1911 for first pistol?

[unclejumbo]

I think some of the questions you need to ask yourself. Am I going to carry it? How am I going to carry it? Is it small enough for me to carry it comfortably? Am I comfortable carrying cocked and locked?

Agreed on the budget considerations as well. Forty-five ACP is not cheap to shoot in quantity.

[FUNDAMENTALS]

I think you will find that there are volumes of info on 45 acp Pistols.
However, Synergy has an excellent point. I hope you have checked the link
he has provided. Also I have seen many outstanding "used" 45 acp pistols
at some really good prices. The toughest task is to decide am I purchasing
a Combat Carry/Duty Government Model or Target Model. Make that list
of what you need or want on the pistol. Do not rush to judgement, take
your time. However, if you find that "Gem" out there, do not snooze or you
will kick yourself in the behind.

[SPCjoe]

Thanks to all, good links and good advice. I really appreciate it. My buget is $800 or less, and I was looking for something with a 4 inch or commander length barrel. Probably a Kimber or a Springfield, althought the Para GI Expert caught my eye. I'd like to carry it, but only after I'm 100% comfortable and competent with it.

[synergy]

Originally Posted by SPCjoe

Thanks to all, good links and good advice. I really appreciate it. My buget is $800 or less, and I was looking for something with a 4 inch or commander length barrel. Probably a Kimber or a Springfield, althought the Para GI Expert caught my eye. I'd like to carry it, but only after I'm 100% comfortable and competent with it.

I wouldn't recommend going shorter than 4.25" and I wouldn't recommend a Kimber.

The shorter you go, the bigger the headaches get.

I would recommend the SA Mil-spec over a Para Expert...but that's just my opinion.

[JoeWilliams]

Given your budget, the size of gun you want, and the considerations about cost of ammo folks have raised, have you considered a 9mm 1911, like the Para LTC?

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=72

Don't discount the difference in cost of ammo. Reloading, they are pretty much the same. Storebought, 9mm here is $10-$15 per 50 for range ammo, .45 is running $18-$24.

[ksig1869]

I say go for it

[Relex]

When I turned 21 back in Feb, I got myself a Springfield 1911 5" in stainless. I got it from Bobs Amy Navy in Clearfield for just over $500 and since it was my birthday, they gave me a discount. I love the gun and a few months ago got into reloading since its nearly impossible to find ammo for it.

[Jim1911]

Buy an inexpensive one first. Learn how not to make the idiot scratch. Learn how to catch then reinstall your firing pin. Learn how not to flatten your sear spring. Learn which sights work best for you. Luckily it is very easy to get 1911 parts. After you have the 1911 figured out, then buy your pride and joy. Or after you get your first one running the way you want it to, you might stick with it but 1911's are like potato chips. You cannot have just one.


1911's are hungry and require constant feeding. If you are on a tight budget, consider reloading or get the restocking schedule down pat at your local Walmart.


I saw a mention of a 9mm 1911. JMO but it does not make sense to me to have such a large frame shooting 9mm. 38 supers are great in the 1911. Do you want big holes or deep ones?

I had carried cocked and locked (not 1911s) while hunting and and working on farms and thought nothing of it. It took me a few months before I could get comfortable in public with a round in the chamber. Now at ranges I make sure that every round I fire, my thumb is pushing down or resting on the safety. I remember more than one occasion missing shots at a fox or some other varmint because the safety was still on.


The single stack magazine of the 1911 makes a fairly thin pistol. It is not the easiest to get comfortable carrying but there are a lot worse. One of the things I practice a lot is follow up shots. The heft of the 1911 makes it a lot easyer than a lot of CC pistols.

Those are just my experiences only intended to give the OP food for thought.

[punxsutawneypete]

Originally Posted by Jim1911

I saw a mention of a 9mm 1911. JMO but it does not make sense to me to have such a large frame shooting 9mm. 38 supers are great in the 1911. Do you want big holes or deep ones?

I picked up a Series 70 Colt in 9mm that had been customized by a Pittsburgh area gunsmith, and it is one of the sweetest shooters I've ever seen. Cycles like greased lightning and groups better than I can hold. You couldn't get the work done now for what I paid for the gun. With a 38 Super barrel and magazine and a .22 conversion kit you can get a lot of versatility out of one gun.

[synergy]

9mm 1911's are very finicky.

I wouldn't buy one as a first/ only pistol.