Help me to make my dream come truth. 1911 in .45

[xd ED]

I may well get pummeled for this, but -
...unless I was one of those guys with a several hundred thousand rounds down the tube of a 1911, I wouldn't trust myself to use one in a personal defense situation.

I don't know what it takes to make a dependable 1911 carry gun, but if I dropped, or dinged any $3000 pistol, I'd feel bad...
...scraping, or nicking a Glock, XD, or other lesser pistol...not so much...

Several hundred thousands? Or several hundred to a thousand? Later would be a solid advice for any pistol. First would take years

In my experience with 1911s, 99% of them do not require any additional work to run reliably. Take out of the box, remove preserving grease, lube with good oil - all done.

I am referencing the human performance aspect exclusively. And yes, several hundred thousand rounds.
‘Muscle memory ‘ as it’s referred to, isn’t developed overnight.

[Eli]

So what did not fit well with the ones you tried at Bill's?

some guns has too aggressive notch on handles, Springfield is almost impossible to reload, the frame is stuck like hell.
Most of 1911 in store comes with too wide grips.
9 mm frame is too small 4 me & i do not like 9mm.
So, they do not have any Wilson combat 1911 in store.
i like design of Ed Brown EXECUTIVE ELITE but they do not have guns like that.

[Eli]

1) what didn't fit? size of grip, angle of grip, length to trigger, etc.?
2) government (full size) or willing to consider smaller sizes which are easier to carry?
3) why the limitation to .45 when they are also available in 9 mm?

I bought a used Baer and in hindsight would have bought something new, cheaper and then sent it to a pistolsmith who is well known in the accuracy department. If you plan to use it for EDC, don't spend extra money for finish quality as it will get worn over time.

As to the dirt, they will run dirty, many people say to run them wet, but I prefer going lighter on the oil.

Good luck in your quest.

And I'd drop the money on an Accuracy X if I had the budget. https://accuracyx.com/accuracy-x-inc-1911-wins-national-championships/

1. I do not like length to trigger, and grip wide.
2. I like full size, if i ever need smaller one i just buy second 1911 later.
3. It`s hard to say. Personally for me it is much easier to control .45 than 9 mm. I have some practice with this both calibers in Russia.
4. thanks for the link, accuracy x looks good.

[MJY65]

^^^^^

The grip texture and thickness is easily changed. The actual frame width doesn't vary by much between brands.

They are all pretty dang tight when new. Stiff springs, minimal lube, etc.

[Eli]

Arnzen Arms in Eden Prairie has a very nice selection of high end 1911s.

Best advice is to find some 1911 enthusiasts and try as many different variants as you can before spending $3500. Of you want to start slow, Dan Wesson at $1100-1600 is usually a good place.

Thanks, but where i can find 1911 enthusiasts?
I will definitely go to this store in Eden Prairie

[Holland&Holland]

1) what didn't fit? size of grip, angle of grip, length to trigger, etc.?
2) government (full size) or willing to consider smaller sizes which are easier to carry?
3) why the limitation to .45 when they are also available in 9 mm?

I bought a used Baer and in hindsight would have bought something new, cheaper and then sent it to a pistolsmith who is well known in the accuracy department. If you plan to use it for EDC, don't spend extra money for finish quality as it will get worn over time.

As to the dirt, they will run dirty, many people say to run them wet, but I prefer going lighter on the oil.

Good luck in your quest.

And I'd drop the money on an Accuracy X if I had the budget. https://accuracyx.com/accuracy-x-inc-1911-wins-national-championships/

1. I do not like length to trigger, and grip wide.
2. I like full size, if i ever need smaller one i just buy second 1911 later.
3. It`s hard to say. Personally for me it is much easier to control .45 than 9 mm. I have some practice with this both calibers in Russia.
4. thanks for the link, accuracy x looks good.

I think you will find 9mm in a steel frame 1911 very easy to control. Much more so than a .45 but get what you want. As has been mentioned you can buy and install slim stocks (grip panels) but other than that a .45 1911 is going to be a .45 1911 no matter who made it from that perspective. Look at STI, they make some very smooth 1911s.

[Eli]

1) what didn't fit? size of grip, angle of grip, length to trigger, etc.?
I think you will find 9mm in a steel frame 1911 very easy to control. Much more so than a .45 but get what you want. As has been mentioned you can buy and install slim stocks (grip panels) but other than that a .45 1911 is going to be a .45 1911 no matter who made it from that perspective. Look at STI, they make some very smooth 1911s.

.45 one love. I can`t make myself to like 9 mm. Have some practice with sti trojan in Moscow, but do not like design of this guns.
Anyway before i`m order any 1911 cheap or expensive i need to figure out witch trigger length & grips sizes.

[Eli]

Range once a week and EDC is not what I would call hard use.

hard use is not how many rounds i shoot but where. All kinds of weather and dirt sometimes.

[Holland&Holland]

So it would seem you want some very subtle and specific differences. Not sure this group is going to be able to help much other than recommend gun stores to go to and look at items. You already stated you want a full size 1911 but certain manufacturers you do not like so just order what you want. If you want to spend 3,500 in a 1911 I think the ones mentioned are about as good as it gets. If you don't like those, not sure a 1911 is right for you.

[hammAR]

Several hundred thousands? Or several hundred to a thousand? Later would be a solid advice for any pistol. First would take years

Some of us are fortunate enough to have met that criteria..............................

IF you have never owned a 1911 - DO NOT start off with a high end one until and unless you become extremely proficient with one in the first place.

Spending money on accurizing a weapon that you do not know how to shoot in the first place and are not proficient with is a total waste.

A standard Springfield MIL-Spec or Range officer (both under $1,000) will compete for accuracy with almost any high end 1911 and beat them on reliability. If you want to really compete with the $3k guns then simply get a TRP for around $1,2-1,500 - it will kick the snot out any of them physically and most especially in accuracy.................high end 1911's are about ego, pure and simple!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eli]

Right now i try Ed Brown's special forces 1911 at Arnzen arms. And it grips feels ideal, run smooth and nice. Much better than Springfield loaded & trp. Mabye i should just buy used. Need to think about it.

[Holland&Holland]

Right now i try Ed Brown's special forces 1911 at Arnzen arms. And it grips feels ideal, run smooth and nice. Much better than Springfield loaded & trp. Mabye i should just buy used. Need to think about it.

Or just buy it if you like it.

[gun_fan111v2]

Right now i try Ed Brown's special forces 1911 at Arnzen arms. And it grips feels ideal, run smooth and nice. Much better than Springfield loaded & trp. Mabye i should just buy used. Need to think about it.

Sorry I have not replied to your message, Tapatalk app I use on my phone does not work with this forum's PMs and I am too lazy to log into their website .

Glad to hear you visited Arnzen.

A quick note about the "grips" of a 1911. You actually get to customize three different textures to your liking:
- Front Strap is exactly what it sounds like and is the front surface of the grip. You need to be 100% sure you like the feel of this as to change it you need to buy a new gun.
- Main Spring Housing (msh) in the rear of the grip. This is replaceable after you buy the gun for $50-100 but on more expensive 1911s people do not do that too often as you want the finish to match and the part to be blended nicely.
- Grip panels that are screwed in on either side are the least part you need to worry about. There are 100s and 100s aftermarket parts available and most 1911 owners go through a dozen before they pick the perfect pair. Some change them weekly depending on the task at hand or their mood. It takes 1 minute to swap out with a screwdriver with the right bit. Check out places like http://www.vzgrips.com and http://www.raasco.com. There are even custom shops that can make you a set based on a picture you send in. These run from $25 to $1,000 - take your pick!

Many textures are available to pick from - smooth, serrated, checkered, golf balls, scales, etc. Each of these come with different degrees of aggressiveness.

Aggressiveness of checkering for example is measured in lines per inch (lpi):
- 15 lpi has largest pyramids, grippy without being pocky
- 20lpi is the most aggressive, very grippy and pocky.
- 25lpi is the most common, pretty grippy but less pocky
- 30lpi has smallest pyramids, less grippy and not pocky at all

I don't think you will find anybody that will be able to show you all possible combinations, so I say concentrate on Front Strap texture and you can always change the rest. Plus your taste for grippinness will likely change - the more you shoot the tougher your hands get...

[Eli]

Right now i try Ed Brown's special forces 1911 at Arnzen arms. And it grips feels ideal, run smooth and nice. Much better than Springfield loaded & trp. Mabye i should just buy used. Need to think about it.

Sorry I have not replied to your message, Tapatalk app I use on my phone does not work with this forum's PMs and I am too lazy to log into their website .

Glad to hear you visited Arnzen.

A quick note about the "grips" of a 1911. You actually get to customize three different textures to your liking:
- Front Strap is exactly what it sounds like and is the front surface of the grip. You need to be 100% sure you like the feel of this as to change it you need to buy a new gun.
- Main Spring Housing (msh) in the rear of the grip. This is replaceable after you buy the gun for $50-100 but on more expensive 1911s people do not do that too often as you want the finish to match and the part to be blended nicely.
- Grip panels that are screwed in on either side are the least part you need to worry about. There are 100s and 100s aftermarket parts available and most 1911 owners go through a dozen before they pick the perfect pair. Some change them weekly depending on the task at hand or their mood. It takes 1 minute to swap out with a screwdriver with the right bit. Check out places like http://www.vzgrips.com and http://www.raasco.com. There are even custom shops that can make you a set based on a picture you send in. These run from $25 to $1,000 - take your pick!

Many textures are available to pick from - smooth, serrated, checkered, golf balls, scales, etc. Each of these come with different degrees of aggressiveness.

Aggressiveness of checkering for example is measured in lines per inch (lpi):
- 15 lpi has largest pyramids, grippy without being pocky
- 20lpi is the most aggressive, very grippy and pocky.
- 25lpi is the most common, pretty grippy but less pocky
- 30lpi has smallest pyramids, less grippy and not pocky at all

I don't think you will find anybody that will be able to show you all possible combinations, so I say concentrate on Front Strap texture and you can always change the rest. Plus your taste for grippinness will likely change - the more you shoot the tougher your hands get...

Thanks a lot. Very helpful information. I start to save money on Ed Brown's 1911. So тow I have some time to understand all this in more detail.

[linksep]

One of my coworkers estimates he has over 250,000 rounds through his Gold Cup. If a GC is good enough for him it's probably good enough for you (he doesn't tell a lot of people, but he was invited to join the USA Olympic shooting team so he's a little better than an average shooter).

Then I would take $1,800 or so and buy 3 more cheap import 1911s in other lengths/finishes/calibers and finally drop the last $500 on accessories and/or 'smithing.