Sidearms & Scatterguns stupid 1911s...i don't know why everyone loves 'em

corey4

corey4

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Feb 11, 2012
1,434
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pittsburgh pa
#1
because they rock!!! that's why! i never understood it at all. i have held them, finger fucked them in the LGS, a buddy of mine has 8 of them that i have handled, but never really wanted one. i just didn't get it. but the remmy caught my eye for some reason. so on an impulse, i snagged it. a remmy R1 enhanced SS. holy shit is it accurate. at 15 yards, i was hitting shot gun shells. not every time, but about 50% success. not bad for a crappy pistol shooter like myself.

so this leads me wanting another. they are like suppressors, can't have just one.

i drove to 5 LGS today to get my hands on some different brands and models. i have narrowed it down to the sig (scorpion and extreme) and the SW e-series. which do you guys like and why? i have been reading forums for the last few hours and it just depends on which site you go to that gets a good review. it was all over the map as far as what company and why. a lot of fan boy replies, and not many intelligent ones. i did notice a lot of bashing of the remmy. oh well, i like it, so F-em if they can't take a joke. it really doesn't matter to me that the sig doesn't have the traditional shape and has an external extractor. in fact, it gets a plus from me for being a bit different. i am more worried about function/reliability and accuracy. budget is $1500ish, only because the SW was about $1300, the sig $1000. sadly, i didn't get to see any of the higher end springfields. when i asked about ordering, everyone laughed at me. oh well, gotta go with what's in stock.

thank you in advance.
 
#2
I would say Springfield Armory TRP, but if you can't find one then the Sig Scorpion is supposed to be a very nice .45. I'm probable prejudiced because I own a TRP though. They seem to be easy to find here in Phoenix.
 
#3
If 1500 is your budget get a dan wesson. You will not find a better gun at that price or below. One exception being a springfield TRP. The reason is those two are semi custom production guns, meaning some of the stuff is hand fitted. This is vastly different from a regular production gun which all parts have a window of tolerance and some shmuck just puts it together like legos. As you probably know 1911's like to have critical tolerances so something at the top or bottom of that mass produced size window might have a negative effect.

Go to 1911 forums and check each manufacturers section, see how many complaint threads each brand you're considering has, that will give you an idea on quality. Or just handle a bunch and reference the following...

Here is a decent vid of what to look for
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=ZFMTMZCnSZs&desktop_uri=/watch?v=ZFMTMZCnSZs

A really good user guide
http://www.10-8performance.com/pages/1911-User's-Guide.html
 
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#4
one of us! one of us!
I love my 1911! I have a springfield armory loaded GI with mostly Wilson internals... man I love it. It isn't, my everyday carry gun (It was for awhile, but I got tired of having to carry 2 mags on the other side), but it sure as hell is my SHTF gun. My combat gear is all setup for a 1911. You can't argue with a .45, it has been handling business for over 100 years...
I have carried my 1911 and will take it if I am somewhere that deems my .40cal 16rd mags illegal. I like that you can really tune a 1911 load almost to the degree of precision rifle rounds.
If I were to go out and buy a 1911 that wasn't a Kimber, I would get the Sig Scorpion. I like how solid and tight it feels, plus it just looks mean.
 
#13
does anyone make a 9mm that is just as accurate as a 45? i only ask is i have 2 9mm cans and "some" ammo already.

seems like on every forum the springfields are always at the top of the list, followed by sig. very little mention of the SW.

yesterday i almost walked out with one of the sigs. i had to slow my roll and take a step back to avoid another impulse buy (not that i regret my remmy).
 
#14
STI makes a few 9mm's. I have a Trojan and it is the most accurate pistol i have ever fired. I the Dwason Precision fiber optic front sight on mine and it is perfect. Never had a malfunction (but I do keep it clean). I have owned a ton of 1911's but this is one I will never sell.
 
#15
The Dan Wesson Valor and Springfield TRP are the two best band for the buck, semi-custom production guns; and happen to be around your price range. The TRP is a little more aggressive on the checkering and grips, but both guns are great shooters.
 
#16
I spent a lot of time looking in the price range you mention and I kept coming back to the Wesson and the Springfield. Great shooters right out of the case, durable and they retain their value. The real kicker for me was the fact that if you ever wanted to send them back for more work that can be done and there are a lot of folks that can make them really custom if you start to wear them out.

If you are interested in a cool 9mm check out the Springfield EMP.
 
#18
i have had quite a few at this point and all but a few have been sold r traded over the years. the only ones that have managed to stay with me are. Springfield, colt delta elite, and my sig. I am currently looking into my first night hawk so that may change every thing!

so my answer is.. springfield, colt or sig
 
#19
My answer is if you got 1500 save another 200-300 up and let you les Baer premier 2 should be able to find one for 1600-1800 no problem.

The les is a much higher quality gun. I don't think anyone argue that a les will out perform a sig 1911 or S&w or dan wesson. The trp would be my second choice.
 
#20
you know, i was sitting around having a few beers last night, and the thought occurred to me...

1911s are like boobs. everyone has seen them, everyone has played with them, but you just can't help yourself to want to see and play with all of them! they are all basically the same. they all have the same function and parts. some are updated and some are not. but you still want to play with them all!

this is going to get expensive real quick!

seems like the TRP is the pick of the litter on most of the forums. why is that?
 
#21
sidewaysil80 said:
If 1500 is your budget get a dan wesson. You will not find a better gun at that price or below.
Click to expand...

This FTW unless bells and whistles are your thing.

Unless something has dramatically changed since I last read up on them, you may want do some research into how Dan Wessons are made and the parts that go into them. I'm not sure it is much different than the other big name semi-customs like Baer and Brown.

I think the 1911 forum has some info.

Keep in mind if you go to the Springfield subforum and ask "Wesson or TRP?", don't be shocked if they tell you to get the TRP! Likewise the Wesson forum. Try to find someone who owns both.
 
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#22
when you guys say bells and whistles, what do you mean?

the checkering/serrations on the front and back of the grip, extended beaver tail (not the GI), serrations on the front of the of the slide. what else am i missing?
 
#23
I have owned most every 1911 and the TRP is a great gun in that price range. BUT, the 20 LPI front strap checkering is too aggressive in my opinion and creates an uncomfortable shooting experience. For that reason alone I recommend the Dan Wesson with 25 LPI checkering. The Les Baer is super nice with 30 LPI and feels like fine sand paper. Now, so people may start commenting on how you need to "man up" with the aggressive checkering, but the platform was originally designed as smooth, so any over the top checkering is unneeded IMO. Shoot some hot loads through any TRP and you'll know what I mean after a full mag.

Look at the Dan Wesson. Good luck!
 
#24
corey4 said:
you know, i was sitting around having a few beers last night, and the thought occurred to me...

1911s are like boobs. everyone has seen them, everyone has played with them, but you just can't help yourself to want to see and play with all of them! they are all basically the same. they all have the same function and parts. some are updated and some are not. but you still want to play with them all!

this is going to get expensive real quick!

seems like the TRP is the pick of the litter on most of the forums. why is that?
Click to expand...

So true! Except 1911's get better with age ;)
 
#26
I believe the TRP is so recommended because it is close to what the average 1911 shooter wants out of the box, everything wanted with nothing more, at a decent price.

Me, these are what I prefer:

10-8 Performance Delta or Golf.
 
#29
I have all the Springfield's and I drink the koolaid. I own Browns, and NHC, SA Pro's. But the TRP does what they all do for $1k less. The aggressive checkering grows on you. I didn't like it at first, then grew to like it.

In general you get what you pay for in 1911's. The more expensive ones will have better crafsmanship and better parts. Its starts to be diminishing returns after $2,500. People spend $4k on them, and people spend $10,000 + on rifles sin scope .

The TRP is a very solid gun without entering the $2K mark. Mine was my first 1911, and it has cost me a small fortune. :)
 
#31
Watch out, I have two Volkmanns now that are about $4K each so yea this is going to get expensive real fast, but for now, get the Dan Wesson. Just know that you'll be buying lots of them, in a few years you'll probably have owned everyone that's been mentioned on this thread.
 
#33
1911's? They seem to work all the time, every time and they shoot pretty good, too. I've been a 1911 guy since the late 70's when I was on the battalion combat pistol team and that raggedy rattling old 1911 had me knocking down pop ups at 50 meters the very first time I ever fired one.

Then I bought a Browning BDM. Firing pin broke the first weekend I had it. Got it fixed. Works fine. Feels good in my hand but uncomfortable to shoot and groups suck.

Then I bought a Glock M31. Only one failure to feed/eject (empty somehow got hung up with the next round and stopped I up.) Doesn't feel right in my hand. Doesn't shoot as good as the 1911s.

Then I bought a couple XDM in 9MM. So far they go bang every time and the compact 9MM outshoots the 5.25" competition model (who would have thought that??) They fit better than the Glock in my hand and shoot better groups than the Glock but still not as good as the 1911's

Then I bought a couple M&P's. They fit better in my hand (feel about as good as the 1911s) and the .357 SIG full size M&P shoots better than anything else I have but the 1911s. The 9MM trigger sucked (the only gun I've ever owned that actually required 2 fingers to get the trigger to release the sear/striker and fire the gun). On day two the trigger stopped working at all. An Apex sear kit fixed that but then the thing stopped going bang after a few months (I think I've got that problem fixed).

But, here we are. The BDM and one M&P have broken within hours of buying them. The XDMs are okay. The Glock has had more failures than two of my Colt 1911's and hasn't been shot nearly as much (one failure is more than none).

I'll admit to carrying the .357 SIG M&P more than the 1911's these days. I lay it on the floor of the garage when I'm working under a car. I lay it in the grass/dirt when I'm weeding around the bushes/flowers in the yard. It spends almost as much time on the ground as I do. I've promised myself I won't get upset if I scratch it or it gets a little rust on it. I'll most likely never have the history/memories of the plastic guns I have with my 1911's.
 
#35
Mark me down in the Dan Wesson camp. Springfield TRP would be another great option, but my personal preference is the DW. And if you're getting it for pure target shooting, my preference is the 9mm. The Dan Wesson PM-9 is a fine example. Here's a pic of mine. Also, pictured is my Dan Wesson CCO .45 ACP. So...my opinion is obviously biased! On that note, I have owned the same R1 you have. My first 1911, and I loved it. I've also had Springfields (never the TRP), 2 Kimbers, an Ed Brown, 2 Colt XSE's, and these 2 DW's. My favorites are the DW's.
photobucket-41753-1362526783874_zpsff852f9e.jpg
 
#37
bluto, the research i hve done, a lot of people have said the 9mm 1911 is not accurate at all. id the DW the exception?

i prefer the 9mm because i already have 2 9mm cans, and really don't want to get a 45 (if i have to i will!). what are your groups with the 9 compared to the 45?
 
#39
Yeah, yeah, yeah.... I used to be in the "9mm 1911 is blasphemy" camp, but the DW changed my life. It the sweetest shooting handgun I've ever owned. Smooth like butta! Accuracy is better than my 45's.

But...I do have a full size 1911 in .45 (besides the DW CCO in the previous picture). Don't let the similar grips confuse you. Say hello to my good buddy Eddie B.

IMG_20130501_230957_283_zps300f82de.jpg


Sorry OP. Not trying to hijack your thread. My advice on 1911's is to do just what I did. Get your credit card warmed up, and buy, try, and sell as many as you can. You're basically renting them for the cost of your FFL transfer fees and any loss you may incur on the sale. Well worth it in my opinion. Truth be known, that's what I'm doing with the Ed Brown now. Unfortunately, he's just passing through my safe right now. I'm going to sell it once I get near 1000 rounds down the tube. It's one sweet shooting gun too! Both the DW's are staying though. I've had them both for awhile now.
 
#40
i am seriuosly considering this: Advanced Armament Corporation Pistol

any thoughts?

i would like a 9mm because of all the ammo i have, and my 2 cans are for 9mm as well.

i figure, just skip the entry level ones and jump right to the high end.

from the reviews i have been reading, the 9mm 1911 is just not accurate as the 45. how does the NHC 9mm compare? i have not found too many accuracy reviews.
 
#41
Awwwwww,..

I wish you had not posted that. The gun looks great and it is exactly what I am trying to do with one of my Colts when I get back home. (I already have the Ti-Rant & piston)
If you do go with that hope you would be good enough to post a range report.
 
#43
I can't comment on the AAC pistol, but I can speak in favor of the 9mm 1911.

I picked this STI a few months ago and it has been nothing but awesome.

<a href="http://imgur.com/57zkZoS"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/57zkZoSl.jpg?1" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

I just crossed the thousand round mark at a match a week ago. It's an inexpensive joy to shoot with super smooth and light recoil. I'm no great pistol shot so this isn't saying much, but this pistol is not the limiting variable in the accuracy equation for me. It goes exactly where I point it every time, for better or worse.

As far as reliability is concerned, I have had one failure to go into battery with flat point ball and defensive hollow points don't like to feed from full magazines, but downloaded 1 or 2 rounds they run without issue. Of course YMMV.
 
#44
mars armament has a 9mm series 70 colt of mine can't wait to get it back, black ops is building me a railed commander in 9mm as well. 9mm is cheaper then 45 but in a 1911 doesn't break your muscle memory, all types of win
 
#46
ordered the nighthawk. i should have it middle of next week. it took 3 hours of calling dealers from their website. i called all the dealers within 200 miles of my zip code, then moved on to the next state. found one in findlay ohio.

some dealers had the 45, a few had the one with the rail. i didn't want the rail on it.
 
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