Torn between a few handguns!

Thanks for all the input guys,
I think I might end up going with the STI.

Need to start saving up the cash then.
 
......preferably a 1911.......dont know which one to choose.........................
Norinco Np30N ( Nickle plated )
/
Para Ordnance GI Expert
/
STI Spartan
/
/Beretta 92fs, ....9mm, ....on a bit of a budget,....dont shoot more than 3 times a month...
So what do you guys think?

Norinco's are solid and tough. Roughness is there but nothing a couple of hundred rounds can smoothen out.
Paras are the best looking of this group, but in my experience, may need some work to make them work perfectly (at least for the ones I have/had).
STI Spartan - our shooting buddie just got one from Armco. Sweet shooting 1911. More than double the cost of a Norinco.
Beretta - one tough little puppy you can shoot economically. Unfortunately, its not in .45 acp and moreso, not a 1911 platform.

Suggestion - Get a Norinco 1911 Police or Sport model (single-stack). There's no real advantage with the Double-stack since mags are limited to 10 rnds. There are 10 rnd single stack mags available.
Get one brand new and in stock form. Learn how to shoot it (stock) then decide to tune it later. Since you shoot frequently enough, once you "figure it out", you will appreciate any mods you do after. Norcs go for around $349. Keep it for a couple of years, and its still worth over $300 used. Good luck shopping and post what you end up with. Happy shooting!!!!
Use the search function and read other threads on pistol newbies looking for their first 1911's. See what they finally bought and that should help. Nothing like actually shooting any pistol before making the purchase.
 
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I have been trying to decide on a 1911 myself, finally put a deposit on a Kimber Custom II Pistol....I will get a Norc later just because they are so cheap! Good luck with the choices, you may want to talk to Marlin at Frontier as you can put a deposit down on a gun and have 90 days to pay it i full, might open your options up a bit like it did for me!
 
To add further to this dilemma, I am also considering a Beretta 92fs, because its a 9mm, and because I'm always on a bit of a budget, and reloading is not an option for me right now. But then again I dont shoot more than 3 times a month...

I recommend the Beretta over what you mentioned here. Its solid, feels all metal except for the trigger and guide rod and shoots awesome even at long range. Its WELL tested, looks better than any handgun produced (in my opinion) and parts availability is a complete non-issue. 9mm is cheaper to shoot too. I'm biased though because I own one and I love it :) Just, as a previous poster mentioned, hold it and get a feel for it first if you can because this is a full size combat handgun and if you have small hands you might not like the grip of it.

If you had to go 1911 there are many good makes. Honestly, i have lived in Canada and the US both and I often ask shooters and gun shop employees what they think of the various 1911 makes and what they could consider to be the best choice. They ALWAYS have the same answer.

Some say Kimber. Some say Para.

Look up Todd Jarrett, he's sponsored by para and is one of the best shooters in the world and he shoots them, so they can't completely suck know what I mean? I'd get a stainless Kimber if I was buying for myself.

AFAIK the GI Expert is the low end of Para's line, but apparently there aren't too many diffrences except for match grade trigger and barrel, which you won't notice unless you shoot a lot. I think Para was a Canadian company that eventually moved to the US for what I was told were complications with the Canadian firearms laws or something.

Anyway GL.
 
I was dead set on a 1911 for my first pistol up until 2 wks ago, when after a good conversation it was recommended to me to find a more accurate gun for a first one, to get to be a better shot. I now intend to make a 1911 my 2nd gun, and I'm trying out a couple CZs next week.

I'm not saying a tuned and upgraded, or high end, 1911 doesn't shoot straight. I plan on getting one, they're the Jeep of handguns, robust and lots of upgrades. Just there are more accurate, no less reliable handguns out of the box. For less $$ too.
 
I was dead set on a 1911 for my first pistol up until 2 wks ago, when after a good conversation it was recommended to me to find a more accurate gun for a first one, to get to be a better shot. I now intend to make a 1911 my 2nd gun, and I'm trying out a couple CZs next week.

I'm not saying a tuned and upgraded, or high end, 1911 doesn't shoot straight. I plan on getting one, they're the Jeep of handguns, robust and lots of upgrades. Just there are more accurate, no less reliable handguns out of the box. For less $$ too.

I think you have that backwards. A good 1911 is more accurate than a CZ imo. Not to say the CZ isn't accurate too but it certainly can't do 1.5" groups at 25 to 50 yards like some 1911's can.
 
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