how do i test 1911s before buying

O

ongaro

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
edmonton
Is their any way i can try differnt 1911s before buying
It seams like alot of money to spend without trying them
I was thinking different shooting lanes their rentals?
joining clubs and other members letting me try ? but this seams like a long process or do I just take a chance. because as far as advice it looks like everyone has a personal fav .
 
Phoenix Range in the city will have some pistols you will be able to try out... Havent been there in a while but they did have different 1911s before..
 
Well since your avatar says you are in Edmonton, I would go down to Phoenix range (or the gang bangers in the WEM) and rent one to see if you like the kick and feel of a 1911 if you have never shot one before. As far as trying different 1911's, that is kind of a mute point other than maybe a 5" version or a commander version, fixed or adjustable sights. Parts can be changed to make the pistol feel the way you want it too, i.e. different grips, main spring housing, beaver tail etc.

From there it is a preference in the inside quality of the pistol, i.e. manufacturers tolerances,workmanship and you will have lots of different opinions from different members on here.

I have a Springfield, Colt and a Norinco 1911 pistols with basically all the same outer gear on them. If I close my eyes I can not tell the difference between them, when I shoot them I can not tell the difference as they are all pretty much the same accuracy wise. Broke an extractor on the Colt and the main spring on the Springfield broke once and that is it for the three and that is putting at least 3000 rounds thru each of them.

I have shot the Norinco for 6 years exclusively now to see when it will break and so far the only failure to feed was my problem in loading the ammo. Changed 4 recoil springs because I normally change the spring after every 2500 rounds. My 2 cents.
 
i have shot a 1911 at phenix a para i believe
love the look of the 1911 and it just felt good
Ive only shot a pistal 250 rounds the last 50 i grouped 45 in 5in at 15 yards he said that was quite good for the amount ive shot(just a pat on the back to get me excited)
Do some shops have testers?
 
Phoenix or TSE would be your closest bets to get to shoot anything. Other then that, your basing it all on feel at the shop, but you wont get to shoot the pistol...
 
Ongaro,

I do not mean to be rude, but IMO all 1911s are the same. Forget about testdriving 1911s if it is too inconvenient for you.

I have owned Colt Gold Cups, full custom Governments and Combat Elites, Remingtons, Springfields, a Para-13, even a POS Vega. Eleven 1911s, all gone. Once tuned, they all felt and shot essentially the same.

Stayed out of the game 16 years and a lot has happened since. No experience with Kimber or STI and they are the name to have now.

But, I'm back shooting 45s with a 1911 Norinco Gov't with drop-in ring hammer and beavertail. And loving it.

If I were you, order an Armco tuned 1911, make sure it has a beavertail and the correct length trigger for you. Or buy a Norkie Police or Sport 1911 off the EE and have it tuned by Armco, this is my preferred method as I like the parts on them already, and that little sighting rib on top of the slide. For 500 bucks you will have a nice toy, a little rough on the finish, yes, but it will be smooth where it counts.

For now, spend what is left of your money on a couple of extra Shooting Star magazines, ammo or reloading equipment/components....not on the gun. Go shooting a lot, dry fire (very important - remember safety first), learn from other people, read then read some more. Shooting is as mental as it is physical. Knowledge, presence of mind, focus, perfect practice makes perfect.

It is the shooter not the gun, the rider not the motorcyle, the driver not the car (within reason of course).
 
Last edited:
that seems to be the general idea im getting
find a 1911 you like in the right price range
and shoot cant go to wrong with a 1911 it seems
 
Get one you like the looks of and then tune it. There's even different length triggers so you can alter the reach for your trigger finger to customize it to your hands. And of course you can get thin or thick grips to do the same thing. And any decent gunsmith used to working on 1911's can tune the trigger pull to your personal tastes. I've even seen drop in match kits that come in different trigger pull ranges.
 
Phoenix has a poor selection, but they can order in a few different kinds for you. Just dont let them talk you into a para.

They have a few STI's there though, and if you could manage a good deal on one of those, it would be all good.
 
Simplest test of all. #### and Lock, hold the trigger back and shake next to your ear. If it is silent, then everything is tight - match grade - but you will most likely hear some clunking and clanking - your evaluation as to how much is tolerable.
Dr J.
 
I dunno, honestly the BEST way is to be friends with someone who can let you try them. I don't think there is much difference if you are looking at quality makes (Kimber, Para, Colt). I think it is safe to choose one you like and just roll with it.

But, I'm back shooting 45s with a 1911 Norinco Gov't with drop-in ring hammer and beavertail. And loving it.
Click to expand...

Honestly I am really baffled by your comment. You owned 11 seemingly high grade 1911's and now you have like, at least what I perceive to be one of the lowest quality makes available, and you're loving it. Care to elaborate a bit? I am curious about Norincos because honestly, I haven't handled any but from their pics they look like garbage and my own personal taste in firearms is HIGH quality. My first handgun was a Beretta M9 and honestly a lot of handguns feel cheap to me when I handle them.

In short, what is great about a Norinco besides the price tag??
 
ongaro said:
Is their any way i can try differnt 1911s before buying
It seams like alot of money to spend without trying them
I was thinking different shooting lanes their rentals?
joining clubs and other members letting me try ? but this seams like a long process or do I just take a chance. because as far as advice it looks like everyone has a personal fav .
Click to expand...


You could try to get invited to the range with NAA - he's got more 1911's than the Marine Corps. :D
 
It's a long way from Edmonton to Victoria.... ;) :p

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom