1911 Nirvana

5

5whiskey

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Just that. Have you found it, and what brings it on? Is it a custom Les Baer or Wilson? Or is it just a simple Colt or Ruger with a few upgrades? Perhaps a custom build you did?

I recently found mine today in a cheap RIA GI that have tinkered with for months. Some polishing on all trigger surfaces but the sear and hammer hooks, a reduced weight sear spring and 21lb mainspring, some snakewood grips i made, and a sight upgrade... And I experienced it today when I went to the range with a new hire at my agency. I did some failure to stop drills at 10 yards drawing from a thumb break. I was very pleased. My firearms coordinator also refused a small wager (non monetary) to shoot against me on the dueling tree. My times weren't far off from my times with my go to carry pistol, a CZ p07 in 9mm. It was the sights that topped it off. I got a cheap set from Brownells as a birthday gift to myself, and they are miles ahead of the thumbnail GI sights.

I'm interested in hearing your 1911 story. Plus I like hearing about preferred custom add-ons. I prefer to keep this one close to GI style, but I would love to pick up a 70s series Colt one day to add some "flair" to. Plus just to have another colt (had a series 80 some time ago but had to sell it due to fund career/life changes). So... Tell me about your favorite 1911.
 
My M1911A1 Springer:

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I prefer mine GI. No fruity nonsense, just a real fightin' M1911A1. I believe a 1911 should be kept simple and a bit loose. Them boys on Iwo and in Nam didn't complain about jamming 1911s. That's because they were built a bit loose and wouldn't choke on debris in combat.
 
Springfield 1911 Operator. I put VZ grips on it, an Ed Brown MSH and an Ed Brown standard length guide rod to replace the wonky 2 piece guide rod it came with. Its the most accurate pistol I own since selling my S&W 586 and the most pleasant to shoot.
 
1930's National Match would be my holy grail.
I saw one at a gun show, maybe fifteen years ago, tagged $4000, and having driven to the show in a car worth about that, decided the price was not in line with what I could afford.
Still, the most beautiful pistol I've ever seen.
That would be my choice for simply having, as opposed to one for shooting.

I started USPSA competition 20 years ago, shooting a G.I. Colt that had belonged to my dad. I soon started shooting IDPA too, and decided I needed two new guns, one for each game.
My IDPA gun would double as a weapon, so it was very basic with few bells and whistles.
I selected all of the components, did all of the fitting that could be done by hand, then turned it over to a local gunsmith for milling-in the sight dovetails and surface prep.
I have about 20,000 rounds through it now, and it would be my "if I could have just one" choice.
 

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The first time I handled one I knew that I had found "the gun". I developed a long lasting appreciation for them that has lasted over forty years. My favorites are US property marked 1911 and 1911-A1's and I am always on the lookout for pre 1945 military Colts. I do have a few civilian Colt 1911's to kind of round out the collection.
 
This one Started out as a norinco 1911a1 before a trip to my smith.
 

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My love affair with the 1911 likely began in the mid 1960s when I was a kid. I really don't know why I was drawn to the things. I originally went to Vietnam as a courier so had a Marine Corps issued 1911 in addition to my rifle. The love affair continues today and I really lean towards the Colt Series 70 MK IV guns. Last count I think there were about a dozen of them. Actually the last 1911 I got was a Colt Series 70 .38 Super. I would like to find a good clean Series 70 9mm. I also have a nice little 3" barrel Kimber which I got from a friend in need of money, the little gun shoots well and the accuracy surprised me as a .45 ACP 3" barrel I would never had thought would shoot as well as it does.

Anyway here are a few of my Colt Series 70 guns, the adjustable rear sight ones are Gold Cups.

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The stainless looking one is actually a Series 70 Nickel finish. Something else I really like and enjoy using is this old Colt .22 LR Conversion Kit.

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The kit will fit any 1911 and makes for a lot of fun. Anyway 50 plus years later I still havent a clue what draws me to the things but apparently I like them. :)

Ron
 
Is it a custom Les Baer or Wilson? Or is it just a simple Colt or Ruger with a few upgrades? Perhaps a custom build you did?
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Nope.

Just a beat up and rusted Colt model O1091 – I rubbed out the rust spots and installed a new barrel, got two new mags and it’s been 100 percent reliable and accurate, a true joy to shoot.
 
Right now, it is probably this one...
 

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What sights did you get from Brownells?
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These here. Pretty good for the money IMO. You will likely have to do some fitting with the rear sight, but nothing that's any more difficult than staking a front sight in the first place.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/sights/sight-sets/1911-fixed-black-sight-sets-prod41672.aspx

Some pretty pistols shown off so far. Model12 I'm kind of with you, I like 1911A1 models. I do want to get another Colt one day, but my RIA will probably remain GI styled other than the sights and grips. I will post a picture later since everyone else is.
 
The RIA has a special place in my heart because it is so good for the price. I own one now and gave my first one to my brother because he wanted a SD handgun and the RIA always functioned reliably. But I missed it so bought another, a replacement.
Of all the other 1911 type guns I have the DW's are very special indeed, plus a SA 38 Super that I parkerized myself.
Four or five is not nearly enough 1911's.
 
I own 7 1911's, but this is the one that I likely prize the most. I bought it in 1998. Kimber Classic Stainless LE. 1 of about 600 produced. Runs 100%, crazy accurate, fantastic trigger, fit and finish are superb. I paid about half of what it'd sell for today.

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I would have to say my favorite 1911 is my dad's Colt Combat Commander in 9mm, it was the first center fire pistol I ever shot and last a lasting impression. I am in no hurry to get it from him and hope I have to wait a long time to get it.

Now my personal favorite that I own is either my Springfield Armory brushed chrome 9mm or my Colt Combat Commander 45 with a brushed nickel finish. Its tough between them to pick a favorite.
 
It would be hard to pick just one 1911 as my Nirvana. It would be hard to pick even two but here are two I really love, a Dan Wesson Valkyrie and a Nighthawk Falcon. I changed grips on both pistols (both are slim grips). The grips are made by VZ exclusively for Harrison Custom. They give me a sure grip but curiously are not rough on my ample love handles when Carrying IWB. I ordered a non-standard front sight and rear sight on the Falcon.

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