1911

[kilopaparomeo]

I like 1911s.  I've owned several and still have a few.  My current favorites that I own are my Les Baer and the Kimber Target match.  I've had very good luck with 1911s...I don't know who all these people are that have them fail all the time.  I shoot mine in IDPA and 3 gun matches...they do fine.

I did own a SW 1911.  It was OK, nothing special.  Certainly not a bad gun.  Accurate, reliable.  Trigger was OK.  I sold it though to help fund a Les Baer.

I have only handled the Taurus pistols.  Again, they are "OK".  I in general like Taurus firearms...they have been pretty innovative of late.  If I could get the guns at similar price, I'd buy the S&W for resale value if nothing else.



Modern semi-auto pistols

EAA / Tanfoglio Witness 10mm, .45 ACP, 9x19 mm
Ruger Mk II, .22 LR
HK P7 PSP, 9x19mm
Les Baer Premier II, .45 ACP
Colt Combat Commander, .45 ACP
ParaOrdnance 14.45 LDA Ltd, .45 ACP
Dan Wesson CBOB, .45 ACP
Kimber Target Match, .45 ACP, Marvel .22 LR Conversion
FN Hi Power, 9x19 mm
Springfield Armory XD Tactical, .45 ACP
Sig Sauer P226, .40 S&W
Sig Sauer P220, .45 ACP

[lee n. field]

Century Arms is importing them, but I haven't bothered to send them a copy of my C & R license,

Curios & Relics license wouldn't do you any good for this, any more than it would for a Century WASR.

S.G.A.C Main Headquarters
No. 545 S.G.A.C. Building, EDSA cor. North Road
Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1100

Different address than Armscor, so likely different company.
Lot of 1911s coming out of the Philippines lately.

[Eric R Shelton]

I am in the market for my first 1911.  I have many handguns and just want to add one of these to my collection.  Any recommendations on where to start looking?  I do not need cheap but I also don't want to over pay.

A Springfield Armory would be where I'd be looking.  Probably something in their "loaded" line.  Best bang for the buck that I'm aware of.

[Jerome from California]

I definitely like 1911's. I have shot thousands of rounds first through a Springfield then later a Les Baer. The Les Baer is the only 1911 I own now. It is hands down the best pistol I have shot. Quality like this comes at a pretty big price tag. It might sound callous to say that I wouldn't use it to defend myself because it's too expensive to risk turning over to cops after I shoot someone with it; but that statement wouldn't be to far from the truth.
If I catch a burglar in my house while holding my Les Baer, I'll have to ask him politely to wait while I put it away and get my cheaper guns like the Sig or Glock.

I am thinking of buying a RIA/Armscor 1911 in .38 Super and a drop in 9mm barrel. My wife likes the handling of 1911 but she is a little uncomfortable with the recoil of the .45acp.

[Charlie Foxtrot]

...But after watching the reliability of the 1911s (kimbers) I saw in action today I am sticking with my Glock for now though I do love the look etc.

You aren't kidding.  I shot a "Wild Bunch" side match at a recent SASS shoot -- with my SW1911, thankyouverymuch.  A bunch of cowboys brought out their bedside 1911s. What a circus: FTFs, FTEs, early slide locks, failures to lock back, double feeds, jams, and just plain no-workies.  From home defense guns!  One pard even confided; "Worked like a charm the last time I shot it -- 15 years ago.  <shudder>

My Smidt ran flawlessly.

I've put about 500 rounds through it - with only one failure to feed.  And that was my fault: I didn't clean the shipping smutz out of a brand new mag.  
Other than that, it eats everything I throw down the spout.  Great gun.  

But for home defense - I'm relying on my combat tupperware.  

[tom]

Don't get me wrong, a 1911 is on my shopping list...may have to start with a Taurus then up to the Springfield, then a nice Wilson.  And I know they can be reliable etc.  but it seems like the only gun issues this weekend that weren't operator error were guys with some pretty expensive 1911s while all the plastic poppers worked fine.

tom

[Eric R Shelton]

Jerome and CF make very good points.  I still love my 1911.  Dearly, in fact.  I carry my Glock because I don't care so much if I had to turn it over.  A $1500 Desert Warrior, on the other hand, and I would would weep.  Openly.

[Charlie Foxtrot]

.
Don't get me wrong - the 1911 is a great, if not one of the greatest, platform.  Love my Smidt SW1911. But -- and it's a great, big, hairy butt -- the 1911s are far less tolerant of indifferent maintenance than the modern polycarb pistols.  

Choose your tools wisely.  

However, I'll be buying at least two more '11s.  ;^)'   Ain't nothin' funner.  [\cowboy]

[stickhauler]

Century Arms is importing them, but I haven't bothered to send them a copy of my C & R license,

Curios & Relics license wouldn't do you any good for this, any more than it would for a Century WASR.

S.G.A.C Main Headquarters
No. 545 S.G.A.C. Building, EDSA cor. North Road
Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1100

Different address than Armscor, so likely different company.
Lot of 1911s coming out of the Philippines lately.

I know I couldn't get those firearms on a C & R license, but if I had it in to them, I'd have an account set up where I could see the prices on the firearms they have listed for sale. If the price was decent, I could contact them and have one transferred to my local gun shop.

[bart11]

Though it was 15 years ago, I bought a used Norinco (used.... so I was not directly paying for Chinese slave labor) for only $250.  It is one of the cheapest handguns I have and one of the most reliable (except for my Sigs, of course).  It came with a horrible bluing and cheap plastic grips......... hideous to those of us who treasure craftsmanship.  But, it WORKED!  And worked very well.  Resisting my urge to add odds and ends, I only added checkered walnut grips, a long trigger (without holes) and found a gunsmith who did WWII type green parkerizing.  Since then, I only added an arched mainspring with lanyard loop.

It still works.......... every time!  I also have a 22 LR conversion that works well, even if the finish does not match the frame.

To satisfy my desire for customizing, I bought a Para-Ordnance alloy frame (back when they only made frames), and built a nice custom thing that I still add and and change parts on.  It is not the most reliable, but that isn't the point with this one.  I still see (and sometimes buy) parts to make it "just right" but I have not achieved that yet!

I have handled a Taurus 1911 and liked the feel a LOT.  I would love to buy one  but other than another 10mm 1911 (I have an IMI Javelina 7" 10mm) to satisfy my 10mm fetish, I cannot justify buying another 1911.................... yet..........

Bart11

[viii_ball]

So I've taken Eric's advise and been researching the Springfield Armory 1911 in the Loaded line.  Of the full sized most of them weigh in at 40oz unloaded.  The Lightweight one is 33oz and it is a noticeable difference when you pick them both up.  Having never shot one does anyone have a recommendation of which weight is better and why?

[Karl]

Heavier weight will help to counteract the recoil. Personally, I enjoy the feeling of the heavy steel in my hand... To me it should feel heavy and solid... But that's just me. 

[Dave.45]

Recoil is one major factor to consider. Another is whether you have back problems. If you do, you may want to go lighter. It is best to carry whatever you shoot best - which for most people will be the bigger/heaver gun. But if weight or bulk make you leave your gun at home, it's time to downsize. That being said, a steel frame 5" 1911 is my primary carry (at least at the moment!).

[viii_ball]

That being said, a steel frame 5" 1911 is my primary carry (at least at the moment!).

Mind if I ask which manufacturer and model you carry?  I don't think I will plan on having the 1911 as a carry firearm.  I am very happy with my Glock 26 but these are all good points to consider.

[Dave.45]

Happy to oblige... It is a Kimber Grand Raptor. Here is a link to see what it looks like:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/raptor/grand_raptor_II/

I also have a Glock 20, M&P 9L (pro), and a few other 1911s that occasionally get carried, but this is the one that shoots the best groups - so it goes with me.

[Daeglan]

Happy to oblige... It is a Kimber Grand Raptor. Here is a link to see what it looks like:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/raptor/grand_raptor_II/

I also have a Glock 20, M&P 9L (pro), and a few other 1911s that occasionally get carried, but this is the one that shoots the best groups - so it goes with me.

Dave I have been thinking of getting a Grand Raptor. Is it possible for it to have a light rail?

[Dave.45]

Daeglan,
I don't think the light rail is an option. Mine does not have one, and it is the only two-tone Raptor at the moment. If I think I might need a light on the gun, my Glock 20 sports a Streamlite TLR-2. But even then, I find that I am more likely to just use my 1911 with a hand-held Surefire.

[viii_ball]

Happy to oblige... It is a Kimber Grand Raptor.

Beautiful looking gun.  Now I am all crossed up.  Should I look at a Kimber?  I was going with Eric's Springfield recommendation.  I have about $1500 to spend on a 1911 and I don't plan on it being a carry weapon, just another fine firearm to shoot.

Recommendations anyone?  The Springfield Loaded line I can get for around $800 so should I splurge on a Kimber or even something else?  The only thing is that I want a full sized (5") vs. the compact size.

[Karl]

It you're at $1500... You're not that far away from the 2K Club.... You should consider an Ed Brown or Les Baer. I've seen them for just under 2K.

[Eric R Shelton]

I failed to "weigh in" on the weight issue earlier this page...  My Kimber has an alloy frame, and I don't think the recoil is terrible, but it sure is nice to carry...  It's been so long since I've fired a steel frame 1911, I honestly couldn't advise you one way of the other.  If it's not going to be a carry gun, get either, I suppose.  But for carry I'd definitely go lightweight.