First Handgun Purchase

[Jason762]

Well, today was my 23rd birthday, and I got some cash. Looking through my wallet I found my Handgun Safety Certificate and noticed it expires 12-18-09. So I got this extra cash, no debts, no bills, and a hankering for a 1911. I did a little searching and I want a American-made .45 caliber 1911 in stainless steel with an ambidextrous safety (because I'm a lefty).

Did a little additional searching, and I like the Colt 01079XSE. The cheapest I can find it is $ 835 (shipping included). I also like Wilson Combat's Protector. Not only do I like it, I love the damn thing... but it cost a whopping $2,431! So I'm wondering...do I go for the Protector (and eat Top Ramen for a month), or get the Colt? (I could buy 3 for the cost of 1 Wilson Combat!) Is the Protector really worth it, or am I paying for a name?

What am I doing with it? It'd be my do-all working gun, so to speak. I'd take it camping/backpacking, shoot a little bullseye at the 25 yard range, a "tactical pistol" class or two, and maybe the annual IDPA/IPSC shoot, and one of these days wear it legally with my CCW permit.

Thanks

[MKE]

I'd get the Colt and eat well. If I spent $2,000+ on a gun, it will be in a case and locked up.

No sense in eating noodles and admiring the Wilson if you can't afford to shoot it regularly. Range fees and .45 ammo aren't exactly cheap these days.

[domokun]

If you're on a "budget" try looking at a Kimber 1911. They're sweet, super accurate, and don't carry the premium of the Colt and Wilson's combat name. A decent Kimber can be found for ~$1000 or less. Bullseye carries them and have them available for rental if you want to try it out.

[SONYEXEC]

I second the COLT purchase.......$2k for a gun? Only if I was an extreme collector

[Jason762]

If you're on a "budget" try looking at a Kimber 1911. They're sweet, super accurate, and don't carry the premium of the Colt and Wilson's combat name. A decent Kimber can be found for ~$1000 or less. Bullseye carries them and have them available for rental if you want to try it out.

I like 'em but none of their SS pistols are ambidextrous and I've heard due to some conflict with Ed Brown (or someone like 'em) they are hard to fit with aftermarket safeties.

[Millions-Knives]

Gold Match II in Stainless. Barrels are fitted in the Custom Shop. I use one.

[TonyKat]

First gun? Want a 1911? Go with the original.

Colt.

[The SoCal Gunner]

You could always get a base model and get a great smith to do some magic on it and it'll cost somewhere between the two.

[Bongos]

Too bad you are in NorCaL, if you were in SoCAL, for a few hundred dollars more, i could sale you my Wilson Tactical Elite in Mint condition , the wilson will be your only 1911 and it will serve you well, the difference is in the details, you can buy any plain jane 1911, but what set them apart is the quality and details... if you go with the plain Jane, your thirst will want a Wilson and then you would have to take a lost on the yours and buy what you really want and that is a Wilson... you KNOW what i'm talking about, it's just hard to comprehend a $2K gun at first, but when you pass that line, you KNOW it was a good purchase and appreciate it even more!

[cal_ar_shooter]

If you're on a "budget" try looking at a Kimber 1911. They're sweet, super accurate, and don't carry the premium of the Colt and Wilson's combat name. A decent Kimber can be found for ~$1000 or less. Bullseye carries them and have them available for rental if you want to try it out.

Wild Sports in Orangevale (Sacramento County) has the Custom II on sale
for 649.97. This was on add in Wednesdays Sacramento Bee page A6.

That a great deal....

[thebloodsonthewall]

Wild Sports in Orangevale (Sacramento County) has the Custom II on sale
for 649.97. This was on add in Wednesdays Sacramento Bee page A6.

That a great deal....

To bad my stimulus check hasn't come yet. I would definitely pick one of those up.

[tonelar]

I should really work less- No stimulus check for me. I'm jealous of all the extra gun buying sponsored by the g o v.


Dunno if its been said;
if you're considering ccw down the line
Look into a commander length bbl. I think it balances nicely as well.

[c good]

I would seriously consider a S&W 1911. A buddy of mine has one. It is absolutely the best shooting 1911, stock out of the box, of all of the different models I've tried over the years. Not bad pricewise either. HTH c good

[slowfire]

I'd go for the Colt and spend the extra money on ammo, a date, good food and accessories.
You're young, you can handle the ramen. Go for the name, then you will have one fancy pistol for conversation. Your collecting days have just started.

[SJgunguy24]

Kimber makes all of Wilson's frames. How about a GSR(sig) or a springfield. The S.& W. if I remember correctly comes with the ambi. saftey