First 1911 - Questions

[alpining]

So all 1911's have the same feel to the grip? I don't have too much to spend, trying to keep it to $1,500 CDN or less...

Same feel? Not exactly.

Assuming you are sticking with the 5" Gov't version, you can get different shaped grip safeties (beavertail, GI), mainspring housings (flat, arched) and grip panels (thickness, texture), all of which will change the grip feel. If you shoot with a "high thumb grip", the type of thumb safety can change the feel as well. Even the length and shape of the trigger can make it feel slightly different. If you're handy, you can relieve under the trigger guard, another change in the feel (I don't know if any factory models in your price range offer this).

There are pros and cons and diminishing returns at every pricepoint from Norinco to Dan Wesson. Handle and shoot as many as you can in person, everybody here has their own personal preferences.

 

[alpining]

... I'm also looking for one that's acceptable for IDPA.

Someone else needs to comment on features for IDPA, it's not my game.

 

[Still alive]

In the home of the late Tom Bongalis of North Vancouver, I watched and timed his 11 year old daughter strip and reassemble a beater GI 1911 in well under 30 seconds. He used to practice her doing this as a stunt to impress customers. We were.

Beater 1911 is different vs a nice modern gun. I'll take my time with a LB, Colt or STI.
You knew Tom. You must be old like me!

 

[Protege]

9mm 1911 for under $1500? Options are sig sauer match elite (al flahertys currently on sale), colt competition, springfield range officer, rock island armory tactical, canuck. I can't remember if remington, s&w, or kimber having a 1911 9mm for under $1500. Go to youtube and search for patrick kelley. He did a good review on the sig match elite. There is also a good review on the canuck. Me personally i would narrow it down to springfield and sig. I almost bought a sig but decided to spend an extra $300 for a dan wesson. Out of your price range i know, but i wanted to see what dan wesson is all about.

 

[rkm456]

The 1911 is probably the only pistol that is available in more brands than any other pistol, and in a very wide price range. Its one of my favorites to use at the range.

It always gives me a chuckle when I hear people say that the CZ 75 is the most copied handgun design.

 

[Import]

It always gives me a chuckle when I hear people say that the CZ 75 is the most copied handgun design.

Agree...but it has to be getting up there...

On 1911’s..had a taurus pt that was very nicely put together...ruger obviously, smith are hard to beat..even the much maligned Sti spartan..honestly can’t fault mine...bought a np-29 off ee recently and finally shot it Sunday..did polish the trigger group...but even so shot consistent 3” group at 10 yards...zero failures..sam’s 1911 isn’t the prettiest..but shot very well...still have an omega..that’s a keeper...go figure.....great platform in any caliber...long live the venerable 1911..enjoy the hunt..

 

[rkm456]

Agree...but it has to be getting up there...

There's certainly a lot of them, but the amount of 1911 clones out there is almost countless. Even some of the companies that do CZ copies (Norinco, Tanfoglio) also do 1911's.

 

[MetisWolf]

Hi All,

I want to thank everyone for their input and opinions.
I tried a Norinco at the range and i felt that the grip was too thin for my hands on the 1911 and also i am used to more room for my support hand thumb on the side, i felt that there was not enough on the 1911 and was not comfortable shooting it.

So for now, i've decided not to invest in one, maybe at another time.

Again, thanks for all your input and suggestions etc.

 

[Trinimon]

Too bad nobody makes different sized grips for the 1911. They'd make a killing. lol

 

[Mikeyman]

I have a Sig 1911 stainless target in 45acp. I was my trusted ipsc gun for several seasons until I switched to 9mm 1911's and bought a Spartan and a Trojan. In my opinion if you can find an STI spartan in 9mm buy it they are amazing for the 750 they were going for new.

 

[Import]

I have a Sig 1911 stainless target in 45acp. I was my trusted ipsc gun for several seasons until I switched to 9mm 1911's and bought a Spartan and a Trojan. In my opinion if you can find an STI spartan in 9mm buy it they are amazing for the 750 they were going for new.

Ain’t that the truth...I was surprised ...after all I read ...just how well built it is..again super accurate..don’t understand why they stopped making it..

 

[Canadian Buck]

A good place to start is the Colt competition series 1911 available in 9mm. I had a 2016 model series 80. It was a great gun. They are now available in series 70. I don’t get too caught up in the series 70 vs 80 debate. My series 80 trigger was pretty good stock.

The only reason I sold it was because I ordered a custom 9mm Ed Brown. No point in having 2 9mm 1911’s

 

[stevebc]

Interesting thread. I was going to buy a 1911, was looking at the Norcs, but our 67 year old GE fridge (seriously- it's older than I am, was made in 1951) finally developed issues that required it's replacement.

$1700 later, a new Whirlpool fridge is in the kitchen, and my plans have been put on hold. Such is life.