My First 1911

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Al-jim19

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Hoping for some guidance from the resident 1911 experts around here. Looking for my first 1911. I’d like it to look at least passingly close to a WWII era 1911. It doesn’t have to be correct down to the minute details, but should have the classic A1 WWII look. It also must work with quality hollow point ammunition, not that it will be carried often but may be occasionally.

Currently considering the following:

Auto-Ordnance 1911a1, the most faithful WWII replica of the batch, available to me for $560.
https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/firearms/auto-ordnance-1911bkoma.asp

Colt 1911 Government, the most enticing brand on the list, and most expensive. Missing the arched mainspring housing and lanyard loop. Price unknown but it looks like I could find it for about $750-800.
https://www.colt.com/detail-page/colt-1991-govt-45-acp-5-71-double-diamond-rosewood-grip-matte-blued

Springfield Armory Mil-Spec, a well known brand at a nice price. The logo on the grips and slanted serrations on the slide irk me, but one of those is easily corrected. There is a used model available at my local shop for $620.
https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-mil-spec-45-acp/

This will likely be my only 1911 so I’m willing to spend for the colt if you all believe it’s worth it. Just trying to balance authenticity, function, and price.
 
Everybody has a different "eye" for stuff, and I'm a Colt owner, but to me, the flat mainspring housing and long trigger on the Colt you linked to looks wrong for a WW II(ish) 1911.

The Series 70 model is much better looking gun (in my opinion) https://www.colt.com/detail-page/colt-70-govt-45-acp-5-71-double-diamond-rosewood-grip-blued

They're all pretty good, and you'll get fans of each. The Springfield will have the lowered and flared ejection port and is less likely to crush your brass on ejection, and it will have higher visibility 3-dot sights.

The Auto-Ordnance will have very small GI type sights that will be difficult to use unless you have very good vision. Both Colts will have taller sights, I think the Series 80 has 3-dot sights and the Series 70 are all black, but both will be better than the very small sights on the Auto-Ordnance.
 
Auto Ordnance if looks are paramount. If it is very true to the WWII 1911A1 it may not feed all hollow points reliably and a bunch of experimentation would be necessary.

Adding an arched mainspring housing is easy enough to do if you like the Colt enough. I do t think the lanyard loop is important enough to make or break anything.
 
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Check out Fusion Arms Freedom Government Model. These are made right down the street from me in Venice, FL and Ive heard nothing but good things from the folks who have one. If I didnt already have a mint vintage Colt, Id snatch one up in a heartbeat!
https://www.fusionfirearms.com/freedom-series-government-gi

Msrp is $695!
 
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I fully support a 1911 A1 look alike, except for two things: sights and feed ramp.

1911 Govt sights are useless. Fine for shooting people at 10 feet, but ideal with which to break from tradition.

My father's 1943 made Navy issue 1911 will feed 230 grs hardball, and nothing else.

Value for money, RIA does a government issue with adjustable sights and it feeds anything I've thrown at it.
 
I have run 27 +k through a Colt 1911 Government. It is neither a Swiss watch nor beauty queen. Accuracy second to none and it runs like a scalded dog.

I have other 1911's that are prettier, tighter fitted, and higher priced. I'll take the Colt any day.
 
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I have a springfiel, and OA of your list. The Springfield (a GI in my case) is awesome, and the MIM extractor didnt give me any problems. The OA I like, and would love, but at 600 rounds the ejector broke. On a 1911, the ejector is held in by two round bars. If one breaks off in the frame, its a major problem. Otherwise, the AO went to that mark without a single issue. AO's warranty does not cover shipping, so getting it fixed cost me $100+ the cost of a new ejector. I really like the AO, but if you do get it, replace that part before firing. Its not an easy fix after its broken and should never have been a cheaply made part. A forged ejector is around $20, and takes 10 minutes to install if its not broken. I now have about 1100 rounds in the AO, ands its very reliable. Get a flat bottom FPS for any 45acp guns. They make a huge difference in reliability.
 
some have mentioned GI sights are worthless. It depends on your vision. I shoot GI sites better than any other pistols by far. Both the GI and AO will shoot one hole at 7 yards, and can do beercans at 30. They are very small, but they're fast aquiring, and have almost zero light between the notches and post. I actually shimmed the front site of my CZ to mimic this effect, and the groups went down 2/3 in size and 1/2 in time. To each his own, but GI sites are not bad for everyone.
 
I do love the looks of an "old school" 1911. I have a Springfield Armory GI model, with a few upgrades. I'm very happy with it, but I'll echo the sentiment that GI sights stink.
 
I’d like to say that those are the three I’m considering right now, but if there’s one I missed feel free to suggest it. I’m in Massachusetts so some pistols can be hard to get if they’re a bit obscure.
 
Al-jim19

I have an early Springfield Armory M1911A1 and except for the slanted slide serrations it's a pretty decent look-alike for the real thing. As others have pointed out the factory sights are pretty useless and JHP ammo is a hit or miss proposition.

I also have a Colt Government which to me somewhat resembles an M1911 with it's flat mainspring housing. The high visibility sights are definitely an improvement over the original ones. The double diamond grips are a nice touch too!

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some have mentioned GI sights are worthless. It depends on your vision. I shoot GI sites better than any other pistols by far. Both the GI and AO will shoot one hole at 7 yards, and can do beercans at 30. They are very small, but they're fast aquiring, and have almost zero light between the notches and post. I actually shimmed the front site of my CZ to mimic this effect, and the groups went down 2/3 in size and 1/2 in time. To each his own, but GI sites are not bad for everyone.
Another reason I like the Fusion 1911, both sights are slightly bigger than GI and they are both dovetailed for easy replacement.:)
 
I'm with JTQ, the Colt Series 70 repro is the way to go. Very nicely fit and finished, spec'd out essentially the same a s WWII era 1911A1 except for slightly larger sights and different rollmarks, and they are accurate and reliable.

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This is what you'd get with buying a new or used RIA 1911-A1 FS and replacing the grips, MSH, and thumb safety. I changed my grips so far. I do have an arched MSH with loop in my parts bin but don't know if I want to bother. It shoots like a top. Used under $300.00 and new for around $425.00 locally. YMMV. Good luck. tom.
 
I have a colt series 70 manufactured in 2018 and it's really fun to shoot. It is superbly accurate. The sights are all black so they "look" like GI sights at a passing glance, but imo much more functional.

I'd say spring for the Colt. I get a lot of joy out of having a pony on my 1911.
 
Additional question: are 1911 parts interchangeable like Glock?

I ask because I had the idea that maybe I would have a GI/WWII style slide and a carry slide with night sights and whatever doodads I like best. Possibly a .22 conversion too.
 
are 1911 parts interchangeable like Glock?
Some, like mainspring housings, usually are; fire control parts (sear in particular) are not. Slides should be fitted. Many internals require fitting by a gunsmith trained to work on 1911s.

All three of the ones you list are good, I'll throw in a fourth to consider: Rock Island Arsenal. The GI one I bought had a flat mainspring housing, like the Colt, but I prefer them. Changing that out is cheap, and can be done by the owner if he has any mechanical ability and pin punches.
 
Additional question: are 1911 parts interchangeable like Glock?
The old saying is - there are no drop in parts on a 1911. It is pretty much true.

There are probably two dozen companies currently making 1911's not to mention those that have in the past and are now out of the business. They are all just a little different. On the other hand, there is only one company that has ever made Glocks.

For instance, one thing most folks coming to the 1911 from a Glock or SIG or Beretta typically don't understand is not all 1911 sight dovetails are the same. Here are just a few 1911 rear dovetails in this Kensight page.

https://stores.kensight.com/common-1911-sight-dovetails/
 
I have an Auto Ordinance M1911 made in the early 1990s before Kahr took over ownership of the brand. The pistol is basically good but it did require some TLC to make it shoot reliably. But it has been a great shooter ever since.

Maybe Kahr has improved the guns.

P.S. I also replaced the Auto Ordinance barrel along the way with a used Colt Mark IV, Series 70 barrel and accuracy improved. But like I said, maybe Kahr has improved the guns since they took over production. (I re-barreled a Colt Mark IV, Series 70 Government Model with a 38/45 Clerke barrel. The removed 45 ACP barrel was looking for a home.:))
 
I wished my whole life for a 1911 and finally got one, just months before I retired LOL. A Springfield Loaded Target Model. I wanted one with all the upgrades out of the box. The guns run like a champ with my cast reloads. I sent it back to Springfield once because of a out of spec trigger pull. Not a single issue after that. HAPPY CAMPER. hdbiker
 
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