Considering my first 1911...

[Adk.IBO]

I just spotted the S&W 178020, a 3" 1911, any comments about these?

 

[Lost Lake]

Here's my 4 1/4" Commander length S&W1911SC-E to help sway your decision.... And if you need more convincing, I bought this one brand new for just under $950 shipped

You have to shop around.....

.

 

[ericlw]

love my sw1911 i have 3. nothing more over rated then a kimber.

 

[Fishinfool]

I figured I better e-mail Kangaroo Carry today to find out if the S&W 1911SC E series would work in my Standard II holster from them and I got a quick response. Unfortunately it's a no go. The Kangaroo Carry works so good for me that I won't be buying the S&W. So I will get a 3" Kimber Super Carry Ultra HD instead. I do want a 1911 and I want to be able to use my KC holster so that narrows things down considerably. Sorry folks, I'll still have my 640. I can't justify a range only gun as much as I like the 1911SC. I hope the Kimber functions as good as I need it to. Seems nobody, or very few have issues with the 1911SC. Kimber Ultra bad reports are more frequent but they seem to get resolved. Other 3" 1911 suggestions are welcome.

Stay safe, John

I think you will like the Kimber Ultra 3 inch. I have one, with about 1k rounds thru it now, and it has been nothing but accurate and reliable with a variety of reloads and factory ammo. Going to a shorter barrel / slide on a 1911 effects the guns timing, which is the usual source of problems you hear about with these guns. Using a heavier recoil spring, (I think the Kimber is 22lbs., as compared to the standard 18lbs of a 5 inch gun) and changing it every 800 rounds or so helps, as does using magazines with heavy springs to ensure rounds feed properly with the decreased action timing. Several makers like Wilson suggest lighter weight bullets are more reliable in this platform, though I have had no issues with any weight I use in my Kimber. It, along with my Glock 26 are my favorite carry guns. By the way, take internet rumors with a grain of salt - lots of guys have opinions about guns they have never owned, or maybe had one bad example. Personally, I own eight Kimber rifles / 1911's. All work as they should, or I would not have spent the money I have for them....

Larry

 

[jimbo728]

The Remington R1 is a fine candidate for a first 1911. Great pistol, great trigger,sights and reliable in any of its configurations.
What ever you choose, you will thank John Browning.
Warning: If you shoot a 1911 more than your revolvers you may be trying to swipe the thumb safety off on your revolver when you go back to shooting one.
Have fun! Be safe!
Jim

 

[turbo38gn]

I really like the S&W 1911SC E series, so much so I am considering a layaway deal. My question: do these guns vary from gun to gun enough to worry or is consistency good enough to buy NIB from only pictures online? This would be my first 1911 and my second semi auto (did not have it long and shot it less) so my experience is limited and probably wouldn't know from first sighting if something was good or bad unless it was blatantly obvious. Would there be things in particular to look for at the time of pickup? I want to buy new to have S&W's lifetime warranty without question, and S&W to be able to utilize this tremendous forum for Q&A's. Self defense and CCW are main uses. Thanks in advance.

Stay safe, John

This has been an interesting thread.. .. I'll add, John, you got it right, lifetime warranty and one of the best 1911's built. Again, I have 6-7 of the S&W's in several models, and 5-6 Colts.... you know what my go to 45 is.... my S&W's....

here's an older pic of my 45's with a couple of 945's to the left, then 2 SC's, a TA, an older Colt US Gov. my MP45 and my 5" E series. I purchased about 10 more since then, E series 1911's and several Colts..

Here's some of my latest E series. .. a couple of 3" Pro series, a couple of 4.25" SC's, one custom ceracoted and a earlier model SC between the 2 E's..

I have enjoyed the 3" Pro series 1911's so much I own 3 of them..

 

[tmon]

From what I've read the only poor 1911SC E series pistols made were during the first couple months. They weren't to good. Since then they've got a sterling reputation.

I really like the S&W 1911SC E series, so much so I am considering a layaway deal. My question: do these guns vary from gun to gun enough to worry or is consistency good enough to buy NIB from only pictures online? This would be my first 1911 and my second semi auto (did not have it long and shot it less) so my experience is limited and probably wouldn't know from first sighting if something was good or bad unless it was blatantly obvious. Would there be things in particular to look for at the time of pickup? I want to buy new to have S&W's lifetime warranty without question, and S&W to be able to utilize this tremendous forum for Q&A's. Self defense and CCW are main uses. Thanks in advance.

Stay safe, John

 

[bananaman]

I started out with an Auto Ordnance that I got on G.B. for $450. I never had 1 (1911) before, and did not know what to expect. It did not function well at all. I replaced parts until it was fine. It went up for sale. I replaced it with a Sig 1911. Later I was amazed with the RIA Tactical 9 I bought. A GREAT gun for the money. The point of all of all of this is to agree that a S&W should provide you with the quality you want & need. Bob

 

[agentmoeller]

DONT DO IT!!! 1911`s are addictive One will lead to another and another.
I`d sure hate to see you go down that path to finicial ruin.

I'm doing fine with just one 1911 - only because I have other guns to play with, too.

 

[Rick_A]

That 1911's aren't a beginner's pistol is bunk. They're just fine. The disassembly has an extra step and it has a manual safety that must be used. Not a big deal. More people negligently shoot themselves with "safe action" guns than anything else.

As another mentioned, a 3" gun may be more ammo finicky (especially with cheap target loads) and the recoil springs need to be replaced more frequently.

A commander sized gun, especially with an alloy "bobtail" frame makes a great carry compromise. They shoot smooth with a good sight radius, use a full size magazine, carry well, and are less finicky than officer sized guns. The only downside to an alloy framed gun is that improper lubrication or dry operation can cause galling, the anodized finishes or coatings wear more easily, and the guns have the typical 40-50k service lives of most polymer or alloy framed service pistols.

I chose a 5" steel gun as it's tolerable to carry and shoots like a dream. It's among the first few pistols I purchased when I turned 21. It will also last forever with a little maintenance.

To Kimber's credit, they pretty much started the factory "semi-custom." Before them such features as a lowered & flared ejection port, "combat" sights, beavertails, etc, were custom shop or custom gunsmith features. They did have some growing pains at one point, but have been putting out great guns for over a decade.

For a pure carry pistol the CCO (commander slide with officer's frame) is another great configuration.

My first was a plain jane Colt, but it's all preference. Even the cheap Philippine manufacturers guns make good, useable guns.

I don't believe in the idea of separate range and carry guns. It would be wise to make them one and the same.