Hi! and my first S&W 1911 9mm!!

[wachuko]

Hello!

New to the forum and fairly new to firearms. I started getting into firearms by buying a S&W - M&P15OR and a Beretta Neos (.22) last year and this year I finally got my 1911.

I ended up buying two guns. Brand new Beretta 92FS Type M9A1 9mm and the S&W 1911 in 9mm!!! This was last weekend during my first gun show (and I went just to look.... right... )

Both guns feel great. And for a newbie shooting them right out of the box with some wolf (9mm Luger 115gr FMJ - non corrosive berdan primed made in Russia, steel case) ammo I had no issues... I promise to buy some decent ammo for ongoing use...

Went with a friend to pick them up and they let us use the range for free. So we shot 60 rounds in the Beretta and 40 in the S&W (note to self, buy more magazines...). The photo is of just my target (30 rounds in the Beretta and 20 in the S&W). After shooting one mag of each and landing everything pretty much where I was aiming, I started to try to shoot every area in the target (head, arm, and each of the areas).

Thinking back I should have taken a photo after just shooting the first few rounds. I was amazed at how good the gun felt and how accurate the shots were. This was right out of the box, I know, I know, I should have cleaned the gun first...

I have been practicing the last few nights doing the field stripping and cleaning... The Beretta is so easy to disassemble! The S&W I had to be more careful with and it took me a little bit more time. With all the practice these last few nights I think I have the hang of it.

Anyway, comment away... here is the target:

And photos of my new S&W 1911 9mm

A few more (lousy light source, sorry...):

 

[mr.elite]

Good looking 1911. Once you get into 1911 there is no way out. =)
what distance did you shoot?

 

[wachuko]

Good looking 1911. Once you get into 1911 there is no way out. =)
what distance did you shoot?

25 yards

I had been looking at many 1911... but I wanted one in 9mm (recoil, cost of ammo, etc...) and I just fell for the looks of the S&W. Vain, I know, but it was the most beautiful of those available...

I need to figure out if the small parts that are not stainless steel (Slide Stop, Safety Lever, Grip Safety) can be replaced for SS units... need to figure out if those are the same/interchangable with the other 1911s...

 

[oldman45]

25 yards

I had been looking at many 1911... but I wanted one in 9mm (recoil, cost of ammo, etc...) and I just fell for the looks of the S&W. Vain, I know, but it was the most beautiful of those available...

I need to figure out if the small parts that are not stainless steel (Slide Stop, Safety Lever, Grip Safety) can be replaced for SS units... need to figure out if those are the same/interchangable with the other 1911s...

My comments:

1. Beautiful gun. You will love it. I have two in .45acp and one in 9mm.

2. Many parts on the 1911 are interchangable. Depends on the part and caliber.

3. The 9mm is not my choice of caliber although I own several brands of them.

4. Ammo for the 9mm is not cheaper than .45acp. I bought .45 hardball ammo last week for $12 at Walmart and a box of hardball for 9mm for $16 at the same time. Comparing ammo as close as possible to the same type but different calibers, you will find the .45acp is actually cheaper. Ayoob did an article that has stated that some time back and I always thought 9mm would be cheaper but for some reason, it is not.

With proper care, your gun will be functioning well and looking good for your great grandchildren. Congratulations on the purchase. Shoot it regularly, enjoy it all the time.

 

[turbo38gn]

great looking gun.. congrats..

 

[OKFC05]

I need to figure out if the small parts that are not stainless steel (Slide Stop, Safety Lever, Grip Safety) can be replaced for SS units... need to figure out if those are the same/interchangable with the other 1911s...

I also just bought a Pro Series S&W 1911, and took it down to examine it carefully. Since you say you are new to the 1911 and firearms in general, may I offer some comments.

Comments:
1. 1911 parts are fitted, and the Pro Series parts are fitted very well. Start "dropping in" parts, and it will degrade the gun.
Some of those "funky old blued parts" are Wilson parts, and you are going to have trouble finding anything better, even when fitted.
2 Since you have a 9mm 1911 that is 100%, even with wolf ammo, IMHO you are nuts to screw with it (no offense). A shooting buddy took nearly a year and a handfull of Wilson parts (fitted by a pro) to get a 100% 9mm 1911 Kimber.

Sadly, the most common reason people stop coming to my IDPA matches is that they start with a perfectly good gun, and "improve" it until it is so UNreliable they are embarassed to come shoot it in public.

 

[wachuko]

I also just bought a Pro Series S&W 1911, and took it down to examine it carefully. Since you say you are new to the 1911 and firearms in general, may I offer some comments.

Comments:
1. 1911 parts are fitted, and the Pro Series parts are fitted very well. Start "dropping in" parts, and it will degrade the gun.
Some of those "funky old blued parts" are Wilson parts, and you are going to have trouble finding anything better, even when fitted.
2 Since you have a 9mm 1911 that is 100%, even with wolf ammo, IMHO you are nuts to screw with it (no offense). A shooting buddy took nearly a year and a handfull of Wilson parts (fitted by a pro) to get a 100% 9mm 1911 Kimber.

Sadly, the most common reason people stop coming to my IDPA matches is that they start with a perfectly good gun, and "improve" it until it is so UNreliable they are embarassed to come shoot it in public.

Nothing worse than an ignorant with initiative I will take your advise and leave the gun alone and just oil it frequently to avoid rust in those parts.

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions.

 

[WC145]

Hello again and congrats (again) on the new gun.

You've probably read my threads about the rust issues with the small carbon steel parts on my 1911 Pro. I'm trying Eezox on mine based on recommendations from anumber of people. If it doesn't work for me all the little black parts will be going to Robar to be coated w/NP3. The gun will no longer have the black/gray contrast but at least I'll never have to worry about those parts rusting again.


Hey oldman45! Which Wal-Mart are you finding .45 ammo for $12 at? I want to go shop there! I haven't seen the lowest priced .45 less than the lowest priced 9mm anywhere in years and years.

 

[ladder13]

Which Wal-Mart are you finding .45 ammo for $12 at? I want to go shop there!

Mind if I tag along?

 

[wachuko]

Cool site:

gun-deals.com - User-Submitted Gun & Ammunition Deals

 

[Dragon88]

9mm is cheaper than 45 ACP at Wal-Mart if they have the cheapest brand in stock. Federal 50 count 115gr, $9.47 per box.

 

[big50_1]

I love the grips on the 1911 9mm. Did they come with the gun?

 

[wachuko]

I love the grips on the 1911 9mm. Did they come with the gun?

Yes. It comes from the factory with Ro Co's handgrips.

I have not changed a thing on the gun... and looks like I will keep it that way to avoid self induced issues

 

[wachuko]

Hello again and congrats (again) on the new gun.

You've probably read my threads about the rust issues with the small carbon steel parts on my 1911 Pro. I'm trying Eezox on mine based on recommendations from anumber of people. If it doesn't work for me all the little black parts will be going to Robar to be coated w/NP3. The gun will no longer have the black/gray contrast but at least I'll never have to worry about those parts rusting again.


Hey oldman45! Which Wal-Mart are you finding .45 ammo for $12 at? I want to go shop there! I haven't seen the lowest priced .45 less than the lowest priced 9mm anywhere in years and years.

I did see your thread on the rust, thank you!! I am ordering some Eezox.

 

[WC145]

9mm is cheaper than 45 ACP at Wal-Mart if they have the cheapest brand in stock. Federal 50 count 115gr, $9.47 per box.

That's what I saw today.

 

[Stillwater788]

More Pics!

 

[big50_1]

I wish S&W made the sw1911 in 9mm years ago. I bought a Springfield in 9mm and sent it to Barsto for a fitted barrel and trigger job. Shoots outstanding. I suspect 1911s in the next 50 years plus will be absolutely great guns out of the box. As long as they don't have Colt on the side!

 

[big50_1]

Here are some URLs for RoCo grips:
http://www.rocosystem.com/Colt1911stylesidepanelpistolgrip/

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=48925/sku/1911_Grip

 

[big50_1]

Actually I do have S&W 9mm pistol experience. Years ago I had three 39-2s. Great ergonomics but accuracy for me was not good. The aluminum in the frame wore fast. My experience with them got me away from aluminum frames. Now it's CZ-75b, 1911 and Glock