Best Introductory 1911
- Thread starter Banzai
- Start date
Patrick Seeber
New member
I recently caught 1911 pattern pistol disease. I now have a Kimber Custom Stainless and a Springfield Armory 1911-A1.
Briefly, I had to replace the full length guide rod on the SA 1911-A1. I got tired of the rod unscrewing while firing. Tried locktite, refused to teflon tape the rod each time I felt like breaking it down. Invested $24.50 plus shipping to install a McCormick FLGR.
The original cost difference between the Kimber and the SA was $2.00!!! (in Reno Nv that is) The only one that has needed parts is the SA. The Cocobolo grips look cool, but Kimber has been cheaper so far...
Kimber is more accurate than the SA too...
YMMV...
[This message has been edited by Patrick Seeber (edited April 15, 2000).]
Briefly, I had to replace the full length guide rod on the SA 1911-A1. I got tired of the rod unscrewing while firing. Tried locktite, refused to teflon tape the rod each time I felt like breaking it down. Invested $24.50 plus shipping to install a McCormick FLGR.
The original cost difference between the Kimber and the SA was $2.00!!! (in Reno Nv that is) The only one that has needed parts is the SA. The Cocobolo grips look cool, but Kimber has been cheaper so far...
Kimber is more accurate than the SA too...
YMMV...
[This message has been edited by Patrick Seeber (edited April 15, 2000).]
Mark Freburg
New member
MTAA said: >>...Personally I would start with a used Colt 70 series, a Mil spec Springfield, or a Norinco.<<
Only problem is finding one. Series 70s are pricey now. Originals draw collectors and altered pistols needed to be checked twice to make sure they aren't basement hacksaw specials. I'm told that although it is catalogued Springfield isn't making the Milspec, or making very few, until they get ahead on their "Loaded" models. Don't know how accurate that is. The Norks are a good bet if you can find one. They are expensive here in the Midwest, though. I'd still rather have a Spfld for the money.
>>Let the other guy waste his money on the "billet" wheeled, teal green pinstriped special.<<
Heh heh heh...pretty good.
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Mark
Only problem is finding one. Series 70s are pricey now. Originals draw collectors and altered pistols needed to be checked twice to make sure they aren't basement hacksaw specials. I'm told that although it is catalogued Springfield isn't making the Milspec, or making very few, until they get ahead on their "Loaded" models. Don't know how accurate that is. The Norks are a good bet if you can find one. They are expensive here in the Midwest, though. I'd still rather have a Spfld for the money.
>>Let the other guy waste his money on the "billet" wheeled, teal green pinstriped special.<<
Heh heh heh...pretty good.
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Mark
StephenT:
Sorry it tooka couple of days to get back to you...
I wanted to find the reciept so I could give you the dealer's name. I bought the pistol at the big 'Astrohall' show late last year (always the most hotly competitive prices at those shows!)
I got it from Bob's Discount Firearms...address is 133 W. Pipeline, Hurst, TX, 76053. Phone #817-285-8663.
Get this; I was wrong about the price; it was only $535.99--it's only been about six months since I got it, so the price shouldn't have changed by more than 10-20 bucks at most. Other dealers were asking about $30 more. I'd suggest calling them and either paying by card or sending a M.O., and picking it up from them at their next Houston show. I was able to do this with "Doc Walther's"--I'm sure you know them--and saved the $25.00 transfer fee.
The ext AAstrohall show is June 3-4, but they might be down for one of the other shows before then.
This Springfield is my first Gov't Model....WOW, there's no pistol that's ever fit my hand so perfectly! J. M. Browning was a master of ergonomics before anyone had even heard of the term!
Hope this helps, weegee
Sorry it tooka couple of days to get back to you...
I wanted to find the reciept so I could give you the dealer's name. I bought the pistol at the big 'Astrohall' show late last year (always the most hotly competitive prices at those shows!)
I got it from Bob's Discount Firearms...address is 133 W. Pipeline, Hurst, TX, 76053. Phone #817-285-8663.
Get this; I was wrong about the price; it was only $535.99--it's only been about six months since I got it, so the price shouldn't have changed by more than 10-20 bucks at most. Other dealers were asking about $30 more. I'd suggest calling them and either paying by card or sending a M.O., and picking it up from them at their next Houston show. I was able to do this with "Doc Walther's"--I'm sure you know them--and saved the $25.00 transfer fee.
The ext AAstrohall show is June 3-4, but they might be down for one of the other shows before then.
This Springfield is my first Gov't Model....WOW, there's no pistol that's ever fit my hand so perfectly! J. M. Browning was a master of ergonomics before anyone had even heard of the term!
Hope this helps, weegee
D Crockett
New member
A good friend bought a Springfield Compact. It was a nice piece, well made , shot well, was'nt totally dependable.
I later bought a very nice Kimber Lt.Wt. Custom Compact over the net at auctionarms.com. It was slightly used and had night sights and I got it for $600.
To me, it is a little better quality than the Springfield and very reliable.
Check out broker.com, auctionarms.com, and samerica.com and you will find very good prices in the range you're looking for.
Also, the Colts I've handled over the last few years have not had good quality fit and finish at all.
Good Luck,
Dave
I later bought a very nice Kimber Lt.Wt. Custom Compact over the net at auctionarms.com. It was slightly used and had night sights and I got it for $600.
To me, it is a little better quality than the Springfield and very reliable.
Check out broker.com, auctionarms.com, and samerica.com and you will find very good prices in the range you're looking for.
Also, the Colts I've handled over the last few years have not had good quality fit and finish at all.
Good Luck,
Dave
Go with a base gun. Thought about what I wanted in a gun and decided on the base Kimber Custom Classic for $565. Had a trigger job (along with a new short trigger) resulting in a crisp 3.5 lb or less pull. Then put on an ambi safety, ultra thin grips, had some reliability work done (polishing and reaming barrel, etc.), put in a NM bushing, and will be putting on MMC adjustable night sights. I ended up with EXACTLY the gun I wanted for less than $1,000. Had I bought a Les Baer or Wilson (a juiced up Kimber) I'd have spent much more and still not had the features I wanted. The beauty of a 1911 is that you modify it your way and at your speed. BTW, I'm still trying to figure out what the Springfield "loaded" is loaded with. Almost all of the features on the "loaded" model are found on the base Kimber model.
I just made the same decision that you are considering. I chose the Springfield Armory 1911 A1 full size in a parkerized finish. Being new to the 1911 game, I compared the Colt 1991 side by side with the SA 1911 at the same store. Hands down decision in favor of the SA--by a landslide.
For $575, the Springfield came with beautiful cocobolo grips, a delta hammer, a lightweight trigger, and all of the other bells and whistles. It feels like a natural extension of my right hand. Comparatively speaking, the Colt (for about $25 more) felt like a piece of cold iron and the action, when racking back the slide, made much more clatter and felt less precise.
The Kimber sold (in stainless) for about $200 more than the SA which put it out of my league. The Charles Daly, which sold for about $200 less than the SA, was not half the gun.
To me, the 1911 just doesn't look right unless it's matte black and dressed up with pretty grips, so the Springfield addressed that issue. The trigger pull is crisp with only about an 1/8" takeup--I'd guess it breaks at about a 5-6lb pull.
Plus, the Springfield came with a boatload of coupons that let me buy factory 10 round mags for $14.95, a leather dillon type paddle holster for $29, and other Springfield goodies at half off.
The only regret I have about my decision is that I waited so long to make the move to "1911 heaven".
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Triggers exist to be pulled... again and again.
For $575, the Springfield came with beautiful cocobolo grips, a delta hammer, a lightweight trigger, and all of the other bells and whistles. It feels like a natural extension of my right hand. Comparatively speaking, the Colt (for about $25 more) felt like a piece of cold iron and the action, when racking back the slide, made much more clatter and felt less precise.
The Kimber sold (in stainless) for about $200 more than the SA which put it out of my league. The Charles Daly, which sold for about $200 less than the SA, was not half the gun.
To me, the 1911 just doesn't look right unless it's matte black and dressed up with pretty grips, so the Springfield addressed that issue. The trigger pull is crisp with only about an 1/8" takeup--I'd guess it breaks at about a 5-6lb pull.
Plus, the Springfield came with a boatload of coupons that let me buy factory 10 round mags for $14.95, a leather dillon type paddle holster for $29, and other Springfield goodies at half off.
The only regret I have about my decision is that I waited so long to make the move to "1911 heaven".
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Triggers exist to be pulled... again and again.
I will weigh in, since I own both a SA"loaded" and a Kimber Custom Walnut. As far as looks go, there even. The Kimber is tighter, slide to frame. My 2 examples are even in acurracy and reliability. I shoot almost always with ball, some SXT's. I personnally like my SA better becuase I like the sights, grip safety and grip width better. Around 1500 rds thru both without any problems. I will eventually change the Kimber's sights and grip saety, but for now, I carry my SA and feel very safe. Terry
F
freedomlover
Guest
HowardK, I think Mr. Wilson would be seriously offended at hearing his pistols called "juiced up Kimbers!" Wilson's pistols are in an entirely different class--
Shoot straight
freedomlover
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Sic semper tyrannis
Shoot straight
freedomlover
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Sic semper tyrannis
I chose a Para P-14 "limited" and have never looked back. This weapon has it all, Balance, Feel, Accuracy, Reliability. Many of it's standard features are what you would pay a smith to work a standard 1911. One hi-cap mag comes with a new gun with a coupon for two more at 50.00 each. It'e hard to beat 15 rounds of 45acp
Got mine for 735.00.
Do the right thing = Buy a Para.
Do the right thing = Buy a Para.