Please help me choose a 1911 .45

Blais said:
Why don't you like Kimber? I'm not challenging, honestly curious before I drop half a grand on one.


I'm also curious about that.
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its a personal choice. they use to be a really nice custom gun but now they have speed up their manufacturing process and they are sold everywhere by everyone...
 
I like my Kimber a lot. I have never had any problems with it. I don't really care for MIM parts, and particularly dislike the lame plastic mainspring housing, but the gun is solid, and goes "bang" every time. Functions flawlessly, very accurate. Some guys hate on Kimber, but Kimber sells a lot of guns, and a lot of guys are perfectly happy with them.
 
Well, the Kimber deal fell through. The seller wasn't ready to give it up and I don't blame him. I may yet end up with a Ruger GP100 from him for an irresistible price so it isn't a total loss there.

I called the local gun shops this morning and did some shopping. The only 1911s in the area were the Remington at one shop and the Taurus at another. The second shop also had an AMT Longslide which was really cool but not what I was after. After lots of questions and chatting, I ended up with the Taurus 1911B with a box of ammo and an IWB holster for around $650 which is right in my target budget. I liked the feel of the gun while handling it in the store and I didn't notice any real difference in fit and finish between the Taurus and the Remington and the Remington alone would have been $650 and lacked the beaver tail.
I didn't have time to take it to the range today and wanted to read up a bit on properly breaking it in but so far, I'm extremely happy with my purchase. I wanted to thank you guys for all your input and guidance. Any tips for breaking in a new 1911? I've read lots of conflicting things and you guys really seem to know what's up.

My digital camera battery is dead but I took a quick cell pic (the hammer is cocked because I just racked the slide after removing the clip, there's nothing in the chamber. I have to get used to de-cocking the hammer):
 

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Congrats on you're new 1911! It's a good looking pistol.As far as breaking it in,I always just take a new gun and clean any cosmoline out of it first,lube it and take it out and shoot a few boxes through her.Make sure and use all the mags you have to check them out too.Make sure you shoot some of the same ammo you plan to carry.Break free CPL is a good lube.I carry mine in a Bianchi Widow Maker holster with the FBI cant and it has worked out well.I don't know if they still make them,I've had it for many years.Enjoy you're new .45:):thumbup:
 
cj65 said:
I just read on another forum that gave Taurus a very good review. All parts manufactured in the same place ensured tighter tolerances. I googled "Problems with Taurus 1911." and found a thread that really disclosed a well built gun for the price. In fact compared to one 2 to 3 hundred dollars more, it fired as well if not better. I am still considering the Taurus for 500. If I had more money, I may go for the Springfield. It was always my first want in a 1911. I cannot tell anyone why, just stupid blind OCD stuff. LOL.

Just went back to the google list, and more favor towards the Taurus. One comment about a possible heavy trigger, but the poster said his was fine.

I am a bit amazed that I googled, "problems with Taurus 1911" and read positive threads about that model.. I wish I had the money right now to buy one. LOL.
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MegaGlide said:
Probably the only reason I even found most of it was because I was replacing all the MIM stuff (especially that hideous hammer) with custom parts.
Not out of spec, but important - the thing wouldn't feed anything but ball right out of the box. None of my 200gr SWCs, and most importantly, not Hydra-Shoks. Had to do a full ramp and throat on it. I.D. of plunger tube undersize, had to be reamed. Plungers lacked the head needed to retain them in the plunger spring, and the plunger spring didn't have the required kink to retain it in the tube. Mainspring housing actually had to be driven from the frame with a hammer and punch. Didn't bother figuring out which part was crap, just fitted the housing since it is the less expensive part. Firing pin safety parts appeared to have been chewed to spec by angry beavers. Extractor needed to be tuned. I'm sure there's more, but my fingers are cramping up, and you get the idea.
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wild -- I've never had a FTF or other form of jam with mine, and it's been fed several different brands of factory ball, 230 grain JHP, and lead reloads.
I let a retired LEO friend shoot mine and he liked it so much he went out and bought a stainless one. That one worked well enough for him he locked his custom built job in the safe and uses the Taurus as his carry piece.

Blais said:
Well, the Kimber deal fell through. The seller wasn't ready to give it up and I don't blame him. I may yet end up with a Ruger GP100 from him for an irresistible price so it isn't a total loss there.

I called the local gun shops this morning and did some shopping. The only 1911s in the area were the Remington at one shop and the Taurus at another. The second shop also had an AMT Longslide which was really cool but not what I was after. After lots of questions and chatting, I ended up with the Taurus 1911B with a box of ammo and an IWB holster for around $650 which is right in my target budget. I liked the feel of the gun while handling it in the store and I didn't notice any real difference in fit and finish between the Taurus and the Remington and the Remington alone would have been $650 and lacked the beaver tail.
I didn't have time to take it to the range today and wanted to read up a bit on properly breaking it in but so far, I'm extremely happy with my purchase. I wanted to thank you guys for all your input and guidance. Any tips for breaking in a new 1911? I've read lots of conflicting things and you guys really seem to know what's up.

My digital camera battery is dead but I took a quick cell pic (the hammer is cocked because I just racked the slide after removing the clip, there's nothing in the chamber. I have to get used to de-cocking the hammer):
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Congrats on your purchase - to break mine in, I just fed it several boxes of ammo from different manufacturers to see what it liked to eat.
clean it thoroughly to familiarize yourself with it, then go out and shoot.
Try different brands of FMJ ball and JHP ammo to see what it prefers.
You'll also want to pick up some spare mags. Mec-gar is good, Wilson is good, the only brand I've had issues with was McCormick mags, so won't use them.
 
I'll definitely be investing in some spare mags soon, probably Mec-Gar as that's what I had in my KelTec and they were nice.
One thing I've noticed is that the grip safety has a bump near the bottom that digs into my palm. That, coupled with a stiff spring, makes the Taurus a little uncomfortable to hold and is sort of distracting. Does anyone know if aftermarket grip safeties for another model in particular will fit the Taurus? I'm not about to start yanking parts and replacing them already so I'll have to get used to it for now but it might be a nice upgrade down the road. If the safety was as light and comfortable as a Kimber, I'd be golden. :D
I spent about 2 hours stripping and cleaning it out today. They really went crazy with the cosmoline (I call it ear wax, nasty stuff). The magazine wouldn't even eject without a little help before I cleaned it but everything is nice and smooth now. I know some guns like more oil than others but I just did my usual and went super light with the lube, any thoughts or areas that need a little bit more than a film?
Once I had it all clean and lubed, I brought it by to show off to the fella I was hoping to get the Kimber from. He is definitely not a Taurus fan and has told me so on numerous occasions but he was really impressed. He even gave me some Magtech Gaurdian gold rounds, which I've never used but look like they're for werewolf hunting. While I was there, I picked up that Ruger GP100 and he threw in a few boxes of ammo and a (left-handed) holster. Not too shabby for $250, huh?
Anyway, the next installment will be the results from the range!
 

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hella deal on that GP!
oh, and I actually use Novak 8 rounders in my PT1911.
 
the "bump" on the grip safety is to make sure you depress it ... particularly if you shoot a "both thumbs on safety" style popularized by Jeff Cooper.... would suggest you learn the more current weak thumb index forward style... it's faster , I've used both...would suggest a slanted Ed Brown thumb safety, and look at Metalform mags (with rounded follower not flat)
 
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Les Snyder said:
the "bump" on the grip safety is to make sure you depress it ... particularly if you shoot a "both thumbs on safety" style popularized by Jeff Cooper.... would suggest you learn the more current weak thumb index forward style... it's faster , I've used both...would suggest a slanted Ed Brown thumb safety, and look at Metalform mags (with rounded follower not flat)
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I just read a bunch of information on Jeff Cooper, interesting stuff and the the grip style he advocated is essentially what I've been doing instinctively. I'm having some trouble finding more info on the second style you mentioned, do you have a link?
 
I'm looking to get the same gun for a low price as well. I would go with the remington for around $550. You could also go with a Rock Island Armory for around $450. Taurus for around $600. or Cabela's High Standard 1911 for $500. I would go with the remington because I like their guns. Next up I would go with the taurus because of reviews, next the Cabela's high standared because it has good reviews as well, last as my choice would be the Rock Island Armory because it seems like the cheapest one made (in quality) (and also price but you get what you pay for) :)


-kng
 
Blais...look at some of the youtube vids of the Ft Benning 3 gun match or Viking Tactics..naturally you want to try this with an unloaded pistol till familiar... usually takes about 1000 muscle memory attempts to ingrain subconscious, but basically

1. grip the pistol so that the "Y" in your thumb/index finger align thru the centerline of the pistol down centerline of your arm
2. you can subconsciously point with your strong hand index finger, which however will be used for fine motor control of the trigger
3. if you place your weak hand in the palmswell of the strong... as if hands clasp in prayer, then slide weak hand forward, the strong index finger is now parallel with the weak thumb... and the thumb is able to instinctively point as the index finder did
4.grasp pistol , holding with thumb and three fingers of strong hand, index finger aligned down the side of pistol outside of trigger guard off of trigger with about the same grip you would hold a hammer.... bring weak hand to strong duplicating the position of (3) with pistol between hands
5. wrap weak fingers around strong hand.... I wrap my weak index finger around the trigger guard but have been told this is incorrect
6. if you place your strong thumb on the safety (thats why the recommendation of the slanted oversized Ed Brown) you get a stable shooting position that allows you to rapidly index target to target
 
Les Snyder said:
Blais...look at some of the youtube vids of the Ft Benning 3 gun match or Viking Tactics..naturally you want to try this with an unloaded pistol till familiar... usually takes about 1000 muscle memory attempts to ingrain subconscious, but basically

1. grip the pistol so that the "Y" in your thumb/index finger align thru the centerline of the pistol down centerline of your arm
2. you can subconsciously point with your strong hand index finger, which however will be used for fine motor control of the trigger
3. if you place your weak hand in the palmswell of the strong... as if hands clasp in prayer, then slide weak hand forward, the strong index finger is now parallel with the weak thumb... and the thumb is able to instinctively point as the index finder did
4.grasp pistol , holding with thumb and three fingers of strong hand, index finger aligned down the side of pistol outside of trigger guard off of trigger with about the same grip you would hold a hammer.... bring weak hand to strong duplicating the position of (3) with pistol between hands
5. wrap weak fingers around strong hand.... I wrap my weak index finger around the trigger guard but have been told this is incorrect
6. if you place your strong thumb on the safety (thats why the recommendation of the slanted oversized Ed Brown) you get a stable shooting position that allows you to rapidly index target to target
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I've got some practicing to do. Thanks for the info!
 
Did some more research and here is what I have concluded: i am going to buy the remington 1911 r1. It is a quality built 1911 with a low price for the quality you get. It depends on where you get it but you could pick one up for $550 dollars or maybe $650. The quality is closer to a $2,000 colt than a $400 Rock island armory. The remington 1911 is also revered as a big comp competitor in the 1911 series. hope this helps.


-kng
 
Springfield has an excellent warranty. My TRP literally feeds empties. Best firearm purchase I ever made. I was raised by a Colt-wielding Marine who to this day still calls my TRP a piece of s#@t though. Whatever you end up buying, congratulations!!!
 
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