1911 - want to know more
All I know right now is I want a 1911 ... I carried one in the service and want one again. Primary use will be for fun, could see nightstand/home defense use. I will not be competitive (or so I say now) but might want accuracy. The thing that draws me to a 1911 is the customization possible with such a ubiquitous sidearm.
Can someone point me to a resource, book, website, person, whatever, which will help me learn more? I'm really not sure whether to buy new or used, which manufacturer, whether I want a 1911A1 or a Series 70, mil spec or ... see the problem?
Thanks in advance.
Can someone point me to a resource, book, website, person, whatever, which will help me learn more? I'm really not sure whether to buy new or used, which manufacturer, whether I want a 1911A1 or a Series 70, mil spec or ... see the problem?
Thanks in advance.
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This site is full of 1911 info. Use the search in the right hand corner. 0 -
There are alot of ways to go with a 1911. I personally like the 1911 over a Glock any day. What are you willing to spend? They range from $400 to over $1000, Hi Standard makes a pretty good 1911a1 style for about $400 brand new. I have shot one many times. They do come with fixed sights, but for a bit more money you can change those. If you are willing to spend more. There is Colt and Kimber. They are more expencive. There are other brands, but I don't know much about them. I would stay away from Taurus though. 0 -
Hello all good advice from other posters. One bit of advice I might give you is yes they do make bunches of aftermarket parts but just like Cars unless you know what you are doing if you modify one you might go from a dependable pistol /car to one with plenty of bling but may get you or someone else KILLED . the fire control system on 1911 pistols have about 8 different parts that must be fitted to each other to be SAFE. If you want bling buy it that way or get a pistol-smith to install the new parts. 0 -
Thanks for the replies.
I have been searching the site, but trying to find specific information on here is like trying to take a sip of water from a firehose. [:)] I think there was 45 pages of search results and I am going through them slowly. It is tough to find "beginner's" information however, without being side-tracked by other (still very interesting) conversations.
As to the fitting of aftermarket parts: When I was young (and stupid) I would do everything myself - or at least try to. These days I take pleasure in knowing I use the right tools (and people) for the job. I have the benefit of a master gunsmith in my area that is a pleasure to work with - I expect that relationship to continue if I purchase a 1911.
As to my budget; I would like to stay < $500 which keeps me on the low end of what's offered. Despite what I've read from some people here I have heard from more than one gunsmith that I probably do not want to look at a new entry-level 1911 from Colt. I would be pleased to find a well-loved blue-finished de-mil, or the RIA seems to be a good gun in my price range if I go new. I really want one that will feel and act like my old Army sidearm though; I don't want anyone's ideas of "improvements" to confuse me.
Basically I want a 1911 like God and John Browning intended it to be! [:D]0 -
The 1927 model made in Argentina was made on Colt equipment and in my opinion just as good if not better then WW II colt or other military 1911A1's they were a well guarded secret for many years and CHEAP. sadly the price has gone up but should still be able to get one for less then $500.00 a new Springfield although made in Brazil you should be able to get their Plain Jane model for about $500.00 0 -
It seems to me that the SA or the RIA (either one in Mil-Spec) are the ones in my price range that meet my requirements? 0 -
New entry level Colt is probably a good gun, but I don't think Colt offers anything under $1000. . .with your budget you're probably better off finding an old beat-up Colt (which not coincidentally, is exactly what I did when I was in your shoes).
Springfield armory has a "mil-spec" model that is effectively a modern recreation of the old military 1911.
"More or less" because Springfield thoughtfully made a number of small modifications to make the gun easier to use and more reliable:
Bigger sights than the nearly invisible ones on old military guns, a lowered ejection port for more reliable ejection, a throated barrel so that non-ball ammo won't cause instant jams, a bevelled mag-well for easier insertion of mags, and a slightly bigger safety.
All of these things are "no-brainers" and none of them alter the basic look or feel of the gun. If you're after a military-type 1911 with no bells or whistles (and it sounds like you are), this is a good way to go.
If you go for the basic black parkerized model, I think new ones can be had for about $600 or a hair more. You *MIGHT* be able to find a used one inside your budget of $500.
The problem here is that 1911s are still made all of steel and building them requires a number of machining steps. Consequently, they're fairly expensive, and you're going to have a hard time finding a good one for under $500.0 -
If you go with a 1911 for protection, be sure you practice a lot with it, in various modes of being loaded and unloaded. They are not as simple as other types of handguns(two safeties, single action only), and while you carried one, you must be totally competent with it, or you may find yourself in a situation where it would work but you could fail. 0 -
Para-Ord. has a mil-spec that fits your budget. 0 -
The RIA is a good choice if you just want a shooter. I have the "GI" model and it hasn't failed me yet. 0
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