Want starter 1911 that I can build on later
- Thread starter Metal god
- Start date
UPDATE
I bought my 1911 yesterday . I went with the Springfield 1911 A-1 SS I linked in my OP http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-mil-spec-45-acp/. I did consider all of the suggestions and for me right now the Springfield seemed to be my best bang for my buck .
I say for me right now for two reasons . 1) I can put the gun on lay away at my LGS and that helps not having to put out $700+ all at once . 2) The Springfield went on a one day only sale price of $679 and here in CA that's pretty good for that firearm . So good in fact I got the last one in the entire state sold by my LGS . They had to call around to find it . I think there is 18+ stores in the chain . In the computer they said 5 stores still had one left . The final store he called of the 5 had there floor model still available I'LL TAKE IT
Now if comes all dinged up or scratched . I'll send it back and put the money toward something else or ask if I can wait until they get more in . It will need to be scratch free for me to take it but at least It's being held and shipped to my LGS .
I bought my 1911 yesterday . I went with the Springfield 1911 A-1 SS I linked in my OP http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-mil-spec-45-acp/. I did consider all of the suggestions and for me right now the Springfield seemed to be my best bang for my buck .
I say for me right now for two reasons . 1) I can put the gun on lay away at my LGS and that helps not having to put out $700+ all at once . 2) The Springfield went on a one day only sale price of $679 and here in CA that's pretty good for that firearm . So good in fact I got the last one in the entire state sold by my LGS . They had to call around to find it . I think there is 18+ stores in the chain . In the computer they said 5 stores still had one left . The final store he called of the 5 had there floor model still available I'LL TAKE IT
Now if comes all dinged up or scratched . I'll send it back and put the money toward something else or ask if I can wait until they get more in . It will need to be scratch free for me to take it but at least It's being held and shipped to my LGS .
I've always called it the M1991A1TM, myself.
For a gun that's a good shooter, and a good base for modification, I'd go Springfield.
The problem, is that a lot of people buy a base gun like the Mil-Spec, and then decide that they should have bought a gun with a beavertail, or different sights, or whatever.
If you want to enjoy the gun as is, for any period of time, then you might be better off with a Range Officer. It doesn't really need any modification, but you can do a lot of stuff, major and minor, while enjoying that it came with a beavertail, good sights, extended safety, lightweight trigger, etc.
@ Aquila Blanca (edited but no change to your quoted verbiage):
I must take some exception to your statement bolded above.
In the mid 90's, I bought a Para-Ordnance (somewhat clone) P-14 from a LGS that someone had created using a Para-Ordnance aluminum alloy frame kit (Canada manufacture: SN: PG002788; and, yes, they marketed that before going into full-blown pistol production) using a plethora of aftermarket/surplus parts. The barrel was NOT ramped and the frame was NOT cut for a ramped barrel: just the standard 1911 configuration. The frame was anodized black, the 1911 flat MSH was aluminum with a rubberized coating, and the slide (looking at the wide hand grooves) must have been a SARCO/GPC special, possibly a Llama or something similar. The barrel was throated so it shot much more than just ball ammo. The pistol was fairly well done (even with the thick plastic pebble-type grips) and it shot well. I have very long fingers (think piano player) and I substituted the Para short trigger for the long trigger. (I still have the short trigger and 3 plastic recoil spring guides if anyone wants them.) Paid $350 for it and well worth it for the experience and knowledge.
I was at first enamored about the double-stack 13-shot mag in an aluminum framed 1911 .45, but I found that as the mag emptied, the gun's feel/POI/POA changed considerably and did not care for it after a while. The gun ran just fine but sold it in 2006 for $450 in a parking lot deal.
I swapped out using it and my highly modified AMT Hardballer as my truck guns for many years, but finally settled upon my Hardballer as my go to gun for HD and other. Do not laugh about my Hardballer: it's not anywhere near the gun that left the Covina factory. Good gun tinks rule...
Hope this adds to the conundrum of tastes.
I must take some exception to your statement bolded above.
In the mid 90's, I bought a Para-Ordnance (somewhat clone) P-14 from a LGS that someone had created using a Para-Ordnance aluminum alloy frame kit (Canada manufacture: SN: PG002788; and, yes, they marketed that before going into full-blown pistol production) using a plethora of aftermarket/surplus parts. The barrel was NOT ramped and the frame was NOT cut for a ramped barrel: just the standard 1911 configuration. The frame was anodized black, the 1911 flat MSH was aluminum with a rubberized coating, and the slide (looking at the wide hand grooves) must have been a SARCO/GPC special, possibly a Llama or something similar. The barrel was throated so it shot much more than just ball ammo. The pistol was fairly well done (even with the thick plastic pebble-type grips) and it shot well. I have very long fingers (think piano player) and I substituted the Para short trigger for the long trigger. (I still have the short trigger and 3 plastic recoil spring guides if anyone wants them.) Paid $350 for it and well worth it for the experience and knowledge.
I was at first enamored about the double-stack 13-shot mag in an aluminum framed 1911 .45, but I found that as the mag emptied, the gun's feel/POI/POA changed considerably and did not care for it after a while. The gun ran just fine but sold it in 2006 for $450 in a parking lot deal.
I swapped out using it and my highly modified AMT Hardballer as my truck guns for many years, but finally settled upon my Hardballer as my go to gun for HD and other. Do not laugh about my Hardballer: it's not anywhere near the gun that left the Covina factory. Good gun tinks rule...
Hope this adds to the conundrum of tastes.
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UPDATE
Hello again . So I put the 1911 on layaway back in February . In that time my work truck took a dump and I had to rebuild the engine . Because of that I was not able to pay the gun off until a couple days ago .
How ever I did pay it off ( just a tad over $700 OTD ) and got to shoot it yesterday It's my first 1911 as well as the first time I ever shot one . I only shot 100rds through it but I can say it's a nice gun to shoot . I thought I brought at least 2 different ammo's but it turned out I only had some Rem UMC with me . It shot that fine with no issues of any kind . I was able to shoot it pretty accurately right off the bat . The sights were set at the 6 O-clock hold I like and that mad it easy to shoot do to the fact there was no adjusting my sight picture .
Now this is only my second mag at 25 feet but it shows I can shoot the firearm
Anyways thanks for all your help guys .
P.S. I already want to start upgrading . I'm already looking for grips
Hello again . So I put the 1911 on layaway back in February . In that time my work truck took a dump and I had to rebuild the engine . Because of that I was not able to pay the gun off until a couple days ago .
How ever I did pay it off ( just a tad over $700 OTD ) and got to shoot it yesterday
It's my first 1911 as well as the first time I ever shot one . I only shot 100rds through it but I can say it's a nice gun to shoot . I thought I brought at least 2 different ammo's but it turned out I only had some Rem UMC with me . It shot that fine with no issues of any kind . I was able to shoot it pretty accurately right off the bat . The sights were set at the 6 O-clock hold I like and that mad it easy to shoot do to the fact there was no adjusting my sight picture . Now this is only my second mag at 25 feet but it shows I can shoot the firearm
Anyways thanks for all your help guys .
P.S. I already want to start upgrading . I'm already looking for grips
Excellent choice, you really can't go wrong with a Springfield or a Colt. I missed your February update, I'm glad I caught this one. That Springfield will serve you well just as it is or, if you choose to modify/customize it, it will make a terrific platform for a build. Good shooting, too. You'll need to keep us posted on your upgrades.
I picked up a barely used 10 year old Springfield GI Mil-Spec at a LGS for $425 a couple of months ago. I needed a gun for when I'm outside working around the property and it's perfect for the job. After a thorough cleaning and proper lube, it has turned out to be a solid, reliable shooter, plenty accurate (considering the tiny GI sights), decent trigger. I swapped the arched MSH for a flat one left from one of my Colts, added a set of VZ Diamondback grips I had in a drawer, and some grip tape on the front strap. I put together a Bianchi military style rig for cheap and it's good to go.
I picked up a barely used 10 year old Springfield GI Mil-Spec at a LGS for $425 a couple of months ago. I needed a gun for when I'm outside working around the property and it's perfect for the job. After a thorough cleaning and proper lube, it has turned out to be a solid, reliable shooter, plenty accurate (considering the tiny GI sights), decent trigger. I swapped the arched MSH for a flat one left from one of my Colts, added a set of VZ Diamondback grips I had in a drawer, and some grip tape on the front strap. I put together a Bianchi military style rig for cheap and it's good to go.
