1911 questions

[ArmednReady]

So some of you may have seen a previous post on a good .45 for a SHTF senario and as said before I was leaning twords an M&P but somthing tells me to not count out a 1911. So here is the deal those $1,200 kimbers are out of my range I cant afford to spend that on a gun right now. I like the Springfield loaded its a nice gun with all the modern bells and whistles. Also there is the standard GI model. So my question or questions are are all the modern features on a new 1911 necesarry? I mean obviously an extended beaver tail, lowered ejection port, and skeletonized trigger and hammer are great features but do they make a huge difference in how the gun perfoms? Kind of a dumb question I know but im curious. People tell me the GI models are crap but they have been in service since WW1 and they served up till veitnam if im correct and I know they had some issues like any gun would but if the standard GI model went through some of the toughest wars in are history then why do some people say its crap? Simply put is a GI model more likely to have issues than a more modernized 1911?

[AAShooter]

A Kimber Classic Custom is hard to beat for a basic 1911. You can get them for less than $1200.

[fullspeed1]

Here's my Kimber Custom II. Paid $707 from Buds Guns, Then added an Ed Brown Max-Well and Kimber laminate grips for an additional $130. It's simply been reliable out of the box with all my reloads. Feels tight and shoots smooth.

[ruddogg]

I rented the Springfield Stainless Steel 1911 at On Target, was NOT impressed, I think that has a little more bells & whistles than the GI? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I preferred shooting my Sigs. On Target also has a Wilson CQB & a Sig 1911 for rent. I will get around to renting those at some point to compare to the Springfield SS.

Go rent & shoot them before you buy.

So some of you may have seen a previous post on a good .45 for a SHTF senario and as said before I was leaning twords an M&P but somthing tells me to not count out a 1911. So here is the deal those $1,200 kimbers are out of my range I cant afford to spend that on a gun right now. I like the Springfield loaded its a nice gun with all the modern bells and whistles. Also there is the standard GI model. So my question or questions are are all the modern features on a new 1911 necesarry? I mean obviously an extended beaver tail, lowered ejection port, and skeletonized trigger and hammer are great features but do they make a huge difference in how the gun perfoms? Kind of a dumb question I know but im curious. People tell me the GI models are crap but they have been in service since WW1 and they served up till veitnam if im correct and I know they had some issues like any gun would but if the standard GI model went through some of the toughest wars in are history then why do some people say its crap? Simply put is a GI model more likely to have issues than a more modernized 1911?

[Oceanbob]

I like those grips....

[QUOTE=fullspeed1;5324767]Here's my Kimber Custom II. Paid $707 from Buds Guns, Then added an Ed Brown Max-Well and Kimber laminate grips for an additional $130. It's simply been reliable out of the box with all my reloads. Feels tight and shoots smooth.

A very good looking weapon...and a good price..

I've been thinking about having my 70 Series Gold Cup National Match .45 re-blued...after 5 thousand flawless rounds and holster wear she needs some
new Grips, a new finish and maybe a new spring kit...I sure love her.

She's smooth as silk.

[OneSevenDeuce]

Are all those new features necessary? No, not at all. The only new thing that I would really recommend on a 1911 is a good set of sights. Springfield's GI sights are... Well, GI sights. Modern three dots are a favorite of mine. Also, something that you may not need, but I like an extended grip safety. I don't have meaty hands, and sometimes I don't fully engage the grip safety on standard GI type models.

A GI model wont have more "issues" but it is a loaded question, because specs are so different between manufacturers sometimes. They all seem to need a break in period, but GI models have always been good to me.

[Speedpower]

All I can say is that the Beavertail grip safety is a must, it is better to buy a gun that comes with it (it will be installed nicely, better than adding it later) and yes the modern low mount sights are nice too!

[OneSevenDeuce]

All I can say is that the Beavertail grip safety is a must, it is better to buy a gun that comes with it (it will be installed nicely, better than adding it later) and yes the modern low mount sights are nice too!

Eh, I could take it or leave it when it comes to the beavertail grip safety. I don't really like how they look aesthetically and I never had a problem with hammer bite. But then again, some people really do NEED them.

[corvetteguy]

You may want to consider a Rock Island Armory Tactical! I got mine from Buds for around $450. It has most of the bells and whistles and a lifetime warranty! I sure love mine!

David

[AAShooter]

897 important features you need:

1 through 895) Reliable . . . runs flawlessly with the ammo you intend to use!
896) De-horned . . . lose all the sharp edges.
897) Night sights if you have the extra money.

Kimber Custom or Glock are both hard to beat.

[tiko]

My Springfield GI ($500) has had FTFs so far (3000 rds), at 15 yards, she is as accurate as my Les Baers. But I do not like 3 things: No bevel mag well ( slower to insert a mag in), No adjustable/ big/ bright sights and no enlarged ejection port ( brass are threw straight back, not side way). But those thing does not affect accuracy.

[Bellehood]

if you must have a 1911, and want one that is midde-of-the-desert-and-still-dont-need-lube reliable and affordable; RIA, Sig 1911, or a well worn in used Colt.

[redcliff]

Things you NEED:
Reliability
Good trigger pull (can be done after purchase, but budget for it)
Good sights (can be done after purchase, but budget for it)
Extra magazines (Wilson, Tripp, etc)

Things you should also get to save money down the road:
Beavertail grip safety (which will require a commander hammer or shortened spur hammer)
Tactical thumb safety or ambidexterous safety if left-handed.

Things I add to most of my 1911's:
Flat mainspring housing
Short trigger
front strap checkerring
match bushing
lowerred and flared ejection port
good holster, I prefer leather and lined

Things I occasionally add:
mag well (if game gun or home defense gun, not a ccw gun)
exteneded mag release (if game gun)

Things I have not added in last 25 years:
extended slide stop
any grip with built in finger grooves

A lot of people on this forum have RIA tacticals and seem to like them, you get a lot of good features for a low price on them for sure.

[fonzy]

45

Just start with the basics. For the budget a RIA or Springfield GI. Colts are harder to find cost a little bit more. And just add as you need. You may find you don't need some of that stuff, so why spend money on it. That's why it's hard to find two 1911s exactly the same and why everyone likes them. They are easy to adapt to each owner's preference.

[9mmepiphany]

The following is taken from an article by Hilton Yam...Who really does know what it takes for a hard duty 1911...on how to choose a 1911 to bet your life on.

please click on the link to understand the what and why

Here are the basic specifications to examine for a duty 1911:

•Full sized Government Model 1911 format with 5" barrel length and steel frame for increased reliability and durability.
•Chambered in .45 ACP, as that is the caliber in which the gun was designed and functions best. The greatest number of magazine options are available in .45 ACP.
•Standard Browning barrel without integral feed ramp. Ramped barrels typically have very steep feed ramps that don't feed well. Wide mouthed hollowpoints can also catch at the bottom of the integral ramp, creating further feeding issues.
•Standard milspec short recoil spring guide rod and plug.
•Recoil spring rating of 17-18.5 lbs to improve durability with full power duty loads.
•Availability of ambidextrous safety for left handed users.
•Type of firing pin safety system, if any. See below for further.
•Light rail or standard dust cover.
•Type of finish.

http://www.10-8performance.com/1911_Duty_Use.html