Thread: buying a 1911?

The Springfield loaded is great but only around $750.
If I was doing a $1,200 1911 I would look at Dan Wesson guns. Lots of options, should be able to get one you'll like.

Sorry Wichaka, It's a Colt 1991a1 80 series. I bought some $10 mags at the gun show and am having issues with no locking the slide back on the last shot.

It's probably the $10 mags not the gun. Cheap mags are one of the biggest problem areas with 1911's it seems. Buy some quality mags and test from there.

Originally Posted by ATCclears

wichaka, if you had say $1200 and were to buy one for yourself (periodic use, not everyday carry) what might it be? Colt XSE, Springfield Loaded, other?

Peter

Thanks for stating what it would be used for, that makes things easier.

I tend to bleed Colt, as their frames etc. are more consistently in spec compared to other makers. So if upgrades are on the horizon, less headaches with fitting are generally the norm. There's a reason why most 'smiths prefer a Colt frame etc.

Plus they are still working from the original blue prints.

I also don't care for firing pin safeties, so no XSE for me...that narrows the field again.

I would look at a Colt new issue Series 70. A great base gun to start out with.
No frills, bells or whistles...but a solid steel gun, better made than the original Series 70's in some respects.

Dan Wesson would be next. They are a very good choice...any of their models would definitely fill the bill here.

Springfields are tough guns. I don't care for the stainless models, as stated before the small parts are cheap flash chromed carbon steel...not stainless. I really don't care for the TRP, its not 'all that'. I've been around plenty of 'Loaded' models that would keep up accuracy wise with a TRP...and I really don't think you get that much more than with a Loaded. I know what the web site and catalog says about them, but am still not impressed.
Even though the Loaded has that 2-piece barrel, they still run well and are very accurate.

I would also look at anything in your price range from STI. Dave Skinner (Owner) is putting out some good models now. The low end Spartan is pretty much made in the Phillipines, but they have such hard slides that they defy files!

Originally Posted by mikeli

Sorry Wichaka, It's a Colt 1991a1 80 series. I bought some $10 mags at the gun show and am having issues with no locking the slide back on the last shot.

Uh...what iamme said.

Consider magazines as a removable part of the firing system, but treat them as expendable.

I see many folks buy top grade 1911's, only to feed them junk gun-show or fake Colt knockoff magazines.

There are many good aftermarket magazine companies out there. You can still get genuine Colt magazines directly from Colt, or Brownells. Or just go to one of the many good magazines companies out there, such as Wilson, McCormick, Checkmate, Metalform etc.

The two magazines I run are Wilson ETM's or a like model from Cerberus Tactical.

Cerberus is pretty much unknown on this side of the country, but they put out some top notch magazines. CerTac 8 Magazines
They are made by Metalform, if I recall correctly...but made to their specs. Metalform has some that look a lot like them on their web site, but they differ.

Oh and by the way...10 bucks should be a clue! Run, don't walk away from those in the future.

Originally Posted by Cougfan2

2) On a broader topic, what is your experience with internal vs. external extractors on 1911's?

External extractors...when they are bad, they are bad and there's nothing you can do about/with them. There's no adjustment. prepping etc one can do with them, they come that way from the factory and the only thing one can do is send them back and hope for the best.

The internal has been working for 100 years now, easy to adjust, prep, replace etc.

But...there are 2 weak points to the 1911...the extractor and the magazine. Both need consistent attention. I always recommend a very high quality extractor to any reliability work, its paramount to the platform.

If your particular 1911 is push feeding the rounds into the chamber, by way of the extractor...instead of the rounds feeding under the extractor as they should, then it won't be long before the extractor will need to be adjusted.

The original designed extractors had spring steel in the alloy, thus they were more forgiving back in the day...but not so today. They are made of solid steel that doesn't like to give much, and the constant battering of push feeding can do them in. The better quality models will last longer given the above scenario, than what one finds in a standard production gun today.

Wow...lots of opinions on this one out there, with some good info and some other stuff.

The 1911 now comes in so many forms that it is difficult to find your way sometimes. There are some base questions that must be addressed to properly dive into this subject. I think way back on page one you said stainless and $800.

So to attempt to stay in that box is something of a challenge as you elliminate a great deal of guns made of plain ol steel. If stainless is because of easy maint then you can always coat your gun with a fancy something or if you just like silver then hardcrome is even better than stainless. But that does add to the cost.

It seems everyone has a favorite brand or a hated brand. So I will try and stay on "N" and not get off track here, but I bet I will be in "D" before I am done.

I have used, carried, shot, built and busted 1911's for over 30 years. There are almost none that just totally suck. Yes many are better than others and price usually has much to do with this and marketing hype has a lot to do with opinions. So does gun shop ______________ fill in the blank. One local shop in my area will bend over backward to sell ya a Kimber for instance when the case is full of Colt's and Springers and near everyother brand because they are a Kimber master dealer and I think Kimber must provide favors or something.

Someone stated it is not bad to start with a PI gun and see what you think and go from there. I don't think that is a terrible idea, but the problem is that if you do like the platform you will spend more in the long run and NEVER get your value back out of the base gun. So it is my opinion that you start with a better entry gun and work from there. Kimber, Colt, Springer are all great places to start and make stainless guns if you are sure you want that type of material. Sig, Para, Taurus and now even Ruger are making guns out of stainless and there are probably fifty other options out there.

The truth is almost none of the makers make everthing in house. Most get their components from one source or another, forgings from Korea and small parts from a laundry list of suppliers. I am not sure anyone can figure out where all the stuff comes from and it probably does not even matter.

The last build I did was a stainless bobtail commander gun I got the frame slide and barrel from an origianal source (where many makers get theirs) from a batch of overruns that were for brand "who cares". Nice stuff at any rate and the gun is very nice. However, most don't want to go through all that is neaded to build their own. Of the 1911's in my safe Kimber, Colt etc... all have gotten tuned by me. Not to say they all required it but that is the best/worst part of the 1911. They are all special after all.

If you buy a 1911 from a reputable maker and it does not feed from the magazines provided with the gun then there is a problem and the manufacture should fix it. If that gun is made 4000 miles over a big ocean then that can slow stuff down. If you pick up a Colt, Kimber, Springer, Para, Sig, Ruger, S&W or one of the smaller makers and it sucks they will fix it for you and make you happy so you don't slam them on the internet forums. If you make your buying choice based on internet chat boards that may not be the best way to go. All the major brands make nice guns, which one do you like the best??? I am sure glad I don't have to pick just one. Remember it is America you can have them all if you have the means. The other choices to make are what size, what caliber, do you want traditional or more modern, are you going to cary it, what holster etc.. There is a bunch of stuff to think on here and if you start into the 1911 it is like an invasive parasite, you will never stop.

Good luck in your search not that I have muddied the water even more.

Dang Korean forgings..... Waiting on my slide that went out for some custom work from same place! But but Springfield uses Brazil forgings, and yet these Korean ones that end up at alot of CUSTOM smiths are good to go..

Originally Posted by wichaka

Oh and by the way...10 bucks should be a clue! Run, don't walk away from those in the future.

Ordered some genuine Colt mags from MidwayUSA. 12.95 each on sale.

Sorry, Genuine Springfield Armory, not Colt. Reviews rated them higher than Chip McCormick and others though.

I've not had the opportunity to try Wilson mags. but my goto 1911 mag is Mec-Gar. They are good enough be remanded by Novak and I've never had a mag related malfunction with them. For 7 rounders I tend to use used Colt.

Originally Posted by mikeli

Sorry, Genuine Springfield Armory, not Colt. Reviews rated them higher than Chip McCormick and others though.

Since Springfield doesn't make their own magazines, its a toss up as to who the maker is. Some are made by Metalform, and some are unmarked...so not sure who makes those.

I was in the same boat - I got the Ruger SR1911 couldnt be happier and money left over for Ammo , mags , ect....

These Springfields work great. drop out nice, don't hang up on the last round, and hold the slide open nice. Amaing the difference between a $10 mag and a $12.95 one.