1911 Tips

[LloydXmas250]

Ill be stopping in to see my first 1911 tomorrow. Finally got to the store. Have to wait a little more for payday and then I'll start DROS. Until then I've been trying to learn more about the 1911 but sometimes it's hard to search for things to learn when I don't know what to search for. So for me, and what seems like countless people who are new to 1911s, do you guys have any tips on them? I'm looking for good to know stuff like how the sear can get damaged by manually decocking the hammer instead of dry firing it. Any help would be awesome.

[Black Majik]

Honestly, handle / shoot as many 1911s as you can. One, or a few will speak out to you. Feel the way the grip safety rides on the web of your hand, how the thumb safety snicks on and off, how the barrel locks in battery, how the frame is cut and how it fits your hand. There are so many things to look for, I would first write a list of options you need on a 1911 (such as quality sights, slight dehorn etc...) and then a list of options you'd like. See which models fit your criteria the best. What is your budget, and what role do you want your 1911 to fill?

[LloydXmas250]

Honestly, handle / shoot as many 1911s as you can. One, or a few will speak out to you. Feel the way the grip safety rides on the web of your hand, how the thumb safety snicks on and off, how the barrel locks in battery, how the frame is cut and how it fits your hand. There are so many things to look for, I would first write a list of options you need on a 1911 (such as quality sights, slight dehorn etc...) and then a list of options you'd like. See which models fit your criteria the best. What is your budget, and what role do you want your 1911 to fill?

I've done most of that already. That's how I went from a RIA 1911A1 to a Springfield Mil Spec. I love the look and feel of the old style. The rounded MSH is just so nice in my hand. Everything about that gun to me was positive. Tomorrow I'll check this specific one since it will be mine and make sure I love it.

[Black Majik]

I've done most of that already. That's how I went from a RIA 1911A1 to a Springfield Mil Spec. I love the look and feel of the old style. The rounded MSH is just so nice in my hand. Everything about that gun to me was positive. Tomorrow I'll check this specific one since it will be mine and make sure I love it.

Nice choice. The SA Milspec is an excellent 1911. Forged too.

[LloydXmas250]

Nice choice. The SA Milspec is an excellent 1911. Forged too.

Thanks. I loved the way it felt and everything on the one I touched worked flawlessly. Hopefully mine is fine too and I'll star DROS soon.

So anyone know any little known advice that would better prepare me for a 1911? Any kind of weird things that I can't do with it that I wouldn't have learned from other handguns? Like aiming. I've heard that's different. How so? Something about a six-o-clock hold?

[OutkastSL]

I just started DROS on my first handgun which is a Springfield 1911 Loaded with Ed Brown trigger, trigger job, and new colt sear. This is used. I contemplated the RIA and Milspec, but the price of this was so good I couldn't pass it up. Take a look at the Loaded. Very similar to the Mil spec but adds some night sights, a lighter trigger, and some cosmetic changes.

[homerm14]

I guess two important things to know about the 1911 are 1 wear safety glasses when taking the spring plug out. Or at the very least point it in a safe direction. If you loose grip on it, they will fly and either you will leave a nice mark on your forehead or never see it again (don't ask me how I know). If you do loose the spring plug in the field and still need to shoot you can use an empty .45 case to replace it. 2nd try not to let the slide slam forward on an empty chamber. It is very hard on the gun and can cause damage to it.

[LloydXmas250]

I hate when people do that in gun stores. Hope mine wasn't treated like that. I'll check it out when I visit the store. As for the loaded, I wanted an old style 1911. Plus it's a tad out of my price range. Maybe the next one though.

[Sturnovik]

Ill be stopping in to see my first 1911 tomorrow. Finally got to the store. Have to wait a little more for payday and then I'll start DROS. Until then I've been trying to learn more about the 1911 but sometimes it's hard to search for things to learn when I don't know what to search for. So for me, and what seems like countless people who are new to 1911s, do you guys have any tips on them? I'm looking for good to know stuff like how the sear can get damaged by manually decocking the hammer instead of dry firing it. Any help would be awesome.

Nice choice. I just ordered my RIA with special hammer. Your good to go, just keep trying them out as you get them so you get the whole battery of arms.

I also am doing "press checks" more often since its a good skill to do with a 1911 even though I do it already on my Sig, and also getting used to flipping that safety off.

[Woodworker2]

This site does a great job of describing what "options" are available for 1911s, and what the descriptions "mean". http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/custom_mods.htm

There are also a considerable number of custom parts available as well; Brownell's 1911 catalog http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/Mi...1911-6-WEB.pdf

[ns3v3n]

This site does a great job of describing what "options" are available for 1911s, and what the descriptions "mean". http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/custom_mods.htm

There are also a considerable number of custom parts available as well; Brownell's 1911 catalog http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/Mi...1911-6-WEB.pdf

very informative!

[LloydXmas250]

I'll check that sight out. Thanks.

Anyone know about the dry firing vs. manual decocking? Or the six-o-clock hold? Thanks.

[Sturnovik]

I'll check that sight out. Thanks.

Anyone know about the dry firing vs. manual decocking? Or the six-o-clock hold? Thanks.

Everyone I've talked to say its fine to dry fire a 1911. In any case I always decock with the left thumb and just let it down. I think thats good practice, as well as press checking. I dont know what the "6 clock hold" is, can you enlighten me?

[rojocorsa]

6 o'clock hold is when you put your front sight at the very bottom of your target.

[Neve]

I found this to be very informative from a true pro.