I shot a 1911 today

osbornk , you are in for a very pleasant surprise. The RIA 9mm is one fantastic firearm. Incredibly accurate , reliable & one of the softest shooting 9mm available. I have never shot a 1911 that sold for $1000 or under that would outperform it.
 
The great ergonomics and the great trigger of the 1911 have won over a lot of shooters. Not always in a single-day, gun-to-gun comparison, but usually over time. It doesn't matter, though, how you get there just so long as you do get there.
 
I started out with one, somehow that turned into seven.
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DW PM9
DW Valor
Sig Tacpac
Sig Nightmare
Sig Spartan
Ruger SR1911
Ruger Sr1911 CMD
Smith and Wesson Pro Series
Smith and Wesson 1911E
Springfield TRP
Springfield Loaded 1911-M1A

I am even surprising myself:eek:

It is ALL my fault. I keep the safe quiet and dark. What goes on in the safe, stays in the safe:D
 
I bought an inexpensive Turkish Tisas 1911 from Bud's. I took it to the range, started shooting, and it immediately became one of my very favorite handguns.

The Turkish and Filipino 1911's have good reputations and can be had for under $400. They are not necessarily fancy, but they work. Mine is surprisingly accurate.
 
osbornk , you are in for a very pleasant surprise. The RIA 9mm is one fantastic firearm. Incredibly accurate , reliable & one of the softest shooting 9mm available. I have never shot a 1911 that sold for $1000 or under that would outperform it.
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triplebike, I'm looking forward to this gun more than any of the dozen plus I have bought in the past. I ordered this one from Gallery of Guns and it is the first one I have ordered and not bought immediately from the dealer (the dealer's supplier was out of stock). My bushing tool and extra mags are already here but the gun was delayed until tomorrow or Monday for some reason (the LGS checked yesterday and that is when it was sent). The 2 Mag-Gar mags are sitting full of ammo so they will be "relaxed" when the gun gets here. I liked the weight of a Hi-Point I had and a Ruger MK III I have better than my plastic S&W SD9VE and Taurus TCP. Little and/or light guns are far harder for me to shoot that my Mk III and heavy revolvers. I will carry my light guns but will shoot my heavy ones.
 
g.willikers
Senior Member

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.
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I agree. I shot a lot of 9mms also while I was there. I was considering a Shield for an alternate CC, but I didn't like it. I loved the Walther PPQ, so if the Walther PPS is anything like it I may have a winner for my soon to buy single stack 9mm. Gonna shoot it first, tho.


oogieMan
Senior Member

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.
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I shot a CZ75 sp01 (if I remember that correctly) and it was awesome. Shot wonderfully. I'm gonna borrow my father-in-law's Beretta 92f soon so we'll see if I get hooked on that as well, haha.


5RWill
Senior Member

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.


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.
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I believe I've heard of Dan Wesson but they're a bit pricey. I liked the one I shot and that was a Springfield. I don't know the exact type except it was an "A1".

Also, the CZ was great. Probably will get one for home defense. Hi cap and easy to shoot.


Armybrat
Senior Member

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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That is very very tempting. After tax and fees about $600ish? That's good for a decent 1911, isn't it?
 
Lee6113 ...
Anyone else have stories similar to this? Or have thoughts on choosing a first 1911? I know many companies manufacture 1911s.
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There is something that just feels right with a 1911. I understand that the higher capacity polymer framed guns are more forgiving and theoretically easier to live with, but they just don't feel as nice to shoot as a good 1911. As others have said, they can be addictive.

I have only owned Colt and Sig Sauer 1911's, so I can only speak to those. Both make fine guns, with Colt typically being the more traditional.
Sig (like S&W 1911's) uses an external extractor that some do not like, as well as a different slide profile on most of their models. The slide profile can create an issue finding a holster.

For a first 1911, I would go with a full size steel framed model. I'll admit I do prefer Colt's as a nice mid priced model, but there are many good makers. Also good used ones out there if you aren't afraid to go that route.

YMMV,

Wheelgun
 
Lee6113: I had a similar experience. Wasn't new to handguns, but I had avoided 1911s because I thought the price was ridiculous for such a limited number of rounds. When I finally tried a friend's, I couldn't believe how awesome it was. I was truly hooked. Still like my hammer-fired and striker-fired pistols, but LOVE the 1911 platform.

You're going about things the absolute right way by trying out as many pistols as you can. I do have one caution for you: Like any handgun, 1911s by different manufacturers also differ in how they "feel". That can make it tough to choose the best one for you since not too many ranges have a large variety of 1911s for rent. It's a personal thing like any gun, and all I can suggest is maybe see if different ranges near you may have different brands you can try. My first two 1911 experiences were with Kimbers, and I ran out and bought one. I tried a Springfield and hated it. Then I tried a Colt... and promptly traded the Kimber. Buying first and then trading is expensive. Lucky for me I only took one hit before I found what works best for me. Haven't looked back and the Colts have multiplied. I hear it happens quite a bit with 1911s :rolleyes:
 
I shot a CZ75 sp01 (if I remember that correctly) and it was awesome. Shot wonderfully. I'm gonna borrow my father-in-law's Beretta 92f soon so we'll see if I get hooked on that as well, haha.
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I think guns in general all have unique characteristics, more noticeable with handguns. Everytime I go shooting i try to talk to as many different guns I mean guys as I can. I generally offer to let them try my handguns if they show an interest.
One I should also mention is a 1903 Colt. One of my very favorite handguns to shoot. Smooth as silk, very little recoil and quite accurate. Not a first pick for defense or high volume shooting do to the underpowered and overpriced .32 cartridge.
 
I've been looking at a lot of different models (again, not ready to buy yet, but I love to look), and I think I'd like to get a blued Colt Government Model in .45. Just a good, classic .45acp 1911. I'll save enough for whatever price range it's in, but I want a new one. I think it'll be in the $600-$700 range.

Do you all think that'd be a good pick?
 
I've been looking at a lot of different models (again, not ready to buy yet, but I love to look), and I think I'd like to get a blued Colt Government Model in .45. Just a good, classic .45acp 1911. I'll save enough for whatever price range it's in, but I want a new one. I think it'll be in the $600-$700 range.

Do you all think that'd be a good pick?
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That's a great first 1911, Lee. A basic blue GM. In fact almost 40 years ago I bought a blue Colt Series '70 Government Model that I still have and love today. I carried it all over the Arizona desert and it's as good today as ever, except for the "character" the blue finish has acquired over the decades.

I second the recommendation of the Remington R1 which would be in your price range. A Colt would be $200-300 more but you won't be sorry. I love the way the R1 feels in my hand and made mods to my old Colt to replicate it (went with a Remington flat mainspring housing to go with the short trigger, which fits me perfectly).
 
I think the Springfield TRP is one of the best guns for the money - with features that a lot of shooters like ( mag well, ambi safetyies, etc ) --- but its only available in .45 acp.

In a 9mm version I'd at least look at the Colt ... the Springfield and the Sig Sauer...( but the Sig will not fit a traditional 1911 holster - the slide is a little different ). I like a 1911 in 9mm and .45 acp a lot / its my go to weapon for range practice and carry ...and capacity is an overrated issue in my view ( learn to reload it !! )...

High end 1911's are a mechanical thing of beauty ...but we all have budgets / if you get a chance to fire a Wilson Combat or Ed Brown, don't pass it up ...but one of those guns may have to wait for your budget. Wilson Combat and Ed Brown, in my view, are #1 and #2 in 1911's.
 
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DW PM9
DW Valor
Sig Tacpac
Sig Nightmare
Sig Spartan
Ruger SR1911
Ruger Sr1911 CMD
Smith and Wesson Pro Series
Smith and Wesson 1911E
Springfield TRP
Springfield Loaded 1911-M1A

I am even surprising myself

It is ALL my fault. I keep the safe quiet and dark. What goes on in the safe, stays in the safe
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I'm going to go ahead and egg you on just a bit more ;) ... I see a 1911 that is conspicuously absent from your list ... a Colt :D ...

Mk IV Series 70 reproduction








 
I'm going to go ahead and egg you on just a bit more ... I see a 1911 that is conspicuously absent from your list ... a Colt ...

Mk IV Series 70 reproduction
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You just HAD to go there didn't you?:D

My very first 1911 was a series 70 Gold Cup. I still do not know why I traded it off. I had just moved to Arizona and probably the heat affected my thinking:rolleyes:

I just have not replaced it.
 
The first time I shot a 1911 I thought to myself: "nice trigger, nice gun, easy to get tight groups...........OH, CRAP IT'S ALREADY EMPTY!:D
 
skans said:
OH, CRAP IT'S ALREADY EMPTY!
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My exact thoughts the first time I shot a Beretta 92 many years ago.

I was shooting at 8" steel plates on an old beat up rack (6 plates) at 25 yards.

DING - leaves a mark, plate doesn't move.
DING - leaves a mark, plate doesn't move.
DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING - lots of scratched paint, all six plates still up. OH, CRAP IT'S ALREADY EMPTY AND ALL THE PLATES ARE STILL UP! Nice gun, very accurate, little recoil, easy to shoot - but the plates laughed at it.

Drew the 1911 - six shots later, all the plates were down and I still had two rounds left in the gun.

The following weekend, I also quickly figured out why there was a special class for 9mm in bowling pin matches where all you have to do is knock the pin over instead of knocking them off the table.

Some range officers may permit the distance to the back of the table be reduced to 2 ft for "minor" calibers like 9mm Luger and .38 Special so that these "minor" calibers can approximate head-to-head equivalency with "major" calibers.
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Yeah, those Mark IV Series 70 are sweet guns - my new one is in stainless :):

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