Need 1911 recomendations

[BernieP]

Ive been bitten by the bug. Looking to buy my first .45. Need some recommendations from the brain trust. Leaning towards a 1911 but am open to suggestions. Not looking to spend $1000s

Thanks,

Bernie

[tabs]

Springfield Operator EMU..about $1250, rock solid spoon, great trigger. It essentailly is a custom made on a production basis. BTW U get what U pay for..

[Seahawk]

Didn't you just buy Rick Lee's gun!

There are lots of 1911 variants, each geared to what the shooter wants. There have also been a number of threads about this very issue: So, what do you want out of the pistol, what is your reason for buying arguably the greatest gun design evaaaar?

[BernieP]

I want this to use mainly at the range but might want to use as a carry gun. Luckily I have never had buyers remorse with any used purchase so I am definitely not Ricks guy.

Thanks,
Bernie

[Rick Lee]

After shooting my full size Springer yesterday and making decent groups with it, I no longer have any desire for an expensive 1911. I just don't see the point. I can't see a Les Baer or Ed Brown costing 4-5x as much shooting even twice as well as my cheapo Springfields. I'd rather spend my money on ammo and range time. My next 1911 will be another Springfield. The only Colt I'd consider would be a Gold Cup. I've had three or four Commanders and could never make them shoot as well as my Springfields. I keep coming back to Springfield.

[Bill Douglas]

From what I've seen, people buy a 1911 then spend a whole lot more on "hot up" parts for it. I think figure out what you want from the gun (range gun, self defense gun...) then buy that setup already made, that will save you money.

An important part is a good trigger.

That Dan Wesson in last week's tread sure looked nice.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Dan Wessons used to be absolute screaming bargains...not so much anymore. Not because their quality went down, but because they jacked up the price nearly 100%.

[Mericet]

I would also look at the Remington R1 or the Ruger SR1911. Both should be in the $700 and less range.

[azasadny]

Here's my suggestion... Go to a gun show and buy a beat-up WWII M1911A1, have it sandblasted, clean it up and then re-Parkerize it and it's a great shooter! You may have to replace the barrel or other small parts but they're readily available and inexpensive. I'm NOT recommending doing a "bubba job" on a nice gun, I'm talking about adopting a mixmaster gun that's no longer original. You'll learn a lot and end up with a gun you're proud to own and shoot!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Mericet

I would also look at the Remington R1 or the Ruger SR1911. Both should be in the $700 and less range.

The Rugers can be a little hard to find as they just came out. They've gotten stellar reviews across the board and I intend to buy one eventually--but not a version 1.0. Ruger has had some problems with their v1.0 spoons lately. The LCP and SR9 come to mind.

The Remington looks like a good deal to me. Some people complain because it has a "Series 80" firing pin safety. While that makes it less than 100% faithful to the original design, several other manufacturers exclusively make Series 80 spoons as well - SIG, Para, and Colt (though they do make a limited number of Series 70 spoons--aka no firing pin safety) immediately come to mind. Kimber and S&W are worse. They use the Swartz FPS system which, IMHO, is flat-out dangerous.

I'd avoid the Philippine spoons. Armscor, Citadel, etc. etc. etc. They're OK when they work, but the rate of problems out of the box is too high.

Oh, Tabs? What's an EMU? Do you mean TRP?

[azasadny]

I just replaced the sear and disconnect on my M1911A1 as I couldn't put the hammer into half-cocked mode and the hammer would not reliably cock when the slide was moved fully to the rear and returned to it's normal position. I bought replacements from Numrich and kept the original parts. Now everything works as it should.

One of the benefits of building/rebuilding one of these 1911's is that you start to better understand how they work and gain a better appreciation for the particular genius of JMB!!

[Rick V]

I am still liking my Ruger P90

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Kimber and S&W are worse. They use the Swartz FPS system which, IMHO, is flat-out dangerous.

Just to clarify, the older Series I Kimbers don't have any FPS, and are excellent guns for the $$. The only problem is that they are becoming unobtanium on the used market.

Here is my Series 1 (just back from Robar):

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Just to clarify, the older Series I Kimbers don't have any FPS, and are excellent guns for the $$. The only problem is that they are becoming unobtanium on the used market.

Yes, and yes. The Clackamas guns are in high demand. The Yonkers Series II spoons are problematic at best. To clarify further, there was no official "Series I". That's just the most convenient way to refer to the pre-Series II spoons.

If you see "II" rollmarked anywhere on the slide...run away.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Here's my suggestion... Go to a gun show and buy a beat-up WWII M1911A1, have it sandblasted, clean it up and then re-Parkerize it and it's a great shooter! You may have to replace the barrel or other small parts but they're readily available and inexpensive. I'm NOT recommending doing a "bubba job" on a nice gun, I'm talking about adopting a mixmaster gun that's no longer original. You'll learn a lot and end up with a gun you're proud to own and shoot!

PLEASE DON'T

Leave the old girls as you found them. If you refinish the wrong gun

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

To clarify further, there was no official "Series I". That's just the most convenient way to refer to the pre-Series II spoons.

If you see "II" rollmarked anywhere on the slide...run away.

Agreed, and agreed!

[id10t]

Or just go get a Rock Island for $400. If you think you want to swap some parts out - extended beaver tail, better sights, etc - get the RIA Tactical model.

Originally Posted by azasadny

Here's my suggestion... Go to a gun show and buy a beat-up WWII M1911A1, have it sandblasted, clean it up and then re-Parkerize it and it's a great shooter! You may have to replace the barrel or other small parts but they're readily available and inexpensive. I'm NOT recommending doing a "bubba job" on a nice gun, I'm talking about adopting a mixmaster gun that's no longer original. You'll learn a lot and end up with a gun you're proud to own and shoot!

[ODDJOB UNO]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

After shooting my full size Springer yesterday and making decent groups with it, I no longer have any desire for an expensive 1911. I just don't see the point. I can't see a Les Baer or Ed Brown costing 4-5x as much shooting even twice as well as my cheapo Springfields. I'd rather spend my money on ammo and range time. My next 1911 will be another Springfield. The only Colt I'd consider would be a Gold Cup. I've had three or four Commanders and could never make them shoot as well as my Springfields. I keep coming back to Springfield.

ditto ditto ditto. my springfields(both stainless) do everything and everything i need or want. i had both massaged by dr. nelson ford(thegunsmith.com) worth every penny for reliability. polished brass front sight and novak 2-dot on rear on full size, and low profile night sites on micro compact.



who the hell needs a STI? or some other prone to FTF or FTE RACE SPOON!


accuracy????????? howz bout dinking milk jugs at 50yds dancing them around. is that ACCURATE ENUFF? thats both the full size and the micro.




wanna go uber spendy and trendy............then go with a HK USP compact tactical .45 or full size(HK USP tactikool).



difference? i payed one hell of alot MORE for my HK!