Newbie 1911 Help

[whatwhy]

UPDATE: Jailed a Springfield TRP! Now looking for Mags and a .22 conversion recommendations! Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone,

I've decided that I want to own a handgun. I went through a bunch, I've fired a ton of glocks, 1911s (both .45 and 9mm), etc... The beretta M9 or 92FS was on the top of my list until I did some side-by-side comparisons this week. I am just not a big fan of the beretta trigger once I got it side by side with others.

With that said, I am likely going to be a one handgun kinda guy. It's not for carry, it's not for home defense, it's purely for recreational shooting. And let's be honest, it's hard to argue the 1911 is one of the most beautiful pistols out there.

A few concerns and questions I have here are the following, I am hoping you experienced shooters can school me on this. For reference, my budget is right around $600, so I am looking at the "entry level" 1911s.

First, I am partial to the Ruger SR1911 -- just for looks. I have one friend who must own over 100 firearms and swears by them. While it's just one man's opinion, it's one that I trust and regard highly.

I've read a lot of articles about how a 1911 is finicky, it's an old design, and that it requires lots of gunsmithing and attention to get it shooting right. This has me worried because I just want a gun that I can take to the range, fire hundreds of rounds through it, bring it home, clean it real quick, put it away, and have it ready to rock the next time. That is not to say I won't take the time to maintain and clean it, I just don't want to have to spend more money fixing it or putting better parts in it. In a nutshell: I want to shoot something out of the box. Would you guys recommend against a 1911? Or is this all BS?

.45 vs 9mm -- I don't care about the whole ballistics or stopping power arguments. Recoil is not a huge issue for me either. My main concern is cost, 9mm is still a bit cheaper to shoot. My main push to the 1911 and the .45 is that it's the "original" caliber for the 1911. I like that. I realize a 9mm 1911 is blasphemous to some, but if you own one, I'd love to hear your opinions. On top of this, while I am not a complete newbie shooter, I am new to handgun ownership--if there's a better gun out there in your opinion, I'd love to hear that as well (I am looking at the XD9, XD45, and Sigs, though I haven't shot them yet).

I've also read some arguments about the 1911 being "too easy" to shoot and making you a bad shooter with other guns. I don't care about this--at all. I find handguns difficult to shoot as is--I'll admit it, I'm a terrible shot with a pistol, slightly better with revolvers but I wouldn't call myself good or even "ok". If I can shoot good groups with an out-of-the-box 1911, then I'm happy because it'll be my 1911 that I can shoot well.

Anyway, enough rambling. Please recommend me brands/makes/models of 1911 and what you like or don't like about them. Let's keep it in the $600 range if possible. And once again, the main purpose of this gun will be fun shooting--not even necessarily paper shooting. I like to shoot paper with my rifles, but for handguns, I've always enjoyed shooting steel instead.

Thanks in advance! If you guys also know good shops in the Los Angeles or SoCal area for a 1911, please refer me as well!

tl;dr -- I'm a newb, I suck with handguns, I want a 1911 in .45 to shoot steel targets for fun, I don't carry, I don't plan on using it for home defense, I just want a range plinker -- should I buy one in the $600 range or just buy a 9mm XD9, Beretta, Glock, or something else?

[tinman1975]

I don't know if you can still get em for 600 bucks....but my first was a springfield mil spec. I preferred the parkerized finish because stainless seemed a little too flashy and I liked the idea of staying as close to the original as possible. That being said....you will then want to buy other handguns. I told myself the exact same thing....that I only wanted 1 handgun....eventually you will want more features. And then you will want other calibers, and so on and so on. But for your budget I think a mil spec is a pretty nice starter until you get a good idea of what else you want in a handgun. And as far as 1911s being "finicky" ....springfield has a lifetime warranty...if it is finicky, just send it back to them and tell them to fix it

[JohnAmo2011]

I would suggest on Springfield mil spec. Great baseline gun. You can't go wrong, look for made in US. Good luck. If not, M&P feels great as well.

[hundreddollarman]

If you're just going to plink, I would probably look at either getting a 1911 in 9mm (why not a BHP?) or get one of the other pistols you mentioned. Cheaper ammo = more plinking time.

If you're really set on a 1911 though, might as well get it in .45, the way Browning intended, lol. That's my two cents.

[whatwhy]

I don't know if you can still get em for 600 bucks....but my first was a springfield mil spec. I preferred the parkerized finish because stainless seemed a little too flashy and I liked the idea of staying as close to the original as possible. That being said....you will then want to buy other handguns. I told myself the exact same thing....that I only wanted 1 handgun....eventually you will want more features. And then you will want other calibers, and so on and so on. But for your budget I think a mil spec is a pretty nice starter until you get a good idea of what else you want in a handgun. And as far as 1911s being "finicky" ....springfield has a lifetime warranty...if it is finicky, just send it back to them and tell them to fix it

Fair enough! Does the "milspec" mean anything other than marketing gimmick? I realize everyone must say "i just want one" and then ends up with 12, I'm sure it'll happen to me but for argument's sake, I just wanted to make sure this wasn't going to be a nightmare--you know how some people have that one gun they love to shoot, but it doesn't always shoot? I just wanted to avoid getting a gun I love but that won't be reliable.

I would suggest on Springfield mil spec. Great baseline gun. You can't go wrong, look for made in US. Good luck. If not, M&P feels great as well.

Thanks! Didn't know there was an M&P 1911, will try and find one and shoot it. On that note, do you guys feel like there is a huge difference in how a 1911 fires between manufacturers?

If you're just going to plink, I would probably look at either getting a 1911 in 9mm (why not a BHP?) or get one of the other pistols you mentioned. Cheaper ammo = more plinking time.

If you're really set on a 1911 though, might as well get it in .45, the way Browning intended, lol. That's my two cents.

Sorry for the lack of knowledge...what's a BHP? I agree that the 9mm would be better for plinking but, just like you, I'm stuck with the idea that if I get a 1911, I HAVE to get it in .45

[bulletblood]

Ruger is nice, I'd go for it. Springfield too if you can find one in your price range. Springfiedl over Ruger IMHO. A 1911 is perfect for what you intend.

[Furncliff]

I have not found that any of my 1911's needing any more special fitting/tuning than the the other semi-auto's I own. Mine are all range toys. If you carry ...then that's another story.

I recently added to the original two RIA pistols I own with a combo set, a 1911 lower with two uppers one in .45 and one in .22LR. The ultimate in cheap practice. So far they have worked very well (both the 22 and 45). Mine came in at $550 off Gunbroker. I have other 19111's in .45 and 9mm. I like them both and reload for both.

Here's a link to the Rock Island Armory XT22 Combo

https://us.armscor.com/products/xt-22-45-combo

My experience with the RIA guns has been good and the one issue I did have proved to me that the company stands by their product. My 9mm came to me with a problem, RIA paid shipping both ways and they were easy to communicate with, and I was not the original purchaser. These aren't the prettiest out there, but they work and I think they make good first 1911's

[BEE]

I am too in the market for a mult-purpose 1911. I figure, for now..i'd go with a basic 1911 like a Springfield Armory Mil Spec since it comes with a lifetime warranty at a reasonable price. I can upgrade parts later down the road to my liking. Then in the mean time I can save and shop around for nicer 1911 such as a Colt or Dan Wesson

[tinman1975]

I wouldn't call the mil spec a marketing gimmick so much as the model name. It retains many of the original features ( spur hammer, no beavertail, no front cocking serrations, no mag well or fancy sights, arched mainspring housing, short trigger) with a few upgrades to feed modern defensive ammo ( flared ejection port, polished feed ramps, throated barrel, and a beveled mag well for ease of reloading.). But I don't think springfield is in any way trying to imply that the pistol meets any kind of military or government specification ( that is what the Professional model is for)

[JohnAmo2011]

Thanks! Didn't know there was an M&P 1911, will try and find one and shoot it. On that note, do you guys feel like there is a huge difference in how a 1911 fires between manufacturers?

M&P is a line of firearms for S&W. it is a polymer framed, striker fired gun, not a 1911. I feel that outside a 1911, this is my second choice.

[riderr]

for $600 you can get a new RIA. It's kind of a decent gun on par with entry-level version of Springfield, Kimber, Colt, etc. The trigger is awful, but the gun is cheap (around $450, I guess).
Now, if you want something more serious, take a look at Springfield. I would recommend to start from the loaded model. Mil-spec is good too if you are short on money, but loaded is commonly considered as the starting point where you really enjoy 1911. Another nice thing about Springfield is their customer service. It's life-time warranty and they pay for shipping both ways, even you are not the original buyer.
Kimbers are great guns too. They don't have such a generous CS as Springfield, but those are GREAT guns too.

Don't even bother looking at Colts. Even the most beaten one will be over your budget.

Don't... don't... don't even think buying 1911 in 9mm. If you want 9mm, buy something else. Full-sized 1911 only exists in .45cal. 9mm is good for sub-compact carry in a purse 1911 (3in barrel. BTW, it super-concealable one)

If you want plink a lot, a temporary solution is to buy .22lr conversion kit (make sure your brand / model has it). Or you can reload (depend on where you go shoot. Some indoor facilities don't allow you pick up the brass).

Anyway, feel free to ask questions. First gun is even more important than first sex.

[whatwhy]

Thanks! Didn't know there was an M&P 1911, will try and find one and shoot it. On that note, do you guys feel like there is a huge difference in how a 1911 fires between manufacturers?

M&P is a line of firearms for S&W. it is a polymer framed, striker fired gun, not a 1911. I feel that outside a 1911, this is my second choice.

Okay that makes sense...i knew the M&P was a S&W line, I thought you meant there was a 1911 they made. Thanks for the clarification!

I wouldn't call the mil spec a marketing gimmick so much as the model name. It retains many of the original features ( spur hammer, no beavertail, no front cocking serrations, no mag well or fancy sights, arched mainspring housing, short trigger) with a few upgrades to feed modern defensive ammo ( flared ejection port, polished feed ramps, throated barrel, and a beveled mag well for ease of reloading.). But I don't think springfield is in any way trying to imply that the pistol meets any kind of military or government specification ( that is what the Professional model is for)

Makes sense. Personally, I think I like the beavertail though.

I have not found that any of my 1911's needing any more special fitting/tuning than the the other semi-auto's I own. Mine are all range toys. If you carry ...then that's another story.

I recently added to the original two RIA pistols I own with a combo set, a 1911 lower with two uppers one in .45 and one in .22LR. The ultimate in cheap practice. So far they have worked very well (both the 22 and 45). Mine came in at $550 off Gunbroker. I have other 19111's in .45 and 9mm. I like them both and reload for both.

Here's a link to the Rock Island Armory XT22 Combo

https://us.armscor.com/products/xt-22-45-combo

My experience with the RIA guns has been good and the one issue I did have proved to me that the company stands by their product. My 9mm came to me with a problem, RIA paid shipping both ways and they were easy to communicate with, and I was not the original purchaser. These aren't the prettiest out there, but they work and I think they make good first 1911's

I didn't even think of having a .22lr slide. Might have to try and grab this, sounds like the best of both worlds. Thanks for the input. The site says "preorder"...do you know where I should look to order this locally at my FFL?

['ol shooter]

Spend another 195 bucks over your budget and get a Kimber. The Springfields are nice guns too, and so is the new Remington. My son just bought a Kimber, and I was very impressed by its fit and finish, and it shot great right out of the box, right to point of aim out to 50 yards. I own 4 1911 style pistols, have shot and worked on my own for over 40 years, in case you wondered. If you are planning on only one, make it a good one. Shoot them if you can.

[whatwhy]

Spend another 195 bucks over your budget and get a Kimber. The Springfields are nice guns too, and so is the new Remington. My son just bought a Kimber, and I was very impressed by its fit and finish, and it shot great right out of the box, right to point of aim out to 50 yards. I own 4 1911 style pistols, have shot and worked on my own for over 40 years, in case you wondered. If you are planning on only one, make it a good one. Shoot them if you can.

Thanks! Turner's had the Kimber Custom II for $699 I believe...would you consider that a good deal? I just am not a huge fan on the aesthetics of the kimber and I don't know enough about these guns to know what the differences are inside...

for $600 you can get a new RIA. It's kind of a decent gun on par with entry-level version of Springfield, Colt, etc. The trigger is awful, but the gun is cheap (around $450, I guess).
Now, if you want something more serious, take a look at Springfield. I would recommend to start from the loaded model. Mil-spec is good too if you are short on money, but loaded is commonly considered as the starting point where you really enjoy 1911. Another nice thing about Springfield is their customer service. It's life-time warranty and they pay for shipping both ways, even you are not the original buyer.

Don't even bother looking at Colts. Even the most beaten one will be over your budget.

Don't... don't... don't even think buying 1911 in 9mm. If you want 9mm, buy something else. Full-sized 1911 only exists in .45cal. 9mm is good for sub-compact carry in a purse 1911 (3in barrel. BTW, it super-concealable one)

If you want plink a lot, a temporary solution is to buy .22lr conversion kit (make sure your brand / model has it). Or you can reload (depend on where you go shoot. Some indoor facilities don't allow you pick up the brass).

Anyway, feel free to ask questions. First gun is even more important than first sex.

Thank you! What makes the RIA trigger so awful? I'm a firm believe in "you get what you pay for" which is why I kind of threw the RIA aside because of its price point (though all reviews say it's great bang for the buck). I'm partial to the Ruger because it seems priced well and nobody has anything bad to say about it. I also prefer the silver finish as opposed to the black finish.


EDIT:

regarding the .22 conversion...looks like Ciener made one for the SR1911 but it's now discontinued???

[bulletblood]

I'd say grab the ruger if you can find one. It's off roster I believe, so if you see one on the shelf grab it and don't look back.