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[Foriegn power]

,,,,,

[billped]

You want one, so just get one. If you don't like it you can sell it.


Bill

[aklon]

Criminey - if you have access to an original Colt's Series '70 Government Model, go for it.

Realistically, though, that Springfield Range Officer looks to be an exciting entree to the world of the .45 automatic.

(I have four high ends myself.)

[Cyc Wid It]

I've sold my Sigs and HK's and have just have 1911's. With regular cleaning/maintenance and an understanding of the platform, it's just as reliable and infinitely more fun to shoot as any other type of semi. They are also much more aesthetically pleasing and customizable.

[The SoCal Gunner]

I own Glocks myself but they satisfy me different than my 1911s. I shoot fairly accurate with my Glocks. I shoot better with my 1911s and they are just a whole lot funner and easier to shoot.

[LazyTheKid]

Any 1911 made by a quality gun maker (Springfield, Colt, Kimber, Dan Wesson, Les Baer...ever IRA and Taurus) should fire and fire straight. I think JMB tested his GI model before it was adopted as the US sidearm and put about 6000 rounds though it without a FTF. It really is a firearm design masterpiece.

[Stryprod]

Just like anything else, try it before you buy it.

Everyone knows someone who has a 1911 or a range that'll rent them. You will be able to decide if you even like the platform without investing in it. Should you like the platform, you will save a lot of time and money overall by trying many before you settle on your first, trust me!

The problem with 1911s is that there is always another 1911 you try with some desired feature(s) yours doesn't have. The more you shoot them the more you think "ah man, I really like the feel of a bobtail" or "gosh, this 20lpi checkered front strap feels great!" or "wow, this brands trigger is like sex in my hand." This is why it is imperative to try out as many as you can before you buy. You will narrow down certain common features you love or hate beforehand and really narrow the field down.

Now if you are worried about reliability out of the box, either find a brand that has a good reliability track record or one that has a great customer service. Speaking from experience, Springfield Armory has a great customer service. I won't speak to reliability as that is opening Pandora's box akin to Chevy v Ford but you'd be safe with any of the ****** more common names.

[The SoCal Gunner]

The problem with 1911s is that there is always another 1911 you try with some desired feature(s) yours doesn't have.

+1. I've gone through many 1911s and at this point in time only really need my Les Baer PII because I've narrowed down the features, size, and feel that I want in a 1911.

Now if I had the income to keep my collection growing I would have 1911s in all shapes and sizes.

[Foriegn power]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies not the "go use the search button," hate hearing that chit.

[Q619]

I've sold my Sigs and HK's and have just have 1911's. With regular cleaning/maintenance and an understanding of the platform, it's just as reliable and infinitely more fun to shoot as any other type of semi. They are also much more aesthetically pleasing and customizable.

Did pretty much the same thing.......with a few exceptions like revolvers....mainly single action (working up hot loads in my FA 353 Casull is a blast) and Glock 9mm's

1911's really aren't that intimidating or complicated once you learn the gun. The more you shoot them, the more you get hooked and find you no longer wish to shoot other guns. Do your research, rent some guns....check out 1911 forums (google is your friend) and find which gun is right for you. You can get a great gun for under $1K from Springfield, Colt etc.....or you could save up and spring for one of the semi customs.

One of the better ideas might be to get a Springfield Milspec, shoot it....learn the gun then find what you might want modified and start making a list, doing research along the way. Save up, and before long you can take your ideas and your money to the right shop/smith and have them either modify your gun or go all out for a full on custom build off your Springfield. You can make the a bone stock Milspec pretty darn accurate and dead nuts reliable for not much money. Mine just needed a tighter fit barrel bushing and a Wilson Extractor. Under $100. EGW will make a bushing to your specs, the Wilson extractor was already tensioned appropriately....just needed to blend it to the back of the slide and re-blue it. Springfield's pretty much make the BEST base guns. That's why you tend to see MANY customs built off them.

Hell, you might even like the gun as is. There's certainly nothing wrong with it.

Just know that the semi custom shops (Baer, Wilson, Brown, Nighthawk, Springfield CS) can make you a gun at the quality and performance level of a full house custom but at less cost and can be replaced (while your custom is a one of a kind).

I've got semi custom, custom and entry level guns. You can't go wrong with any so long as you know what you want out of the gun and go with it. There really is nothing like a finely fit/tuned 1911.

If a top notch 1911 is what you want, deferring gratification and saving for as long as you have to will be worth it in the end. Hell, chances are you'll find a heck of a deal on a used one in the process and not spend near as much as you thought you would. I've bought most of my guns on the secondary market.

One thing of note with Springfield is if you have issues, they'll fix your gun and make it right on their dime in a VERY timely manner. The next company up from them quality of service/support wise is Wilson Combat.....at a substancially higher starting price.

There's nothing wrong with dropping bucks on the right 1911, just know you don't have to lay out $2500 for a reliable gun. You can get one for well under 1K.

[Q619]

I've shot a LOT of 1911's and have owned some great ones as well. As far as factory/semi custom guns go, my favorites are the Les Baer TRS, Wilson Combat CQB, Ed Brown Special Forces and strangely: Springfield Milspec.

IMO, when it comes to quality and performance....the best value out there right now is a used Les Baer TRS or PII. I got my TRS for $1300 in new condition with a couple hundred rounds through it. I couldn't believe how great it was the first time I shot it. Was VERY impressed the first time I took it down and really got to look at it.

[Lexicon Devil]

I have a standard SA 1911a1 Milspec that is bone stock, and I absolutely love it. To be honest, I think less is more (the only exception is night sights or ambi-safetys for the leftys) but I think everything else is rather pointless.

[S dot]

Yes. You will love a 1911

No. it does not need all the extra bells and whistles. With all the numerous custom shops putting out gorgeous, and I do mean gorgeous, 1911s it leaves us 1911 guys something to crave for, and put on the illusion of need. Trust me, if there were custom shops on par with 1911s for Glocks, glock lovers would go nuts too.

the 1911 hasn't been reduced to the lowest common nominator it came from an era where owners took time to understand how their weapon functioned and how to maintain it to peak performance. This is not meant to steer you away, it really isn't too hard to learn the ins and outs of a 1911.

[kermitz]

1911's are addictive. You will probably not want to shoot or buy anything else. Any brand out there is good enough to get you started.

[JanG]

ria are great starter 1911s. but be careful, it's common knowledge that you won't be satisfied with just one.