1911 Pistol

If I were in your shoes, I would either drop some $ on a Springfield Professional or, better yet, fix up the Springer you have already and make it into a gun you really want. SA has a great warranty (as an earlier poster mentioned) if there is a mechanical problem with your existing pistol so you can get that ironed out and then go to town on the build up.

Mark
 
Holy cow! First of all, thanks for all the input, and keep it coming!

I think there are a few points i should address because they keep coming up. And it may clarify exactly what is going through my mind. First of all, this is not going to be my first foray into the 1911 and I'm not exactly looking for an "entry level" pistol. I do have plenty of experience with the Springfield I mentioned before. I also own a very nice commemorative (USAF Academy Class of 2010) Colt Govt. Model with gold inlay/scroll work. Yeah, I don't shoot that one much. Plus, my dad owns and sometimes duty-carries a Wilson Combat CQB Elite. I love that gun... but I know what he paid and it may have to wait a few years.

Next, I do already have a primary home defense and concealed carry weapon. It's a Glock 23 and I trust my life with it. I don't want another Glock right now. I want a 1911 because a well-built 1911 is a thing of beauty. That being said, I don't want a 1911 like I have that jams 1 or 2 times per 100 rounds... you know, just in case.

Some of you have mentioned having my trigger and sights worked on. I might do that eventually. Also, I have upgraded my magazines. I'm using 7 round Wilson Combat mags (the ones with the large base plate). Love those mags.

I do value high quality, but price limits me. As for having a gun that can outshoot me? Challenge accepted. Whenever I go to the range, the first 50 rounds are always bullseye practice. If you can shoot tight groups with one hand, you can hit anything with two. At least thats how I learned from my father who used to shoot bullseye competitions. Right now, I have learned to shoot well with the sights and trigger on my Springer. (Tooting my own horn a bit there. Sorry.)

Some other small stuff... I don't necissarily need a "tactical" looking pistol. I just like the look of a dark frame/slide with wood grips. Also, I want a 1911 that is made in the USA. I don't think I'm gonna budge on that one. It's just me. I would rather have fixed and black sights (as opposed to adjustable and white/tritium dot sights), but that is only an inconvenience and I can change those easily.

I'm going to start looking up all the models you folks have listed. Thanks for the help and keep the advice coming!

Edit: And I live in Enid, but have family in Edmond where I do most of my shooting.

Edit again: What is with the firing pin safety on Kimbers? That sounds dumb to me. How does it work? Is it mostly transparent during use? What about taking the gun down?
 
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c10darren said:
Edit again: What is with the firing pin safety on Kimbers? That sounds dumb to me. How does it work? Is it mostly transparent during use? What about taking the gun down?
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I'll get some pics up soon.

The slide has a firing pin block installed, it prevents (in case of a 50 foot drop or an impact from a sledge hammer, or full and half cock on the hammer breaks) the firing pin from moving forward and hitting the primer when the grip safety is not depressed. When the grip safety is depressed, it moves that little pin up, moving the block out of position which allows the firing pin to strike the primer.

Sorry if that's a little confusing, I can explain it in person but in type, I suck :o



Okay, pics

Here's the underside of the slide, the block is pointed out by the pin


This is a bad pic, but it is supposed to show that the firing pin wont go forward without the block being pressed


And the frame, this shows "lifter" being recessed without the grip safety depressed


And how it raises with the grip safety


I was too lazy to do more than a field strip tonight, so I found a link that shows a pic of the part in question:

http://gunbot.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/kimber-1911-detail-strip/


You must put the piece back in order for the gun to work, it's not something you can get rid of. The trick is getting the sear pin alligned with the sear, disconnector, and that lifter. You do it a couple times, it's not bad.

As for sounding dumb, I can't argue, it was just an added safety feature. Some newer Kimbers have it, some don't (Desert Warrior for example).

Other brands have their versions too, Remingtons and Smiths use a blade style lifter, and I've taken apart a 90 series Colt (if I'm remembering right it was a 90 series, and 80 series has them too) that also used a blade style.
 
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Not trying to promote another site but there is a guy known as BAC1023 that is a member of glocktalk..in his sig he has a link to personal reviews of a vast array of 1911s...from the less expensive to really expensive fully custom.

It is a great read...

I currently have an Ed Brown Kobra Carry that I Absolutely love. I initially was going to get a Kimber Pro Carry TLE but made the mistake of handling a Kopra Carry. Has been a fantastic gun which I use as my EDC.
 
c10darren said:
Edit again: What is with the firing pin safety on Kimbers? That sounds dumb to me. How does it work? Is it mostly transparent during use? What about taking the gun down?
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I think it mostly so that the gun can be sold in California and as a "look we did something extra" kind of thing. The only time I have had to interact with it is when you fully strip the slide, you have to push it in so that the firing pin can be depressed to get the firing pin stop out. That being said I am in California and have had no experience with 1911s without it, but it hasn't bothered me at all.
 
High Density said:
I would take a Springfield over any of the ones on you list.
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OP said he wanted a 1911 made in the USA. Springfield frames are made in Brazil (unless that has changed in the last 4 years). The rest of the components are made in the USA. Everything is assembled in the USA.
 
brizbane said:
You mentioned in your original post that this may be the only 1911 for 10 or 20 years. In this case, it might be wise to shell out the big bucks now, and you will not regret it later.
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I agree with this.

If you are going to only have one 1911 for the next 10-20 years, buy the best you can afford. You don't necessarily need a Heirloom gun made by Ted Yost, but I would look at guns from makers other than Kimber or Colt.

I like the Springfield Custom Shop. They make 1911s the old fashioned way, hand fit and with quality parts. The frames and slide start out as raw forgings from Brazil, but Dave Williams and company finish them here in the US. A Springfield Custom gun is a great weapon and gives up nothing to Baer, Brown, or Wilson. Other 1911s may be "nicer" but they are not necessarily better.

I also like Les Baer's guns. He also builds 1911s the old fashioned way. His 1911s even look old school with bluing being his default finish. Baer's guns are not very flashy as he focuses on performance. His 1911s just run, and if you get one there is a good chance that it'll be the most accurate pistol you own.

springfieldcustomcarry3.jpg


lesbaerconceptii4.jpg


Before setting your budget, keep in mind that the gun is the least expensive part of firearms ownership. 1000 rounds of .45ACP cost ~ $300. It doesn't make sense to skimp on the gun.
 
I have owned quite a few- always wanted a Wilson or Baer but never did.

Kimber Gen 1 is one of the nicest out of the box I have owned. I did not care for later guns but the early ones were really nice. I never had a moments trouble out of the several I owned and it is the only 1911 I really wish I had back.

Bill
 
kamagong said:
I agree with this.

If you are going to only have one 1911 for the next 10-20 years, buy the best you can afford. You don't necessarily need a Heirloom gun made by Ted Yost, but I would look at guns from makers other than Kimber or Colt.
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I agree with that completely. I don't think you need to go to the poor house, but if it is one gun for that length of time, I would certainly find a way to get a model I really loved.

Even though it isn't even mentioned these days except as a side note, I bought a Colt 1911 Mark IV about 1970. I still have it. I am aware of its shortcomings and I absolutely could not care less. It functions perfectly with all kinds of ammo, and is pretty accurate for that type of gun. I bought that gun for $125, and that was after saving for some time to get it. I put some black Pachmayr grips on it and that was the stuff.

Living in a town that had SIX military bases at the time, surplus ammo was everywhere. I have shot that gun a few thousand times, and it still works flawlessly. I took it to a custom gunsmith about 30 years ago and he put on a new front ramp, adjustable rears, and did a quick "polish job" on the trigger sear. I love that gun and smile every time I shoot it. You get that when you buy a quality piece you really like.

Many of my guns have come and gone in the 40+ years since I bought that one, but that gun will go to my grave with me. My first (not only!) .45 1911.

kamagong said:
Before setting your budget, keep in mind that the gun is the least expensive part of firearms ownership. 1000 rounds of .45ACP cost ~ $300. It doesn't make sense to skimp on the gun.
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Very sage advice. And how true. Since I don't reload and my sources of surplus .45 ammo started to dry up with the advent of the military 9mm sidearm, I simply cannot afford to shoot my big guns for fun like I used to. I miss it.

Robert
 
If you decide to splurge, I would go with Pistol Dynamics. Paul Liebenberg owns the company and builds the guns.

From Pistol Dynamics website:
"Pistol Dyanamics 1911 slides and receivers are dimensionally optimized forged and machined components manufactured from high carbon steel. They are designed to integrate seamlessly with all our existing parts and components. Our philosophy is to machine the parts we design and produce them from barstock or forgings. We do not process parts using the PIM or MIM method. While we offer certain base 'models' to steer the direction of a design , each unit is ultimately optimized for a particular prime use. Our guns are totally custom built and we configure the design and feature set of every pistol to individual customers need and use intent."
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000_3776.jpg


000_3901.jpg
 
On the inexpensive side, order an oversized barrel bushing from EGW.. then get some find emery cloth or sand paper and take your time and sand it till if fits tight. That will make your stock springer shoot much tighter groups. Go slow.. Cost is about $30 plus sandpaper.
 
midnight flyer said:
Even though it isn't even mentioned these days except as a side note, I bought a Colt 1911 Mark IV about 1970. I still have it. I am aware of its shortcomings and I absolutely could not care less. It functions perfectly with all kinds of ammo, and is pretty accurate for that type of gun. I bought that gun for $125, and that was after saving for some time to get it. I put some black Pachmayr grips on it and that was the stuff.

Robert
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I like Colt. I just wish I could find one I wanted. The only ones I've seen locally are 1991s or Series 80 guns. Not interested in the slightest. If I found a Series 70 or one of the Anniversary guns I would snatch it right up.

harkamus said:
If you decide to splurge, I would go with Pistol Dynamics. Paul Liebenberg owns the company and builds the guns.

From Pistol Dynamics website:

000_3901.jpg
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Mr. Harkamus, you are a man with impeccable tastes. I talked to Paul about building me one of his Combat Specials, but the funds dried up and I had to put my order on hold for a while. One day...
 
Just to throw another name out there, Caspian are very nice too.
 
Does Caspian make complete guns? Their frames and slides are excellent, but they are used more as a foundation for custom builds. And custom 1911s, like anything else, are only as good as the man who makes them.
 
kamagong said:
Does Caspian make complete guns? Their frames and slides are excellent, but they are used more as a foundation for custom builds. And custom 1911s, like anything else, are only as good as the man who makes them.
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I think they only make frames, slides, and small parts, but not an actual full gun.
 
kamagong said:
Does Caspian make complete guns? Their frames and slides are excellent, but they are used more as a foundation for custom builds. And custom 1911s, like anything else, are only as good as the man who makes them.
Click to expand...

harkamus said:
I think they only make frames, slides, and small parts, but not an actual full gun.
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I've actually been wondering that myself. Their website is kind of scetchy and they show complete guns with their parts, but it doesn't mean they actually assembled them :confused:
 
Sorry... I have to do this.

IF IT'S NOT A COLT... IT'S JUST A COPY.

That's just the way I feel about my 1911's.
 

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