Re: 1st 1911
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jim D</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cvedrick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jim D</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cvedrick</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"Considering getting my first 1911. Seems like such a lot of choices.
Priorities for me:
-Reliable
-Quality firearm & parts
-Accurate
-Price"
OK in order,
Reliability:
You will need to <span style="font-weight: bold">change out your recoil spring every 10,000-15,000 rounds</span> ($20.00)and at least check your trigger main and firing pin springs. <span style="font-weight: bold">These are the only expected wear items</span> and unless you are double charging your loads or buying cheap ammo (white box, green stripe) Your new pistol can and will last for 500,000 rounds with regular cleaning and minimal lubrication (A broken in SS model only needs 3 drops of oil if that, CS needs a protective coating)
<span style="font-weight: bold">Quality firearm and parts
SIG
Springfield
Taurus
Para
This is in order of expected pricing, not quality, they are pretty much equal in basic quality.</span>
Accuracy:
Before you buy it, cycle the slide, is it gritty or smooth. Try to get the slide to move side to side, try to do the same with the barrel.
(it has nothing to do with accuracy, but do take a look at the feedramp a smooth shiny feedramp prevents Failure To Feeds) (If yo haqve a dremel, <span style="font-weight: bold">you caqn Fluff -N- Buff your hood throat and feedramp yourself)</span>
Pricing:
you can get a basic (GI) in Springfield, Para or Taurus in the $500 to $600 range. I would figure to add a SA extended magwell ($75 + fitting) and a S&A high rise grip safety ($30.00 + fitting) before too long especially if you are like me and have "man" hands. Believe me you will want that hi-rise beavertail the first time you get "hammer bite" which being a noob will probably happen in the first 2 boxes you run it through.
I admit some models have both features, but I do not like springfields minimal thumb safeties, the huge lump on their grip safeties or their cluttering of a good design with ambidexterous safeties. (If I am shooting lefty, my right hand is buggered and I am in a situation where I DO NOT need a thumb safety) As far as target sights go,<span style="font-weight: bold"> all you need is the front sight</span>, target sights snag, slow you down and absorb your money.
"Intended uses:
-Self defence
-plinking
-possible concealed carry, but not main intended use
-possible competition down the road but not a high priority"
Uses:
Any 1911 will take care of plinking and self defence, concealment is a bit rougher as it is 1) heavy and 2) a full size handgun.
With the two changes listed above you can compete in IPSC or other action comps, probably not place first, but also not unheard of and if you really really get into it you can always go out and buy a $3000 pistol. (FYI one of my buddies uses an off the shelf para, his kid placed 3rd the first time he went out, would have been 1st for speed and accuracy, but he kept fouling)
If you think you might want to get into "Wild Bunch" you are forced to use the GI model.
Forget about undersize frames, might as well get a chick gun as a shortened 1911. John Browning was a friggin genius and he went with 5" for a reason.
Another +2 freebie for you GET CHIP MCCORMIC SHOOTING STAR MAGAZINES. Get them in SS, get them with the optional base pads. I kid you not, do not even think about any other mag. Get them!</div></div>
You're advice directly contradicts that offered by numerous respected experts on the platform.
What is your experience with 1911's, and all of the brands of 1911's which you specifically mentioned above? </div></div>
Please be more specific, what did I say that contradicts the rest of the shooting community and what makes yo think the makes and models I listed are not good choices for a beginner with limited funds?</div></div>
It was bolded for you. Sig, Taurus, and Para Ord are all terrible 1911 makers.
Recoil springs should be replaced every 3k at a minimum. Rear sights are typically necessary items for shooting a pistol, too. Extractors are also wear items in the 1911.
As I said...what experience do you have with 1911's, specifically the brands you mentioned?</div></div>
for the price he quoted, they were indeed the best,
as far as para, the fastest shooter in the world is 23 (no sponsorship so no name recognition and his first name is not jerry...)
If you read again, I said rear sights are NOT necessary the better your pistol fits you and the more you practice with it the less you need it, why do you think the emphasis is on the front sight, not the rear? hope you enjoy that nice painful gouge your target sight gives you the first time you really need to draw it in a hurry. In fact I know of at least one instance where competitors forgot to install their rear sights and carried the match only later realizing their mistake.
