The 1911-A1 - I want one Bad!

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
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I've been sick since before my birthday. Had a nasty cold for almost 2 weeks, but it's finally gone. Do to that I missed my normal trip to the range on Monday. So Josh and I went today to make up for it. As we were checking into the range, I desided to rent the SpringField GI model 1911-A1. It's the 5" Stainless model. Got 100 rounds of ammo for it, then we got our protective gear on and headed into the lanes.

I put up one target loaded the 1911 and tried it out, even before getting out the other guns. That gun is awesome! The recoil I felt was less then any of the Polymer 9mm pistols I've shot. I guess the 39oz (empty) really helps! Wow! Was all set on getting a Springfield XD Service model (4" barrel) in 9mm, but am thinking I will go with a GI 1911 first. If I had the cash today I could have gotten the rental for under $450 which I thought was a good deal. The owner of the range said if it's still there when I have the money he'll cut me a good deal. Migth take him up on it.

Now I know what all the talk about it. My only complant would be the low profile GI front sight. It doesn't have good contrast. But I learned to live with it. At 10 yards I was able to keep all 7 shots in the center of the targer which has a 3" diamiter. Thats as good as I am with my .22 pistols. By the way, that was only the second magazine I shot. So I figured if I'm that good with the 1911 compaired to the 9mm pistols I've shot, I should probably get the 1911. What do you guys think? Am sure some of you are way better then me, I'm just a newby. But still I was impressed.

A friend has a Kimber Custom series I or II, not 100% sure which... Well, he got Two new ones a few years back, had trigger jobs done to both. He put one in the safe and shoots the other. Last fall he said he'd sell it to me for what it cost him back when he got it. I emailed him tonight to ask what he wants for it and if it's still avaliable. If it's still avaliable and a good price, I wonder if I should get it, or a GI model..... Maybe start simple (GI model) then go up or maybe start big? What do you guys think?

I know the Kimber is convertible to .22 which is a plus.. What about the SPringfields? Can you get a .22 conversion kit for less then $300?

Can't wait to go back to the range Monday. I'll upgrade my membership so I can get free targets and handgun rentals. Then I'll get the Springfield and finish off all the ammo I bought. So much fun!!

Thanks in advance for the help,

Heber
 
The 1911 is the first semi auto handgun I ever owned, and remained the only one for many years. The feel of the gun is simply outstanding, on top of all it's other virtues.

How much does a base Springfield Armory A1 cost these days new? Seems like it should be around 450- is that too low?


munk
 
Everybody should own at least one 1911. I own one, and also a 2011. But the grip safeties are deactivated on both of them. Can't shoot a gun with a grip safety!!

Andy
 
Munk, I've heared if you look around you can get one for $450 or less. Specially if you look online. I prefer to shop locally though do to being able touch the gun before I purchase, getting advice, tips and so on... Plus after the sale the local shops will help you out. but if someone wants to go online I bet you might could find them for $400 today.

My gunsmithing friend got his Springfield GI for around $150 20+ years ago. Customized it and sold it for a lot more. LOL

Andrew, what about the grip safety don't you like? Personally I like knowing the gun won't work if it's not depressed. Love safetys for some reason... Plus I didn't even notice it. Same with the XD after gripping the gun I forgot it was there.

Munk, do you still have your 1911? What make and Model?

Thanks,

Heber
 
wildmanh said:
Andrew, what about the grip safety don't you like? Personally I like knowing the gun won't work if it's not depressed. Love safetys for some reason... Plus I didn't even notice it. Same with the XD after gripping the gun I forgot it was there.

Thanks,

Heber
Click to expand...

It's a long explanation, and kind of technical, but the shooting grip that I use causes my hand not to contact the grip safety consistently, so I don't always disengage it before firing.

So I have them deactivated. The thumb safety is enough for me.

Andy
 
is the gi 1911 really built to the old specs? i know springfield and kimber have their own signature formulas for 1911's but would i mistaken in thinking the warrior and gi are true to browning's design?
 
Great to see your enthusiasm for shooting, Heber. If you liked shooting a .45 on a range at paper, imagine shooting up old cars at a junkyard. :D A happy .45 memory.

A plain-jane .45 on a budget might be the Armscor Rock Island (RIA) .45. They sell for $359 new at Classic Arms. I swear they were just $299 about a year ago.

If I needed another .45 (ahem) the Taurus one that's fully tricked out with all the custom mods is an attractive gun/price.


Best, Mike
 
I paid about $450 for my Springfield GI A1 about two years ago. It's got a 1989 manufacture date and had not been fired much. I replaced the plastic stock grips with some cocobolo grips from CDNN.

Ergonomically it's one of my favorites; the grips fit me and I like the heft. It fits the IWB carry holster for my Hi-Power perfectly and is actually a bit slimmer than the HP, so it's quite comfortable to carry concealed. The only downside it has is an atrocious trigger. I was hoping it was just a break-in issue but 600 rounds later it's still way too heavy. Unfortunately there are no 1911 'smiths nearby that I trust to do the job, so for now it remains strictly a range gun.
 
Springfield 1911's are a good buy. Forged slide and frame, which is good if you want to customize it. They aren't the most accurate of pistols out of the box (but you might get a good one once in awhile), but a little work would improve that. Its a good shooter, but I have heard of feed problems with some guns, but Springfields service department is excellent. It would make an excellent base gun, and a good shooter.

I had some work done by a gentleman near me who is a pistolsmith guild member (worked on a 625-2 for me). I asked him his opinion on a 1911, for use and eventually to customize. Said buy a springfield "loaded" stainless and go from there.

A springfield 1911 would be an excellent place to start.


-Smith
 
Many folks- surprisingly to many, some of them women- shoot 1911s well.

My only full-sized autoloading pistol is a 1911...in an exotic (9x23mm) caliber.

J
 
I still only own two center fire semi auto pistols, both 1911's.

My first was a Springfield base model with wooden grips. I paid 330 for it on sale, about 20 years ago.

The second is a 1911 variation, the Colt Delta Elite. I paid 500 ish for it from a friend.

The base 1911 I had the slide cut away and the barrel chamber entry angle softened. They used to say these were the two mods you should always make if you want to fire more than FMJ rounds, and really you don't need more mods. They called them ramped and ported. (not the barrel porting you know from gas relief near the muzzle)

20 years ago these two modest alterations cost about 35 bucks. Today what- 80?

Some companys offer their base models already improved. You'd have to look into it. Kimber used to offer both cast and forged frames and slides, and the money paid reflected this. I'd like a forged 1911 if possible.

munk

PS, my brother in law, who I taught to shoot, came to appreciate the Sig 220 very much. But he loved the original 1911 also. The two grips are different, but both excellent. The 1911 is considered a very natural pointing weapon.

I'm not a 1911 guru by any means. There are many of those these days and there is no end to the special items you can get.



munk
 
I own 2 Colt 1911-As and a Springfield GI model, plan to get another Springfield after a few Khuks. (and the expense of life)

IMHO Springfield will give you the most bang for your buck. They are better out of the box than a Colt and tune up just as well.

Rock River would be my second choice, only because I have less experience with them than the Springfield.

Kimber makes a nice gun. For almost twice the price you get half as much more gun. If you tune one you do the same things to either model/brand so the extra cost is a consumer decision. They are better out of the box than the other 3 mentioned.

I chose the Springfield GI model because both my Colts are custom guns, a matched Government and officers model. I wanted a bare bones 1911 with out some of the bells and whistles. GI is about that.

If I had to replace all 3 with just 1 I would want some thing between the extremes.

That I think would be the Springfield Mil.Spec. The extra money would be well spent on this model if you are only going to have one and it is a good Base if you plan to customize. I think you would be happier with it than the GI model, especially if it is primarily a range gun.

Thats what I think anyway.
 
I haven't posted any pics in awhile. Here's the A1 along with my two all-time favorites.

 
My favorite gun is my Les Baer 1911. I absolutely love the way it feels in the hand, and the way it shoots: extremely accurate!! and has NEVER jammed:thumbup:

I shelled out way too much money some would say, but I would disagree:)
 
I currently own four 1911 based pistols. Two are Colts, a Gold Cup National Match and a Lightweight Commander. My Kimber Classic Gold Match, an early one...not the Mark II, is a solid step up in performance on the range. The one that I carry day in, day out, is a Wilson Professional (Commander size with a coned barrel) which runs like buttermilk on ball bearings. All share the handling qualities that were the genius of John Browning. You've heard this before....don't be afraid of a good used piece....two of mine are used, and I defy you to tell which two. Custom work can be done piecemeal, as funds and performance needs dictate. I would pay for reliability work first, then come back later for extra checkering on the front strap, etc. My next 1911 (Yeah, I know) will be full sized, either a Wilson CQB or a Brown. Eventually my son will give one to each of my grandsons.
 
MauiRob said:
My favorite gun is my Les Baer 1911. I absolutely love the way it feels in the hand, and the way it shoots: extremely accurate!! and has NEVER jammed:thumbup:

I shelled out way too much money some would say, but I would disagree:)
Click to expand...

I hear ya, Rob. I have a Concept VI with night sights I bought used,
con6t.jpg

and a Thunder Ranch Comanche nickel I bought new.
TRCt.jpg

I really enjoy shooting them both, and they are totally reliable for carry.

Lilbit, my girlfriend shoots 1911's, she has a Rock Island of her own.
As her nick implies, she is 4ft 11, 130 lbs soakin wet.
She shoots the 1911 better than her IMI Jericho, or any of my CZ's.
When her permit comes through, I have a feelin my SA Micro-Compact is gonna be scarce for me to carry.

DaddyDett
 
I've been comparing diffent 1911's lately, and the custom work that goes into a Kimber seems to put it on par with a custom, but at an extremely reasonable price. You almost can't compare Kimber with Colt or SA cuz of all the hands-on work that goes into each one. They are a great value as a (semi) custom, but look expensive compared to the other factory guns. You definitely get what you pay for in guns. Kimbers are a great value for what you get; a lot without having to pay a lot.
 
I've never had a Kimber, nor fired one. That said, I've heard that they're the one to avoid. I've heard that they tend to be more jam-prone and are not very compatible with parts from other manufacturers.

I love the 1911. I have a Springfield 1911, Loaded with target sights. What a gun, guys. Talk about top-notch work. I have had absolutely no problems with it, and it looks and feels great. It has the Stainless steel, the cocobolo grips, the beavertail grip, the skeletized hammer, nice trigger, adjustable target sights, you name it. I love the feel, the caliber, the function, and everything. The only downsides (or upsides, depending on its use) are that it is heavier than most, it has a smaller mag. capacity than many (8 with wilson combat mags), the sights tend to snag on clothing if you're carrying (not an issue with combat sights), and it is more complicated to take apart. You need an allen wrench to disassemble it, whereas most modern guns just need your hands.

That said, I'm not selling this any time soon. My first pistol, and certainly not my last, nor my last 1911. And kudos to Springfield.

Chris
PI9132LLarge.jpg
 
Chris, If that's your first, you picked a good one. Your choice of sights was excellent......When you have the extra funds, they would not be wasted should you choose to checker the front strap. Unless you have work toughened, callused hands, you will appreciate 30 lpi better than 25 lpi, the latter being a little too agressive for shooter comfort after firing up a couple bricks of ammo.
 
Chris, what do you mean you need an allen wrench to disassemble?

Does anyone know if Kimber's frames are forged or cast or have models of both? It's not clear to me.


Jurrasic, by 'front strap' do you mean the surface of the grip below the trigger guard facing towards the muzzle? Or the surface of the grip below the hammer against your palm?

munk
 
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