Hi all, I have decided my next "gotta have it" is a 1911. Though I really like the loaded Springfield Armory 1911's they are a bit out of my $$$$ range. Last night saw a nice new SA MIL Spec 1911 that was in the range... (under $500) and figured I could do my own customizing as time goes by. What do you all think??? Or should I wait till I have the $$$ for the loaded model?? Rather have a new one than a used one since at least then I know it wasn't abused. thanks, mack

It will cost more in the long run to buy a "stock" 1911 and have it customized over time by a gunsmith than to buy a tricked out one, by that I mean something like a Kimber, S&W etc. You're looking at a couple hundred dollars just for a extended beavertail, ambi safety, hammer/sear combo, just for the parts (depending on which ones of course), having them installed could easily double that if you pay someone to do it. They aren't that hard to do though, so you could do it yourself if you're reasonably mechanically inclined - I did so practially anyone could. :)

If you gotta have it now then I say get the cheaper stock gun and build up when you want to, it should shoot just fine without all the bells and whistles.

mack,

I understand about wanting a 1911, I"m aflicted with that desire too.

My last 1911 was a Springfield 1911 Mil Spec. It functioned perfectly right out of the box. No jams, no problems.
They come with bigger, easier to see sights, a slightly beveled magazie well, and a throated feed ramp.
There is something about a stock 1911, if you by a Springfield Mil Spec, shoot it a while before you spend big bucks to customize it.

Joe

Get a 60 year-old Colt, or Remington Rand, or any of those 1911-A1's......Own a piece of history!!! I've never understood why those commemorative Colt's you see in all the magazines sold for more than the antique ones that were fired by GI's 60 years ago...."Hey, isn't that the new John Wayne Commemorative Colt?!!?!?" "Why, no, it's the 'John Ford Anniversary of the Western Motion Picture' Model!!"

Mack, get the Mil Spec. As you master the 1911, and your fondness grows,(OH HOW IT WILL), you'll be in a much better posistion to figure out just what you want in a .45.

As time goes by, you could build up the SA, or get a custom with only the features you want, instead of somebody elses idea of what the gun should have.

I carry a Combat Commander,(love it), but my plain jane Kimber Custom shoots better than I can(right out of the box). It's a range/steel plate gun.

"Good Luck"

I have also been looking at the Springfield 1911's. what is the difference between the mil-spec and the GI45 modles. One thing I noticed was the that they had different style sights. Any other major differences? I really like the bi-tone mil-spec model but it is about $100 or so higher than the GI model.

I have also been looking at the Springfield 1911's. what is the difference between the mil-spec and the GI45 modles. One thing I noticed was the that they had different style sights. Any other major differences? I really like the bi-tone mil-spec model but it is about $100 or so higher than the GI model.The sights are smaller on the GI, The Mil Spec has a lowered ejection port and I think a beveled mag well. I almost bought a MilSpec stainless last weekend but my dealer cut me a great deal on a Kimber Stainless II. Once it is paid off I plan on buying a Mil Spec. I think they are great guns for the money.

I just noticed this pop back up...so here's an update....
I got me a 1911 end of July. Picked it up online from Dan Wesson Direct. It is the PMA-S (Pointman Major Aussie-Stainless) model. Beautiful firearm too....Very accurate out of the box, eats anything, cept some of my reloads...(autoloaders are picky that way). Though it was listed as a blem, none could be found by me, buddies, or 2 smiths....Details and pics below:

DAN WESSON FIREARMS MODEL: PMA-S (Blem) CALIBER: 45 ACP TRIGGER: Nowlin Match Grade 3 hole TRIGGER PULL: 3.5 LBS SIGHTS: Bomar style adjustable match BARREL: Forged 416 Match stainless steel GRIPS: AAA Cocobolo Exotic hardwood New Stainless Steel 45 ACP full size 1911, Stainless forged slide With Front & rear serrations and stainless steel frame. Black oxide Steel small parts. Match grade hammer and sear, Chip McCormick beavertail safety, & extended thumb safe, Bomar Style fully adjustable sights, beveled mag well, & 1 7-round Pointman magazine. This gun is loaded with high performance features and has the very nice Clark style target rib milled down the top of the slide. Match ready out of the box. New in Box, with papers. 100% factory warranty.
Only difference is mine did not have the black oxide parts..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/mack69/Gun%20stuff/DCP_2165.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/mack69/Gun%20stuff/DCP_2163.jpg

these two are from gunbroker:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/mack69/Gun%20stuff/myDanWesson.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/mack69/Gun%20stuff/DWPMA-Sbk.jpg

My!, that sure is "Purty" Mack, but can it 'shoot'?!
My opinion on the starting post is - get the mil spec and modify it to YOUR requirements because dollars to doughnuts, a "tricked out" one will cost bucks for refinements you don't really need or will use down the road... I mean, you won't need a compensater, magazine well impmt., ambi-safety etc. unless ipsc is your goal for instance. I'm not saying customized pistols are'nt worth it; but a beginner, if that's what you are, should learn by experience what their immediate requirements are or will be vis-avis modifications. Most useful mods can be added at fairly low price usually.
My Opinion only, Greystoke

I bought my 1911 colt series 70 over 30 yro. Over this time I have found mods that I wanted to have implemented. It does not come over night. To me it is my favorite handgun, and one that I prefer to carry. A good smith will help a lot, to make it feed most all ammo. I have probably spent no more than $250 to make this gun very reliable and a shooter.
Jim

Mack,

I bought a Colt 1911 Combat Commander about 1974....its my carry gun.....some of the matte nickel is worn through leaving a little brown patina. I wouldn't swap it for anything. I'm having new sights put on it this winter.... my aging eyes have trouble picking up the stock sights. At this point I've done no modifications, nothing but shoot it.

Lobo in West Virginia

My!, that sure is "Purty" Mack, but can it 'shoot'?!
My opinion on the starting post is - get the mil spec and modify it to YOUR requirements because dollars to doughnuts, a "tricked out" one will cost bucks for refinements you don't really need or will use down the road... I mean, you won't need a compensater, magazine well impmt., ambi-safety etc. unless ipsc is your goal for instance. I'm not saying customized pistols are'nt worth it; but a beginner, if that's what you are, should learn by experience what their immediate requirements are or will be vis-avis modifications. Most useful mods can be added at fairly low price usually.
My Opinion only, Greystoke

Greystoke, I am by no means a beginner, have had many firearms through my 49 years...never had a 1911. I got this gun at a great price. Which I couldn't pass up. I have had mostly wheel guns and a few small autos in the past. Lost most of my playthings by way of a nasty divorce back in 96...Most recent firearms are a Beretta 92FS 9mm, Ruger GP100 and now the 1911. Looking to pick up a nice 22, (thinkin Ruger 22/45 for the kids and sometime I'd like to get a lever gun too. I just ordered a Yugo SKS last week it should show up on my doorstep on Friday. The SKS will be a nice little project for me to tinker with in my off time....My DW PMA-S is an excellent and very accurate shooter. Next to my GP could very well be my favorite gun at the moment.
.....mack

Colt series 80 or NRM government,or if you're stuck on Springfield,the milspec. I'm just partial to Colts. Watchout, you can't have just 1 1911.... they will multiply in your safe.

I caught the 1911 bug several years ago and I swear that if you leave a few in the safe for a while, they'll mulitply like bunnies!!!

I recommend you start with a very basic 5" all steel gun and learn the 1911 system. After you shoot a few thousand rounds of hardball, you'll begin to figure out what you need and what is just fancy window dressing.

I HIGHLY recommend Kimber pistols. The basic guns come with nice featuress like a beavertail safety, nice fixed sights, lowered and flared ejection port, beveled mag well, and an aluminum speed trigger. The frames and slides are fit nicely, and the barrel lockup at both ends has been excellent in just about every Kimber I've handled. If the firing-pin safety on the series II guns bug you, series I guns are still fairly easy to find new. Gander Mountain down the street from me has several.

I own a 5" steel Kimber Custom Classic (series I) and my daily CCW gun is a CDP Ultra Carry (series II). Both have been ridicuously reliable and are very accurate. Many of my shooting freinds also have various other Kimbers and every one is plenty satisfied with them.

I didn't particularly want a 1911, I wanted a semi auto that was all weapons steel, I like the weight. I was shown a Springfield .45 ACP in stainless with the grip areas on the slide front and rear, ambi safety, target hammer, trigger so on and so forth. I like it, I am not into modifying a whole lot so I got what I wanted up front, shoots very good and handles like an extension of my hand.

ive had 3 1911's....1 colt, 2 springfields.....my current is a loaded custom springy 1911......absolueltly lov it to death...eats all my hand loads, accurate as heck, comfortable.....what else is there to say?

I'd recommend saving a spell more and purchasing the Springfield loaded. I got mine about 5 years ago and shoot it all the time. I have over 5000 rounds thru it without a hiccup!:cool: The guys are correct, you will spend more $$$ customizing than you will purchasing a loaded.

here's a pic...http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL326/682422/3863297/47592521.jpg

I just recently was also able to get ahold of a Police Trade in .45; this one a Smith 4506-1. It handles, points and functions just like a 1911a1, but has the added bonus of double action.http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL326/682422/3863297/68072513.jpg

Mack: For sure-Get one! If not for the simple reason that you'll always "wonder" if you don't, then for the pure pleasure of getting hooked on a pistol that has probably generated more print/lore/controversy than any other handgun in history[including the SAA!] As a aside, I had a 22/45 and was'nt impressed with it. A Colt Ace or a Ciener conversion makes better sense.
Greystoke