Need a 1911

[Chino74]

Just get you a new Springfield Armory Milspec defender, dump the titanium firing pin, get an 18 pound recoil spring & some original Colt mags and enjoy it. Or buy a new Colt 1911. I don't see a first time 1911 buyer needing a Les Baer or any other Boutique high end 1911. This is however purely my own opinion as is everyone's' You have plenty of advice, let us know what you decide.

 

[tom turner]

Here's a different "twist" to the conversation.

One who loves shooting sports will run through a LOT more ammo that what the gun cost.

So possibly invest more of your money on a better, utra-reliable 1911 because a flawed gun that might fail you can cost you your life!

A POINT TO PONDER . . .

There is a noticable trend towards a 1911 in 9mm these days, and 9mm ammo is so much cheaper than .45ACP no matter what make and model of pistol. You can shoot a ton more ammo in 9 mill, and practice and good training will yield better results! and today gun writers "claim" the "modern" 9mm ammo with great jacketed hollow points is "just as effective in actual police gun fights as a .45ACP and almost to the level of .357 and so much cheaper to buy. I'm not sure about that claim, but it makes people feel more secure.

For today's younger handgun enthusiasts, the humble 9x19 mm ammo with keep the higest real cost of shooting really low . . . and that's important! Plus, the recoil is next ti NOTHING in a 5' barrel 1911 pistol.

Food for thought. All the best, Tom

 

[pasote]

Colt classic c01911 css stainless in .45 acp

Colt Just came out with their classic full sized government model c01911 css in .45 acp that is based on their very popular70s series at a msrp of $899.00. They also make it in blue if your prefer that. I bought a brand new one from gunbroker.com for $799.00 and it shoots really well, one inch groups at 25 feet with 230 grains fmj. It comes standard with a match barrel. This was my first 1911 and I am very happy with it and I recommend it highly.

 

[eveled]

But the one that is configured how you want it. No point in buying a 1911 today then changing parts.

For example the standard Ruger is a nice stainless gun. But if you don't like the black levers and stuff and want it all polished up. Just buy the stainless Remington R1

 

[gfors]

The most accurate gun I own, and the only 1911 (being a revo freak), is a Springfield Range Officer, in .45 ACP. Good, not great, trigger (stock). Sights are easy to see, gun runs flawlessly. Value? Match grade accuracy for $700 seems OK to me.

 

[Protected One]

I'll admit i'm a S&W M&P fan but when i sell my Motorcycle i'm going to get a 1911 in 45acp. I've been interested before but never prioritized it. Now i think i'm going to. Obviously i'm considering S&W 1911 since i'm posting here . From what i've been reading the SW1911 E-SERIES has great reviews. Now i need to know if it should be the one i get or one of the others i've been reading about, ie Remington R1 (enhanced?), Rock Island, Springfield Armory, or Colt. But wanted to get rec's from you all. I'd prefer to stay under $1000 but will go over if it is the best option.

You don't mention what you intend to use it for: Shooting for fun or ccw?

 

[REM 3200]

I didn't specify any specific model number at all. Just manufacturers of NEW handguns. Springfield armory has what they refer to as a Mil-Spec 1911 so doesn't that qualify??? There are even a couple posts talking about Mil-Spec.

I'm a WW2 collector so the newer pistols, as good as they are, don't fit the mold.

 

[REM 3200]

It would appear that REM 3200 may be one of the "purists" I mentioned previously.

See post #127.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

But the one that is configured how you want it. No point in buying a 1911 today then changing parts.

For example the standard Ruger is a nice stainless gun. But if you don't like the black levers and stuff and want it all polished up. Just buy the stainless Remington R1

This is one of the main reasons i posted this question. There are SO many options and i just needed help with the decision.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

You don't mention what you intend to use it for: Shooting for fun or ccw?

Sorry it was added in a later post, i should have added it to the first message (if that is even possible here).

I am looking to add a 1911 as a range fun gun. I have multiple other military firearms and need to have one of the most historic guns from US military history. My father carried one in Viet Nam. I am selling my motorcycle so will have the money available to add it. I don't want to pay more than i should. I don't have any background with 1911's so came here looking for help. Most of my pistols are M&P's or foreign manufacture. I don't have any expectation of this replacing my home defense set-up.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

I'm a WW2 collector so the newer pistols, as good as they are, don't fit the mold.

I would love to get one from their hay day, but as i've posted i don't want one that i'll have to work on to get to a shooter level. I don't know enough to be able to evaluate the quality of a used 1911 at all. So i'll get a new version instead.

 

[BE Mike]

Sorry it was added in a later post, i should have added it to the first message (if that is even possible here).

I am looking to add a 1911 as a range fun gun. I have multiple other military firearms and need to have one of the most historic guns from US military history. My father carried one in Viet Nam. I am selling my motorcycle so will have the money available to add it. I don't want to pay more than i should. I don't have any background with 1911's so came here looking for help. Most of my pistols are M&P's or foreign manufacture. I don't have any expectation of this replacing my home defense set-up.

Not a day goes by that I don't get a reminder as to just how old I am. Please tell your dad, "Welcome home!" from another Nam vet and thank you Rick for your service. Personally, as far as range guns go, I prefer good adjustable sights, but if keeping it close to GI issue as possible is a big consideration, you wouldn't want them. As a matter of fact, if you stick very closely to the originals, the sights that came on them are very small and not fun to shoot except for very close up. Enjoy the journey. I carried a S&W model 10 with 4" barrel and round butt when I was in-country. I found one, for sale years ago and keep it around just because.

 

[18robert]

welcome home brothers. when i was in country (64) THEY GAVE ME AN OLD ,BEAT UP .38. I GOT RID OF IT AND CARRIED A .45 MOST OF THE TIME. we kinda could carry pretty much what we wanted too. thats a whole other story.

 

[md_shooter_rick]

welcome home brothers. when i was in country (64) THEY GAVE ME AN OLD ,BEAT UP .38. I GOT RID OF IT AND CARRIED A .45 MOST OF THE TIME. we kinda could carry pretty much what we wanted too. thats a whole other story.

Thank you both for your service as well. Dad was 28 years in the Navy and instilled in us (brother went to the Naval Academy) a love for our country and a desire to serve it.

I am not sure how Mil-Spec i'm going to go. Once i learn more about 1911's i may work on getting one of the earlier ones from that time period. I never expected this thread to go this long but it really has a lot of good info.

 

[Chino74]

Good luck in your search. I spent some time in Cascade Maryland when I was in the Army...pretty area. Of course after being stuck in Ft. Sill OK for 2 months any place would look nice hah.

 

[RobertHOH]

Lots of good discussion and leads above so I have a suggestion regarding 1911s.

Figure out a price point that you like and check the options. Then see what and additional $200-$300 will get you. Most of the guns I have ever been disappointed in, especially 1911s, were great deals. When I spent the equivalent of a case of ammo extra on the firearm, it pretty much guaranteed that I am a proud owner years later. This approach puts you up a class in terms of components, detail, fit and finish, and the extra coin is soon forgotten.

Make sure to like the sights on your pistol of choice. Changing sights is money down the drain. Grips are super easy and cheap to change - so don't be impressed by one model over another.

Also, if you want a threaded barrel for possible NFA fun, get one as a standard feature. 1911s are great suppressor hosts. The barrels are rarely drop-in and pricey to add afterwards.

 

[hittman77]

I got the plain basic original Ruger SR1911. Not too much fluff, not too little.

Now, if you'd consider one other than 45, I can say I really really like my Ruger Lightweight Commander in 9mm. I shoot it way more (and better) than the full size, full weight 45 acp model.

 

[Muddyboot]

I'm very happy with my Ruger SR 1911 CMD. I use it as my truck gun.

It's never failed to fire, accurate enough to do the job, and won't break the bank.

 

[Bumpus13]

I bought my only 1911 - a Springfield Armory Range Officer (.45 acp) about 8 years ago. It's been a great pistol and if I had it to do over again, I'd buy it again.

The only "additions" I've needed were additional magazines and ammo.

 

[reccpd101]

In times past, I have owned 1911s from RIA to Wilson Combat. For the money at less than $1000, the Ruger Target is hard to beat as a shooter. If you want a LW carry gun, the nicer RIAs with the carry options are fine.

I gave up on Colt when they would not replace a Colt Mustang LW after the frame cracked. They won't get another red cent from me.