The 1911 thread

[fwtcc]

Thanks for the advice fellas, that is mostly what I assumed about the gun.
I guess I could get a 9mm and a 45 and still be under the cost of the DE.

Any suggestions on those two?

[Sinister]

.45

However, you should try different guns and see which one you like.  Shoot both calibers; some people don't like the recoil of the .45.  9-mm is the bare minimum defense caliber, IMO. 

[junior varsity]

9mm vs 45 is a tired debate though, and its not for lack of dead bodies (quote i heard recently)

The 40 is an interesting in-between round, with a snappier recoil than the 45 (which has more of a push).

I have both a 9 and a 45, and think they are great.

its ok to have things with a 3 as the first number, so long as its a wheel gun: 38/357 and the 44 round is also pretty neat.

[fwtcc]

I would like to get both.

9mm- I have a friend with a laser sighted glock set up and thats pretty cool.

1911- No idea, from what I have read Kimbers are good.  Thats the extent of what I know.  Are they affordable?  I know with bows, Matthews are quite nice, but piss off on that price, I can just learn to have better form.

[junior varsity]

I have a Kimber. It did not run smooth out of the box. For the price, it should have.

I've got somewhere over 1500rnds through it now, and it runs great.

They often come with chambers that are ungodly tight, and extractors with a hair too much tension, that make it fail to return to battery (FTRB) on occasion.

I'm quite happy with mine (Kimber Pro CDP II) but it needed slim grips (daily carry), an aluminum mainspring housing (kimbers come with plastic. on a 1911. wtf.) and my ambi safety broke on me (yay MIM parts!), so it has been replaced with a Ed Brown standard safety.

I would suggest also looking into Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Ed Brown, and certainly Colt.

I have a friend who was quite unhappy with his Springfield, but could never articulate why. I think they are fine guns.

M1911.org has plenty of information if you can handle it.

[Sinister]

I have a Springer, and love it.

[ducatiz]

I would like to get both.

9mm- I have a friend with a laser sighted glock set up and thats pretty cool.

1911- No idea, from what I have read Kimbers are good.  Thats the extent of what I know.  Are they affordable?  I know with bows, Matthews are quite nice, but piss off on that price, I can just learn to have better form.

The Auto Ordnance "government model" is probably one of the best-quality, lowER priced 1911s around -- no bells or whistles, just the original features of the gun in an updated manufacturing package.

There are a few imports which are decently priced too.  PAC (Philipine Arms Corp) is actually a very good pistol.  It is not a tack-driver, it is a point-click-bang gun with good ballistics and good metal.  I have two of them (ok, it was a sale).  One of them came with a deformed sear which cost me $80+labor to replace.  it was still worth it  --$350 each.

The best thing for you to do is go to a gun shop with a good number of guns and tell them you are shopping around for your first gun and have little hands-on experience with the ergonomics and handling and you'd like to handle a few good examples (i.e. quality and price range).  The next thing is to head to a range which rents pistols (not all do) and spend a little time shooting.  Do it slowly and carefully and just take your time -- you aren't trying to win any contests and you just need to get a feel for firing the guns that handle well.

beyond that, it is up to you. 

9 vs 45 vs 40?  it's all bullshit.  give me a guy who can hit 10 out of 10 with a .22 and i'll take him as my backup guy over someone who hits 5/10 with a .45. 

that said, the rule is "use the largest caliber you can shoot and carry effectively".  this has to do with pistol design as much as caliber.

[NvrSummer]

Good coversations!  Seem to be some knowledgeable people here.

I have a XD9, but I'd love to upgrade to a 1911 with a .22lr conversion.  Any idea what I'd be looking at price wise?

[junior varsity]

Most 22lr conversions cost in the ball park of $300. They range typically from $250 - $400+, and you'll need extra mags. I have a Marvel conversion and it runs flawlessly, and it is very accurate. Mine is the practical Unit 2; their Unit 1 is more accurate, but also more expensive.

A 1911 can cost you, as a base, from about $400-$5000+, Kimbers run between $750-$1500, Wilson Combats are $1500-$4000, 'bigger' brands like Springfield and Cold have less expensive models with fewer bells and whistles. Many of said bells and whistles you don't even want.

[Kaveh]

Good coversations!  Seem to be some knowledgeable people here.

I have a XD9, but I'd love to upgrade to a 1911 with a .22lr conversion.  Any idea what I'd be looking at price wise?

I thought they have a 22lr conversion for the xd?

[junior varsity]

they certainly make 'em for glocks.

[Sinister]

While cheaper to practice with, the .22 conversion doesn't help you deal with the recoil, and sight-picture reacquisition, resulting from the .45 cartridge.  Discuss.

[junior varsity]

I practice with both, and my groups have tightened up signficantly when i added in the 22 conversion. It is obvious when i flinch to a greater extent AND the little holes are clear/distinct, unlike the muddiness of big .45 caliber holes.

You can still practice quickly unholstering and getting the first shot off, with a gun that feels just like yours. Same safety, etc.

And, the flinch thing. I also advocate having a friend load some snap caps in your magazine randomly so that occasionally one round will surprise you by NOT going off. You'll watch yourself push down on the gun in anticipation, and realize why your groups are not one ragged hole.

Also its loads of fun, and my fiance actually enjoys shooting it.

[NvrSummer]

Most 22lr conversions cost in the ball park of $300. They range typically from $250 - $400+, and you'll need extra mags. I have a Marvel conversion and it runs flawlessly, and it is very accurate. Mine is the practical Unit 2; their Unit 1 is more accurate, but also more expensive.

A 1911 can cost you, as a base, from about $400-$5000+, Kimbers run between $750-$1500, Wilson Combats are $1500-$4000, 'bigger' brands like Springfield and Cold have less expensive models with fewer bells and whistles. Many of said bells and whistles you don't even want.

Hmmm, interesting.  Thanks for the info.  I figure I could probably get $250 for my XD on a trade in, and have a 45 w/ 22 barrel for about $700 out of pocket?  Sounds reasonable!

[NvrSummer]

I thought they have a 22lr conversion for the xd?

Not for the 9mm I don't think?   

Don't get me wrong, I love my XD, but I love 1911's more.  Plus I'd love to be able to plink 22LR's with the same frame.