1911??

[LostTiny202]

I am sure this topic has been beat to death, and I have searched this forum, looking before I posted and couldn't find this.
But I am a newbie, My question is this : Of all the makers of a 1911 framed gun are there makers that one should not even consider due to poor workmanship or bad parts? Obviously in many cases cheap usually means crap, but not in all cases as I have come to learn in regards to my Kel-Tec P11.
But I am actually putting serious thought into purchasing a 1911 as they seem to fit my hands well, and I have always loved the look of them.

[sawgrass]

1911's come in a variety of 'flavors'.
The price range is from the $300 dollar range to thousands.
You should read around on designated 1911 forums and see what you can learn.

This guys owns MANY and put a lot of work into this guide.
It's a good start.

http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.p ... -addicts...

Never heard of this one until yesterday.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... guns/TISAS

Glocktalk has a 1911 sub-forum and 1911addicts.com has a section dedicated to noob's.

Good luck and start saving your money. The only thing that is 100% consistent is that you will likely end up with several.

If I didn't already have one, I would be tempted by this.
http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.p ... gfield-TRP

There is a Springfield here that is worth a look.
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=36798

[JP5EDC]

Best thing you can do is research online and rent a couple at bills as see what works. What's your budget? Are you looking for a range toy or carry piece or something that works for both?

[FJ540]

Thunder John has a Springfield Range Officer for $750 (as of this morning) - if you want a target gun, that's a hard one to beat for the money. I personally love mine.

[sawgrass]

Bill's has had the Ruger SR1911 for $679. I saw a couple at the Hudson location.

Some things to consider are, sights, lines, grip safety, hammer, extractor type, and size.
Govt. 5", Commander 4", Officers and Compact. I traded a Colt Officers that was 3 1/2" and have a Colt Defender that is 3".

There is a lot of controversy over 1911 size and reliability. There is also a lot of controversy over extractors.
Internal or External. Some guys complain about hammer bite with an older style (GI) grip safety. I saw a guy bleed a lot once while doing range duty.

Most all 1911's feel good in the hand. It's a matter of figuring out what is right for you based upon your desired usage.
I prefer to clean and lube mine after shooting them so you need a little comfort level in taking them apart.
Something happens called an 'idiot scratch' if you don't reinsert the slide stop pin properly.

So...read around and enjoy. To me there isn't any other gun as enjoyable as a 1911!

To answer your initial question, I personally would not buy a Taurus or a Para.
But, that's just me and I'm sure there are others who feel differently.

[FJ540]

To answer your initial question, I personally would not buy a Taurus or a Para.
But, that's just me and I'm sure there are others who feel differently.

But you'd buy a Llama?? They are still out there, ya know.

I'm a big fan of US Made, but I saw a Rock Island in 10mm over the weekend that got my attention. When they start making domestic product (owner is building a facility here), I may cave to my lust. That gun looked pretty good for 6 bills.

[sawgrass]

To answer your initial question, I personally would not buy a Taurus or a Para.
But, that's just me and I'm sure there are others who feel differently.

But you'd buy a Llama?? They are still out there, ya know.

I'm a big fan of US Made, but I saw a Rock Island in 10mm over the weekend that got my attention. When they start making domestic product (owner is building a facility here), I may cave to my lust. That gun looked pretty good for 6 bills.

There are so many of those $400 1911's out there they all run together for me.
And no I don't own ANY of them. My last Purchase was a Springfield Pro and I'm waiting on a Guncrafter that should arrive any day.
My current favorite is a tie between a Les Baer SRP and a Colt that was smithed by Novak.

We all start somewhere. The 1911 world is big.
The OP has to figure out what he wants. Simple as that.

ETA: I lied, my last purchase was a beautiful classic blued Colt 70 Series out of Mike Reilly's personal collection.
I guess I like the American guns too.

[driztan]

Bill's has had the Ruger SR1911 for $679. I saw a couple at the Hudson location.

Some things to consider are, sights, lines, grip safety, hammer, extractor type, and size.
Govt. 5", Commander 4", Officers and Compact. I traded a Colt Officers that was 3 1/2" and have a Colt Defender that is 3".

There is a lot of controversy over 1911 size and reliability. There is also a lot of controversy over extractors.
Internal or External. Some guys complain about hammer bite with an older style (GI) grip safety. I saw a guy bleed a lot once while doing range duty.

Most all 1911's feel good in the hand. It's a matter of figuring out what is right for you based upon your desired usage.
I prefer to clean and lube mine after shooting them so you need a little comfort level in taking them apart.
Something happens called an 'idiot scratch' if you don't reinsert the slide stop pin properly.

So...read around and enjoy. To me there isn't any other gun as enjoyable as a 1911!

To answer your initial question, I personally would not buy a Taurus or a Para.
But, that's just me and I'm sure there are others who feel differently.

Such great advice. I want to second the point of researching how to properly assemble the 1911 before trying so yourself. 1911 was first hand gun I ever owned and I blindly went after putting it back together, oh the pain. Years later I learned of the "idiot scratch" term. I still was not able to laugh at myself about it. I had to assemble her blind folded just to get my man pride back.

[LostTiny202]

Was considering one as both a carry piece and home/ property defense.

[FJ540]

Then you'll want to steer clear of guns with target sights. Not only do they snag on clothing, they can get bumped off easier. Not that you'd likely use a good sight picture in a high stress encounter, but if you went to shoot a yote or something, it'd suck to miss because your rear sight got bumped out of whack.

[rugersol]

"Perfect" 1911 would be made in U.S., forged frame, "full" beavertail, no firing-pin-block "safety", internal extractor, and no front slide-serrations ... with a lifetime warranty!

No one makes it!

... well ... maybe ya could order a Les Baer?!

Fer this side of $1,500, closest to that's gonna be either the Colt, Springfield, 'er S&W ... at which, each has it's own shortcomings.

FWIW, I only ever have an issue with the firing-pin-block "safety" when I detail-strip (which most 1911 owners never do) ... front-slide serrations and an internal extractor are only cosmetic issues ... and a good cast frame will last a lifetime!

The only areas where I've ever been "bitten" (pun intended) were lack of a "full" beavertail ... and lack of a lifetime warranty!

Also, FWIW, I jest read a review on Remington's new "Commander" by Pat Sweeney ... he points out the poorly fitted beavertail ... at which, unless they can prove it sufficiently corrected, I'd avoid it, like the plague!

Also, FWIW, I've owned a Para ... and now a buddy owns a newer one ... I've also handled and shot Taurus 1911's ... they are most definitely not in the same class! ... Para makes a nice gun! ... not as nice as a Colt 'er S&W ... but nice! In fact, the 4.25in S&W not withstanding, their GI LTC is one of the finest carry guns, made today!

[sawgrass]

That's a nice chart Rugersol. I haven't ever shot a Para, but the thing that I don't care for is all of the writing on the slide.
From what I've read, I don't believe that mechanically they are in the same class with Taurus. But I'm sure there is someone who will disagree.
That again is just personal likes and dislikes. For me the more simple clean looking the better.

I know two guys who both bought new Kimbers. They have both had to send them back to Kimber, one twice and the other one three times.
But plenty of people believe it's the best out there. Sometimes it feels like it's luck as to whether you get a good gun or not.
Wrench recently bought a STI Spartan for winter league. It had to go back to STI for a new barrel right away.

I remember when I first began learning about 1911's. I lurked on here and read every word that 1911fan wrote.
I never met him, but I sure miss his posts.

I think you are one of the guys who offered to help me with installing a short trigger. Thank you for the offer.
I'm going to practice on a Springfield Loaded and the Ruger. We changed the trigger in a Kimber Eclipse but it's been a while. Santa brought me some triggers and GI guide rods because I've been a very good girl.

Wrench has been tarting up a Ruger MKIII for a couple of days replacing many of the internals. She has turned the trigger in that thing into glass.

[rugersol]

but the thing that I don't care for is all of the writing on the slide.

Ya ... some pistols jest look/feel better ... that's what I meant by "not as nice as Colt 'er S&W".

I know two guys who both bought new Kimbers. They have both had to send them back to Kimber, one twice and the other one three times.

+1 ... they charged me $150 fer a new frame fer a BRAND NEW $1,000 pistol ... this was more than a few years ago ... I ain't fergot, yet!

Wrench recently bought a STI Spartan for winter league. It had to go back to STI for a new barrel right away.

... back to my point about the warranty ... I've also had to send a Colt back ... but they made VERY good on it ... and $0!

I lurked on here and read every word that 1911guy wrote. I never met him, but I sure miss his posts.

I think ya meant 1911fan ... ya woulda liked him ... VERY much!

[sawgrass]

Yes it is 1911fan who I meant and I fixed my post.
He was helpful and not argumentative. I miss him.

[sawgrass]

I saw a Ruger Commander on another web sight this am. It shows the contrasting controls again.
They don't do anything for me but are easy enough to change out. I can't find it on Ruger's web site. Any of you guys know anything?

The look of this gun epitomizes what I don't like in the 'look' of a 1911...they should have added front cocking serrations while they were at it. good grief.
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductD ... -tone.aspx