto Ordinance 1911. Reliable enough but accuracy was not stellar. On a lark, I installed a well used Colt Mk IV barrel in the Auto Ordinance and the accuracy improved greatly. It makes me wonder about the accuracy of economically priced M1911s.

Not that a little work could not improve the accuracy of a economical M1911 or the current crop is better than my sole experience.

Besides the three M1911s that I have built, I like my Colt Series 70 and Series 80 pistols.

There are other good M1911s out there.
 
What follows are just my opinions from owning a bunch of 1911s over the years and knowing a bunch of 1911 shooters. IMO if you go the route described below you're most likely to get a 1911 you'll be satisfied with the first time.

Entry level is Colt, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory. If their basic guns are over your budget, save up until they aren't. Then handle a bunch of them and choose the model that fits you best as long as it's a 5" steel gun. Keep in mind GI-style guns might need 1/8" taken off the hammer spur to keep them from pinching you. This is the full extent of "gunsmithing" crap I recommend to anybody just getting into 1911s.

If it doesn't work just send it back to the manufacturer under the warranty, don't jerk around with gunsmiths and modifications and any of that crap. If your dishwasher broke you'd just call Whirlpool's warranty service, right? Look at this the same way, let Colt or S&W or SA fix it on their own dime and get on with your life. And yes, you should expect it to work out of the box without any kind of "tuning" bullcrap.

And nothing says you can't just buy a high-end gun like a Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown or whatever if you can afford it and are sure you like 1911s. Choosing amongst the high-end guns is mostly a matter of taste and you can't really go wrong as long as you choose whichever model fits you best.
 
Depends on your intended use, but I'm with Texas Rifleman. If it doesn't rattle when you shake it then it isn't really a 1911. Every GI issued 1911 I ever held rattled like a diamondback, but they were extremely reliable and shot good enough at center of mass.

But it won't necessarily win you any bullseye matches.
 
I'm taking note of this thread as I plan to buy a 1911 as my next handgun. Learning alot on here.. Thanks everyone :D
 
I'm in the same boat as the OP. I already have a compact size .45 (M&P 45c) and my next gun will probably be a full size .45. So, I am trying to decide whether the next one will be a full size M&P, Sig 220, etc or a 1911. It may be 5 or 6 months down the road as I have already bought to many guns this year so far.

I have a couple of questions about 1911 features as mentioned earlier in this thread:
  • What are the pros and cons of fixed sights vs adjustable ones
  • What are the pros and cons of a full length guide rod vs a std one
  • How does a beavertail safety work as opposed to a GI safety, pros, cons.

I would probably be willing to spend $600 to $900 on one once I am ready. I would want probably want something with a 4.5 to 5 inch barrel. It would be for range use and target shooting and would not be carried.
 
1. Fixed sights are more rugged and less like to shift when knocked around, they are usually also less likely to snag or cut your hand during function drills. Most folks don't shoot accurately enough with a handgun to make much use of adjustable sights...especially in .45ACP, which throws most ammo to the same POI...as it really doesn't make much sense to attempt a sight adjustment smaller than the group you are able to shoot.

2. There is no Pro to a Full Length Guide Rod over the standard one if you are shooting a 1911 which utilizes a bushing to support the front of the barrel...except to the merchant selling it to you. The Con is that it restricts your ability of fully operate the gun in clearance drills and makes it harder to disassemble

3. The Beavertail Grip Safety is works in exactly the same way as the G.I. one...you depress it and it allow the gun to fire. What it does do is provide a larger area to spread out the forces as the gun rises in recoil, it also tends to keep your hand from interferring with the rearward movement of the slide in recoil
 
In considering whether to purchase a 1911 or a non 1911 full size .45 (like Sig 220, M&P45). I have heard it said that 1911's can be a little finicky and require more TLC than a non 1911 gun. Is that common or do some people just get a lemon. I don't want to spend $600 to $1000 on a gun and then have to spend more money to make it work right.

In considering whether to purchase a 1911 or another non 1911 .45, what are the advantages of a 1911 over a non 1911, disadvantages.
 
The likelihood that a 1911 will need more TLC goes down proportionally as the price of the gun increases...not an absolute, but a good rule of thumb...the price range you are looking at is in the upper lower/lower medium range, where careful shopping would be the rule. I'd have more piece of mind if I were looking in the $1200-1500 range
 
The most important thing to look for is that "Colt" is engraved on the frame.

EDIT: I didn't realize someone beat me to it with the "rampant Colt" comment.
 
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Just my personal experiance. I bought my first 1911 this summer. I wanted one that would carry nice, if needed. I know this is not part of your must have criteria. I chose a S&W 1911sc, round butt. Check it out at their web site for all the specs. I'm very happy with it. It's accurate, feels good in the hand,has nite sites and has run flawlessly to date. $1,090.00
 
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