1911 recomendation and experiences

[Jim Rau]

How do you know we do not own dozens and dozens of lesser guns too?

As long as I am above ground, and one of my high end guns was taken as evidence. It was worth every penny spent. Same goes for any lesser gun I choose to carry. Stolen? sure I would be pissed even if it was one of my lowly Glocks. Lost is pretty much out of the picture. While I have lost pocket knives that cost more than a lot of guns I do not see myself ever misplacing a firearm...

I live in the real world too, but I'd be willing to bet my beer choice is better than yours...

What is your beer choice??? Thank you for agreeing with me on the gun thing!!!

 

[Jim Rau]

I would much rather have 1 1911 that cost 4k than 10 janky 400$ 1911s.

Like I said, this is america so you have that right. I am a retired cop so I can't afford a 4K 1911, and if I could I would not WASTE my money on it. It can't do anything in a real life shoot out that the mil spec 1911A1 can, but it is sure good to look at!!!

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Many people cannot recognize a hi-quality 1911 from a low-quality one. One simple way to prove this is when they say they their gun was made by (name deleted), when I know those companies use cast frames and/or MIM parts and are made off-shore to reduce costs.

You get what you pay for, and should not expect much if you don't pay much. If you want low cost, expect a gun that has cast and MIM parts, a slide that has not been properly heat-treated, etc. If you don't know why these attributes are not good, refer to paragraph #1.

If you pay $2k+ for a 1911, you should expect and get a forged steel gun w/ nothing cast or MIM, a properly heat-treated slide, properly installed trigger, correct machining, etc, along w/ a lifetime guarantee.

As for the OP's questions, you will not notice the difference between a hi-end 1911 and a bargain-basement model in the short term, especially if you don't shoot it much. The differences will become apparent over time after lots of rounds go down-range.

 

[Jim Rau]

QUESTION!! For all here who are disagreeing with me. WHAT IS WRONG WITH A MIL SPEC 1911A1 WHEN IT COMES TO SELF DEFENSE????????? Was John Browning, and all of us who used it in combat wrong??

 

[JTQ]

QUESTION!! For all here who are disagreeing with me. WHAT IS WRONG WITH A MIL SPEC 1911A1 WHEN IT COMES TO SELF DEFENSE????????? Was John Browning, and all of us who used it in combat wrong??

I think what some folks may be questioning is the "$350 Mil-Spec 1911A1" that keeps getting referenced. Did you buy this in 1965? A current production 1911 that costs $350 will have a lot of corners cut.

Forum moderator 9mmepiphany usually puts the entry level of a quality 1911 around $1,500, which I think is probably a pretty reasonable point. Below that level you start getting cost cutting measures, such as with labor, and quality of parts.

 

[Jim Rau]

Many people cannot recognize a hi-quality 1911 from a low-quality one. One simple way to prove this is when they say they their gun was made by (name deleted), when I know those companies use cast frames and/or MIM parts and are made off-shore to reduce costs.

You get what you pay for, and should not expect much if you don't pay much. If you want low cost, expect a gun that has cast and MIM parts, a slide that has not been properly heat-treated, etc. If you don't know why these attributes are not good, refer to paragraph #1.

If you pay $2k+ for a 1911, you should expect and get a forged steel gun w/ nothing cast or MIM, a properly heat-treated slide, properly installed trigger, correct machining, etc, along w/ a lifetime guarantee.

As for the OP's questions, you will not notice the difference between a hi-end 1911 and a bargain-basement model in the short term, especially if you don't shoot it much. The differences will become apparent over time after lots of rounds go down-range.

How many people who buy a gun strictly for SD put A LOT of rounds down range?? ANSWER, VERY FEW! I can tell you that MOST LEO's put very few rounds through their duty or off duty guns, and civilian even less. Like I said if you want a gun for target/sport you need to get a 'specialized' gun $$$$$ to be competitive, but I am talking strictly self defense.

 

[Jim Rau]

I think what some folks may be questioning is the "$350 Mil-Spec 1911A1" that keeps getting referenced. Did you buy this in 1965? A current production 1911 that costs $350 will have a lot of corners cut.

Forum moderator 9mmepiphany usually puts the entry level of a quality 1911 around $1,500, which I think is probably a pretty reasonable point. Below that level you start getting cost cutting measures, such as with labor, and quality of parts.

Like I said, I bought it strictly for 'old times sake', but when I put it to the test it performed VERY WELL! I have known several VERY good pistol smiths who have told me there is NOTHING wrong with the lower cost 1911's when it comes to performance, once you actually shoot them and make sure they have on issues. That said, I have, per capita, seen more of the HIGH DOLLAR 1911's have serious issues than the mil spec ones over the last few decades. Some of the lower $$$ are not as nice in the fit and finish area as the 'nicer' high $$$ ones, but if they are built to the ORIGINAL specs they are going to be reliable and accurate.

 

[army_eod]

I was issued a REAL 1911 in the Army. It worked great. It rattled. I qualified with it.
How many military weapons are owned by folks here?

Some of you just like to argue.

Frankly If I go back into combat there is a long list of firearms I would choose long before ANY 1911.

I own seven 1911s.

 

[Jim Rau]

I was issued a REAL 1911 in the Army. It worked great. It rattled. I qualified with it.
How many military weapons are owned by folks here?

Some of you just like to argue.

Frankly If I go back into combat there is a long list of firearms I would choose long before ANY 1911.

I own seven 1911s.

I miss flying, jumping out of air planes, and blow 'stuff' up, and you??? The only point I was making is that when it comes to 1911's you do not NEED an $$$ one to defend yourself, the mil spec ones do a fine job of it. To each his own! Thank you for your service.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

QUESTION!! For all here who are disagreeing with me. WHAT IS WRONG WITH A MIL SPEC 1911A1 WHEN IT COMES TO SELF DEFENSE????????? Was John Browning, and all of us who used it in combat wrong??

There is nothing wrong w/ a basic model 1911 for SD.

Do not equate model w/ cost. Nighthawk sells a Mil Spec 1911 for $2600, as do other manufacturers for far less money and less quality. Everyone should expect much more out of the expensive Nighthawk than a $400 model made in the Philippines. Quality comes at a price.

 

[WVsig]

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

How many people who buy a gun strictly for SD put A LOT of rounds down range?? ANSWER, VERY FEW! I can tell you that MOST LEO's put very few rounds through their duty or off duty guns, and civilian even less. Like I said if you want a gun for target/sport you need to get a 'specialized' gun $$$$$ to be competitive, but I am talking strictly self defense.

Not arguing, just commenting that unless you have talked to many, many people who carry a gun for SD or the same number of LEOs, your answer to your own question is pure conjecture. For example, I fall into both those stated categories, and put >200-rounds down-range each and every week.

 

[army_eod]

I have the lowest end Colt and is reliable as the sunrise and shoots one ragged hole.

Same with my high end Colt.

Most of it is training.

 

[Jim Rau]

There is nothing wrong w/ a basic model 1911 for SD. Do not equate model w/ cost. Nighthawk sells a Mil Spec 1911 for $2600, as do other manufacturers. Everyone should expect much more out of the expensive Nighthawk than a $400 model made in the Philippines. Quality comes at a price.

What you say is not ALWYS true, as many times you are paying for a 'brand name', not better quality. I have absolutely NOTHING against these high $$$ guns or the people who buy them, all I am saying is that you do not NEED to spend that much $$$$ to get GOOD, RELIABLE, ACCURATE 1911A1 if you are buying it for SD. I was not expecting to get this good of a gun for under $350, BUT I DID!!!

 

[Jim Rau]

Not arguing, just commenting that unless you have talked to many, many people who carry a gun for SD or the same number of LEOs, your answer to your own question is pure conjecture. For example, I fall into both those stated categories, and put >200-rounds down-range each and every week.

Then you, my friend, are the exception, not the rule in either the civilian or the LE group. Keep up the good work, and try to get others to follow suit. But bear in mind not everyone can afford the time or the $$$ to do that.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Then you, my friend, are the exception, not the rule in either the civilian or the LE group.

Once again, this is conjecture and has nothing to do w/ the original question.

 

[Trashyshoots]

Like I said, this is america so you have that right. I am a retired cop so I can't afford a 4K 1911, and if I could I would not WASTE my money on it. It can't do anything in a real life shoot out that the mil spec 1911A1 can, but it is sure good to look at!!!

Why are you so obsessed with shoot outs?

 

[Rembrandt]

Comparisons of 1911's tend to devolve into "price shaming" by those whose purchase is primarily based on price and secondarily on performance or quality. Rare when quality can be picked up at average prices. Yet everyone wants to be perceived as a wise consumer diligent of a good value for their money.

I work with precision fit, finish, and tolerances for a living. There are significant differences in the 1911 offerings that some may find appealing and for others appalling. Guess I'm one of those willing to pay up for perfection even though the differences may seem small to others and not worth it.

My search for the perfect 1911 led me to select a Wilson Combat Supergrade. I don't downplay the others by any means, just what satisfied my expectations.

 

[Jim Rau]

Why are you so obsessed with shoot outs?

Because I have been in several shoot outs, and I train others in Basic Armed Self defense (civilians), and still actively train LE, so correct me if I am wrong, that is what happens when 'we' use a firearm to defend ourselves and others from criminals who 'put us in fear for our lives'. So when you talk about self defense, you are talking about training for a 'shoot out', are you not????

 

[Jim Rau]

Once again, this is conjecture and has nothing to do w/ the original question.

No, it is not 'conjecture' as I have had contact with MANY people (over 45+ years in LE and as a trainer of both LE and civilians), both in LE and civilians who 'carry', and you are VERY DIFFERENT than the VAST MAJORITY of them when you said you shoot 200+ rounds a week. Just reality, not conjecture.

 

[Ks5shooter]

So Im going with a 9mm and gonna shoot the old gal in 45acp. What do you all think about this.....Springfield RO Elite operator. Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[LiveLife]

So Im going with a 9mm ... Springfield RO Elite operator.

What do you all think about this

Nice and congrats!

I am debating getting a 9mm slide/barrel for my railed Sig 1911 or getting a Springfield 9mm.

 

[WVsig]

So Im going with a 9mm and gonna shoot the old gal in 45acp. What do you all think about this.....Springfield RO Elite operator. Thanks for all the input so far.
View attachment 894040

Good solid choice. Decent configuration and good customer support if there are any issues.

 

[WVsig]

Comparisons of 1911's tend to devolve into "price shaming" by those whose purchase is primarily based on price and secondarily on performance or quality. Rare when quality can be picked up at average prices. Yet everyone wants to be perceived as a wise consumer diligent of a good value for their money.

I work with precision fit, finish, and tolerances for a living. There are significant differences in the 1911 offerings that some may find appealing and for others appalling. Guess I'm one of those willing to pay up for perfection even though the differences may seem small to others and not worth it.

My search for the perfect 1911 led me to select a Wilson Combat Supergrade. I don't downplay the others by any means, just what satisfied my expectations.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Kinda fits all my needs I think .Rail on bottom for light as HD. Looks like it will run well in local competition if I decide to. Anyone have one?