Need a 1911

md_shooter_rick said:

What is the model number on the Night Watchman, i don't see anything on Rugers site that says "Night Watchman". Is it an older model??? Is it Talo Exclusive 6709, Ruger(R) SR1911(R) Standard Centerfire Pistol Model 6709

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I have one 1911, a Ruger SR1911 Full size that's 6 years old.
Prices seem to be higher now, asking $900, when I bought mine I paid $650.
Used ones on gun broker seem to be asking the same price.
I have shot 7500 rounds through it.
Great Pistol, but i have only shot another 1911 once at a range and I don't know what brand it was.

The Night Watchman is a cool looking gun.

This 1911 talk has me wanting to shoot mine again soon!

Riverboys said:

This 1911 talk has me wanting to shoot mine again soon!

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I know what you mean. It's been several years since I've shot my 1911s. I usually just bring my carry guns. I was planning on going to the range next week. Maybe my 1911s will join the fun.

Well if you are from Md you know where the

md_shooter_rick said:

Yup, they prefer only the thugs/criminals be armed. Makes it safer for them.

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You probably have heard of the Morris Mechanic Theater if you are from Md.. I was up there at a play one evening...42nd St?? Anyway came out of the theater and there was a street thug out there asking/demanding money cigareetes licquor from every one walking to the parking garage...no police presence at all. Well a bunch of the society matrons were walking right behind my wife and I when the guy accosted me. I told him no money no cigarettes and he opened his coat and showed me a knife...It was a Buck hunting knife. Announced loudly that he had a knife. I opened my coat put my hand on that para and said I have a gun. And to get lost. One of the matrons asked if I really had a gun and I said ma'am I would never say that to an armed person unless. Next words were that they had to deal with that scumbag every time they went to the theater and had never had a policeman in the area... thinking I was a cop. Needless to say I got out of Dodge. Went to theaters in DC quite a few times and the police always were on the scene. No scum bags

Over 100 posts? Just get a pretty one already. This guy is yanking a chain.

Burley said:

Over 100 posts? Just get a pretty one already. This guy is yanking a chain.

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Obviously you don't have anything worth adding to the conversation.

Haha, right back at you, slick!

OK, nicest near mil spec you'll ever see is a CZ 1911.

There is no need to spend any more money on a production 1911 than an R1 or possibly Rock Island. I have a bunch of Colts and they're pretty nice but unless you want the name they really aren't any better shooters than the ones I mentioned. I started with Colt and stayed with them because I like the providence. It's the same reason I buy S&W revolvers and that's all I will buy.

I have a friend back in Maryland that bought a Norinco made 1911 back quite a few years. It is as near to a Mil Spec 1911 I have ever seen. looks as nice as any of the US military guns from the 30s and 40s. And the darn thing shoots. It is as near accurate as my Series 70 Government model...and it's a good shooter. I have seen a couple of the ATI?? 45s and they were really plain but for under $400 shot just fine

I will add one more thing to the OP. A couple things actually. If you are buying new then disregard this advice but be aware, if you're considering used or NOS initial run Rem 1911's from what I have read had mixed reviews, not sure regarding RIAs.

As for Colts, they had some downturns regarding their output at certain times as well, specific years or runs I don't recall but to sum it up, buy new, new stock manfacture & you should be fine regardless of maker.

Finally as someone mentioned, Springfield Armory has probably the best customer service out there from what I have heard. Now if you just have to have a Colt you won't regret it IMO. As I said, I love my Colts. Having said that, I probably shoot my SA Milspec more than my Colts.

Final though, consider whether you prefer a short trigger & arched mainspring housing or long trigger & flat mainspring. Or any combination of the 2, I can shoot or carry both but prefer the short trigger / arched MS housing a bit more.

md_shooter_rick said:

Yes i feel i NEED a 1911. Shame when people think their opinion trumps others on their own interest. I have firearms that fit the roles i have them for. As i've stated in other posts this will fit the role of being a 1911 and for me to shoot for fun. So if you are only able to argue, your opinion is not needed.

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First, I never said my opinion trumps others. Second, I added YMMV. Third, I said I expected to get flamed, even it's just this once. Fourth, and most assuredly, I am correct - need is not the requirement - WANT is the requirement and I never argue with someone's "wants". We all have them. Fifth, and most importantly, I said that they are useful for games and such and you said:

As i've stated in other posts this will fit the role of being a 1911 and for me to shoot for fun.

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My point precisely. Everyone wants to have fun. That's what I think 1911s are good for - fun. There is a long list of folks in this thread who still carry them and that's back to YMMV; if you are well versed in the use of a 1911 for self defense then who am I to argue? But if you're not so well versed then the 1911 should not suddenly become your self defense gun. Use it for fun; I am with you all the way on that.

But I can do much more than argue. I'm old enough to have shot guns of a huge variety over the last 40 or more years, maybe 50, and I am doggone good with a 1911. For the record, I shot a 248 out of 250 with a lovely 1911 on the Texas Concealed Handgun Instructor's course. It's not the most difficult course of fire but, still, that's not too shabby. I never said they are not great guns; they are wonderful guns. They make wonderful plinking toys. Pick a nice one and enjoy it.

I like the red one above my own self.................

Best value for a 1911 IMO is the Ruger SR1911. Currently have 4, 2 gvt in 45 ACP, one CMD in 45 ACP, and one LT. CMD in 9mm. Note the 45 ACP CMD is accurate enough that I suspect I got a hand selected sample for some magazine review, if I miss the bullseye it's because the barrel wasn't pointed at the bullseye due to my error. Gives me no excuse to fall back on when I'm shooting poorly but on a good day it's dead presidents at 50 feet all day long. BTW, that means hitting the oval in a dollar bill.

The only downside is I cannot recommend the Ruger Magazines. Function in the 45 caliber magazines yields around 1 in 50-60 feed faults and the 9mm magazines will produce a double feed on nearly every magazine fired. Good news is function is perfect with Wilson Combat magazines so I've built up a nice collection of 47D's and 500's.

I bought a Remington R1 on Black Friday a couple years ago at Sportsman’s Warehouse for $399. It’s the only 1911 I have and am very impressed for the price. Shoots great and looks good too.

Have four full size 1911's.
Colt and Springfield. The Springfield Range Officer has had no issues and is pretty accurate.
I also have an Ed Brown commander size and it is the smoothest operating and most accurate.
But it won't fit your budget.

If you're thinking of spending enough for a colt consider a les baer. Hunt around on gunbroker and you might find one for a few hundred more than a colt. There is no comparison between the two.

md_shooter_rick, I am late to your thread here as at first I didn't think I had enough experience with the 1911 style pistols until I saw the similarity of you to me a few years ago. Until about 6-7 years ago, I had zero experience with any 1911 style or derivative pistol. Then I ended up buying myself a Coonan Classic in 357 Magnum. The Coonan is kind of a blend of the 1911 and the BHP designs and I found that it was a natural fit for my shooting style.

Fast forward to around 2 years ago. I decided I wanted to own and shoot a true 1911 after shooting a buddies S&W 1911 and started looking for a cheap 1911 to try out the platform, looking for a quality 1911 for a low price and ended up Buying an ATI FX-45 1911 military style pistol. The pistol, along with 4 extra mags ended up costing me $422 and change shipped to my FFL. It's ended up being a very good gun for the money and is accurate and shoots to point of aim. For the 500-600 rounds, I had a few stovepipes but that ironed itself out and is dead reliable now and I have over 3000 rounds through it. I did replace the arched msh with a straight msh as I don't like the feel of the arched housing, but that is an ergonomics issue and not a function issue.

Then last year I decided to splurge and get myself my second and last 1911 and I went full custom with an Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime Elite. This gun is way on the high end of your pricing range, but I will throw it out there for you to consider too. The ACW guns are traditional carbon steel guns and pretty traditional looking and looks more like an original 1911 than an A-1 model. The fit, finish and handling of the gun are great and it makes lots of trips to the range for range play. I don't believe in just letting a gun sit and look pretty; I shoot everything I own and have no true safe queens. I got this gun last year at the end of April (my birthday present to me ) and since then I probably have 1500-2000 rounds through it. I don't regret spending the money I did on this pistol, even though it's more than I have ever spent on one gun.

So, to sum things up, you might want to consider going with one of the less expensive but high quality 1911s like an ATI or RIA to start with and see what you think of the platform. Then, after owning and shooting it for a while, you might look at upgrading to a nicer finished gun such as others have spoken much about earlier in this thread. I have heard much praise for the Dan Wesson 1911 guns from quite a few folks on various boards if you want to go with a higher end production gun.

Here's a couple of pics of my 2 1911s for you to look at.

This is the ATI taken shortly after I received it and before I changed out the arched MSH with a straight MSH.


This is my ACW Prime Elite.

I have 5 in 4 chamberings, Colt, S.A., S&W, Kimber. I’ll admit I’ve had good results with all, but like the E Series. The most recent things to catch my eye are the S.A. Elite and Ronin models. If you’re the type who likes the finer things, maybe pass on the RIA, but they’re great shooters and a great value. I’d consider 9mm for the ammo cost if that’s important.

You will be very happy with an S&W E-Series 1911. For the dollar it's an excellent value. If you were looking to save I would have suggested the RIA, as it is a good "entry level" gun that lacks the bells and whistles but does well at the important part - accurate and reliable shooting.

My favorite out of the dozens of 1911s that I've owned over the years is my Metro Arms American Classic. It (they, I mean, I bought another one)is the most accurate and reliable 1911 I've ever owned or shot. Easily shoots 1 hole groups at 25 yards from a rest. The tolerances on these are tight, yet 100% reliable. I just hit the 1k round mark in my second one and there isn't a hint of a scratch on the barrel hood. I could put it back in the box and you would think it was factory new. I just can't say enough good things about them. You can usually find them under $600, a bargain for the quality and features they come with stock out of the box.

ISCS Yoda said:

First, I never said my opinion trumps others. Second, I added YMMV. Third, I said I expected to get flamed, even it's just this once. Fourth, and most assuredly, I am correct - need is not the requirement - WANT is the requirement and I never argue with someone's "wants". We all have them. Fifth, and most importantly, I said that they are useful for games and such and you said:

<SNIP>

But I can do much more than argue. I'm old enough to have shot guns of a huge variety over the last 40 or more years, maybe 50, and I am doggone good with a 1911. For the record, I shot a 248 out of 250 with a lovely 1911 on the Texas Concealed Handgun Instructor's course. It's not the most difficult course of fire but, still, that's not too shabby. I never said they are not great guns; they are wonderful guns. They make wonderful plinking toys. Pick a nice one and enjoy it.

I like the red one above my own self.................

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And yet you go and do it again. YOUR OPINION is that is isn't a need, however you are not correct!!!

need
1.
require (something) because it is essential or very important.

You don't get to decide other peoples needs.

I've been shooting for 48 years myself, big deal. Glad you got to pat yourself on the back.

md_shooter_rick said:

Obviously you don't have anything worth adding to the conversation.

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RonPagan said:

If you're thinking of spending enough for a colt consider a les baer. Hunt around on gunbroker and you might find one for a few hundred more than a colt. There is no comparison between the two.

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I have to admit i'm hesitant to buy from Gunbroker. I am willing to pay a bit more at a LGS to know what i'm getting. Handling it first is a must for me, fit and feel are as important as any other quality. I'll look into Les Baer though, thanks.