Pistols!

good luck with your RIA. they get a bad rap, but really it's still a 1911, not quite as streamlined as a Colt, Ruger, or Springfield but not as expensive either. it'll be a good starter gun. I still think 45ACP may be a little much for a first timer. my first handgun was a 45ACP and I was terrible with it until the navy gave me some training with a 9mm and I was able to transition over to the 45. then again I was a terrible wimp with my 243 and you shoot full powered military rifles with steel buttplates so there's likely a difference in our determination. let us know how you're doing when it comes time to unwrap it.
 
Denis also said he doesn't think I should get a 1911 as a beginner. My dad is going to ask his friend/co-worker if I can shoot his 1911 to see if I like it. I really don't know right now.
 
Congrats

Starting with a 1911 is not a bad idea. It is a sound design and the RIA guns are well built. You made a great choice. Every gun enthusiast should own at least one 1911 in .45 ACP as Mr. Browning and God intended.

The design genius of the 1911 will be apparent when you disassemble it. This will bring a smile to your face.

It will be fun to shoot and when you buy a more "modern" firearm, you will have an excellent standard to compare to.

This was a very entertaining thread and I enjoyed reading it.

Pico
 
Well done MM. The RIA is not a fancy, gussied-up Kimber, Springfield or what have you, but they're darn serviceable. You will like it a lot--guaranteed.:)
 
I've always found the RIA to be a nice gun. Often the triggers of the examples I handled were much nicer than more expensive models. It's not pretty, but it doesn't need to be.
 
"I'm with you. A few guys always come on these type threads singing the praises of .22... Not for me. And you mentioned .32 earlier... a wimpy round you won't be happy with either."
I can afford to practice defensive shooting from the standing position with my strong hand using 9mm sufficiently.
I can't afford to practice standing offhand, prone, prone from a dozen positions in and around a vehicle, offhand prone from all those positions, from around window frames with both hands, around door frames with both hands, corners with both hands, hanging half over a wall, and, of course, behind the back.

If I could afford the 9mm I wouldn't be so hot on 22lr, but as long as I can't I will be.
 
.32 = .45

I almost bought a .32 fun gun but the ammo was hard to find and cost as much as .45 to buy. A .380 makes more sense.

Pico
 
Okay, wasn't my choice, but if it all possible, snag one in 9mm and you will not regret it. Not at the ammo counter, not when it comes times to find a slew of brass to handload, and definitely not when you have to start buying component bullets for handloading.
 
+1 to the 1911 in 9mm. The biggest obstacle in becoming a proficient (or "good") shooter is cost. .45 ACP justs costs more than 9mm, sometimes almost twice as much. Shoot more, get better.

That's why people were trying to steer you into .22 LR. Whatever its shortcomings are, it still takes all the fundamentals of firearms to make a shot with a .22 LR, and you will get to shoot A LOT for a lot less. My first few pistols were all .22 LR, and got to put 10,000's of rounds through them, often shooting them to failure. Shooting centerfire is a slightly different beast when it comes to recoil, but if you are beginning shooter, it's probably better to start with .22 LR in a semi-auto, just so you can develop good shooting habits and not develop any bad ones, like flinching...

...especially flinching when reaching for your wallet every time you shoot off a box of 50 for $20-$25 of .45 ACP FMJ's when you could be shooting even "expensive" .22 LR like CCI Minimags for $7 per 100. That's 300 .22 LR shots per 50 .45 ACP. Since practice makes better, a cheaper cartridge will mean you will get better, and you will have more FUN, because shooting a lot is FUN.

Go to Walmart (or similar big box, discount store--here it's Walmart of Fleet Farm) and compare ammo prices. Look at the cheapest .45 ACP, 9mm, and .22 LR. See what you can afford to shoot, then buy your gun accordingly. In my opinion, it's better to spend an extra $100 to $200 more on a gun that shoots cheaper bullets, because you will get to shoot that gun all the more. I have taken this philosophy, to an extreme, because I spend waaaaaaaay too much on my guns and only buy the cheapest calibers to shoot.

It may be tempting to "get man's caliber" and go "full-American" by getting a .45 ACP, and there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't feel like you have to. I assure you, all bullets are dangerous, and you will be well served by whatever quality firearm you choose.
 
I've chosen .45 as the caliber. I know some people may not like I'm getting this caliber or even this gun, but when it comes down to it it is my decision. I think I can Handle a .45, but that's the reason I'm going to shoot my friend's 1911 to see if I like it. Sorry if you don't like my choice.
 
Last edited:
Is this a good choice? What is a good New-Production 1911 if the GI model doesn't work out?
Is there anything I should know about owning a 1911? Disassembly, Cleaning, Safety, etc.
What range/ how would I practice? I figured paper targets but is 25 yards a good range to practice?
Anything I should know about owning a handgun in general?
Anything else you fine folks think I should know?
Click to expand...

I've chosen .45 as the caliber. I know some people may not like I'm getting this caliber or even this gun, but when it comes down to it it is my decision. I think I can Handle a .45, but that's the reason I'm going to shoot my friend's 1911 to see if I like it. Sorry if you don't like my choice.
Click to expand...

There's a bit of irony here. :)

Folks are just giving you reasons why they like 9mm and why it might be preferable. I don't think they meant to offend you and I'm not sure why you're getting upset about it. You did ask for advice in the first place.
 
Not really getting upset about it. Most everybody has been nice and stuff and I appreciate them trying to help me. I have had some people tell me it's not a good choice, and like I said, that's why I'm going to shoot my friend's. If I don't like it, I won't buy one.
 
Not really getting upset about it.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, didn't mean to misread you.

Any forum will see you getting a lot of personal preference. As you said finding out for yourself is the only real key. If you can reload, and it sounds like you already do, then the cost of the 45 ACP goes down a lot. 9mm is nice, but you can always pick up another one down the road. Enjoy the RIA if you do go that route. I always have a hard time not picking one up.
 
MM- I think you made a fine choice.

Have you looked into the light downloaded rounds I mentioned to you in the PM? Those with the 200gr LSWC bullets really are a dream. And, I forgot to mention, that you can also build a light shooting round with a 185gr LSWC- and most of those are also very capable of very fine groupings- just don't get carried away with the crimping of the case mouths... just a little dab will do ya.

http://www.tascosacartridge.com/product-catalogue/45-acp-185-gr-swc/ -These are just an example. But you get the idea that you can get these or the 200gr ones for 250 - $25 ballpark.
 
Last edited:
Mosin-Marauder said:
I've chosen .45 as the caliber. I know some people may not like I'm getting this caliber or even this gun, but when it comes down to it it is my decision. I think I can Handle a .45, but that's the reason I'm going to shoot my friend's 1911 to see if I like it. Sorry if you don't like my choice.
Click to expand...
No reason in the world to be sorry, MM. It's not what I suggested, but it's also not going to be my gun. I certainly haven't gotten my knickers in a twist over it. The 1911 chambered in .45 is a classic combination, and a real joy to shoot, IMHO.

Again, enjoy it and shoot it in good health.
 
Thank you, MM, for sharing this part of your journey with us.

I join those who think you will be exceedingly happy with your choice.

Part of your dilemma has been that there are a lot of excellent choices out there.

I predict, (assuming you stick with this choice), that when you post up on TFL in 20 years or so, you'll still own this one :D.

Maybe even will have a .22 conversion for it by then.

Best wishes and good shooting.

Will
 
When talking 9mm +P+ defensive rounds v. run of the mill .45, I don't think there is all that much difference. It does seem to me like there is general agreement you need "modern" high pressure 9mm rounds and pretty much anything in 45 works from the various threads on the subject. Well, in a micro gun it would be different.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top