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I'm thinking of getting a 1911. I'm going to use it for my CCW and replace my full size S&W 9mm Sigma. I think something with a 4" barrel. I have been checking out my buddies Springfield and I like it. I've never owned one and wanted to get some suggestions from you guys. I want it to look good, easy to clean and go bang every time I pull the trigger, without breaking the bank. What's the most bang for the buck with a decent resale value? Any suggestions?
Lots of good 1911's out there these days... I have a Kimber Eclipse Pro Carry - I like it - never had a problem with the gun.... now my back on the other hand....
Remember the weight when you go 1911 for CCW.
Almost any of the good mid-range 1911's will hold their value...
Oh - and here: http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23166
The Kimber Ultra Carry II is a pretty sweet CCW firearm. However, they are not cheap. I think around $1300.00 retail.
I have the Para Ordnance GI Expert 1911. It comes with a larger ejection port, matched chamber, fixed sights, comp trigger, and skeloton hammer. it is a single stack, so it would not be too bulky for CCW and is a true 1911 single action design. And you can get one for $535. I believe its a smoking deal and the most gun you can buy for the money. I love mine and would never get rid of it. Here is a link to one:
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/56531
Ok first off my CCWs are 1911s and I've been through a bunch before I found the two that meet the real requirements for CCW which are reliability and durability. You need to be willing to shoot a lot of ammo with a bunch of different types of magazines to find the right combo for your particular 1911 which will yield the "Goes bang every time" criteria. All 1911s differ in their diet preferences. There are plenty that will eat anything, but there are plenty that won't too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colorado Luckydog
Easy to clean? Well the definition of easy is different for everyone but I wouldn't call cleaning a 1911 easy when compared to a modern firearm design. Are they difficult to clean? Not particularly. I just wouldn't call them easy.
Don't want to break the bank? Yep, there are plenty of $500 1911s that will be reliable once you add a few hundred bucks in reliability work to them. Of course then it's not really a $500 gun anymore, is it. Of course there are $2000 1911s that would need reliability work too so expensive doesn't mean reliable.
What I'm trying to say is that 1911s are finicky. They require a dedication to their care that most modern pistols don't to be reliable. That being said they are also the most comfortable to carry because of their sllim profile so they are absolutely (to me) worth the extra effort.
Just don't go getting one because they look cool and then expect it to run like a Glock out of the box. Most won't. But the time and effort to make one Glock-like in its reliability is worth it.
Myself have a 1911 Fever.
Just this month, I got two 1911s.
One is TRP Operator, and Kimber Desert Warrior (at my FFL to pass 1week to avoid extra paperwork).
I still haven't shot TRP-O yet due to my wrist injury. :(
Luckydog, if you are interested. I would have no problems meeting up with you at a range and letting you shoot the para (you supply the ammo of course). Mine is right out of the box, with the exception of an aftermarket grip. I have fired a lot of 1911's and this one is the best I have come across that hasnt been modified. Its not like any other $500 1911 I have ever seen. You should go to a few ranges that rent different makes and try them all before you buy. But I dont think you will find one of these for rent at any range. I purchased this one from out of state without getting to shoot one because I couldnt find one locally. It was a gamble that really paid off for me. Oh, it is a 5 inch barrel though.
Yes, l love my 1911's. I really like to show them to my friends, and I show my glocks to my enemies. [Coffee] Just kidding....
I love my springfield lightweight champion operators![Beer]
Jaydoc1 speaks the truth. 1911s take some time and energy to be made totally reliable. It's definitely worth it, just be aware.
I'm not going to get into a brand preference battle but some brands do have better quality control than others. Price isn't always a sign of quality.
Spend some time reading here.
http://www.10-8performance.com/Articles.html
Enjoy ;)
My Kimber Ultra CDP II accompanies me during the winter months!
reliable after the break in period.
Of the two 1911s that I use for CCW, 1 is a Springfield Lightweight Operator (full-size). Has been an absolutely reliable gun with almost no work.Quote:
Originally Posted by sniper7
Try to get a gun with a thermometer built into it so you can nip future fevers in the bud before it is too late.
I once carried a Springfield Loaded 5" with night sights in shorts and a t-shirt. It went bang everytime and was super reliable.
I now carry a Kimber Grand Raptor II 5" and same, goes bang everytime and is easy to wear with a http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/Holsters/IWBInsideWaistBand/tabid/56/CategoryID/1/List/0/Level/1/ProductID/1/Default.aspx?SortField=UnitCost+DESC%2cProductName and it is very comfortable and I have no issues with this pussy nonsense of weight.
I can carry all day doing any number of activities and even drive with it for 14-18 hours of the day.
Id recommend a 5 inch over any 4 inch. I did for a while though have a Sig C3 1911 and it was 4" and I liked it, yet desired the 5".
Good luck with your search.
If you truely are concerned with weight, get a polymer pistol with a 4" barrell and more mag capacity.
Are you serious? I have owned 5 diffrent 1911s.
2 Springfields (G.I. and Loaded)
Sig Sauer C3 4"
Kimber Custom II
Kimber Grand Raptor II
Not one of them I ever had an issue with reliability, eating shit or good ammo or an issue with concealing them.
I made 0 mods to any of them and I cleaned them most of the time when i got home from the range. Sometimes I didnt. I jhust don not understand this reliability issue people talk with the 1911s. I have had 0 FTF or FTEs on any of them. Obviously YMMV, but that spread of diff 1911s would make most rethink this nonsense of reliability.
ETA: The SA GI model for instance, I purchased 200 rounds of independence ball ammo. To me it is shit ammo. All 200 rounds went down range and on target in a matter of 45 minutes or so. I went form gun store to the shooting range (not NRA) north of the Rifle Forest Ranger building. So this takes time crap is just that IMHO. Craptastic internet info.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaydoc1
Get the nicest 1911 that you can afford. Personally I would go with a Springfield Loaded in 5". You can usually find them for around $750-$850 bucks.
Good Luck[Beer]
For what its worth, my oldest son is 12 and has been shooting the 1911s I have had and even then not FTE due to his smaller size and potential for limp wristing. Again, I dont understand this take time and reliabilty issues you all speak of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colorado Luckydog
I agree with above. I have never had an issue with my 1911. I trust it more than my issued m9. I would def look at the features of the para and compare it with the springfield before making a purchase. But both are just as reliable. Remember its called a 1911 because the design came out in 1911. And here we are 99 years later and lots of people would still trust it with their lives. That should say something.
Huge +1. I have never shot a Para, but I wouldnt doubt its reliability or ability to eat anything you feed it and going bang when you pull the trigger.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rigger
I had a Remington Rand 1911 that would on accasion fail to extract,never did figure it out. Had a wierd day when I had an ejected round flip backwards ans the slide caught it and tried to feed it. Later the same day the same thing happened with my buddy. I was shooting a SA GI, and he was shooting a Rock Island.
That is why para Lowered and flared ejection port [Tooth]
I cant speak of other Para models, but the GI Expert is my fav. They are hard to find in stock, but well worth the search.
Very serious and many high level trainers agree with me. Actually I agree with them since there is no reason they would really care what my opinion is.Quote:
Originally Posted by DD977GM2
And in that vein I direct the OP to the following links in the hopes that a well-informed decision will be made.
1) Hilton Yam's website, 10-8 Performance.com. One of the best series of articles on the history of the 1911 and the modern fighting/duty/CCW 1911.
http://www.10-8performance.com/Articles.html
If the OP does no more research than to read those articles, he will still be able to make a much more well-informed decision.
2) The 1911 forums. Absolutely everything you could ever want to know about the 1911 platform.
http://forums.1911forum.com/
3). A photo reference of the most common 1911 malfunctions and their remedies:
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads...0&page=0#52142
Do some research. Make a well-informed decision. Enjoy your choice. It might be your first 1911, but I can almost guarantee it won't be your last. They're like drugs.
I would say yes. Am I going to bet my life on a firearm that I'm not sure is 100% reliable? Some experts require 1000 rounds down the pipe before they will consider a handgun for carry. There are GSs that do reliability packages specifically for 1911s for a reason. I like the 1911 platform but am also aware of it's quirks.Quote:
Originally Posted by DD977GM2
BTW What is ol' Otis carrying in his left hand? ;)
Anything mechanical wether a 1911, Glock, XD or even a Sigma will have bad eggs.
As far as all these forums and people "dedicating" their time, energy and lifestyle to the persuit of the all might 1911 with no malfunctions and reliability to even go up against God.......I personally think it is a load of shit. I have yet to own a 1911 that didnt go bang. I even own a sigma that has gone bang everytime and no failures yet.....about 1k rounds down the pipe.
As for needing the firearm to go bang when you need it most.....life threatening situation etc, 99% of us will never be in that situation for a few reasons.
1. We as gun owners have a higher situational awareness to our surroundings.
2. Likely hood we as gun owners would need to unholster, is slim to none.
3. Remember , those forums and those dedicated to the 1911 are doing it for a big reason....that is for money wether to write posativly about it or the actual owner of a particular company. You can only make a round object only so round.
This is my opinion and if I am worng, then Im wrong, I think the 1911 relability thing is blown way out of proprotion thanks mostly to the internet and bravado that comes with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ah Pook
STI Trojan.
I have over 1000 rounds of off the shelf ammo through mine. I have another 1000 rounds of custom loads through it as well. I reload hornaday 185gr jhp xtp due to the cost of very limited .45acp available on the shelf. And I have never had a single issue, even while working up the custom loads. I could have gotten lucky and gotten one with no issues. It could be a fluke. It doesn't matter to me, it fires correctly and accurately every time I squeeze the trigger. And that meets my standards.
I've been using the same slugs with great success. I don't understand why they are so much cheaper than other slugs because they are excellent and have decent terminal ballistics as well. They have also been the most accurate of the slugs I've used for reloading in .45.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rigger
Another one who carries a 1911. Despite what Glock fanboys love to spout, the 1911 is a great carry pistol. My Colt Combat Elite has been flawless from day one. I couldn't say that about the STI Ranger II that I had; damned thing broke two parts the first trip to the range, and still didn't work after being sent back. I lost all confidence in the pistol. That's just me, plenty of folks have had great success with STI.
Definately look at the Cross Breed holsters. They are nice and comfortable. I wear mine with my full size CE in the summer time with cargo shorts.
My roommate has a smith and wesson pd that I love. Its pretty light for a 1911 if weight is a concern. It doesn't have some outragious round count through it or anything, but it sure does shoot well. Now my Llama on the other hand, I haven't had any problems with it so far, but you sure wouldn't ever catch me carrying it.
Similar also to the Crossbreed Supertuck is the Comp-Tac Minotaur. The nice thing about the Minotaur is that you can simply switch out the Kydex portion for different firearms. Takes about five minutes to do and then you don't have to buy a holster for each of your carry guns (if you carry more than one).Quote:
Originally Posted by Birddog1911