Talk me in to getting a 1911

O

orangeTJ

New member
I'm on the verge of picking up a semiauto to accompany my S&W 686. I really want to like the 1911 (ergonomics are great, classic looks, accuracy, etc.), but I'm having a hard time getting comfortable with their reliability. I take care of my weapons and I don't plan on subjecting the thing to abuse. I just want to know that it's going to go "bang" every time I pull the trigger. From what I've read on this site as well as my limited experience with a 1911 range gun, I'm not sure this weapon offers the level of reliability I'm after.

I also can't justify spending more than about $800 on a new gun. With this in mind, are there any in my price range that have "trust your life to it" reliability? Should I keep the 1911 on the list or just forget it and focus on glock/sig/HK?

Your insights and suggestion would be much appreciated
 
Nearly any Colt, Kimber or Springfield should work for you. This is not to say that there is a 100% guarantee that a particular mag or type of ammo will ALWAYS work well in your gun. If H&K or Glock mags were available for $6.00, they would probably fail occassionally as well. With proper lubrication, and good mags, a high quality 1911 should rarely fail. And you should have no problem staying well under $800.
 
I bought a Springfield Armory last year and I haven't had a bit of trouble with it. You are right about the ergonomics of the 1911 grip and the classic look.

If you want to know about the 1911 design, then my father has his grandfather's pistol made in 1918 and it still feeds and fires hardball fine with all original parts. It feels great to hold a piece of history in your hand and squeeze the same trigger that my great-grandfather did. However, I have lived longer than he did as he committed suicide with that same pistol.

The 1911 has sentimental value and quite a bit of history to it. Hope you enjoy yours when you purchase one.
 
If 1911s were that bad the military would've replaced it after the first war. Folks who have problems with their 1911s typically either buy junk clones, use cheap magazines, or butcher them through incompetent modification.

Get a new, quality 1911 such as a Colt Government Model, buy decent magazines for it, and you should be fine.
 
For all its lack of modernity, the 1911 has one thing that you don't get in other .45 pistols: you can make it ridiculously accurate. That's why it's the centerfire gun for bullseye shooting, and that's part of why people love to customize it.

As for the reliability: you're correct. Out of the box, even a new, "modern" 1911 will probably not be as reliable as a Sig or HK. (Some are, but you never know).

HOWEVER...If you get the magazines you'll need (get a few Wilson 47D mags) and take your pistol and mags to a good gunsmith, they can make your pistol UTTERLY reliable for less than $100.

So...You can get a Kimber Custom Classic for $600 and change (just $600 if you're lucky), get some mags (which you were going to get anyway), and get a "reliability package" done, staying well within your range. Sure, you could get a Springfield Mil-Spec for $100 - 150 less, but the Kimber has most of the other upgrades already done, to a point (the most important being, I think, the good grip safety).

Get one.
 
Are not most 1911's built to modern mil specs quite reliable? My SA has not hand any problems so far since I acquired it in March of this year. Colt 1991 is next in line.;)
 
I've not owned any of the newest new manufacture; all my stuff is from Series 70 on back--on back to 1912 manufacture.

I've been shooting the doggoned things since around 1950, and until I started hanging out here at TFL I didn't know there was such a thing as a reliability problem. All I've ever known is, "Pull trigger, hammer faw down go bang." :)

I never had any problems during my IPSC days, back in 1981-1983.

Art
 
OrangeTJ.... you already admitted you own the one gun you know will always go bang when you pull the trigger (the SW686). I got the same gun. I personally don't think any auto is reliable enough to bet my life on, but I also own 6 autos that I love to shoot..... a 1911 is a good choice. $800 is your limit? Might be able to get an STI Trojan for about $825 - $850, which is basically a hand-built match grade 1911. The generic brands like Kimber, Springfield, and Para-Ordnance deliver a pretty good 1911 for about $600 - $700.
 
Thanks for all of the input, gents. Bountyh, the 686 is a true gem and I'll never part with it. Coming out of a slumber with somebody in my house who didn't belong there, I have no doubt that I'd reach for my 686 (or Remington 870) before I'd reach for any auto. This probably has more to do with my familiarity with those firearms than anything else. I'd just like to have a third choice if the chips are down and I really want an auto (while my 30-30 T/C Contender packs a punch, it's not exactly a practical defensive weapon!).

From what I'm hearing, the 1911 would be a strong choice. One more question - Springfield Armory, Colt, Kimber, or????
 
I've tried several of the of types of pistols that you mentioned and they are all fine pistols. I went with the 1911 because it's what I shoot best. If you like the style of pistol and you can shoot it well, go with a 1911.
If on the other hand you find out that you can shoot an HK better, then go with that. I've found that 1911's can be finicky, but so can Glocks/HK/SIg........ad infinitum. If you want to know if a 1911 is reliable, yes it is, at least both mine have been.

Picking a pistol is like picking that special woman to be your wife, you want it to be right, reliable, dependable, and something you'll be with for the rest of your life.
 
I used to have a used Colt MK IV Series 80 stainless in .45 about 7 years ago. It was nice almost in new conditionfor $500. Put 2,000 rounds of mostly ball and some hollowpoints, no problems. Then I had some light mods done; trigger work and throat/ramp job. The next 3,000 rounds I had one FTE and one double feed. I guess I shouldn't have messed with it.;)

I sold it because I became obsessed with Sigs and Glocks. Should have saved up for them instead. (Yeah, I'm kicking myself again)
 
If 1911s were that bad the military would've replaced it after the first war. Folks who have problems with their 1911s typically either buy junk clones, use cheap magazines, or butcher them through incompetent modification.
Click to expand...


Yeah...What he said. I would simply add one other common mistake. Firing ammunition that the particular vintage pistol was never meant to fire without the necessary upgrade.
 
11 months ago, I asked a shooting buddy to talk ME into getting a 1911. His reply to me..."If I have to explain it, you aren't ready...yet!" 5 months later, I bought one w/o hesitation. The ergonomics, styling, versatility and reliability are just a few reasons why I have one.
 
May I suggest that you focus your efforts on the SIG P220 series. While I enjoy shooting a top-quality 1911 pistol, the SIG seems to be kilometers ahead in terms of function, fit, finish, style, ease of use, etc. And the bloody SIGS just work!

Wm.
 
Why get a 1911?

1911s are:

Classic
Rugged
Reliable
Accurate
Slim
Ergonomic
And oh so "customizable" should you later decide to do so.

There are few other pistols in its league, regardless of what its detractors say.

As pointed out, if you do need basic work done, the end cost is often equitaqble with pricier options from competitors. That's "need," not "want." You can spend thousands on what you may "want."

---

I suggest purchasing a Springfield Loaded Gov't model. I see them at gun shows starting around $525 or so for the parkerized model and a little more for the blued model.

Or spend just a little more and pick up a Kimber. They are finished up a little more, if that's important to you.

Either way, you cannot go wrong, imo.
 
Let's not and talk you into the Glock 36 instead!!! Glock reliability and accuracy (right of the box, mind you) without the hassle of the grip safety or having to worry about the "cocked and locked" thing!!! :p :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top