Want starter 1911 that I can build on later

M

Metal god

New member
Hello , so I'm starting to get to the point that I have all/most of the needed/should have firearms ( HD , SD , SHTF ) . Now I'd like to get something or a few somethings that are just cool . I have a 45 but not a 1911 . I'd like to get a new full size stainless steel 1911 . I've looked around a little , handled a few and now think I'm ready to buy .

I should add I'm on the left coast in CA so I can't get just any 1911 . We have a list of approved firearms and it's getting smaller by the day . I don't have the list in front of me but a couple I can buy are the Kimber , Springfield , Rock island and I think there are a couple others but can't name them .

I say starter because of the cost of some 1911s . My budget is maxed out at $800 and at that price I have found and handled a couple Kimbers and Springfield's . I've seen many Rock Islands for $450 to $600 but never handled them .

Next would be to ask what does Mil-spec mean ? Ok not the actual definition but what does it mean in terms how customizable it is in the 1911 platform . I have my eye on this Springfield http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-mil-spec-45-acp/ but not sure if that's my best option . I know I sure like the look and feel of that firearm and on sale it's right at my max budget . Maybe later I install new trigger , sights etc .

Any ideas will help , go ahead and throw out some other names/brands and I'll look them up and see if they are on the approved list .

I should add that my first choice was the SR 1911 but it was NEVER on the list . I went to buy one as soon as they were availible and found out they will never be sold in CA :mad:

Thanks Metal
 
Last edited:
If you can live without the stainless steel I would get a Colt 1991 Govt Model. If you have a good transfer dealer you should be able to get a NIB Colt for about $725 out the door. On top of that if you can get it into your hands before 12/31/2014 you will get a $100 gift Visa gift card which will bring your total cost down to $625. Not sure if they ship to CA but Grab-a-Gun has Colts for $699+ $6 shipping. http://grabagun.com/colt-1991a1-gi-45acp-5-blue.html

If you have to have stainless it will cost you about $150 more and I would call and make sure they qualify for the rebate. Still not a bad deal.

There is not a better base gun out there IMHO. It is a better gun than the SA not that the SA is a bad gun but the Colt will hold its value better if you ever need to sell it and it is the preferred base gun for a lot of the top builders.

I recommend getting a Govt model like this or the SA and shoot 1000+ round through it in a bone stock configuration. From there you can determine what you like about the stock platform and what you don't and change it from there. That way you do only the mods you want nothing more. You will end up with a gun built for you not everyone else.

I would recommend saving some more cash and getting a Dan Wesson Heritage but I don't think they are on the CA approved list. They would run you about $1100-$1200 OTD.
 
Military Specifications. As for a starter gun are you planning on doing the work yourself or have it done for you? I carry a RIA every day. I retired My Colts and others to being shooter/ Safe Queens. I have found it to be a reliable solid made pistol the only thing I changed is I like a 3 lb. trigger pull.
 
$800 might be light for a new pistol. Buying used is not a horrible thing though. Shop around locally. Rock Island's are currently on sale at Cabela's. So is the Auto-Ordnance(crappy issue style sights). In "puke" green though.
Milspec is pretty much a marketing term only. Has nothing to do with add-ons. Most aftermarket stuff will fit any 1911 style pistol with minor fitting in most cases. Some stuff doesn't need any fitting.
There's no such thing as a milspec SS anything though. No SS used by any military. However, it usually has to do with the sights and finish. SA's kit really isn't even close to issue pistols.
 
$800 might be light for a new pistol. Buying used is not a horrible thing though
Click to expand...

Colt 1991s can be found for about that these days. I'd choose one of them over most Springfields and any Kimbers.
 
9th one down seems to be the colt 1991 you guys are talking about (O1091 M1991A1 Ser 80 / Stainless Steel (matte) ), Is that right ? If so , it is approved for sale in CA till at least 1-1-2016 . Now to see if I can find it for sale here at a LGS
http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns_resp.asp LINK NOT WORKING SORRY
I'd love to have a colt , just thought they were out of my price range so never gave them much thought .
 
Last edited:
Usually I see a mistyped number like 1991 for 1911, the person is sometimes jibed a little...etc. etc. However I believe this is the first time I have witnessed it from two different post' by two different people. Jibe Jibe..:p:D
 
I believe the 01991 is approved because it has a firing pin safety and they submitted it years ago. You should be able to search it here.

http://safetydevice.doj.ca.gov/fsearch.asp

I would look for a transfer dealer in your area on the grab a gun site. Even if they charge you $50 for the transfer I am willing to bet you will be ahead over finding one instock.
 
Sure is... LOl now that's funny!
Click to expand...

At least they changed the rollmark....

SAM_2509.jpg
 
I have seen a limited sampling.I would not jump to major conclusions.

I was asked to do a little tuning on a Springfield Armory Milspec,purchased new.

I'll leave out minor details like mediocre trigger.

Linkdown was inadequate.Slide was wearing finish off the top of the barrel.

Plunger tube was quite loose,held on by the grip.

230 gr hardball was a foot low at 25 yds with multiple shooters.

The milled slot in the frame where the barrel underlug rides,they cut a 45 deg chamfer on the top edges,by about .015 or .020 thousandths.The cutter did not cut,it beat!!A really major burr was rolled down into the channel the lug rides in.Both sides.This was dragging on the lug.Felt real crunchy.

The comparable guns from the Philipines that I have worked with,only three,have had the functional relationships of linkdown more correct,tight plunger tubes,and no horrific burr/finish issues.They were better at shooting point of aim.

Oh,one thing I forgot.The Philipine guns have fead JHP and SWC.

The SA only fed hardball.A gentleman on this forum suggested the proper ramp angle to me.When I put it in the Bridgeport and recut it,the production person grinding ramps did not cut a straight ramp,It was like the bullet nose was hitting a beer belly about at the navel,then stopping.

I do not intend to insult anyone who loves their SA.Enjoy!!

For my money,if they were the same price,I would buy Philipine.But they are not the same price.The Philipines are $200 plus cheaper.
 
Thanks guys and I'm really looking to go stainless steel . If I could find it I'd even go with a mirror like finish . I want a 1911 but also going for the cool/wow factor . I need a base model to start with though . I see they make the 1991 in ss so I'll be looking for that as well as others and that springfield still is looking pretty nice - oops well not after reading that last post :eek:
 
The Springfield Mil-Spec is a decent pistol and would make a suitable base for a future build-up. The name, however, means exactly nothing. There are MANY "features" of the Mil-Spec that are not "mil-spec."

For the difference in price, I would buy the Rock Island Tactical. However, it has an investment cast receiver where the Springfield is alleged to be forged -- if that makes any difference to you. Given my 'druthers, I would take a Colt 1991 before either of the above, but I don't know if the Colts are on California's approved list.

Stay away from Kimber.
 
Trust me... the mirror, or chrome, or nickle plated finish, cool factor will fade...unless you are a 3rd world country warlord. I would go stainless if you like the look. Personally I think a deep blue 1911 with nice wood grips is where the cool factor is...
But to each his own...
With that being said, the Colt 80 series Govt. Model is a fine weapon. Colt builds a helluva 1911. I love mine... very tight, accurate, and sexy
 
Trust me... the mirror, or chrome, or nickle plated finish, cool factor will fade...unless you are a 3rd world country warlord. I would go stainless if you like the look. Personally I think a deep blue 1911 with nice wood grips is where the cool factor is...
But to each his own...
With that being said, the Colt 80 series Govt. Model is a fine weapon. Colt builds a helluva 1911. I love mine... very tight, accurate, and sexy
Click to expand...

I agree with this 100%. The shiny blink look just does not work for me. Not that I am against stainless I just prefer matte with polished flats.

 
I'm pretty fond of the Para Expert (stainless) that I just bought. The reviews are pretty positive and mine has been very accurate. You can find them brand new with a street price of $500-600 and there's a $100 mail-in rebate until the end of the year. Seems like a pretty good foundation.

http://para-usa.com/2013/firearms/expert/expert_ss.php

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys and I'm really looking to go stainless steel . If I could find it I'd even go with a mirror like finish . I want a 1911 but also going for the cool/wow factor . I need a base model to start with though . I see they make the 1991 in ss so I'll be looking for that as well as others and that springfield still is looking pretty nice - oops well not after reading that last post
Click to expand...
As has been posted, you can't go wrong with a new Colt, the guns they're putting out now are as good as they've ever been and you should be able to find what you're looking for in your price range. The base Colts are great shooters as is and are terrific platforms for custom builds. However, like WVsig said, it'll be a matte or brushed stainless, not polished. Never fear, though, stainless steel can be polished to any degree you like and, if you're like me, the cool factor of a polished gun (done right) doesn't fade.

Both of these started out as plain Jane matte blue ORM 1991A1s, I'll never get tired of the polished look-

20141123_115805.jpg

20141011_162243.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top