Handgun Dilemma

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Rohann

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Hi all,
so I've been shooting my USP9 for about a year now and I love the thing, however, I've always loved wanted a customized 1911 so I'm wondering:
1. I have a bit of a tremor in my strong hand which comes and goes, and while I like my USP, it's quite light so it's often noticeable - will a heavier pistol remedy this at all?

2. If I was going to go for a 1911 (under $1000) to eventually upgrade, which brand is most recommended? They have a bunch of Kimber 1911's at the Wholesale Sports here and I love the look of those, and I've heard nothing but good about them.

3. When it comes to reliability and accuracy, how do 1911's usually go? I'm probably a bit spoiled with my HK (I've yet to have any sort of failure or jam), that thing shoots no matter how dirty it is or how poor technique is being used.

4. Is .45 worth it over the 9mm?

5. How important is the pistol fitting into your hand properly? My USP's grip is a little too big, so the way I hold it isn't 100% comfortable and is slightly counter-instinctive.
 
Rohann said:
Hi all,
so I've been shooting my USP9 for about a year now and I love the thing, however, I've always loved wanted a customized 1911 so I'm wondering:
1. I have a bit of a tremor in my strong hand which comes and goes, and while I like my USP, it's quite light so it's often noticeable - will a heavier pistol remedy this at all?

2. If I was going to go for a 1911 (under $1000) to eventually upgrade, which brand is most recommended? They have a bunch of Kimber 1911's at the Wholesale Sports here and I love the look of those, and I've heard nothing but good about them.

3. When it comes to reliability and accuracy, how do 1911's usually go? I'm probably a bit spoiled with my HK (I've yet to have any sort of failure or jam), that thing shoots no matter how dirty it is or how poor technique is being used.

4. Is .45 worth it over the 9mm?

5. How important is the pistol fitting into your hand properly? My USP's grip is a little too big, so the way I hold it isn't 100% comfortable and is slightly counter-instinctive.
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1: It could make it better or it could make it worse, it depends. I personally find my hand much steadier when holding a heavier gun.

2: If you want a basic 1911 you can upgrade I'd recommend a Springfield GI, STI Spartan, or even a Norinco. You can get a tuned Norc for a good price from Armco.

3: It all depends on the quality and the build. I've seen 1911s that have run for years without being cleaned at all and I've seem some that were jammomatics right from the start.

4: Depends on what you mean by "worth it". Some people find .45 ACP more pleasurable to shoot as the recoil is less of a snap and more of straight push. As for price it's a bit more expensive than 9mm if you buy by the box but if you reload you probably won't notice a difference.

5: The fit of the pistol is very, very important. Personally I don't like the feel of thick, double-stack pistols like GLOCKs much at all but thinner single-stack autos like S&Ws fit me like a glove. I do have big hands but that doesn't necessarily mean a larger grip is more comfortable.
 
2. In relation to question 3, would, say, a Spartan be one of those "never failing" 1911's? I don't want anything less reliable/accurate than what I already have.

5. The grip on the USP is solid, but it's a very large grip that doesn't fit my hand terribly well. I have fairly large hands too, but the 1911 grip seemed to fit in there just right. How does it affect one's shooting? I've trained myself to hold in in line with my forearm, but it's still not a natural feeling.
 
Rohann said:
2. In relation to question 3, would, say, a Spartan be one of those "never failing" 1911's? I don't want anything less reliable/accurate than what I already have.

5. The grip on the USP is solid, but it's a very large grip that doesn't fit my hand terribly well. I have fairly large hands too, but the 1911 grip seemed to fit in there just right. How does it affect one's shooting? I've trained myself to hold in in line with my forearm, but it's still not a natural feeling.
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Well I wouldn't say it's "never failing" but it's one of the best 1911s you're going to get for the price. Another option I forgot to mention would be the used market; there are a lot of great Colts out there for the right price if you look.

A better fitting grip will just make it easier to aim in general. When the grip is comfortable you find yourself putting less effort into holding the damn thing and more into what counts. Now I'm not a horrible shot with a GLOCK but I shoot much better with thinner guns because they're more comfortable.
 
If you take a medium to large glove size I'd say the 1911 single stack grip will be spot on for you. From there you can get different trigger and bow assemblies that have different reaches to customize your finger position. Add on the ability to get different size grip safeties and main spring houseings that are arched or straight and you've got a lot of options to play with for fit. As for the trigger one option would be to find a really cheap long reach solid one and then play with grinding/filing/polishing it back a bit at a time and play with finding your optimum trigger reach and shape. As for the internals you can go from GI issue "safe" and heavy right up to IPSC race gun "look at it sideways and it fires" light. Your choice of what you want for a trigger pull.

The only failing of a single stack is that I understand that the 10 round extended magazines are no longer permitted in IPSC. Because of that you'd be shooting at a disadvantage if you want to run this gun in any IPSC events.
 
Rohann said:
2. In relation to question 3, would, say, a Spartan be one of those "never failing" 1911's? I don't want anything less reliable/accurate than what I already have . . .
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I'd say "never say never" but agree that the Spartan is probably your best .45 1911 bang to buck ratio. It is a VERY tight gun - very tight bushing (need a wrench) and slide to frame fit - quite an accurate gun. Got one this summer and have well over 1000 rnds through it without a failure using reloaded ammo (despite the tight tolerances) . . . well actually I may have had one FTF with the last rnd in the mag, but that was probably user error.

If you're going to shoot .45 a lot, I'm sure you'll find (as I did) that reloading or finding quality reman ammo is the way to go - have my Dillon press on order!

6Gun
 
1. Tremor is tremor; weight won't make too much difference... two hands should make things stable.

2. Can't go wrong with Kimber - get what you like :)

3. Accuracy is only as good as the shooter... reliability; keep it clean and it should be as decent as your HK.

4. All ammo is expensive these days; I'd go anything over 9mm since I'd be reloading anyway (you should too).

5. Very important for the gun to fit your hand... otherwise it'll always bother you every time you pick it up.
 
befor you do anything buy a norc for $395. it will be a true 1911, meaning made just like a original gi. rugged and rough no bells and whistles. if you like the 45 but not the pistola (norinco) trade up or sell and go to a brand name. .45 is more exspensive to shoot then 9mm. i like both. as far as the tremmor, i'm not sure a hevier pistola (were not talking ibs.) will do anything. maybe a special brace of some sort. don't disregard the sports medician field.
 
I have some nerve damage in my strong hand that causes a minor twinge at times. I have found that it has less effect if it happens when shooting if I'm using a heavier pistol (inertia makes it harder to twitch the gun off aim). That said, depending on the type of tremor and it's effect on your hand muscles you might actually be better off with a lighter gun.

A well maintained (or even not so well maintained 1911 should be every bit as reliable as the HK. The Spartan is a good price for a basic 1911, as is Springfield or even the newer Auto Ordanance/Thompson. The price of a Norinco is hard to beat if you just want to test the 1911/.45 waters. I'm not a Kimber fan but they are not bad pistols on average.

Unfortunately due to market conditions and dealer relationships one's choice of new 1911 models is often quite limited. As said earlier, there are usually some good deals to be had on the used market as well.

Price of 9mm is starting to rise too it seems. Nothing is cheap to shoot anymore except maybe .22
 
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