The 1911 thread

[junior varsity]

Haha, the P22 I shot was far too picky on ammo, and I have a 22lr conversion by Marvel for my 1911.

The Stoeger O/U looks like a fun gun to learn clay shooting with for the price. I thought finish-wise, when I held it, was nicer than the cost of the gun should allow (but nothing amazing)

And, about the clean & lube, when I'm bored I often clean. I like the smell of the solvents, sue me.

[raulduke]

Mmmmmm.....solvents.  I'm a little high on Hopps right now 

Yeah, the fit and finish is fine for what it is.  I really was pleasantly surprised...it's made in Brazil and it's good for what it is.

PPS not picky AT ALL...and I have run some crap through it.  Holds 6 with the pinky free clip or 7 with a full grip clip, is less than 1 inch thick and shows no visiable print under clothing...and fits in jean pockets.  As for accuracy, I can hit as good with it as I can with my USP 9mm...which is to say...driving tacks at 15 yards 

[Porsche Monkey]

I have a very old Ruger single six, a Bersa thunder 380 which is an argentinan knock off of a PPK, a 10/22 and a .17 rimfire mag. I've always had a soft spot for the single sixes. I've owned the Bersa since new and say what you want but its been a great gun. It can be picky with ammo, it does not like wadcutter rounds, but will digest anything else. Its obviously not a tackdriver but I can get it to group within 4 inches at 15 feet. I have over 3000 rounds through it too. I leave it hammer down on the hammer block with one in the chamber. It will fire from double action or single but the pull can be hard to get used to on the former.

[raulduke]

I have almost bought a Bersa a couple times...they are good guns.  Consistantly reliable and they guys at the range really like them.

I have also been considering a used Kahr .45.   I really liked the feel of the gun and pretty much everything about it until I tried the slide.  Once racked, I couldn't get it to retract.  Guy at the counter said they were really tight and it would be easier loaded...I am skeptical.  I teach firearm training and shoot a couple 1000 rnds a month with many students guns and haven't seen a slide like that.  Otherwise, the gun is a reasonably priced small .45 and I LOVE the hand feel and ergo's. 

I want a single six...but don't know which one.  Since I won't carry it and it will be purely a range gun (I don't for see joining SASS) the options are wide open.  Any suggestions?

[ducatiz]

Anybody had a Sig?  Any thoughts?  Thinking about a P232 for CC.

The P232 is a great gun, but for the size.  It's a .380 and you can find a better 9mm or even .40 in something the same physical size. 

Posted by: ato memphis
Please provide brief review of quality of your Stoeger. I'm looking at getting one.

I've had a Stoeger "coach gun" for about 8 years and I love it.  It is not something you'll use everyday, but it is the shotgun I keep behind the bedroom door. 

Their O/U guns (Condor) are very nice and cheap-priced.  A friend has one and we did skeet with it -- it handled superbly.  Can't beat it for $300.  They have a nice-r version with better wood and polish for about $500, still can't beat it.  Good workmanship.  They are imported by Benelli, I think, and very good warranty backup.

The Bersa Thunder 9mm and 40 are actually VERY nice guns.  I saw one at the range, and handled it.  Very nicely done and cheaper than other jobs.

[junior varsity]

Good to know about the Stoeger's, seems like a smarter buy than a Charles Daly - They look great but I've heard some negative things about their older models. (perhaps fixed now).

I still think everyone should own a 10/22. Like a Monster, its infinitely customizable.


And speaking of wadcutter rounds, unless you are reloading - where does one even purchase such a thing? I've never seen anything but ball point, hollow point, and 'soft nose' - a filled in hollow point, with a flat face (Winchester SXT's or whatever)

[Smiling End]

Good to know about the Stoeger's, seems like a smarter buy than a Charles Daly - They look great but I've heard some negative things about their older models. (perhaps fixed now).

I still think everyone should own a 10/22. Like a Monster, its infinitely customizable.


And speaking of wadcutter rounds, unless you are reloading - where does one even purchase such a thing? I've never seen anything but ball point, hollow point, and 'soft nose' - a filled in hollow point, with a flat face (Winchester SXT's or whatever)

Have you tried Natchez Shooter Supply?   www.natchezss.com  They have a huge supply of ammo and it's pretty cheap.  Unfortunately since it's pretty cheap a lot of common stuff sells out pretty fast. 

[Sgt_H]

Anyone done business with http://www.gunsatcost.com?  They say they have factory Beretta mags, but never having done business with them, I'm not sure I trust them not to send some crap.  I don't have time to play mail tag if this site isn't legit so thanks in advance for any info.

[ducatiz]

Anyone done business with http://www.gunsatcost.com?  They say they have factory Beretta mags, but never having done business with them, I'm not sure I trust them not to send some crap.  I don't have time to play mail tag if this site isn't legit so thanks in advance for any info.

never heard of them, but check out CDNN, who I've used for decades now.  they often have your mags both factory and Mecgar brands very cheap

www.cdnninvestments.com

shipping is a flat rate no matter what you buy and they often have some great deals on guns.  i got a Gen3 Glock 17 that was an Austrian police trade-in, came with the glock holster and it is the only Glock I've seen that has "Made in Austria" instead of "Made in Smyrna, Georgia" on the frame.

EDIT : FYI you have to download their catalogue in PDF to see the guns they have for sale, they don't put them on the website.

[Sgt_H]

Thanks for the help, checking them out now

[ducatania]

Anyone own a Kimber .45? If so what are your thoughts?

I went to local gun shop and looked at a number of them..the Kimber 45 felt really good but it was bit more expensive than I wanted to pay.

Nah, they're not expensive. I have two of them. I fell in love with a Nighthawk Custom at the NRA Convention this past weekend. Now, they ARE expensive. 

[ducatania]

i have loved the kimbers i've had - a Gold Match, an Aluminum Compact, and a Custom (iirc). never been disappointed.

when someone shoots with me i let them try everything else in my stable first, but they always say that they like the kimber best, no matter what their style or experience level. that says something to me about the quality of kimbers.


DRKWNG - call me crazy, but my internet diagnostic feeling is that your trigger is weird. have you removed all the series 80 crap (if it has it) and looked at smoothing out the trigger parts?

Both my Kimbers have run flawlessly. I was at the range a couple of weeks ago with a friend of mine and tried his Sig 220. I didn't care for it, but he really liked my Pro Carry II. 

As for the Warrior, that's one of the few Kimber models without the Series II Swartz safety. The Swartz is nothing like the Series 80 in that it doesn't interact with the trigger. It's activated by the grip safety. Highly unlikely it would cause the problem he's having. Even if he had one. 

[ducatania]

There are two kinds of pistols....1911s and everything else.    I own 3 Kimbers, a Custom (OR made), a Compact and a Pro Carry II.   I have zero complaints about any of them, although I do wish I'd bought the Pro Carry before the Series II came out as I could do without that firing pin block.

I've owned 2 Glocks and a HK USP and sold all 3.  I would like a P7 but I can't justify the price tag.

I hate to break this to you, but your "Clackamas" was made in Yonkers, NY just like all the Kimber pistols. They never made any 1911s in OR. When your pistol was made, the corporate offices were still in OR, that's why it was marked that way.

[raulduke]

Kimber makes really high quality guns.  If you want a 1911 it is a good way to go. 

I use a Covert w/ CT grips to teach proper combat shoot technique and run a lot of rounds through it.  That said the 1911 is not a modern design.  Breaks into MANY parts and requires a tool to field strip.  If you want a 1911 for it's accuracy and wonderful hand feel, Kimber is a good mid-priced choice.  If you want a handgun for self defense only, buy a more modern gun.  Walther P99, H&K P2000 in .40 (or even the dreaded 9mm) or a H&K USP if you must have a .45.  These guns field strip into 5-6 pieces, clean up in seconds and run flawlessly even when dirty....not so true of a 1911.

Don't get caught up in the ballistics size queen thing though.  Yeah, .45 is better but I have seen people shot with .9mm with pretty much the same out come. A double tap to center mass from any of the major calibers will do it's job of defending you in most cases.  Learn to shoot and hit your target under stressful conditions and caliber stops being much of an issue.

[ducatania]

Kimber makes really high quality guns.  If you want a 1911 it is a good way to go. 

I use a Covert w/ CT grips to teach proper combat shoot technique and run a lot of rounds through it.  That said the 1911 is not a modern design.  Breaks into MANY parts and requires a tool to field strip.  If you want a 1911 for it's accuracy and wonderful hand feel, Kimber is a good mid-priced choice.  If you want a handgun for self defense only, buy a more modern gun.  Walther P99, H&K P2000 in .40 (or even the dreaded 9mm) or a H&K USP if you must have a .45.  These guns field strip into 5-6 pieces, clean up in seconds and run flawlessly even when dirty....not so true of a 1911.

Don't get caught up in the ballistics size queen thing though.  Yeah, .45 is better but I have seen people shot with .9mm with pretty much the same out come. A double tap to center mass from any of the major calibers will do it's job of defending you in most cases.  Learn to shoot and hit your target under stressful conditions and caliber stops being much of an issue.

The Govt. size Kimbers, except for the Warrior and the SIS, use full length guide rods which is why you need a bushing wrench to field strip it. If you switch to a GI guide rod (like the two models I mentioned use), no tools are necessary.  The old Colt GI 1911s are like an AK-47, they will run filthy. The newer match quality ones with the necessary tighter tolerances, sure they like to be clean.
I disagree with your assertion though that the 1911 isn't as capable a self defense pistol as the others you mentioned. I feel totally confident with my condition one 1911 on my hip.