The 1911 bug

[Left Coast DJ]

I went to Turners in Pasadena on Friday on my way home from work to check out their USPs - since I was planning on getting one. However, I got a chance to handle a Springfield TRP that was in the adjacent case. Man, what a piece! Now I'm not so sure about the USP.

I've never owned a 1911. I've fired a few - the last being a Sig GSR about 9 months ago. I can't afford the $1400 TRP, of course. But while looking on Impact and Davidsons, I noticed the Springfield PX9109L. Does anyone have one? If so, how do you like it?

Being left handed, I absolutely must have ambi safeties.

DJ

[saki302]

If you are a 'gun guy', do yourself a favor and save up to buy the pistol you really want. You'll just end up getting it later and paying more for it- trust me, I know

-Dave

[Black Majik]

Good advice by Dave, if you want something, get it now... save up, but in the end you'll end up getting what you want anyways so why wait? btw, It started for me as a basic 1911, then a 1911 with the bells and whistles production 1911, then the semi-custom 1911, now I'm contemplating sending in my basic no frills Colt to get some work done to it.

The 1911 bug bites hard, you sure you wanna get into it?

[ryang]

Have you considered Kimbers? I consider the TLE one of the best bangs for buck.

[CaliTheKid]

The 1911 bite is murder on the bank account. Sigh. I remember when all I wanted was a Glock.

And I agree-- save and buy the best you can. In 1911's it's it's especially worth it. I have a few and for all the Kimber bashing I read these day's the TLE RLII I have has been a great money to gun value. It's not a Wilson CQB but it cost less than half and I would not say it's "half" the gun by any measure.

[jlmurphy]

I have the S.A. 9109 Loaded, great gun. I too owned and shot lots of revolvers, not wanting what I considered the problems of a semi auto, I ended up with a Hi Power clone in a trade and couldn't believe how naturally it pointed and shot, my only complaint was the roundabout trigger linkage and the light construction of the frame. The 1911 has both of those problems solved and difference between 9mm and .45 hollow points has to be seen to be believed. I bought a Stainless Loaded last Dec. and the Parkerized in June. Springfield Armory service dept. has to be the best, when I stripped the 9109, I found the barrel to be poorly fitted, I sent it back and S.A. sent me a new pistol. Be sure to completely strip any pistol before buying. The S.A. pistols are all forged in Brazil, the ones with an N prefix in the serial number are finished in Brazil, the ones with an NM prefix are machined and finished in the U.S. and are generally considered to be superior, although there are exceptions.

[HeHateMe]

I recently got a SA GI .45, my 4th 1911 and I'm really really liking it. It's got the classic look. It shoots very accurately. I've had some FTE problem, but some extractor tuning has mostly cured it, although I might still buy an aftermarket extractor. I think for $450, you can't beat the SA GI .45s.

[slowjonn]

I too was bitten by the 1911 bug a few years ago. I also have a brace of kimbers and Springfileds now. All have been great weapons. I also agree with Dave, save and get what you want/ can afford. I recently ordered a Les Baer Custom Carry to add to the stable. The 9108 is a nice gun. You won't be disappointed. I usually tell my wife that "it would have cost me money not buy it" because as the other posts have stated, you'll only end up buying one down the road, usually for more than you would pay for it now. Good luck!

[maxicon]

I got a Springfield MilSpec (the regular, not the GI) for my first (and only, so far) 1911, and it's been great. Reliable, accurate, tight, and solid. I really like it, though I don't shoot it as much as some of my other guns because it's expensive to feed.

I'm sure all the extra doo-dads you can get on a 1911 are good for something, but I honestly can't find anything to improve on this one. The trigger is crisp and light (too light for me to want to use it for a defense gun), and it's one of my top 3 most accurate handguns. I added some nice wood grip panels because I like the looks and feel.

Maybe if I shot a $1500 1911 for a while, this would feel like a clumsy, gritty piece of crud, but I could buy 2-3 guns on my wish list for the same money, so I doubt I'll find out anytime soon.

max

[Buford]

A tight and solid mil-spec

[saki302]

I recently bought an older Kimber Gold Match (original sries-70 spec) from a friend- Kimber-bashing? That older gun is frigging beautiful! Shoots great, slide is on greased rails, and it's probably 90% of a Les baer at 1/2 the price or less (I felt my friend's Baer- it's *TIGHT*- I see where 3" to 1.5" at 50 yards can come from).

I have an older Hi-Power mk3 also. It's got a looser slide, but the thing seems to be pretty darn accurate to me. For equivalent work, the trigger on the 1911 can be made 1-1.5# lighter than the hi-power due to that oddball triple-pivoting trigger linkage system
It does feel subjectively lighter than it is (4# on my HP), but then again, I'm used to my Glocks (4.5-5 at best).

-Dave

[Left Coast DJ]

Has anyone dealt with Gilbert's Guns? I'm thinking about this deal:

https://www.gilbertsguns.com/index.php?request=main.viewproduct&productid=1248&categoryid=8&ck_SID=fbf096d07ec82e9001beecb9982

DJ

[hkfooey]

My first 1911 is a TRE/RL II... very nice, but expensive.

Afterwards I have a SA Mil-Spec: upgrade, upgrade and more upgrade (some by myself and others by local gunsmith).

Although I own a few Beretta & Sig... 1911 would be the one I go with (IDPA/IPSC or home security). Somehow the looks & feels on the 1911 is very unique.

[Exiledviking]

Which USP were you thinking about?

I a USP45F which I LOVE!
And I have 2 SA 1911s.

That is a hard choice. What are you going
to do with the gun? Mostly target?? Or...

[Left Coast DJ]

I'm flip-flopping between a USP 9mm and a SA 1911 Parkarized "loaded". Now I'm swinging back to the USP. It'll be mostly for range trigger time and home defense. I know the 9mm is considered anemic for defensive purposes. I already have a .40 (which I'm selling in the classified section) - but I find a .40 a little to jumpy. For now I'm going to get the 9mm so I can practice Jeff Cooper's seven priciples without much recoil.

DJ