1911 action

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drive_sideways

New member
So the wife and i went to our first gun show today, it was awesome needless to say. I didnt buy anything, but i was able to play with a few guns ive been interested in.

My wife has been looking for her first handgun, and for the most part she has been looking at revolvers.

She has tendonitis in both wrists and sometimes she has trouble pulling a slide back.

Then i had he pick up a fairly basic RIA 1911 in 9mm with a 4" barrel today. The slide on it was butter. I have never pulled a slide that went back that smoothly and was that light. It also felt the best in her hand out of any other automatic pistol shes held. So i have a noob question. Are all 1911 actions like that?

Until today i have never really played with a 1911 myself, and i am in love with them now.

She cant pull my 24/7 g2 slide back when her wrists are bad, and that has a easier slide in my opinion to pull back, but this 1911 took literally no effort at all.

I guess we are going to have to go to my favorite gunshop and hav her play with a few more 1911's. Oh shucks :p
 
I have a RIA 1911 in 9mm and I think they are smooth and easy because they use a lighter spring than the larger calibers. I have been very happy with mine and it has performed flawlessly. I can't compare it to others because it is the only one I have held or shot.
 
Most 1911s will indeed have a very smooth slide action. And they can and usually do get more smooth as the slide gets broken in and slightly worn. I also prefer a high.temp grease to oil, and it can make your slide even smoother feeling. The all steel 9mm 5" 1911s have a very light spring, probably around 12lbs. Which is very light compared to say a lightweight 3 or 4" .45 1911 which has a recoil spring rate of 18-22lbs. I love 1911s and iwn one that I will never ever get rid of
 
Yes, most 1911's in 9mm will have a 13# recoil spring...and it will be easier to manipulate than many other guns.

The RIA's are getting some good reviews...some mixed...but many good these days / as an entry level 1911, it should give you a reasonable amount of service.

1911's in 9mm are some of my favorite guns ...and a full sized, 5" barrel in a 1911 is my primary carry gun these days ( I have some arthritis in my hands now too ...) ...and a 9mm is much easier for me to shoot and manipulate than a 1911 in .45 acp or most other calibers.

Wilson Combat, and other mfg's of 1911's, in 9mm will tell you that grease is too heavy for their 9mm guns - and recommend oil instead...Break Free CLP or Wilson's Ultima lube oil are both good...and I have well over 110,000 rds thru my primary 1911 in 9mm now ( and while its only about 8 yrs old ) its not showing any wear at all at this point.
 
1911s rock. There is a reason why this design has stood the test of time and is still wildly popular today.

Nothing against RIAs, but there are better choices for not much more money. Check out the Ruger SR1911 to cite just one example.

Good luck and let us know what you decide. You will no doubt have fun deciding.

I have 7 1911s. They just seem to multiply in the safe.
One of mine:

 
How to rack a slide with weak hands.

Check out the youtube videos on the subject.
Good technique can really reduce the effort to operate any pistol slide.
 
Like has been said...9mm 1911's with their light recoil springs and a relatively normal to loose fit barrel should be pretty easy.

Also, the relatively light and short trigger should help her too. Has she looked at the 3" or 4" Springfield EMP? That might be her ideal gun!
 
BILLG said:
I would not get her a 1911 for her first pistol.
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Why? With proper guidance they can be great guns. When you consider the tendinitis issue, her relative weakness would make a 9mm 1911 very appropriate. Yes, she will need to train with it.
 
I am a 1911 fan but do not have one in 9mm. My point to this response is to inform all of my pistol with the best slide. It is a Beretta 92 FS Inox.

She could try one of those, but it is a full size pistol. For this reason, it may not fit her hands or needs.

Enjoy your shopping. :)
 
If the gun fits her hand well it sounds like a good option. Many people deride RIA's but they seem to also have many people who like them. If the action is smooth and the trigger is decent it could be a winner.

The mainspring is going to have a more pronounced effect on racking the slide then the recoil spring. If the hammer is cocked before racking the slide the effect of the mainspring is negated.

Being able to window shop and see all the different models and prices ranges is the best part of going to a gun show.
 
1911's in 9mm ....are a very good option for folks with smaller hands or strength issues in their hands.

My younger teenage grandaughters ( I have 4 of them now..)...all gravitate toward one of 3 guns in my collection.... a Kimber Tactical Pro II model ( alloy frame, 4" barrel in 9mm - mostly because the weight and balance of the gun suits them ) / A Sig 239 in 9mm...alloy frame -- DA-SA trigger relatively light, single stack / and a couple of them like a K frame S&W in 2" or 4" ( model 19's or 66's in .357 mag but they like shooting .38's thru them ).
 
Thanks all for the suggestions!
I found out the Beretta 92 also has a 13# spring.
Also the hammer was cocked back when she racked the slide which now makes sense on why it was so easy to pull back.
I'll be having her test a few 1911's and the 92 soon.
Like me she also dislikes most polymer frame autos.
I'll be looking out for Ruger and Smith 1911's in 9mm, 4 or 5" barrels as well.
I'm looking forward to the gun show coming up in April
 
May last three purchases have been 1911 9mms. I picked up two Dan Wessons and a Colt over the past year. They have become my favorite shooters. Easier to handle than the .45 1911s I own and I just plain shoot them better.
 
Rock Island missionary knocking on your door.

I've had great experience with Rock Island Armory. I own their full-size 45 Tactical (duracoat) and compact 45 model. They have in a way become just about my favorite pistols. They don't sacrifice anything functionally to the slightly higher priced 1911 makes. They are not really any looser, or less accurate than a Ruger, Springfield, or Remington.

The one thing that you might get with a higher price 1911 that you don't get with RIA is surface finish. The factory Duracoat on my full-size is kinda splotchy and dull, but it is tough and resistant to holster ware.
 
If your wife had smaller hands a Kimber Aegis would be a perfect 1911 in 9mm. I have one along ( the only 9mm) with Sig & other RIA's. The RIA officer model gets the most use by me by far. Not for ccw though. The wife has a 2" S&W 357 loaded w/38spl. and a Taurus PT22, but her favorite is a GSG 1911/22.
Let her check out a bunch and maybe rent some of possible. Kind of depends what she wants it for, but don't discount a 1911/22 w/ hyper velocity ammo for target or protection
 
Springfield EMP LW champion

It's a little pricey but it's a heckuva gun. It is even thinner than a regular 1911 in the grips. Grips are shorter front to back as well.

I've only shot mine 60 times but it's smooth. Like buttah. Figure I'll get to the 100rd mark with ball ammo then I'll check out some defensive stuff.

Cheapest place is jjgunsupply.com. $929
 
She cant pull my 24/7 g2 slide back when her wrists are bad, and that has a easier slide in my opinion to pull back, but this 1911 took literally no effort at all.
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a change in technique will help with racking the slide.
 
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Sometimes they're even smoother! :)

They're all relatively smooth. The more you shoot them, the better they get too.
 
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Don P said:
a change in technique will help with racking the slide.
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Tried that, the pushing the gun forward instead of pulling the slide, 50/50 pushing/pulling, holding onto different area of the slide... She can move it a bit but not all the way. The 1911 with the hammer already cocked is a very light pull, she dosent have any problem with that
 
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