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Im new to 1911's

Alleno
Alright, I have finally gotten me a 1911. Its a Springfield 1911A1. I have never had a single action pistol before as I have always favored the wheelguns, had double actions before but this is my first 1911. My question is will it hurt to dry fire these guns? Somewhere I heard that dry firing will actually make these triggers better as they wear in and smooth them up, so is there any truth to that? Also, will any single stack 1911 magazine fit? Going to the range later today and going to try and figure what all the hype over these 1911's is all about.
Thanks

Alleno
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • dbrigham
    Regarding the dry-fire question -- you'll get several answers, but basically I understand that dry-firing in moderation is not harmful. I never heard anyone describe dry firing as helpful, though. I'm the cautious type, so I use one of those dummy cartridges invented just for dry firing.

    Re the magazines, any full-size single stack 1911 mil spec mag should fit your Springfield. I seem to recall that Springfield has a limited-time offer for pistol purchasers of extra mags at a pretty good discount. Maybe there's something about that in the literature that came with your pistol.

    The things that appeal to me about the 1911 -- other than its reliability and stopping power -- are its simple, practical, time-tested design and the role it has played in the history of our country.

    I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

    Good luck!

    Si vis Pacem, Para bellum
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  • Alleno
    Thanks for the help, I will check with Springfield about the deal your talking about, that would be good. I am thinking your way is probably the safest to dry fire, using the snap caps. Thanks

    Alleno
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  • Beeramid
    Dry fire using a snap cap, or an emputy casing.

    HUNTIN.gif
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  • perry shooter
    Hello I have dry fired thousands of times with a 1911 with no damage for the last 35 years. With the correct fireing pin return spring the pin will never bottom out.you should not dry fire with "ANY" rimfire conversion units on a 1911 as the pin can go far enough to ding the back of chamber.The 1911 type guns are something the more you shoot the more you will like.Have someone put in a good hammer and sear with 3&1/2 to 4 pound trigger pull and a trigger with adjustable stop to take out backlash. Fire 100,000 rounds thru it and you will sell every other pistol you have. quote:"PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN"
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  • mrmike08075
    mags / frames / fit can be funny...
    my father has a custom .45 (ESSEX frame, ESSEX slide, VIDECKI match trigger, match BBL, titanium power extractor, etc...) and some mags will not go into the frame / well all the way.

    his GI 1911A1 ITHACA accepts any mag. we have at least 12 differant mags that work perfectly in the GOV. issue gun.

    2 PARA ORDANANCE mags will not go into the ESSEX. they go about 1/3 in, and than jamb. we tried oil, BLUE WONDER ARMADILLO, etc... and the mags in question will not fit...

    it happens sometimes.
    best regards, mike.

    What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.
    contact me at the shop at waltsgun@aol.com best regards, mike.
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  • gonepostal
    Welcome to the family ,hope you enjoy it ,warning though it gets addicting

    A 1911 cannot possibly be hurt by dry firing ,maybe if you had a plastic firing pin ,but since they don't make them don't worry about it ,it cannot possibly be damaged in any way shape or form

    Now the .22 model ,yes


    i will now put ten round mags in all my pre ban guns ,just to show defiance

    dhs-advisory-elevated.gif
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  • Supreme One
    Hello, "i cannot possibly be damaged in any way shape or form". [?]

    Michael

    Paranoid keeps you alive, worry just gives you stomach problems.
    - .- -.- . / -- -.-- / .- -.. ...- .. ... . --..-- / .. .----. -- / -. --- - / ..- ... .. -. --. / .. - / .- -. -.-- .-- .- -.-- .-.-.-
    Politics- From the words poly, meaning many, and tics, which are just little blood suckers.
    .-.. .. ..-. . / .. ... / .- / ... . -..- ..- .- .-.. .-.. -.-- / - .-. .- -. ... -- .. - - . -.. / -.. .. ... . .- ... . .-.-.-
    If "con" is the opposite of "pro," then what is the opposite of progress?
    sound
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  • gonepostal
    fixed

    i will now put ten round mags in all my pre ban guns ,just to show defiance

    dhs-advisory-elevated.gif
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  • Alleno
    Thanks for the insight guys. I think I am going to like this pistol. I shot it yesterday and it is a shooter. I did however have a few misfires, where the primer would be slightly dented, but the round did not fire. Reload the round and it would go off the second time. I will need to shoot it more to see if its the gun or the military ammo I am shooting. Thanks

    Alleno
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  • heavyiron
    Hi Alleno,

    You have made a wise choice of pistols. This pistol has not been around for almost 100 years for nothing. It is battle proven and time tested. I do not know of any other 100 year old weapon that I would feel as confident with as the 1911.

    I don't think dry firing on an empty chamber will cause any harm, but you might get yourself a snapcap anyway.

    The one word of caution that I would issue is some of the 1911s with decent triggers can damage the sear if the slide is allowed to go into battery without depressing the trigger when chambering a round during loading. My 1911 has about a 3.5 lb pull, so when I load a fresh magazine I am always careful to depress and hold the trigger before flipping the slide stop.

    Any 1911 magazine should fit your gun.

    Finally, the 1911 takes most people some practice before they become proficient with the gun. Don't get discouraged if at first it seems difficult to use.

    Have fun with your new gun.

    Regards,

    Heavyiron[8D]
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