Gun Forum?

[Will Brink]

New or used?

New. Do a Google search, that's what I was seeing. They are no frills 1911s, but they are well made and make a great base gun for building up as you decide what you want/like in 1911s. If you want to take a big step up for a bit more $$$, the SA MC Operator is highly recommended and comes with better everything for a very good price.

 

[QuestionGuy]

I plan on continuing to post here with more questions and thoughts as I decide on which 1911 to get. This is quite a bit of money to spend on a gun so I want to make the right choice

if money is not an issue then you need to get the 1911 Nighthawk custom

 

[Will Brink]

if money is not an issue then you need to get the 1911 Nighthawk custom

Would not be my first choice personally, but for that kinda of $$$, you can get a true custom gun built to your own specs using parts from different manufacturers. I have a custom built commander using Caspian Titanium frame with everything I wanted for about the $$$ as the nighthawk.

 

[bio-chem]

I'm thinking I'm willing to spend about $700 dollars or so to start off with. That number can obviously change as I continue to learn more and educate myself. I never buy a gun on a whim. I usually take some time to really figure out what I'm looking for then I wait around till the right deal comes along for that gun.

 

[Will Brink]

I'm thinking I'm willing to spend about $700 dollars or so to start off with. That number can obviously change as I continue to learn more and educate myself. I never buy a gun on a whim. I usually take some time to really figure out what I'm looking for then I wait around till the right deal comes along for that gun.

The next gun above the SA GI is the Mil Spec. I believe it's in that price range.

 

[bio-chem]

The next gun above the SA GI is the Mil Spec. I believe it's in that price range.

but you feel with out question springfield armory of all the makers is the way to go? I only ask because the 3 1911's you have named have all been SA

 

[Will Brink]

but you feel with out question springfield armory of all the makers is the way to go? I only ask because the 3 1911's you have named have all been SA

It's funny, I don't own an SA. I think in the price range they make a solid product. You could of course get a Colt, but they cost a bit more. SnW also makes a good 1911 for around $700, and I do have one of them and have been happy with it, and it does have more custom features on it. There's also Para and Kimber, as well as other brands and you will see endless debates about their quality etc. There's a lot of choices and a lot of opinions. For example, go to:

1911Forum.com - 1911 news, reviews, and more!

Nothing but talk of 1911s there. No gun has a bigger cult following (or is that Colt?!) then the 1911.

I will say SA has been building 1911s almost as long as Colt, they generally havea very good rep, and I know many Smiths like to use the SA GI as a "base gun" for building on because it's well made and the person didn't invest that much.

I think until you know if you're a "1911 kinda guy" get least expensive - but well built - 1911 and blast away for a while. Try some other more expensive models and see what you like and dont like. I purchased the S&W basic 1911 for around $600 (can't get SA guns in MA) and stuck with that for a while 'till I got a sense of whether or not I liked them, and if i did, what did I want on it? You could also buy used, and that's a good option. That forum above I bet has some good threads on what to look for in a used 1911. I purchased a used Colt Series 70 for $600 bucks, then had it customized top to bottom:

 

[ALBOB]

At combat/SD distances, I can make one small hole with that gun minus enhanced sites. It takes a while to find what type of sites you actually prefer and or do best with, so throwing high quality 3 dot Novak sites on it or what ever might be a mistake. I don't think it's a bad idea per se, but I still recommend one simply takes it home, puts at least a few thousand rnds through it, and then consider mods. Besides, if you can get good with those sites (or lack there of...) you can be good with anything!

The only added opinion to that is, yes, if the intent is longer distance slow fire target shooting, then no doubt, good sites will be very helpful. I don't know what he plans to do with it, so your advice might be good for his uses.

Touche'. Very good point. I guess I shouldn't have said it wasn't possible to shoot them well. Of coures with practice most anything can be done with an original GI model. My actual consideration was follow-up shots. Pure accuracy can be acheived with GI sights, but quick accurate follow-up shots are much easier with a good set of combat sights. And as purely a $$$ matter, it's cheaper to buy a gun that has them from the factory as opposed to buying an aftermarket set and having a smith install them.

 

[Will Brink]

Touche'. Very good point. I guess I shouldn't have said it wasn't possible to shoot them well. Of coures with practice most anything can be done with an original GI model. My actual consideration was follow-up shots.

I don't have any problems shooting quick combat accurate groups with any 1911 more or less. In fact, I shot an IDPA match last weekend with a 1911 that has no front site at all as it fell off the week before at the range and my other two guns were with the smith having some work done. If your site picture/stance/presentation is all muscle memory, sites more or less are not a big factor in terms of SD/tactical shooting. Target shooting is another matter totally of course.

Pure accuracy can be acheived with GI sights, but quick accurate follow-up shots are much easier with a good set of combat sights.

Sure, but what makes "good" combat sites? 3 dot Novak? Others? I don't like 3 dot for example and prefer either black "notched" rear site with front post or XS sites:

XS Sight Systems - Handgun Sights - 24/7 Express


The above are the fastest shooting combat/SD sites there is, but are harder to master so some don't like them. Once you get used them/work with them, nothing gets you a site picture faster.

And as purely a $$$ matter, it's cheaper to buy a gun that has them from the factory as opposed to buying an aftermarket set and having a smith install them.

Sure, but what ever you buy will simply have some 3 dot Novak sits on them. Nothing wrong with that as they are a good blend of target/accuracy and combat site, but there are many choices out there, so I see any rush to get to sites, etc. But, as mentioned, above the plane jane GI model by SA or Colt, for a few $$$ more, you get better sites, etc.

 

[ALBOB]

I don't have any problems shooting quick combat accurate groups with any 1911 more or less. In fact, I shot an IDPA match last weekend with a 1911 that has no front site at all as it fell off the week before at the range and my other two guns were with the smith having some work done. If your site picture/stance/presentation is all muscle memory, sites more or less are not a big factor in terms of SD/tactical shooting. Target shooting is another matter totally of course.

Oh I'm definitely not saying it CAN'T be done, but you've got to admit what you just described would have been a heck of a lot easier with a good set of combat sight, right?

Sure, but what makes "good" combat sites? 3 dot Novak? Others? I don't like 3 dot for example and prefer either black "notched" rear site with front post or XS sites:

XS Sight Systems - Handgun Sights - 24/7 Express


The above are the fastest shooting combat/SD sites there is, but are harder to master so some don't like them. Once you get used them/work with them, nothing gets you a site picture faster.



Sure, but what ever you buy will simply have some 3 dot Novak sits on them. Nothing wrong with that as they are a good blend of target/accuracy and combat site, but there are many choices out there, so I see any rush to get to sites, etc. But, as mentioned, above the plane jane GI model by SA or Colt, for a few $$$ more, you get better sites, etc.

I'm in complete agreement on three dots. I find they're more of a distraction than an aiming aid. My preference is something like this:

Fixed Novak Style Combat Sight

 

[Will Brink]

Oh I'm definitely not saying it CAN'T be done, but you've got to admit what you just described would have been a heck of a lot easier with a good set of combat sight, right?

Yes, if the person is shooting site dominant style, but I have to say that once I learned to be less reliant on sites and more muscle memory/reflexive in the shooting, I don't think it will matter much.

I'm in complete agreement on three dots. I find they're more of a distraction than an aiming aid. My preference is something like this:

Fixed Novak Style Combat Sight

Yup, that's essentially what I have on that gun above in the pic. Notched black rear and front site from the company above XS sites systems. BTW, nothing is faster for a site picture then the XS system and that's what I have on any CCW/SD gun. but the one above, which is a bit of a hybrid set up I wanted to try out.

 

[mcguin]

2 hours and 300 rounds later I just had the freakin sweetest time at the range. I found this new indoor pistol range, checked out with a buddy and had blast. I couldn't believe how well I was doing after about 100 rounds. This guy at the range who was also an emphatic glock owner showed me a neat little tip when shooting, by keeping your trigger finger down on the trigger after firing, it keeps it a lower pressure to pull and my shots were grouping closer and closer together, it was awesome! I also shot a military edition beretta 92...wasn't as impressed as I thought I was going to be. Definitely a nice gun, but nothing crazy...I decided I'm definitely going with a sw .357 mag rev. for my next pistol. But wow, It's amazing how addictive shooting can be...probably the best hobby I ever picked up!

 

[Mr. CAS]

been going to the range for some time now and thinks its about that time to purchase my own, any suggestion on what get for a first time gun puchase.

 

[bio-chem]

been going to the range for some time now and thinks its about that time to purchase my own, any suggestion on what get for a first time gun puchase.

there are a lot of guns out there. give us a little more back ground. What guns have you shot? what caliber are you interested in? what are you looking to do with it? Concealed Carry? shoot it every once in a while at the range?

give us a little more background and i'm sure you will be given some pretty good advice on this forum. most of the guys here are pretty knowledgeable and happy to share advice.

 

[bio-chem]

just went to the range on friday my buddy bought one of thesehttp://www.paraord.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=20
loved it. This will be his concealed carry.

I just bought a new FNP - Products - FN Manufacturing, LLC
that is a fun gun to shoot as well. and with the price of ammo its nice to have a 9mm floating around. I'm going to have to start reloading again I can tell.

So what is everyones thoughts on the taurus 1911? what has anyone heard good/bad?

 

[bio-chem]

Para USA, High-Quality Handguns: GI Expert

I'm really liking the looks of this one for a base 1911.

Will, you heard anything about a new tax on gun powder?

 

[ALBOB]

Para USA, High-Quality Handguns: GI Expert

I'm really liking the looks of this one for a base 1911.

Will, you heard anything about a new tax on gun powder?

As I stated before, I own two Para's and love them, but they're older. Not sure I'd buy a new one these days due to some big time quality control issues. Most of the issues seem to revolve around the steel they use for their frames and slides. I've heard a lot of stories about cracking on newer Para's. If you want a good entry level 1911 for a decent price check out Springfield Armory, top notch gun at bargain prices. I've also been hearing goog things about Rock Island Armory. No experience with them, just been hearing good things.

I've heard our loyal shitheads in Washington D.C. are trying to tax anything and everything pertaining to guns. Seems it's all talk at this point. The general populace is too pissed off about the economy already. If they tried to mess with guns right now there's a good chance there would be a revolt. (Not that I think that would be a bad thing.)

 

[Will Brink]

Para USA, High-Quality Handguns: GI Expert

I'm really liking the looks of this one for a base 1911.

Looks like it's equiv to the SA Mil-Spec:

Springfield Armory

Para is a Canadian company, what do they know of 1911s?!

Will, you heard anything about a new tax on gun powder?

Have not heard about a new tax on gun powder, but it would not surprise me with current anti 2A/anti Liberty group in the White House.

 

[bio-chem]

As I stated before, I own two Para's and love them, but they're older. Not sure I'd buy a new one these days due to some big time quality control issues. Most of the issues seem to revolve around the steel they use for their frames and slides. I've heard a lot of stories about cracking on newer Para's. If you want a good entry level 1911 for a decent price check out Springfield Armory, top notch gun at bargain prices. I've also been hearing goog things about Rock Island Armory. No experience with them, just been hearing good things.

I've heard our loyal shitheads in Washington D.C. are trying to tax anything and everything pertaining to guns. Seems it's all talk at this point. The general populace is too pissed off about the economy already. If they tried to mess with guns right now there's a good chance there would be a revolt. (Not that I think that would be a bad thing.)

Lets hope that all this stays just talk at the moment.

thanks for the thoughts on Para

 

[bio-chem]

Para is a Canadian company, what do they know of 1911s?!

:

hahh. i hadn't thought of that

 

[Will Brink]

hahh. i hadn't thought of that

So how did you make out? Here's a vid from the indoor range. I was actually there to test a gun that had been giving me some troubles (type 2 feed ramp stuff) so it was mostly quick shooting to get rnds down range to see if the problem was fixed with a change of mag springs and recoil spring. Anyway, had my cam with me from another project I was doing. The groups aint beautiful, but considering the distance and rate of fire, It's acceptable. First string was 40ft, the second, was 20 yards to the back of the indoor range. I'm no Rob Lathem, that's for damn sure, but my distance stuff has improved, where everything is within say a palm sized group that is not slow fire shooting.

YouTube Video

For some reason, I can't seem to get the code to work above, so:

YouTube - RangeDay1

If some one can fix, please do

 

[bio-chem]

So how did you make out? Here's a vid from the indoor range. I was actually there to test a gun that had been giving me some troubles (type 2 feed ramp stuff) so it was mostly quick shooting to get rnds down range to see if the problem was fixed with a change of mag springs and recoil spring. Anyway, had my cam with me from another project I was doing. The groups aint beautiful, but considering the distance and rate of fire, It's acceptable. First string was 40ft, the second, was 20 yards to the back of the indoor range. I'm no Rob Lathem, that's for damn sure, but my distance stuff has improved, where everything is within say a palm sized group that is not slow fire shooting.

YouTube Video

For some reason, I can't seem to get the code to work above, so:

YouTube - RangeDay1

If some one can fix, please do

truthfully i'm still looking. I've got the money sitting here, now im waiting for the right gun to come along. I've been shooting my .40 cal px4 storm a lot recently and really enjoying that. The 1911 is next on my list of purchases, but making the final decision on which one is very tough at the moment.

nicely done for distance shooting

 

[mcguin]

question for will or whomever, for my next handgun, if you had the choice between the two, would you go for a s&w .357 rev. or a .44 mag?

 

[Will Brink]

question for will or whomever, for my next handgun, if you had the choice between the two, would you go for a s&w .357 rev. or a .44 mag?

If I could only choose between those? .44 Mag. .357 is perhaps the most overrated rnd in history and is based on old concepts of ballistics.

 

[Arnold]

Instructions on embedding YouTube vids

 

[bio-chem]

question for will or whomever, for my next handgun, if you had the choice between the two, would you go for a s&w .357 rev. or a .44 mag?

depends on what you are looking for? remember there is a reason will owns 3 different 1911's and little else. Tell us a little bit about how often you are going to shoot it, where, and for what purpose? then let people give you advice. just like with bodybuilding there are different goals and different approaches. I own both a ruger redhawk .44mag and a ruger security six .357 both are excellent hand guns for their purpose, but those purposes are very different.

 

[Will Brink]

Tough ol' bird right here.... a worthy vid to watch of a man who refused to be a victim:

YouTube Video

 

[ROID]

I haven't read any of these threads but I've been drinking again.

I gotta 45 ruger P92.

 

[bio-chem]

so i decided to put the 1911 on hold for a bit and purchased the sig saur p220 carry now that I have my CCW. I love this gun

 

[Burner02]

Was thinking of getting my carry permit when I cme back to the world. Was looking at compact 45. Saw a quick article on a new S&W 45. Supposed to be small, light and reliable.
Any comments or recommendations for a carry?
I bought a Sig Saur P226 navy for target. But, its too big/heavy fro much anything else than target.