Need advice, cheap 1911 black friday sale

how much trigger time do you have?
Are you just getting started or are you a seasoned gun guy?

Have you shot only the 1911 style handgun?
Have you tried or do you have other handguns?

For what purpose is this handgun from?
Bullseye, plinking, IPSC, IDPA?

I would suggest that (if you are just starting) if there is a reputable firearms dealer in your area that allows you to "test drive" firearms before you buy, go and try out other handguns.
Especially when it comes to fit.
Your hand size and how large or small the frame is on the pistol.

A 9mm 1911 style handgun is also easier on the wallet.

You do get what you pay for though.
A Norc compared to a higher end Springfield... There is a HUGE difference!
 
how much trigger time do you have?
Are you just getting started or are you a seasoned gun guy?

Have you shot only the 1911 style handgun?
Have you tried or do you have other handguns?

For what purpose is this handgun from?
Bullseye, plinking, IPSC, IDPA?

I would suggest that (if you are just starting) if there is a reputable firearms dealer in your area that allows you to "test drive" firearms before you buy, go and try out other handguns.
Especially when it comes to fit.
Your hand size and how large or small the frame is on the pistol.

A 9mm 1911 style handgun is also easier on the wallet.

You do get what you pay for though.
A Norc compared to a higher end Springfield... There is a HUGE difference!


I only had long guns so far. I would call myself a "gun guy", but only had my (non restricted) PAL until recently. Quite proficient with long guns I would say.

My experience with handguns is mostly limited to Browning HP. I'd say I have a couple thousands rounds through them. I've had the chance to try some other models, but only for a couple of rounds. I hated everything DAO. A friend of mine has a S&W 1911 and I tried it a couple of times too.
My mind is really set on a 1911. That's the pistol I always wanted. I seriously considered other models, mostly the HK45, but each time I see a 1911 I just fall back in love.

For the purpose of the handgun, I'll be mostly paper shooting at the range, with the occasional 3-guns match. I might be interested in IPSC, but I'm not so sure about that. I'm not well informed about all the different types of matches and "black badges" and all, but I'd like to do things like draw and shoot.



Up until now, I was more tempted by going with the cheaper Dominion Arms, but with the last couple of posts, I'm leaning towards the Girsan...
 
Didn't read it all, but I'll note that you can get flush fitting 8 round mags. Corwin blew out a bunch last year.

Honestly - buy once and cry once.

If you *know* that you like the 1911 (meaning that you have shot more than a couple mags through one), then save up and buy the gun that you want.

The *only* thing that Norinco has going for it is the price. The *only* thing that SAM *had* going for it is the price - I've had 3 pass through my hands and I'll never buy another...not at todays retail (they are not what they are cracked up to be IMO - QC and fit are ALL over the map).

Those pistols are fine for folks dabbling in the platform who are not sure whether or not it's going to Do It for them.

Ones I've had in the cost-conscious category and would buy again or recommend: Ruger, Remington, STI. Never had a Springfield, but keep looking at them.
Ones that I would not include Norc and any of the Shooters Arms ones - not unless you want to be dicking with them.
 
Didn't read it all, but I'll note that you can get flush fitting 8 round mags. Corwin blew out a bunch last year.

Honestly - buy once and cry once.

If you *know* that you like the 1911 (meaning that you have shot more than a couple mags through one), then save up and buy the gun that you want.

The *only* thing that Norinco has going for it is the price. The *only* thing that SAM *had* going for it is the price - I've had 3 pass through my hands and I'll never buy another...not at todays retail (they are not what they are cracked up to be IMO - QC and fit are ALL over the map).

Those pistols are fine for folks dabbling in the platform who are not sure whether or not it's going to Do It for them.

Ones I've had in the cost-conscious category and would buy again or recommend: Ruger, Remington, STI. Never had a Springfield, but keep looking at them.
Ones that I would not include Norc and any of the Shooters Arms ones - not unless you want to be dicking with them.

I agree with Mark, you get what you pay for. Save a bit, and get what you truly want. I had 2 Norks pass through my collection, looking for a frame for my Kimber22 top. Sold both within a week without firing them, NEVER AGAIN.

inhave an Omega6 ant only keeping it because it's a 40, either than that it doesn't compare with any of the others in the safe
 
Got it on Monday!

And what a pleasant surprise. From what I could see on YouTube videos and on Girsan's website, there are some features that are different from the one i got. An older generation maybe? In any case, I'm very happy with it, since they where the first things I'd changed!

1. All the ones I saw on YouTube had a full length guide rod. I just happen to prefer the GI style, and that what's mine have.
2. On Girsan's website, it says "Pin Safety Block", so I expected a series 80. Mine is a series 70. Yay!!


First thing I did is fully disassemble it, clean and lube it. I also did some polish on the disconnector, sear (only the sides) and trigger bow. Only a light polish with 800, 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper, being very careful not to alter the shape/angles of anything. I think it's enough for a first try.

Then, I decided to have some fun in the garage and try to make my own grips to replace the el cheapo plastic ones it came with. I used scrap maple. They're far from perfect, and since I don't have a drill press the holes are a bit out of shape, but again for a first try I'm pretty satisfied.


Here's some pics.









 
If you can find a used sig 1911 at around 1k that would be my vote. I have (or have owned) nork, sam, sti, Trojan, and sig 1911's. Sig is my favorite by far for fit, finish, function and value. I think the Tac ops has a rail and fixed 3 dots. STI Spartan in 9mm would also be a good choice.
 
Sam has a solid following for entry level 1911's...recon I'd go there...fwiw..

Seems you went girsan....do us a review....love to know what you think...
 
I picked up one of the Norc unmarked 1911A1

Changed the grips and got a dlask full length guide rod ,spring and buffer firing pin and spring and D spring and a little engraving
for a personal touch


Still might change out the hammer and trigger slide stop and safety
But from the start she was a nice shooter
I wanted something i could learn on without having a heart attack if i goofed something
deburring and polishing was fun and she is smooth as butter now
not so sure i would have had the guts to take a dremel to a kimber or a sig
 
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Where did you get the Girsan 1911. I think I need one. LOL I suspect they will be of excellent quality.

Take Care

Bob

Bought it from Canadaammo.com . I had to tune the extractor a little, but after that it shot flawlessly with its mags and Wilson Combat mags.
 
SAM. Owned a Thunderbolt. Beautiful gun. Great for the price.
Hate to rain on the SAM parade but I bought a stainless Thunderbolt and it was crap. Chamber looked like it was cut with a rat tail file, one barrel land had a chip out of it, mag well didn't fit properly, even the barrel link had a gouge in it. Trigger pull was lousy too. All for the bargain price of $970. Returned it to Wolverine who agreed with me about the poor quality. They replaced it and the second one was no better. Another rough cut chamber, poor trigger and that one even came pre-idiot scratched. Returned it as well. I have three earlier SAMs that were very well put together but it seems like in the recent ones the QC has gone for a sh!t. Plus the prices have gone way up too. Not worth the money.
 
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