Model 1911s

[popplecop]

Was issued my first 1911 back in the 50s by the Army. Have been shooting them ever since. Carried them off duty and plain clothes once in awhile in my LE career but wheel guns were the issue, I retired 23 years ago.

Awhile back, several years ago, decided to get a 9mm and wound up with a Para Ord PDA which is a double action 1911 also only has a 3" barrel. Then decide I needed a full sized one in .38 Super, came with a rail, really accurate and I liked it. Only drawback was didn't fit many of my holsters, did fit a couple of shoulder rigs. So next I bought a plain 1911 in .38 Super, happened to be a nickel model, so had to put fiber optic sights on it. Another great shooter, now I had 3 .45s, 2 .38 Supers, a modified 9.

The modified double action 9 is a great carry gun, easy to conceal, but not a real straight 1911. To rectify that I just order a 9mm full sized 1911, will be in next week, but I won't be back till next Frid to pick it up.

Do I have a problem being addicted to 1911s?

[Jack]

I don't see why that's a problem. :)
I have 1, a full size 45, and I love it.
I'd love to have a smaller one, like a Lightweight Commander, or smaller, for carry. And, oh, a 10mm, too. And a 38 Super. :)

[Adam Helmer]

popplecop,

I have a few M1911 and M1911A1 pistols as well as a few clones. My favorites are an OLD Goldcup (pre-1970) and an S&W M645 stainless with adjustable sights, and a M1911 AMT stainless frame with blued slide and other GI parts AND an Ellison adjustable rear sight.

The original M1911 was a fine gun and adjustable sights would have made it much better in my opinion. I have moved my rear sights to accomodate my 200 grain cast SWC bullets in my fixed-sight guns. In the Goldcup, 645and AMT, it was a mere few clicks on the rear sight. Fixed sights are not worth much in my view when adjustable sights are so easily available on semi-autos and revolvers. A gun needs to shoot where "it looks." Fixed sights rarely accomodate ALL loads, and in some cases, NONE!

Adam

[popplecop]

Adam, I don't use any of my 1911s for target work anymore. I don't heve any problem with out the elevation adjustment, for instance my favorite .45 acp load is the tried and true 230 gr. fmj rn., works well in the 2 45 1911s I shoot most. That with both 38 Supers are used mostly on metalic sihlutes anymore. If I'm going to shoot bullseye anymore I'll revert to one of my old 5 screw S&Ws. Have come to a point in my life (old age) that I kinda prefer the bang and clang type shooting with my 1911s. One major exception is I have a dedicated 1911 frame with a Ciener Platinum Cup .22 RF Upper. Wish it wasn't so darn accurate.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I only have one; a Springfield armoury 1911 in .38 Super....I got a great deal on it (I'm assuming that no one wanted it because of the chambering). I'm not sure why the .38 Super isn't more popular (well, I kinda know 'why'...the whole 'headspaces on the rim' thingy); my .38 Super is quite accurate with both factory and handloads using cast & jacketed bullets. I think it is more practical than the .357 SIG, and has been around a lot longer. I'm quite happy with it, and use it frequently as a CCW gun loaded with Winchesters Silvertip ammo.

I don't know what a 'rail gun' is, although I have some idea (some kind of competition or 'race' gun?), and I have a question for all the 1911 afficianados here on hunt chat. I have always admired the Colt "Combat Commander" 1911....but does a barrel that is 3/4 of an inch shorter & a rounded hammer really make it that much better as a carry gun? I have to wonder (esp about the hammer, if you carry cocked and locked).

[popplecop]

A rail gun has a groved rail on the muzzle end of the frame. Made to affix lasers, lights etc. easly. One thing it does with nothing attached for me is to allow me to hold it steadier two handed. Seems to keep the muzzle flip down too. It does make it a big pain in the butt finding an appropiate holster. I did have a couple of shoulder rigs that work well though. I agree with your evaluation of the caliber, I really like them as I now have 2 of them.

[buckhunter]

My biggest problem with the 1911's is I cannot see the sites that well. This is not unusal with my eye site but I do see the sites on revolvers a little better. I was thinking of picking up on the new Remington R-1's however when I checked them out I could not get the slide to release with the release lever. Had to pull back the slide and release it. I gave it back don't need anymore problems.

Going to look at a Sig but susupect it will have the "site" problem also.

[6.5s4ever]

I am a 1911 addict!
I love the accuracy of the 1911 pistol,and the options you have
on tricking it out to make it a bit more easy to operate, and make
it even more accurate!

I have 3 1911's, One I carry, and the other two
are used for target shooting . The one I carry is a Para GI Expert
in stainless. I replaced Para's plastic trigger with a NightHawk custom aluminum
one with an overtravel adj screw. Makes the trigger very nice to pull.

The other 2 1911's are a Rock Island Tactical full size, and a Taurus PT-1911AR Stainless.
The Taurus is my night stand gun.:) I put a Lasermax Laser on it ,
and it is Dead On Accurate! Whatever that red dot is on ,is where it
shoots! You just can't have too many 1911's :) LOL

[popplecop]

Well got out to shoot my full sized 1911 in 9mm today. Problem was wewere doing some brush hogging and didn't get a chance to bench it. That being said I just shot up a box of Win 155 gr. FMJs at small rock in the sand pit at 20-25yds. Shle rocks were from baseball to grapefruit sized. No problem with getting consisted hits with it, has 3 dot Novaks. Functioned flawlessly, only bad thing is no matter what can not get 9 rounds in the magazines that came with it. Even used a HKS Loader which works for my 45s, 38 Supers and my other chopped 9. Have some othr brands of magazines ordered will see if better.Anyway very happy with it, low felt recoil. My other 9mm is a Para Ord PDA, these have a 3" barrel and more muzzle jump.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

155 grain FMJ in 9mm??? Are you sure about that?

[popplecop]

Fingers don't always follow brains commands, meant 115 gr. Heaviest commercial load I know of in the 9mm Luger is a 147 gr. loading and darn if I can remember who has that. Thanks for catching my error.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Fingers don't always follow brains commands, meant 115 gr. Heaviest commercial load I know of in the 9mm Luger is a 147 gr. loading and darn if I can remember who has that. Thanks for catching my error.

Didn't know so much if I was catching an error or just missing something....I don't keep up on the 'latest & greatest', and I didn't know if Winchester came out with something new.....147 was the heaviest that I know of as well, and it's my understanding that they were used to help with reliable feeding/operation of subguns?
Anyway, glad for the verification........;)

[skeet]

147s were used mostly in sub guns..especially for wet work with suppressors..my Carl Gustof M1940 suppressed subgun works it's best with that subsonic loading

[PJgunner]

"I have always admired the Colt "Combat Commander" 1911....but does a barrel that is 3/4 of an inch shorter & a rounded hammer really make it that much better as a carry gun? I have to wonder (esp about the hammer, if you carry cocked and locked)."

I have one of those. They're a sweet gun once you replace the grip safety with a beavertail type. That short tang and the round hammer will draw blood from the web of you hand in one hell of a hurry and yes, I have the scar to prove it. :( I don't find it all that much lighter to be honest but it's a honest gun that will what needs to be done when the Vigaro hits the mixmaster.
I've been looking for years for one of the aluminum framed Colt Commaders and it light enough that it won't pull my pants half off. Right now I carry an S&W M60 but will try to figure a way to pack the Combat Commander.
I also have three customized 1911s, two by the late great F. Bob Chow, the other built on a Caspian frame with a Colt Gold Cup slide. On another note, how many have seen a Colt Gold Cup Combat Commander? It's in Commander length with Gold Cup sights and a standard hammer rather than the rowel type. A really cool gun that is quite accurate. It's stamped Limited Edition and IIRC only 500 were made in blue and 500 in stainless. The last stainless I saw had an asking price of $2K. :eek: I cleaned that one up and put it away. I understand that if one has both, the collector's price is right around
$5K. :eek::eek:
One of my Bob Chow guns was literally a freebie as all I had to pay for were the mods which were a set of S&W sights inletted into the slide and a decent, nay extremely decent trigger job. The other is a full blown fixed sight combat gun set up for the federal 230 gr. Hydroshok load. I'll just say it was 4figures, yet radically reduce in price for me. I know this need explanation so I'll keep it simple.
I grew up in San Francisco and would go over to my Grandmother's place on Saturdays for lunch and maybe do a movie. Guess maybe I was 11 or 12 at the time and one of the thiings I would do is go over to Mr. Chow's gun shop and be a pest and a half. Mr. Chow was always nice to me and as the years went on we became friends. When I got my first 1911 in a trade, I was 18 at that time, I took the gun over to him and he said to leave it with him and he'd fix it up proper. He called me about a week later and he's put the S&W sights on the gun and did the trigger job. IIRC, it cost me all of $35 for sights, no charge for labor. The second gun was years later. he'd built it up for a custom who wanted it done right. The guy apparently died and the family didn't want the gun. I got it for the cost of the work. $2K. He actually called my home in Nevada t let me know about the gun. I took off on Friday night, got there Saturday morning and got back home in time on Sunday to make it to my first graveyard shift. We got around California's then three day wait because I bought it on Tuesday and didn't pick it up until Saturday. It was registered to my dad who was still living in Frisco. He knew about the deal and said he'd register it in his name which is the same as mine. :cool:
I've run that gun through it's paces and it's a real fighting tool.
Paul B.

[popplecop]

Wow, a Bob Chow 1911, you are one lucky person. When carrying a .45 I have an old LW Colt Commander. I like it for the weight, very comfortable for carrying all day. Besides it is a good shooter. Hang on to the Bob Chow he was an excellent 1911 builder.

[Rapier]

Yep, 1911 - itis. Take a Beretta with a two Glock chaser, throw them away, and call me in the morning.

There is something very comforting about the feel your 1911 forty five gives you on your hip. You know you are well dressed for any occasion. :D
Ed

[Evan03]

I'm addicted just got my first. It spoiled me with good sites pre installed.
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu339/Evan03_photo/2011-08-13233446.jpg

http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu339/Evan03_photo/2011-08-13233702.jpg

[popplecop]

Well just came accross another one yesterday. Was talking to fafellow at the shop and he told me he bought the wrong one. He's a cowboy action shooter and they have a match that you can shoot with a GI 1911 like the orginal so needs a 5" barrel. He had bought a Springfield GI, but the Compact version which has a 4" barrel and still was NIB. So being the fine fellow I am said I'd take it off his hands, he's bringing it to me next Tues. Another one to start modifying, life is good.

[Evan03]

My next one will most likly be a 5" GI. There's supposed to be pretty tight tolerances making for a great platform for a semi custom build.

[popplecop]

Are you a target shooter or one who likes to just see how accurate one can make a pistol? Sorry to say my days of target shooting are over, combination of old age old eyes and arthritis. Yet shooting 1911s is still a great way to relax even if it is just clay birds stuck in my sand bank. I shoot them in 9mm, 38 Super and 45 acp. Also carry them for CC. Don't know if this Springer will wind up for that or not. I have a 60s Colt LW Commander from the 60s and a Para Ord PDA in 9mm, these 2 make excellent 1911 types for CC.

[popplecop]

Picked up another yesterday: Springfield Armory 1911 Mil Spec Champion NIB. Has a 4" vs. my old Commander with it's 4.25" barrel. Parkerized finish, short trigger, regular hammer but a modified beavertail grip safety. Big drawback for me is the GI sights, going to try it out Friday, but think the sights will be the first of the modifications. Heavier than my old LW Commander, but holds great. Have to see where I go next with it. Think it just might become my carry gun.

[skeet]

Good buy..those little guns still shoot angle of crook in a gun fight..long as ya can stand up there LOL!!!

[VaRedneck]

I went into Clark Bros. years ago with the intention of buying my first .45 1911. Like some, I'd had my first experience with them in the Army. The man behind the counter told me he didn't have a single .45 on hand. I couldn't believe it...all that way and now I was going home empty handed.

But, he asks me....would I be interested in a Colt 10mm Delta Elite?

It went home with me and has been my only side arm ever since.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n163/PhilGash/10002.jpg

[dovehunter]

Nice to see another Virginian on the board.

I'd been by Clark Brothers several times but never went in. I was up Warrenton way back in July for my daughter's wedding and, while we were waiting around, my son and I decided to check the place out. Wow that place is way too rich for my blood (not surprising for northern Va.)! If you've never been there you need to drive about 50 miles down I-95 and check out Green Top (south of Ashland). They've got a much better inventory, by far better prices, and you don't get claustrophobia trying to navigate your way down the isles.

;)

[VaRedneck]

I've been to Green Top...lookin for a small 4stroke outboard...yrs ago. It'll be a long time before I have need to go anywhere near NoVa. I live in the sticks now...south central Va.

[popplecop]

My Springfield conversion isn't finished yet and I ordered another 1911. I have a Para Ord PDA LDA in 9mm, great little pistol Easy to conceal yet controls are the same as my other 1911s. Well anyway Para sent me a memo yesterday saying that they had some salesmens samples for sale. These have been back through the factory and tested and refurbishished. Well the price was interesting and I don't have a SS 1911 anymore, daughter took my Springer 1911 SS Loaded some years back. So I ordered out a Para Ord 1911 Gun Rights Model, no longer in production. Target barrel, trigger and hammer will see how it looks and does, supposed to be at my dealers before Christmas. Starting to think I'm addicted to 1911s, no way daughter is getting this one.

[Rapier]

Never say never when it comes to the kids getting your "stuff" I have to frisk mine when they leave the house after a visit. Seems like the; Mom and Dad do not need that anymore, works for them pretty good and has since they were both in college. They never steal anything, they just borrow it, but somehow it fails to return. :-) I guess the idea that it will all be theirs one day is taken too literally and applied prior to....:)
Ed

[popplecop]

My Springfield is finished, new sights, hammer, trigger spring and flat housing. Going to have wait to shoot it though am leaving for my annual SW Louisiana duck hunt Mon. Just might take it with and try it out, yup think I'll just do that.

[6.5s4ever]

Popplecop,
Sounds like you are addicted to 1911's worse than I am! :)
You can never have just one!
Heres a pic of my little collection.http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx303/Brendaandroy/100_0557.jpg

[gold40]

Anybody have any experience with "Phillipine Made" 1911-A1's being sold for $350 to $400?

They look like they may be a good deal if they hold up. Since the design is now 100 years old, perhaps these foreign copies may be O.K.?

gold40

[skeet]

I actually have 3 of them and a Mil-Spec 1911 made in Turkey of all places. The ones i have that were made in the Phillipines are a bit better finished than the Turkish Mil Spec. The Rock Islands and the earlier Charles daly's were made in the Phillipines. Actually the frame is made there..finished up here in the US. Slides may also be made there but not certain. I have 2 Rock Islands and a Daly and all shoot great. Not quite as accurate as the Wilson Combat but they also don't cost 2600 bucks. I also got a Kimber on trade at the lasty gun show and it shoots really good. My Colts shoot good too but the older 1917 and 1918 guns are not up to the newer guns. They are both in good condition but nowhere near as tight as the newer guns. Both are in the bank safety deposit box along with my National match guns and a first year S&W 44 mag and a Registered 357 I acquired many many years ago. Since Remington now owns thge chas Daly brand and are making a 1911..wonder where the frames are made?? If ya need a 45 ...get one of the imports. I also have a friend who has a chinese copy(Norinco) of the 1911 and it accepts all Colt Parts and is very reliable and fairly accurate

[6.5s4ever]

Gold 40,
I bought a Rock Island Tactical a few years back,
and never regretted it. It feeds very well and is
as accurate as guns costing much more. For
a Phillipine made pistol it is quite a bargain.
No complaints here on that pistol!
6.5 :)

[gold40]

Does anyone own one of the $350 1911's made in the Phillipines? I'd be interested in learning more from an owner...

gold40

[skeet]

To be honest with you Gold..I haven't seen a 350 dollar 1911 of any kind for quite a while. Saw something called a Chiappa or some such named in the local pawn and it was over 425 The Phillipine 1911s usually work pretty well though. and will accept most aftermarket parts too. That is all the Rock Islands and guns such as my Charles Daly are..Made in Manila..or somewhere