My first 1911

I am a frequent reader of Xavier's Thoughts. Anyways, Xavier is a big fan of the 1911 platform and owns many 1911 in his collection. Reading his blog had inspired me to make my entry into the 1911 as well.


Few days ago I set a budget of 400 dollars in search for my first 1911. I also set the following parameters for my search.


1) Must be made in USA

2) Have adjustable sight

3) Comes with factory wood grips

4) Blued or Parkerized finish

5) NIB never fired


I knew that with 400 dollars it would be hard to get a 1911, not to mention it has to be made in US.

So I hunted around for a while and stumbled upon a High Standard 1911 Camp Perry edition that is made here in the US. In fact it is made locally here in Houston.


I checked the specs of the gun, and the manufacturer guaranteed a 3 inch groups at 50 yard. When I read the spec, I really didn't understand much of it but I was drawn in by the 1000 dollars MSRP.


So I offered then counter offered and finally walked off with the High Standard Camp Perry 1911 for 400 out the door. I thought I made a good deal considering you can hardly get any 1911 for 400. Many people have told me to get a RIA 1911 for around that price. But to me, it's just so important that the gun is made in U.S. that I decided to go with the Houston made 1911.



Again this is my first 1911 so I can't compare it to any other 1911. I do want to say that the sight is very clear, and I just love the "duo-tone" wood grip. (is it call duo tone wood? ) I was surprised to get the adjustable sight and it looks quite well with the gun. It is very easy to use the sight since the front sight is quite tall.

The skeletonized trigger is nice from a distance but if you look at it close up, you realize it's cheaply made. Over all for a 400 dollars gun, it is extremely well made. The finish is good, but I don't expect it to measure up to a 1000 dollars 1911. I dried fire the gun a little bit and the trigger is just lovely, super crisp. I can't wait to take this baby to the gun range this week at Top Gun indoor range.


On the side note, pushing the magazine release does drop the magazine freely but when I insert the magazine into the gun, it required a little slamming. I hope this isn't a problem, and I don't know if it is because it's my first 1911.


I took the gun apart for a cleaning and everything is very tightly fitted which I believe will take me many rounds to break in this gun. Also when I took the gun apart I realized the guide rod is quite short compare to what I have seen on youtube videos. So why is it shorter?

Btw, it only came with 1 magazine and I am probably going to buy another one, any suggestions?

I will go shoot the gun sometime this week and will most likely come back with gun report. Btw, the guy that I bought the gun from said it feeds competition ball ammos best. What are competition ball ammo? I live in Houston, where can I buy some?

Do you know anything about the magazine issue though? The magazine drops free when I press the release, but when I try to insert it back in the gun, I would have to slam it in. Is this common in 1911 or something may be wrong?

It's probably fine. Does is slide in about 2/3 of the way and then you have to give it a good bump with the heel of your hand? That's normal. If you have to really smack it you might have a problem- probably still not.

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Yep that's exactly what happened, 2/3 way in, and then I need to bump it in.

So i hate to tell you but your gun was "Assembled" in the USA most likley, But was "Made" overseas. The good news is its a good quality gun for the money no matter what country it was made in.

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Yeah I figure the parts may be from other places. The bushing has a part number of NM 7267718 and the barrel has a part number of 7791193. So maybe someone can shine a light and tell me what those mean, I like to learn more about 1911 parts.

I have heard good things about RIA, so when I did the search on high standard and that they are related to RIA, I felt I had gotten something reliable.

Anyways, I purchased it mainly because it is made here in Houston. I just felt that I am putting something back in the local economy. I still haven't fire the gun yet, I am hoping to go tomorrow and let you guys know how it was.

Just curious, anyone else on this forum has a high standard 1911?

I shot this at 25 ft. Two handed unsupported. I think the gun was way better than I am, and my skills are quite amateur so I know I am not doing the gun any justice, but it is the best I can shoot at this point when I am only a few weeks into shooting.
I did not have to adjust the sight, the gun was pretty much dead on. I shot this 5 shots group with 230grain FMJ ammo, just the cheap Monarch brand. I did not test out other ammo to see what fed better.
Overall it is a fun gun for the price, and I did have 1 FTE in my 100 rounds session.

Hope you guys enjoy the range report.

-Gunbie!