I shot a 1911 today

L

Lee6113

New member
I think and dream a lot about buying different guns. I've shot an HK USPc .45 multiple times and I keep thinking I really wanted one. Well, last time I rented some guns I tried an Hk USP and yes I liked it. Then I shot the HK VP9 and I loved that. So I mentally put the USP back on the shelf.

And then today I went to the range (free rentals day!) and tried the USP again, both in .45 and 9mm. Liked both of them.
I still had a lot of .45 ammo left so I basically cycled thru their .45s, shooting 5 shots with each. Well, I got to a Springfield Armory 1911 and couldn't put it down. Shot the rest of my ammo and left wanting more. Sorry HK USP, I've got a gun I'm going to buy before you.

It had Hogue grips, an 8round magazine, and was absolutely the favorite gun I tried out. I've shot my grandpa's compact 1911 but it's been years.


Anyone else have stories similar to this? Or have thoughts on choosing a first 1911? I know many companies manufacture 1911s.
 
I have a Springfield "loaded" 1911 that I like very much. Eats anything I have fed it and is quite accurate. Mine has Hogue grips too.
 
Thoughts on a first 1911? Well, you can spend a lot, or not, depending on the features you want and how you intend to use it. For a good shooter with nice features, take a look at the Remington R1 Enhanced. Decent price, very good fit and finish, and some nice features. Others will have their recommendations also. I have several 1911s and like them all, but I really think I got a great value and a great gun with the R1-E. Good luck!
 
The 1911 is definitely an addictive platform. Some more expensive than others, some fancier than others, some blued, some stainless. Different lengths, different calipers. All very nice guns.

Browning came up with an ageless design for sure. By far my favorite handguns. They seem to fit my hand perfectly.
 
In the course of my job, I spent some time recently with a Sheriff's Corporal with a stainless Colt 1911 in his holster. Told me he has had it for twenty years and it keeps on ticking. And I couldn't stop looking at how beautifully that Colt had aged. I totally get it.
 
The only beef i have with the 1911 is capacity and price. The platform can get pricey, fast.

On a budget i would look to Springfield. They can range from budget friendly to very expensive. I.E. Mil-spec to the Professional. The range officer wouldn't be a bad start and is what i would recommend for a solid platform that wont break the bank.

Personally i would skip all that do some research on what features you want or don't want, and grab a Dan Wesson or have one built. I think for a mass produced 1911 Dan Wesson is where it's at, but we're talking 1500$ and up easy. This might be why i still don't have a 1911 though ha.

Truth be told as much as i love them i have no use for a single stack 1911 other than to just have it. If someone is breaking in i'm going for my p09 in 40S&W. I would love to have a 2011 though, very much so. Despite my rhetoric i will have a 1911 one day.

The other reason i still don't have one is i stumbled upon cz 75s and have been forever hooked. Not to derail the thread or anything but when and if you get a chance i suggest you check out the 75 and the browning High power. Just food for thought.
 
The 1911 is something that you have to experience to appreciate. I have a lot of different guns from different manufacturers, but every time I see a new 1911 introduced, I am just pulled to look at and "feel" it out.

I have spent a LOT of money that way and am not disappointed. The purists argue the 1911 must be a .45.

Truth be told, the 9mm are really fun to shoot. The small magazine capacity is an issue, but there is almost nothing else that I can complain about with the gun.

I love the Sig Nightmare, Springfield TRP, Dan Wesson PM9 and Valor. I can single those out as ( for me ) super. Great triggers and great build quality.

Truth be told, if I go to the LGS tomorrow and a new 1911 winks at me, I will probably snag another one. I don't CC them but I sure do shoot a lot of them. I don't know what I would do if I had to get rid of one. It would be that difficult to try to pick one to sell.

I am blessed to have a daughter who loves them also. I can keep her in stock when I need to make room in the safe.

So far, she has relieved me of a PPK, Sig 1911, Sig P226 and she has two 1911 9mm she is auditioning. One is the PM9 and the Loaded M1911-A1 Springer is the other. I told her I would not give them to her, but she has a way with me:rolleyes:
 
1911 is one of the finest handguns ever designed and produced. I own 3 and wouldnt hesitate to buy another. Before you commit you may also want to check out a Browning High Power, CZ75 (steel) and a Beretta 92. They happen to be a few of my other favorites. Also if this is a first handgun you may want to stay with a 9mm versus a 45 only because ammo is considerably less expensive.
 
I've never shot a 1911 but mine should arrive at my LGS today. I did a lot of research on budget guns and decided on a Rock Island Armor in 9mm and it is the tactical. The people who have them love them and their customer service is outstanding with a lifetime warranty (on the gun regardless of the owner). It was by far the best value at under $500 delivered, including paperwork and tax.
 
During the NRA Basic Handgun Safety course years ago, the instructor gave us the best advice I ever received, which was to rent or borrow every gun you could get your hands on for at least 6 months before you actually bought one. I still think that the only way to form a valid opinion about a particular gun is to shoot about 200 rounds through it first.
 
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My Ruger SR1911LW CMD is quickly becoming my favorite carry gun. I carry 2 reloads and don't feel under gunned with 21 rounds of .45 ACP
 
Lee, that's the way to do it.
Try as many as possible, rather than relying on other folks opinions.
It is hard to better the good ole' 1911.
Especially with all the choices of size, caliber, mag capacity, 'etc. 'etc.
 
The no-frills Remington R1 is a great value and very good shooter. GrabAGun has them for $549, $5.99 shipping, and Remington is offering a $75 cash rebate:
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Unfortunately, for my wallet, I like a number of different handguns. When it comes to 1911's, I have yet to find one I don't like. So far, I have five of them, two 45's and three in 9mm. The 45's are SIG's; a SS Target and a MAXX. Both are excellent. My first 1911 was a Springfield RangeOfficer when they introduced it in 9mm. Inexpensive, shoots with best of them. My third purchase was a STI Rangemaster. Really nice gun, would like to get at least three more of them, including two 2012's. Last of all is my DW Guardian, it's the only one that's not a target model. It's a nice gun, but I like it least of all for one main reason, POA and POI aren't on the same piece of target. I'm aware I can change or adjust the sights. But for the price, it should have come out of the box shooting accurately.

My SIG p239 SAS Gen., very similar in size, 2 is cheaper and very accurate. All my compacts are more accurate than the DW. I just bought a HK p30sk, a sub compact, with which I can shoot a five inch group, one handed.

As much as I've grown to like 1911's, my recommendation follows the others given; shoot as many different guns for as long as you can, before you buy anything. I shoot a lot, in excess of 25,000 rounds annually; the price between 9mm and 45 ACP makes a difference.
 
During the NRA Basic Handgun Safety course years ago, the instructor gave us the best advice I ever received, which was to rent or borrow every gun you could get your hands on for at least 6 months before you actually bought one. I still think that the only way to form a valid opinion about a particular gun is to shoot about 200 rounds through it first.
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The instructor must have lived near a city like most folks. Here in the mountains, I don't have access to anywhere to rent a gun, no ranges and I don't know anyone who owns any of the guns I own. If you don't have the opportunity to try different guns, you have to depend on research. It's frequently difficult to separate the truth from fiction and figure out the brand bias but you do what you can do and make the best of it.
 
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