Got to play with a 1911

[N2914J]

Hey Guys,

Well, I ran into a local gunshop I'd never seen before, and was pleasently suprised. They had just about anything you could imagine. Great find, and I'm sure I'll return many times.

They had an indoor pistol range downstairs, so we decided to take a look. It was a pretty nice set up. Now I've been wanting to put some rounds through a 1911, since I have zero experience with them, and as it turns out, we took a look, and saw a Springfield 1911 GI was in their rental case, so we rented it, and put about a hundred through it. All I can say is Wow, I'm in love. I had never shot a 1911, or a .45 before, but I think I found my new favorite gun. It picked it up, and it fit perfect in my hands, had a nice weight, and balanced perfectly. We put one of those "Oh no, save the hostage" target at about 15 yards. As soon as I picked it up, I didn't have to adjust my grip, or stance to get my sight picture. It was like it was made for me. I shot 5 clips at the guy-with-a-hostage target, and only hit the girl twice (I didn't like her anyway, the taget cost $2). The rest hit the apathetic bad guy, who was only exposing his head, and right upper body. After that, we hung a couple of those badguys-with-a-gun targets, and I managed to keep the next 8 clips we shot, with the exception of 5 zingers, in the body mass zone.

Overall, I am thrilled with this fine piece of hardware. I have never been able to shoot so consistently with my Smith 9mm. I've been wary of the recoil of a .45, but was pleased to find that it wasn't much worse than my S&W. I really can't get over it. Why didn't you guys tell me about these badass pistols sooner?

I've decided I'm going to abandon all my desires, and save up for 1911. So, the big question is, what should I get? I'll say right now, if I had the money, I'd buy the Springfield. I'd like to try a Kimber, and a Para, but I think the Springfield is awsome. My Dad and I are probably going to get 2 new consecutive numbered Springfield 1911 GI's, since thats what we tried, and liked. Before we do, though, we plan to go back and put some more rounds through that Springfield, and the Kimber the range had.

I'd like some more info/personal experience on the following:
-Springfield
-Kimber
-Para Ordnance
-Rock Island

Any info you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

[Mooseman684]

I have 2 Colts, 2 Kimbers, and a Springfield..
They are all very nice...My Springfield is U.S.Made, now they are South American made. IDK about them.
I am going to buy a New U.S.Made High Standard 1911A1...They are only 399.00 here in Alaska, and are beautiful...Good Craftmanship, and Lots of Parts to enhance it on the market...
Rich

[SilverRun]

Well you found a nice pistol. They haven't been around for almost a hundred years without good reason. I like my Glocks, but my 1911's will out shoot them accuracy wise. I currently have a Kimber and a Para, I really like both of them. The Kimber is more accurate and the Para has the LDA trigger. I really can't find anything bad to say about either. My buddy also has a SIG 1911 that I really like - I think it is a little more accurate than my Kimber, but both are more accurate than I am. I don't have any first hand experience with Springfield or Rock Island. I think the Springfield would be fine - the rest of their products are really good. Not sure on the Rock Island - I would look into that a little more before spending any on those.

Enjoy!

[N2914J]

Thanks for the reponse guys. Rich; I did notice on the slide that it was made in Brazil. I'm a little wary, but will continue to explore. Silver; thanks for the info. I really enjoy the way Kimber looks, expecially the one with the integrated rail. I will definitley look at Kimbers, Paras, and Springfields. I've got about $330 tucked away right now, so we'll see how we look after Christmas, and a few more paychecks. Thanks guys.

[jerry]

I had a Norinco for about 16 years. Shot the heck out of it. No pride of ownership.

Got a Kimber and haven't looked back. I was a bit concerned about the MIM parts at first, but have gown comfortable with them.

Springfield= excellent. i think the frames are made in brazil and the gun is assembled in Geneseo IL. Could be off on that, worthy of looking into.

PARA= Good product from our brothers to the North.

RIA= good too, made in the PI.

[rondog]

I have three Rock Islands, and they're excellent guns. A great value, especially for a starter 1911. A very affordable way to get into 1911's, and even if you upgrade to more expensive ones, you'll still come back to your Rock. Warning though, they ARE addictive! As are ALL 1911's.

[billy]

ive got the springfield.
i really like it .
once it got broken in it hasnt malfuntioned in about 3500 rnds.
i bought it for $421
it's fun to watch damn near any war movie and go HEY THERES MY GUN!


p.s. i looked back,forward and to both sides

[N2914J]

Yeah, they do have my attention. That's probably what we'll wind up doing. Not a bad starter 1911, I figure. We hope to put some more rounds through it soon. How do you guys feel about the "Made in Brazil" thing?

Is there a way to attach a flashlight/other accessory to any of the 1911's with the absence of a integrated rai?

Thanks for the responses, guys

P.S.: Nice looking picture there, 1stSgt Jerry. You, sir, make me want to go starch my ROTC BDU's, and buy a 1911.

[Palladin8]

I have three Kimbers. They are extremely accurate and very reliable. I had a springfield officers model and liked it as well. I was not as accurate as the kimbers that I own but it was still a good pistol. I think you will be happy with any 1911 that you buy. I also have a glock and a Sig but out of them all the 1911s are by far my favorite.
Scott

[jerry]

Break starch/buy 1911

not a bad day.

A lot of decent firearm Mfg comes from Brazil.

[N2914J]

Thanks again for the first hand info, guys.

Forgive my terminology, but I noticed there was a mechanism between the slide stopper that holds the slide back after the last round is fired (or when put in place) and the hammer. This mechanism appears to have its own little notch in the back portion of slide. It looks like the mechanism just slides up and grabs the second notch, holding the slide about a quarter of the way back. What is this for? Is this to hold the slide partially back while you remove the slide stop pin to remove the slide from the frame? Also, any help on what these parts are called would be greatly appreciated, so I don't sound so stupid next time.

Thanks guys.

[Doctor Larry K]

N29,
Find a schematic or breakdown chart on the 1911 and learn to identify various parts. This will help you immensely in your pursuit of a quality 1911. Learn abount MIM parts vs forged, two piece guide rods vs. one piece. Proper spring tension, match barrels etc.

Great choice in pistols, I have 8, including a Les Baer. My most accurate, so far, has been the Kimber Ultra Carry, or my Kimber 1911 style .38 Super.


Have fun.

Doc

[Spikestrip]

Here's a schematic with the parts named:
http://www.sightm1911.com/1911pix/product/45schem.gif

[N2914J]

Thanks, Spike. I printed that same one out a few days ago, and have been looking it over. How good is part interchangeability between different manufacturers, like Kimber and Springfield, or Colt and Springfield?

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by N2914J

I'd like some more info/personal experience on the following:
-Springfield
-Kimber
-Para Ordnance
-Rock Island

I have a Rock Island Armory Officer's Model.

It isn't the prettiest 1911, but it gets the job done just the same as those who are fashionably on target.

I typically carry my RIA with me on wilderness outtings, it hangs at my side and offers a gravy train of noise for any encroaching bear that may stumble across my path. I like the fact that it has a rough (but thorough) finish and I don't have to worry too much about it getting scratched or marred on a tree or rock as I am hiking.

I have had similar results with my shooting as you had with the used 1911. with about 800 rounds through my RIA, I haven't had any issues.

It is true how it feels like it is made for the hand of the user, doesn't it? You want to feel it really disappear in your grasp? Slap some Hogue grips on it, like in my photo below, and you will be in heaven.

I wanted a good starter 1911, so I didn't go too all out. My next one will be a Para Ord, but this RIA has really proven to be awesome! Rugged, reliable, accurate. And, RIA's can be had for between $375 and $460, depending on the model. I paid $400 for mine.

Here's a pic (Actually, I don't think it looks too bad. the miscolorations at the seams are just seaping oil, cause I had just cleaned it.):

[N2914J]

Good lookin' pistol, Ivan. I am thinking about getting a Springfield, or a Rock, as my starter 1911. We'll probably go with a set of Springfields, for my Dad and I, but we'll definitley look into RIA. I got the chance to hold one a couple days ago, and I really like it. I'll probably save up for one after we get the Springfields. They seem solid. Thanks, Ivan.