Really want a 1911, but considering a revolver...Hmmmm

L

Lavid2002

New member
I really want to buy a springfield Mil-Spec 1911, or a Para GI Expert.....

Anyways i'm also considering a revolver for a few major reasons.

*It would be SUPER easy to pick up my brass *I will def. reload pistol as I reload rifle now*
*Very simplistic, good to train with and learn the basics with as it will be a first pistol
*Easy to train with as I can load several chambers with snap caps, and some with cartridges and watch for my flinch. Sure I can do with with a 1911 too but going to the next shot would be easier with a revolver


Heres why I want a 1911 though
*Quickly to change magazines, I can compete in local competitions
*Who DOESNT want a 1911 : )
*Amazing platform feels great in my hand
*Can convert to a .22 with a upper *Excuse the AR terminology... is it a upper?*
*I dont have to cock the hammer everytime if I dont want a super long drawn out S/A trigger (Like a revolver)

I dont know.....

Can you guys recommend a revolver for me, and give a little commentary for my 1911 vs revolver debate! I will eventually buy one of each. But its one for now and I dont know where to start. I would really like a 1911 but this whole revolver thing seems interesting too!
 
I understand how you feel. I like both revolvers and 1911s. For a first handgun, though, I would suggest a revolver. A 1911 is a bit of an aficionado's gun. It is an amazing platform but some can be a bit finicky at times -- every brand from the Philippine imports up to the Browns and Wilsons. If you get one that needs a minor tweak, you may get frustrated.

While you may fire a revolver mostly in single action, you also need to shoot double action. This helps you to learn trigger control and prepares you for other handguns like double action semi-autos.

I really like the SW K-frame .38 specials. You can probably find one from the 50's through the 60s. These will have pre-lawyerized triggers and the K-frames usually balance well for most people. I would recommend the Model 14 or Model 15. However, even the fixed sight Model 10s are nice guns to learn to shoot.
 
You could get a Ruger single-six convertible. It would let you shoot .22LR and .22 magnums. Then when you get your 1911, you could add a 22 conversion kit and shoot .45 ACP and .22 LR's as well. That would definitely help your practice schedule and costs.
 
I'll give you my best bit of advice (which new shooters/owners never take). Buy a 22 rimfire and learn how to shoot before getting a centerfire. Trigger control, sight picture, grip, everything needs to be learned. Unless your rich, you aren't going to pick everything up on a couple of boxes of shells every couple of weeks. Even the lowly 22 is getting expensive to shoot. Learn the basics with the 22 and then move on to a centerfire. It really won't matter if you start with a 22 revolver or 22 automatic if you want to learn to be a good shot. Get a good set of muffs and wear plugs underneath. Believe it or not this is one of the most important things to do to start. Not just to save your hearing but to keep you focused on what you're doing with the gun and not anticipating recoil/and or noise. I know that you probably want a 45 or 357 since those are the fun toys. However, if you want to get into big bore shooting and actually be good at it, you'll develop the fine motor skills necessary with the 22.
 
I have 2 1911s and love them both, but years ago was an avowed wheel man.
Older 686 Smiths is what I had a few of and loved them.
By older I mean early to mid 80s.
 
Your pros/cons is mostly sound. I'd hate chasing & losing brass, and I love the ability to dry fire while actually pulling the trigger.

If you're thinking of competing, and you buy a revolver, you'll definitely need to master the double action trigger. I'd recommend trying a revolver out, then, to be sure you don't absolutely hate the DA trigger, and that it's something you're willing to put the time into to master. In the end, it likely comes down to which platform you like better and are willing to put the time into with.

As far as reloading speed, you'd be competing against other wheelgunners, so the reload time wouldn't put you at a disadvantage. Also, some wheelgunners can reload and shoot surprisingly fast, so at local matches, it's possible one can eventually beat the semi-autos. What a gas that'd be, eh?

As far as which revolver, for maximum versatility for a range of different competitions, I'd recommend a S&W 4" .45acp.

All this being said, the ability to shoot .22 with a 1911 conversion is a big advantage if you're only buying a single handgun. OTOH, training with a .22 has its limits, particularly if you're competing. Also, reloading will reduce the cost gap between .22 and CF ammo somewhat, particularly if you find someone locally who casts bullets. The .22 ammo I buy runs about $0.05/round, whereas the .38spl & .45acp I reload cost about $0.10-$0.15/round (factory would runs $0.35-$0.60/round, respectively).
 
*It would be SUPER easy to pick up my brass *I will def. reload pistol as I reload rifle now*
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You fight how you train.

I'd suggest you NOT dump brass into your hand when shooting at the range. If you wind up in a home defense or personal defense situation and need to reload, you will instinctually be stuffing spent cartridges into your hand that should be trying to stick a speedloader into the cylinder instead.

Plinking at the range, even... put a box or your range bag on the ground and dump the entire cylinder into the box at your feet.

I've heard there are documented instances, back when police carried revolvers, of them losing gunfights because they were so practiced at stuffing spent cartridges into pockets rather than getting their wheelgun reloaded ASAP.

If you wind up with a revolver, do some handgun matches with it. IDPA, IPSC, steel, something. Something that involves time-pressured reloads.
 
1911

Your comparison clearly shows the inevitability of a 1911 purchase, so why not get it done as soon as possible ? Simple problem, simple solution.
Deciding on a brand should be fun, though.
 
2 cents from a younger person (26) who has been collecting and shooting for 2 years so i am still quite new...

revolvers -
easier to clean/load/shoot, no malfunctions really

1911 -
more fun (imo), more capacity/quicker reload, more customizable

Lots of people have/are going to say 'both' but you didn't offer that as an option, nor did you offer .22 although i guess technically you get get a .22 in either style. I didn't start with the .22, i started with a mid-size .45, now i have 3 .45s and a .40 and I can shoot them all relatively well. I am not going to win any competitions, but I feel confident I could stop the bad guy/animal and I'm not going to hurt myself or anyone else around me. The .22 theory is very popular and sound, but not necessarily essential.

Personally I've shot my dad's .38s, .357, and .44mag and with the exception of the .44 I don't mind the revolvers at all. But i find the semi-auto and especially the 1911 more appealing. They are more complicated than revolvers, and also more so than other semis (my experience is only with XDs and the aforementioned Ruger) but they aren't rocket science either.

If you are not big on taking time to thoroughly clean, prepared to handle some of the pickyness that comes with them, or want something simple, go with the revolver. If you want a gun thats a little bit more work, but looks cooler and is more fun to shoot (again both are opinions) then take the 1911 plunge.
 
1911 V S&W Model 25

I can understand your desire for a .45ACP.
Back during WW-1 and WW-II they could not produce enough 1911's, so they commissioned the 45ACP revolver.
If you choose the revolver, you will need half-moon or full-moon clips and a tool to remove the spent cases from the moon clips. These moon clips are speed loaders.
 
I like revolvers and 1911's ...so I'm not going to talk you out of it ...

Here are some of my .357 mag revolvers / K and N frames / and one L frame.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=54472&d=1259866336

I like S&W revolvers / the older model 19's (in blued or Nickel) or the newer model 66's - or even the 686's - are all very good guns. I lean more toward the model 19's and 66's ( 2 of each in my photo). I think they're great guns / and I'm taking a model 19 to the range tonite to go thru a course of fire ( double taps, triple taps and some reloads )... A K frame is an easy gun to carry ( especially in 4" ) - and a fun gun to shoot. A couple of speedloaders and you are all set.

Now I'm also a 1911 junkie ... in 9mm, .40S&W and .45 acp ...so I won't ever talk you out of that either. I'm not a big milspec fan / more of a Wilson Combat guy myself - but Springfield makes some decent guns on a budget.

Eventually your collection should include the revolvers and the 1911's you love ...and have some fun with the journey and finding each one that becomes part of your collection over the years...
 
I'm lucky enough to own a 1911 and a .45 ACP revolver, a Smith & Wesson 625 JM. Although they fire the same round they are totally different platforms and shooting each of them is a unique experience. Personally, I'm a revolver guy and my first thought when I think of shooting is one of my revolvers. But, I really do like that 1911 and enjoy shooting it as well.

My advice to you: start simple. Begin with a gun that you can learn to shoot well, that's not too exotic, and that is versatile enough so that you can use it for a lot of shooting activities. My first handgun was a Smith & Wesson 686. Years later I still have it and still shoot it regularly. It meets all of the criteria I've just described. It handles rounds from very mild .38 specials right up through very hot .357s. It's rugged, durable, simple to operate, and very, very accurate.

I know that others have advised you to consider starting with a .22 and that's not bad advice. The second handgun that I purchased was a Smith & Wesson 617. I still have that one, too, and I've put more rounds through it than through all of my other handguns combined. A .22 revolver is a wonderful training platform. I used mine to learn how to shoot double action and to eliminate the bad flinch that I acquired almost as soon as I began shooting. It's very economical to shoot compared to any other handgun, with .22 rounds costing only a small fraction of centerfire ammo. Furthermore, the 617 is a serious gun, designed with all of the precision and quality that Smith puts into its centerfire guns.
 
If you want a 1911 you might also consider a Ruger 2245 to go with it as the cost for a complete gun is about the same as the cost for a 22 conversion unit. A revolver is a good choice and if you are like most here you will eventual end of with both the revolver and an auto pistol. Good luck
 
The ONLY reason to get a revolver is to get a cartridge not chambered in a semi-auto.
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Bunk. I dumped all my semi's but a .22lrs years ago and couldn't be happier. The only thing you NEED a semi for is if you are a bad shot and/or live in Beirut. "Want" is a different story.

OP, your logic sounds decent which is kinda throwing me for a loop. Let me recover a bit. OK, I'm better now. The main reason I don't have semi's is the brass chucker aspect. 2nd is I just like the platform. Get what you want, don't let anyone tell you that you must have this or must have that. Added benefit of revolvers is they are generally more accurate "stock" than semi's.

LK
 
1911 -
more fun (imo), more capacity/quicker reload, more customizable
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Fun is subjective; more capacity? There are 7 and 8 round centerfire handguns; quicker reload? Watch JM reload; more customizable? Different barrels and lengths (think old Dan Wesson), custom grips and sights.....

Oh yes - a revolver isn't as finicky about reloaded ammunition either - from snakeshot to magnum powerhouse with less of a chance of FTF.

OP - sounds like a nice decision to make. If I was starting over and a 1911 was absolutely going to be in the picture, then a revolver for the same, a .22 revolver, and the 22 conversion kit for the 1911 would fit the bill nicely
 
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