Which 1911?

[Ghery]

I'm a handgun instructor and teach CCW/CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit in Colorado) classes. The 1911 is NOT the recommended gun for inexperienced shooters and those starting out for Concealed Carry. For me, the PROs of the 1911 are
1. familiarity and proficiency - I've been shooting the 1911 for 45 years with many of those years competitively. I know the gun, it "fits" me and I'm proficient with it.
2. Trigger - in my opinion, there is no better handgun trigger than John Browning's design in the 1911
Cons for those starting out
1. Single action only - although this is a PRO for me - the same trigger pull every time
2. less capacity - standard single stack magazine
3. Manual safety means 1 more movement to ingrain
4. Condition 1 carry (cocked and locked) freaks people out


I have a range bag of "try" guns I use to introduce new shooters into the easiest handguns to get started with, including some inexpensive starter guns that I've wrung out to prove to myself that they are reliable.
SCCY CPX-1 and CPX-2
Taurus PT111 G2
Taurus PT24
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Glock 19

Many new shooters end up choosing Glocks. They work well for them, are easy to learn and are reliable and accurate. Personally, I throw up a little every time I put one in my hand but that's just me.

The hardest obstacle to overcome for me trying to teach most women shooters is to find a gun that comfortably fits smaller hands, and has a recoil spring/action that they can easily manipulate.

My problem with concealed carry of a 1911 is its size. I find it difficult to conceal. My Bursa Thunder 380cc is much easier. Put it in a pocket holster in my pocket and I'm good to go. The downside is I like a .45ACP much more than a .380ACP. Like you, I'm not a fan of Glocks. They just don't feel right to me. Personal preference, but that's how it goes.

 

[N3368K]

Good old Wild Chicken!

 

[flhrci]

Best to buy one of each and decide later.

 

[Dave Arata]

I had a pretty bad experience with a not cheap Dan Wesson/CZ custom.

Would recommend against, not that it was on your list.

Care to share the details of your bad experience? I purchased a Dan Wesson Specialist a couple of years ago and have found it to be of far above average quality. In fairness, I have only put roughly 150 rounds through it. Friends I shoot with agree that its quality is very, very close to that of a Les Baer as a couple of them own a LB.

 

[wilkersk]

1911 pattern pistols are pretty much a known entity. Any one of those pistols will probably shoot fine out of the box. And, they can be made to shoot very well with minimal additional fine tuning. There are a lot of books out there on how to customize/accurize your 1911 pistol.

Get what you can afford. And, then go buy better mags than what Springield/Ruger/Kimber tend to put in the box. I'm a big fan of the Wilson Combat 47D magazine. It will improve your pistol for minimum investment. Work up your load that will meet the requirements for competition and that will work best for your gun. Then have at it!

 

[SaltH2OHokie]

Got a 10mm 1911, had failure to eject issues somewhere around round 4-6 out of every magazine.

Called, was essentially told I was limp wristing it. Fine, pretty sure I'm not... Not my first 10mm... Not my first 1911. But I shot it more, had friends shoot it... Different ammo, got it around 300 rounds. Same issues. Sent it in. Came back with new magazines. Same issues.

Sent it again, this time asking if they shot it last time. Assured yes. This time came back with 4 spent casings. "Could not replicate issue."

Did I mention issue occurred 4-6 rounds in.

Got angry, tossed in safe. Customer service was generally dismissive of my concerns throughout. $1,500 paper weight at the moment. That's the short version.

 

[aftCG]

I'm new to shooting. I have a romanticized interest in the 1911 and have rented one. But having now fired multiple guns, I'm lost as to the modern day benefit of the 1911.

Cool gun. I still yearn for one, but practically, does it excel in a certain area (seems like others offer more for less).

Can someone fill me in?

It's like a Staggerwing Beech. If someone has to explain it then it's just not for you.

 

[Shepherd]

I carried the Colt M1911 (5.03" barrel) during my time in the military, and for 10 years after, at the request of my Uncle Sam. Don't ask.
It's large, heavy, about as accurate as a thrown baseball, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. You hit someone with it, and they don't get up.
It saved my life a couple of times.

 

[Unit74]

Closest thing I’ve owned was a Star PD, which was a great little .45, though not in the same class.

I love pawn shop quality guns! Each one has a story..... most of the time it’s kidnapping!

 

[FastEddieB]

I love pawn shop quality guns!

I think if you investigate, you’ll find the Star does not fit into that category.

 

[flyingron]

My open carry is a Sig P229. My concealed carry is a P250 in subcompact configuration. Both in .40SW (I do also have the .357 barrel for the 229).

 

[Zeldman]

My Son likes older, historic arms, ideally a ‘Singer’ 1911.

I wish I had a Singer 1911, but if I did I would never use it as a carry.

I carried the Colt M1911 (5.03" barrel) during my time in the military, and for 10 years after, at the request of my Uncle Sam. Don't ask.
It's large, heavy, about as accurate as a thrown baseball, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. You hit someone with it, and they don't get up.
It saved my life a couple of times.

I have a 1911A1 that has ''United States Property'' and ''M1911A1 US ARMY'' stamped on it. According to the serial number it was made in 1942. It has the correct WB inspectors mark stamped in it as well as the P stamp on top of the slide. I had it appraised and all parts are correct (Stocks, barrel, barrel bushing, sights, grip screws, mainspring housing, slide stop, hammer, slide and 3 original magazines), nothing has been changed out.

It was my carry for many years, but I finally decided it was too expensive to carry so I retired it. I had to show it to someone once and that totally changed their attitude.

I got it in an estate sale. The story from the grandson was it was assigned to his granddad who was an officer. Officers were allowed to wear their side arm home after the war, and he did not turn it in to the armory when he got home. I also got the belt, holster and the pouch to hold two extra magazines with it. It fits my hand perfectly and shoots like a dream. I am a lefty so I have to be careful how I hold it or it will put hot cartridges down the front of my shirt....
.

 

[-KLB-]

I think for the stated purpose, any of the listed options meet the criteria. I have a Kimber, and really enjoy shooting it. But it isn't currently the one that gets most of my range time. The G19 G2 gets a lot of practice rounds as primary carry/home defense, and currently my Ruger Mark IV hunter is getting a lot of range time because it is a lot of fun, and rewards good form quite well. I think it is improving my form for the rest as well.

Bottom line, have fun, and if it is also a defensive tool, please take the time and effort to be proficient.

 

[Unit74]

I think if you investigate, you’ll find the Star does not fit into that category.

I had a Firestar 9mm. Buddy was having a I cant pay my bills sale, so I didn’t pass it up. Ended up trading it away for something else. It was, meh.... about on par with the Ruger P89. I pulled the trigger, it went bang.

 

[JCranford]

In that price range I'd go with the Springfield USMC Operator. Im not partial to adjustable sights on my 1911's. I like Kimbers and own a few. I have an STI on the higher end that I won at a sniper competition. Its pretty sweet. And I have a couple Colts from my Dad, one in 9mm.

 

[Unit74]

In that price range I'd go with the Springfield USMC Operator.

Hell, I'd buy it just cuz is a USMC Operator. It would validate my coyote boots and "daily pocket load-out" that go with my issued Wiley X shades...... Bet every round out of it hits center mass too. Impossible to miss the target with a USMC logo... Semper rah-raaah!

 

[Crane Pilot]

In MA you can only buy pistols from FFLs that are on a particular list. Very lame, I know. Otherwise some of the others you all mention would be high on the list. I have no idea what type of competition I would do, just think it would be fun to try my hand at it to have some fun with something other than airplanes on the weekend. Plan on going to some next year to learn more about the different types of competitions. I don't need something hyper competitive, but maybe just something that would let me participate in a bunch of options to try them out.

Look into IDPA, it's competition shooting with more real life scenarios than just run and gun, and you can be competitive with a box stock gun. I took 2nd I'm my division at the Texas state IDPA championship with a para ordinance 7-45 lda, nearly stock, just a couple hundred in upgrades and also I won a gold medal in the Sunshine state games in IDPA in my division , with my box stock HS2000, which is now called Springfield XD.
Also the steel challenge if you have one near by, it's fun and challenging.

 

[Dave Arata]

Got a 10mm 1911, had failure to eject issues somewhere around round 4-6 out of every magazine.

Called, was essentially told I was limp wristing it. Fine, pretty sure I'm not... Not my first 10mm... Not my first 1911. But I shot it more, had friends shoot it... Different ammo, got it around 300 rounds. Same issues. Sent it in. Came back with new magazines. Same issues.

Sent it again, this time asking if they shot it last time. Assured yes. This time came back with 4 spent casings. "Could not replicate issue."

Did I mention issue occurred 4-6 rounds in.

Got angry, tossed in safe. Customer service was generally dismissive of my concerns throughout. $1,500 paper weight at the moment. That's the short version.

Wow! I totally understand your frustration and I think all of us here would agree. I've not had to deal with their customer service, but my .45ACP Specialist has been nothing but a pleasure to shoot.
Thanks for your review on their 10mm. I'm considering a 10mm and I think I may just go the simple route and pick up a Glock 40.

 

[tawood]

My only currently-owned 1911 is a Delta Elite in 10mm...It rides everywhere with me, in a holster which mounts under the steering wheel of my car on the lower dash.
I just wanted to comment because I noticed this was comment #1911 for me. Seemed fitting.

 

[wilkersk]

I wish I had a Singer 1911, but if I did I would never use it as a carry.



I have a 1911A1 that has ''United States Property'' and ''M1911A1 US ARMY'' stamped on it. According to the serial number it was made in 1942. It has the correct WB inspectors mark stamped in it as well as the P stamp on top of the slide. I had it appraised and all parts are correct (Stocks, barrel, barrel bushing, sights, grip screws, mainspring housing, slide stop, hammer, slide and 3 original magazines), nothing has been changed out.

It was my carry for many years, but I finally decided it was too expensive to carry so I retired it. I had to show it to someone once and that totally changed their attitude.

I got it in an estate sale. The story from the grandson was it was assigned to his granddad who was an officer. Officers were allowed to wear their side arm home after the war, and he did not turn it in to the armory when he got home. I also got the belt, holster and the pouch to hold two extra magazines with it. It fits my hand perfectly and shoots like a dream. I am a lefty so I have to be careful how I hold it or it will put hot cartridges down the front of my shirt....
.

My dad bought a '67 USGI National Match right after the Camp Perry nationals that year. Only a limited number were available to active duty personnel, another 150 were sold through the CMP. That pistol has all matching serial numbers and correct armorer's marks. The only thing I changed were the springs. After 40 years, they needed to be changed. I put a Shok-Buf on the spring guide to protect the frame (which is, by all the markings, most likely more than a couple of years older than the '67 build). And, I still shoot it occasionally today. It is still the best of all the 1911s I've owned.

 

[Unit74]

My only currently-owned 1911 is a Delta Elite in 10mm...It rides everywhere with me, in a holster which mounts under the steering wheel of my car on the lower dash.
I just wanted to comment because I noticed this was comment #1911 for me. Seemed fitting.

At 2k posts, Ted issues a complimentary 1 week ban...

 

[James331]

Got a 10mm 1911, had failure to eject issues somewhere around round 4-6 out of every magazine.

Called, was essentially told I was limp wristing it. Fine, pretty sure I'm not... Not my first 10mm... Not my first 1911. But I shot it more, had friends shoot it... Different ammo, got it around 300 rounds. Same issues. Sent it in. Came back with new magazines. Same issues.

Sent it again, this time asking if they shot it last time. Assured yes. This time came back with 4 spent casings. "Could not replicate issue."

Did I mention issue occurred 4-6 rounds in.

Got angry, tossed in safe. Customer service was generally dismissive of my concerns throughout. $1,500 paper weight at the moment. That's the short version.

Try a different spring weight?

Here’s a good forum for all things pistol/ar/shot gun

https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/230050-1911-recoil-spring-and-mainspring-weights/

Wow! I totally understand your frustration and I think all of us here would agree. I've not had to deal with their customer service, but my .45ACP Specialist has been nothing but a pleasure to shoot.
Thanks for your review on their 10mm. I'm considering a 10mm and I think I may just go the simple route and pick up a Glock 40.

If you’re going Glock, check out polymer80 longslide, better geometry and has all the mods that people do to their glocks factory.

 

[James331]

I'm a handgun instructor and teach CCW/CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit in Colorado) classes. The 1911 is NOT the recommended gun for inexperienced shooters and those starting out for Concealed Carry. For me, the PROs of the 1911 are
1. familiarity and proficiency - I've been shooting the 1911 for 45 years with many of those years competitively. I know the gun, it "fits" me and I'm proficient with it.
2. Trigger - in my opinion, there is no better handgun trigger than John Browning's design in the 1911
Cons for those starting out
1. Single action only - although this is a PRO for me - the same trigger pull every time
2. less capacity - standard single stack magazine
3. Manual safety means 1 more movement to ingrain
4. Condition 1 carry (cocked and locked) freaks people out


I have a range bag of "try" guns I use to introduce new shooters into the easiest handguns to get started with, including some inexpensive starter guns that I've wrung out to prove to myself that they are reliable.
SCCY CPX-1 and CPX-2
Taurus PT111 G2
Taurus PT24
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Glock 19

Many new shooters end up choosing Glocks. They work well for them, are easy to learn and are reliable and accurate. Personally, I throw up a little every time I put one in my hand but that's just me.

The hardest obstacle to overcome for me trying to teach most women shooters is to find a gun that comfortably fits smaller hands, and has a recoil spring/action that they can easily manipulate.

How is carrying in anything other than condition 1 even acceptable?

 

[JCranford]

I'm new to shooting. I have a romanticized interest in the 1911 and have rented one. But having now fired multiple guns, I'm lost as to the modern day benefit of the 1911.

Cool gun. I still yearn for one, but practically, does it excel in a certain area (seems like others offer more for less).

Can someone fill me in?

I love a well turned 1911. Having said that, there are few ‘modern day benefits’ to a 1911. They’re big, so hard to conceal. They only hold 8 rds. The ‘cocked and locked’ aspect isn’t for the unschooled. If I had to go to a fight with a pistol, it wouldn’t be a 1911.

 

[Unit74]

If I had to go to a fight with a pistol, it wouldn’t be a 1911.

It’d be a Glock 17c sporting 135gr +P hydrashocks for me. 9mm is not a “girls” round any more with the new terminal ballistics, and I’ll take the extra capacity for all the zombies. But you will never shake the .45 guys off their round. They will have had to reload twice before I’m out.....

 

[JCranford]

It’d be a Glock 17c sporting 135gr +P hydrashocks for me. 9mm is not a “girls” round any more with the new terminal ballistics, and I’ll take the extra capacity for all the zombies. But you will never shake the .45 guys off their round. They will have had to reload twice before I’m out.....

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled 1911 thread...

 

[PilotRPI]

I have an XDs 9mm for IWB, and an MP40c or Ruger GP100 for OWB depending what I’m up to. Use a G19 for the house since that is what the wife is comfortable with. That was my first pistol and one of my favs.

This is mostly just for fun. Doibt Ibwould use it as a self defense pistol.

 

[davidgfern]

Thinking about a 1911 and know a bunch of people here are into shooting. I am limited in MA which firearms I can purchase. I need an ambi safety, and I hate the look of an external extractor. Purpose is mostly just for fun at the range, maybe trying out a competition. I realize these range in price widely, about $800 at the low end to $1,500.

Will be in 45. I like the idea of a checkered front strap, not sure how imperative that is.

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Mine is a Springfield Competition ....... shoots like "buttah".........

 

[PaulS]

Sig Sauer.

 

[Sac Arrow]

It’d be a Glock 17c sporting 135gr +P hydrashocks for me. 9mm is not a “girls” round any more with the new terminal ballistics, and I’ll take the extra capacity for all the zombies. But you will never shake the .45 guys off their round. They will have had to reload twice before I’m out.....

Agreed. My personal defense weapon is a 9mm S&W 39 loaded with hydrashocks. But in the stated scenario I would opt for a Sig Sauer P226 myself. I'm partial to SA/DA.

 

[gkainz]

It’d be a Glock 17c sporting 135gr +P hydrashocks for me. 9mm is not a “girls” round any more with the new terminal ballistics, and I’ll take the extra capacity for all the zombies. But you will never shake the .45 guys off their round. They will have had to reload twice before I’m out.....

Challenge accepted ... I carry a 24 round 1911 (ok, 8 in the gun, 8 more in 2 more mags...) but not that it's gonna take more than a couple ...
Hey - you started it! and, I just did it again. I promised myself that I WAS NOT going to get into yet another .45 vs 9mm debate.
Honestly - the best round is the one that you can place accurately and consistently. Besides, short, fat and slow gets the job done.

 

[DaleB]

If I had to go to a fight with a pistol, it wouldn’t be a 1911.

If I had to go into a fight with just a pistol, it would only be for long enough to fight my way back to the rifle I should never have put down.

Honestly - the best round is the one that you can place accurately and consistently.

Bingo. Shot placement rules. I know, easy to say when the target isn't shooting at you.

Besides, short, fat and slow gets the job done.

Hey. Let's not get personal here. I resemble that remark.

 

[Cooter]

Honestly - the best round is the one that you can place accurately and consistently. Besides, short, fat and slow gets the job done.

Knife and gun forums are entertaining. When I have time to kill, I’ll browse and see what’s being said about SD ammo or read knife reviews. But it gets pretty silly.
Plenty of people have been killed by .22, and plenty of people have survived wounds from 9mm and up. Get a gun that’s comfortable to shoot and that will hold up to range use. Most importantly, know how to put the shots where you want them. And, pick an ammo the gun likes.
If you read the gun forums, you’ll hear the .30 carbine is a nearly useless cartridge for other than plinking. I used to deer hunt occasionally with the 30 carbine and it was a deadly round. My success rate was higher with it than it was with 30-06 and 30-30. There is truth on both sides of the 9mm vs 45 debate, but most of it is irrelevant.

BTW, just from my own experience, I prefer a larger and slower caliber but some applications make that impractical.

 

[Grum.Man]

9.8 times out of 10 getting shot by a .22 is enough to send the threat running the other direction. I have exclusively 9mm for commonality and ammo price. Getting shot multiple times and continuing to fight mostly only happens in the movies.

 

[Tarheelpilot]

My problem with concealed carry of a 1911 is its size. I find it difficult to conceal. My Bursa Thunder 380cc is much easier. Put it in a pocket holster in my pocket and I'm good to go. The downside is I like a .45ACP much more than a .380ACP. Like you, I'm not a fan of Glocks. They just don't feel right to me. Personal preference, but that's how it goes.

If you’re looking for a compact plastic for cc look at the Springfield xds it’s like a glock and a 1911 had babies

 

[JCranford]

Besides, short, fat and slow gets the job done.

Wait. Are we still talking about bullets here...

 

[JCranford]

If you read the gun forums, you’ll hear the .30 carbine is a nearly useless cartridge for other than plinking.

The 30 carbine I shot my mom's stove with when I was 17 killed the crap out of it!

 

[Cooter]

9.8 times out of 10 getting shot by a .22 is enough to send the threat running the other direction. I have exclusively 9mm for commonality and ammo price. Getting shot multiple times and continuing to fight mostly only happens in the movies.

I agree with that in a home or self defense scenario. With LE, the percentage goes way down.

 

[kgruber]

https://gun.deals/product/kimber-pr...-acp-4-barrel-crimson-trace-laser-grips-79999

 

[Unit74]

Challenge accepted ... I carry a 24 round 1911 (ok, 8 in the gun, 8 more in 2 more mags...) but not that it's gonna take more than a couple ...
Hey - you started it! and, I just did it again. I promised myself that I WAS NOT going to get into yet another .45 vs 9mm debate.
Honestly - the best round is the one that you can place accurately and consistently. Besides, short, fat and slow gets the job done.

You do know my real name is Jerry Miculek right...? You wanna play this game, sport? Hell, I'll do it with a wheel gun, reload and empty it before you can dump one mag. And they will all be dead center 1".