New 1911/Range Report

[dougthug]

Just bought a 1911DK model 45 acp and to tell you I'm happy and satisfied with it would be an understatement.
Took it apart and lightly oiled it up before I took it to the range and proceeded to fire 200 rounds thru it without a hitch.
This is my first 1911 and my first time using a 45 acp round and boy not only are those rounds big but its quite a kick.
The gun its self was awesome as it didn't have as much recoil as I expected and it did take me a good 20-30 rounds to zero in and get my sights on line. I wasn't missing the target with my first shots but just not making bullseys or tight shots.
The gun is fairly heavy compared to what I've shot in the past but what caught me off guard is the trigger pull.
This trigger is a competition trigger as I've been told and when I tell you that you don't " pull " the trigger you simply " touch " the trigger and the gun fires is as best I can describe. Its VERY sensitive and I'm not sure if that's something I like right now or if I just have to get used to it and try and use it as a way to get better ...
Besides that like I said the gun is great and I think it looks pretty good too and I'm looking forward to shooting many, many rounds thru it.

 

[Marshall 357]

You gotta love 1911's there is just something about them. Good luck with it

 

[JohnAC]

Love the DK's

Those DK's are sweet, aren't they?!

 

[trulyapostolic]

You'll learn how to appreciate the 1911 as you develop trigger control. Spend time dry firing your pistol to learn it's trigger. Put all your concentration on the front sight while making a smooth squeeze, not a touch or pull. Your front sights alignment should remain on target after the trigger breaks. You can't hurt that gun by dry firing it and should do it more often than with live ammo.

 

[dougthug]

Honestly I was trying to hold out as I have been for almost 2 years for a Les Baer or Ed Brown model but after numerous attempts & failures to secure one due to the fact that my state suks and doesn't allow them I had to finally give in to one of the very few manufacturers that are allowed here.
S&W was my front runner because of the reports I read & members here & on other sites that said they actually had great success & not many problems with them.
And for the money I figured they are as comparable as most of the other 1911's so I decided to go for it and I'm glad I did.
I could have bought a base model S&W but this DK model was on the shelf in my area & it was brand spanking new & the price was very fair. Funny thing was the salesman told me he had it for 3 days before I bought it and it got 50-60 looks from potential buyers but nobody really knew much about the model DK so they would all say the same thing to him "boy it sure is a good looking gun, what can you tell me about it".
Hey look I'm sure the Les or Brown are twice the gun for many reasons but for my first 1911 and the situation I was put in I have to say this S&W is pretty dam good.

 

[dougthug]

Boy I gotta tell you this 1911 is really unbelievable. Yesterday I put 500 rounds thru her and again today I put another 500 rounds thru her and when I tell you this dam thing never once jammed, stove-piped or miss fired in anyway I'm not kidding.
Every single round went thru without a single problem.
And smooth...the recoil is so minimal its actually hard to believe that a 45 acp round isn't wearing my hands & wrist down.
Anyway lots of fun, great gun, fires flawlessly, looks pretty cool in my opinion and although the price was little more than I wanted to pay I guess the old saying is some-what true...you get what you pay for.

 

[scatterguy]

Excellent reports! Very glad to hear that the pistol is performing so well. If your model looks anything like JohnAC's beauties, you definately have the whole package there.

 

[heekma]

Hey Dougthug,

Happy to hear positive results from your first 1911!

I've been shooting 1911s for a little over 20 years-I'm no expert by any stretch, but I did manage to learn a few things along the way.

When you get a good one-like yours-they are a dream to shoot. Some are a bit twitchy out of the box and need a little extra attention to run as trouble free as yours.

As to the trigger, you'll grow accostomed to it, then spoiled by it! Also, learn to ride the extremely short and positive trigger reset-one of the best of any handgun ever made.

Best,

Heekma

 

[dougthug]

Thankx guys.
Today I hooked up with a few buddies and we shot for a couple hours and again I put over 250 rounds thru my 1911 and "again" no problems and great results. Unreal !!
As far as the trigger goes, my first day on the range, in fact my second day also, I wasn't really too sure if the very delicate trigger pull was something I liked.
I'm not sure if all S&W 1911 triggers are the same like mine or if the DK model is specially made but when I tell you its only a matter of "touching" the trigger & not pulling it I'm not kidding...this thing is super sensitive.
So I was thinking about taking it to a gunsmith to make the trigger pull a little harder just so I could prepare my shots more but now as of today I'm getting used to this "hair-trigger" and if I can train myself to be a better shooter it will be in my favor.

* But I do have a new questions for you guys.
I like the stock grips, they feel OK and look good but my friend said they are a wood material without much grip.
He suggested if I was going to use this pistol for target & low end competition I should get a set of Pearce or Hogue rubber grips with finger grooves....
What do you think about them?

 

[rbert0005]

Here's my take on the rubber grips. Rubbers should be left on things below the belt and not on a 1911.

My current favs are (and the favs do change) Larry Davidson's Monkey Grips.

Bob

 

[turbo38gn]

Those DK's are sweet, aren't they?!

that's a familiar scene....

I love my 1911's, thanks John for my 1st one.... got 4 more SW1911's since. Just a sweet shooting gun, I'm surprised how much press goes for the big dollar 1911's, I never ever see bad press on the S&W's.. Happy New Year

 

[turbo38gn]

Those DK's are sweet, aren't they?!

By the way John.... we may have to talk when you are ready to move one of those...

 

[dougthug]

OK rbert0005...
You have my attention here, don't just hit & run without an explaination on your Monkey Grips.

I'm new at this stuff so tell me;

1. Why should I get these.
2. Why did you got these.

And I'm sure there will be numerous models to chose from:

1. Which one did you go with and why.
2. Is the cost better/worse/ than other grips out there.

* And finally, tell me why please that I should stay away from rubber grips... ???

Thanks for your help its appreciated.

 

[rbert0005]

I am real partial to the Hornrd Lizard grips. They just fit and are just aggressive enough. Although I do have some Shredders as well. Those are VERY aggressive. Not good for long range sessions.

I just think the rubber ones are cheesey. Besides my hand is nowhere big enough for me to use the finger grooved versions.

Bob

 

[dougthug]

Alright now we're getting somewhere.
Hand size & grips...never thought of that.
So the rubber grips may not be good for small hands which for me, I'm in that same boat, not a very big guy so a thin & slim grip is what I would like to try and have.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Drew816]

I have small hands and have used Hogue grips on my 1911's w/ finger grooves for years and years with no problems or issues. Some don't like the 'squish' of the rubbers versus the harder materials, I get that, but to me the Hogue melds to my hand and I have no control (or lack of control) issues at all. In fact I find the little shock absorption helps me, with a harder grip I tend to loose my position after a few rounds. Oh, and at $20 something bucks, if the don't work, try something else as it's not that big an investment comparitively...

Hey, that's just me, and I'm no expert but those are my thoughts. Here's a shot of my S&W w/ Hogues. Good luck!

 

[dougthug]

Thankx for your advice.