Looking to buy a 1911, Suggestions? Comments?

Buy the can Am, either new or a re-sale from someone wanting only the ammo. I have bought several for under $300.

At that price you can't make a mistake.

more importantly, it will start you on a learning curve. Unlike Glocks and M&Ps, the 1911 needs tweaking. The Norc is the way to learn.

The extractor might need to be bent a bit t ocreate more tension on the case. If the last empty does not eject properly, or if some cases hit you in the head, bend the extractor a bit. YouTube will show you how.

the triggers may be heavy. Pullout the arched mainspring housing, pull out the spring (held in by a little pin) and clip 3 coils of the bottom end of the spring. Again, look at youtube.

I learned these things playing with my Norc 1911s. I don't think I would have learned on a SIG or Kimber.

Buy the Norc and a set of Hogue palm swell grips ($15 on ebay). YouTube is your new friend.

This group was shot with my CanAm Norc. Standing, 2 hands at 25 yards. About 4" next step is to try to figure out how to drift the rear sight. hammer and punch did not budge the rear sight. It might be LocTited, so will apply heat tonight and try again.
canAm1911test5.jpg
 
Ganderite said:
Buy the can Am, either new or a re-sale from someone wanting only the ammo. I have bought several for under $300.

At that price you can't make a mistake.

more importantly, it will start you on a learning curve. Unlike Glocks and M&Ps, the 1911 needs tweaking. The Norc is the way to learn.

The extractor might need to be bent a bit t ocreate more tension on the case. If the last empty does not eject properly, or if some cases hit you in the head, bend the extractor a bit. YouTube will show you how.

the triggers may be heavy. Pullout the arched mainspring housing, pull out the spring (held in by a little pin) and clip 3 coils of the bottom end of the spring. Again, look at youtube.

I learned these things playing with my Norc 1911s. I don't think I would have learned on a SIG or Kimber.

Buy the Norc and a set of Hogue palm swell grips ($15 on ebay). YouTube is your new friend.

This group was shot with my CanAm Norc. Standing, 2 hands at 25 yards. About 4" next step is to try to figure out how to drift the rear sight. hammer and punch did not budge the rear sight. It might be LocTited, so will apply heat tonight and try again.
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Sounds like a pretty solid plan, I have a tendency to tinker with things and I'd be less likely to do so with something expensive.
 
I was in the same place you are now about 3 months ago. Really wanted a 1911 but didnt want to jump into a $1200 or $1500 setup for various reasons. I also knew it would be a gun id learn on. The 1911 takes some practice to work with and I didnt want to mess up a really expensive gun learning how to work on it so I went with the Norc deal at Can Am... which was a great decision IMO. Yes, ive made rookie mistakes with it but for the $$... doesnt really matter. Ive done some upgrades and tweaks without fear of wrecking an expensive gun. Also, dont underestimate how much 45acp your going to need. Once you start shooting your 1911 your going to want to shoot it ALOT. That 1000 rounds will go faster than you think.

After I spent some time with my Norc I decided I DID want a little nicer 1911... still cant afford one of the ultra high end models so I bought a lightly used SR-1911 and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. Its not quite as "tight" as my buddies $1500 1911... but it shoots every bit as well and I dont have to baby it. I got mine used for $625 shipped. So, using my math... I have less than $800 into TWO 1911's... both great shooters. No complaints and no disappointments.
 
Seven65 said:
Somehow I think that might be a bit out of my price range.



A lot of people are suggesting STI, I don't know anything about them nor have I seen any around, maybe just because I wasn't looking for them specifically over time. Is there a good dealer site that I can take a look at specs and pricing?
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Freedom ventures. They're on the top banner ^^
 
Get the Ruger and the 1,000 rounds and save the brass for when you start to reload. If you want to step to something nicer than the Ruger, get a Colt or Dan Wesson and pass on SIG or Kimber.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
I was in the same place you are now about 3 months ago. Really wanted a 1911 but didnt want to jump into a $1200 or $1500 setup for various reasons. I also knew it would be a gun id learn on. The 1911 takes some practice to work with and I didnt want to mess up a really expensive gun learning how to work on it so I went with the Norc deal at Can Am... which was a great decision IMO. Yes, ive made rookie mistakes with it but for the $$... doesnt really matter. Ive done some upgrades and tweaks without fear of wrecking an expensive gun. Also, dont underestimate how much 45acp your going to need. Once you start shooting your 1911 your going to want to shoot it ALOT. That 1000 rounds will go faster than you think.

After I spent some time with my Norc I decided I DID want a little nicer 1911... still cant afford one of the ultra high end models so I bought a lightly used SR-1911 and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. Its not quite as "tight" as my buddies $1500 1911... but it shoots every bit as well and I dont have to baby it. I got mine used for $625 shipped. So, using my math... I have less than $800 into TWO 1911's... both great shooters. No complaints and no disappointments.
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Good read thanks


lakermetal said:
Freedom ventures. They're on the top banner ^^
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Thanks
 
I'm not even a 1911 guy & I couldn't pass up the CanAm deal with the unmarked Norinco & 1000 round combo for $499. What a SMOKING HOT DEAL!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
Ruger or sti spartan, i had a norc and it was rough but worked fine. Id still pony up the extra for the ruger or spartan. Just plinking you arent going to wear it out for a very very long time and the extra few hundred is a world of difference
 
Get a norinco, they are cheap and good to learn on.
You can scratch them and it won't bother you.

If you enjoy the 1911 platform after paying with the norinco then get into a midrange (ruger sr, rem, sti, Sam) and if you realllllly like it after that go in and get a Kimber or Wilson or some other high end.

I have 3 norinco s and I love to beat them up and play mad scientist with them.
I have a ruger sr and it was a dream right out of the box.
I now have a Kimber (treat to myself) and its heavenly.

005_zps9078d45d.jpg

Those are (from left) norinco $500 deal, 2 norinco 2 color police ones, ruger, Kimber.

Oh, and if you keep your eyes open you can find the entry level kimber s for a steal.
I got mine at the shooting center in Calgary at their Easter sale and it was $50 more then my ruger sr.
And about $400 less then what my dad paid for his, haha!
 
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I don't know if I'll still have this opinion when I get the money in, but i'm thinking from what you guys have said I will probably either go with the Ruger+1000 or with the Norinco+1000 and an M305.
 
tjhaile said:
Get the Ruger and the 1,000 rounds and save the brass for when you start to reload. If you want to step to something nicer than the Ruger, get a Colt or Dan Wesson and pass on SIG or Kimber.
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Pass on Kimber?
The only people that say pass on Kimber are people who either haven't shot one or can't afford one.
No one who has worked the slide back on a Kimber and marveled at how it feels like 2 sticks of butter sliding silkily upon a cloud would ever cast a disparaging comment about he who is Kimber!

I never saw the allure to them until my dad got one.
Then I had to get one.
So finely and tightly tuned.
Just magical.

And 1911's arnt even my fav platform of pistols!!!
 
Seven65 said:
I don't know if I'll still have this opinion when I get the money in, but i'm thinking from what you guys have said I will probably either go with the Ruger+1000 or with the Norinco+1000 and an M305.
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Well the norinco 1911 and the m305 will keep ya busy

I've been tossing around the idea of doing a m305 build myself
 
coming back to my choices previously posted : SR1911 or Remington R1 enhanced , both best choice quality/price for a 1911 that you will not require any upgrade or adjustment out of the box.
 
Yeah, it'll come down to if I want one well built finished out of box pistol or two projects (not a bad thing).

I'd go for the Ruger over the Remington out of those though. Despite the fact I like the way the rem looks better.
 
Seven65 said:
Norinco+1000 and an M305.
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Now you're thinking!!! A pistol & a rifle!!!

Now, when it comes to the M14 platform, the Norinco is also a fantastic deal! I bought my 2007 M14 from Marstar, did the Hungry clinic & IIRC all my mods are;
USGI stock
Op rod guide rod
8 thou gas cylinder shim
USGI garand rear sights
Sparrowhawk Dummy Selector Kit
Dlask Op rod, has the notch in it allowing use of the sparrowhawk kit
I'm sure I am forgetting something... But hey, you get the idea... The M14 is a great gun to tinker with!

Cheers
Jay
 
wayupnorth said:
Pass on Kimber?
The only people that say pass on Kimber are people who either haven't shot one or can't afford one.
No one who has worked the slide back on a Kimber and marveled at how it feels like 2 sticks of butter sliding silkily upon a cloud would ever cast a disparaging comment about he who is Kimber!

I never saw the allure to them until my dad got one.
Then I had to get one.
So finely and tightly tuned.
Just magical.

And 1911's arnt even my fav platform of pistols!!!
Click to expand...

Generally, people like Hilton Yam who have seen a lot of rounds go through several Kimber 1911s are not fans:
http://10-8performance.########.ca/2010/07/kimber-warrior.html

The original Kimbers made prior to the introduction of the Series II were mostly good guns for production 1911s, but their current business model appears to be based on selling countless variations of flashy-looking guns while cutting corners on small parts and QC. When CEO Ron Cohen moved from Kimber to SIG Sauer, he proceeded to apply the same approach there, thus ruining that company as well.

The popularity of Kimber 1911s can be explained by the following:
1. The reputation built by their early pistols.
2. Slick advertising. Apparently, people still buy gun magazines.
3. Lots of dealers have them in stock.
4. The number of people who shoot their guns a lot is a small subset of those who buy handguns.
 
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