Need Some 1911 Schooling

[XFactor]

Hey folks. I'm looking to purchase a 1911 .45 for CCW. I think I am looking primarily for a 3 in or 4 in compact. My dilemma is I have no knowledge of the 1911, this will be my first. I am a fairly large guy at 6' 5" and 300 or so pounds. I carry a Springer XD40sc now and don't mind the weight. My problem is when shooting the XD40sc with the standard mag in my pinky just dangles and I feel as if I could shoot better with a full sized grip. With the 2 round extended mag in I see tighter groups and it just feels better.

A few questions I have are:

1.) Are all 1911's SA only or can I chamber, return the hammer and pull the trigger like a long pull DA weapon?

2.) In your experience, what would you recommend? (I would like to keep it under $1000)

3.) Are there any advantages of double stacked or staggered over single stack weapons besides round count?

4.) What brands tend to have more accessories available such as mags, springs, holsters etc.?

I have had good experience with Springfield in the past but there are so many available today. How are RIA's, and Para's? I've heard good and bad about Kimber. Please let me know your thoughts and experiences. I don't want to turn this into a brand war or sword fight just looking for facts, recommendations and experiences.

Thank you in advance for your input.

X

[GLoCKeYeD]

1.) Most (99%) are SA, meant to be carried cocked and locked. Para makes a LDA (i think thats the name). If you aren't gonna carry cocked and locked don't bother.

2.) Springfield, or S&W

3.) no, IMHO the thickness of a singlestack is why you would carry a 1911

4.) most officers/commander parts are the same size across brands. the springfield EMP is a different animal.

i am a former para owner(2), and current kimber owner. i would look harder at springfield, S&W, and colt since its for CCW. much better chance of getting it right first.

[utf59]

First, you could always carry your XD with the extended mag. I understand that you can by the baseplate for the extended mag separately and convert your current short mag to the extended variety. And there are "Service" XDs available that are larger than the subcompacts but smaller than full size.

Now if you're still looking for a 1911, you might consider the Commander (Springfield calls them Champion) size. The barrel is a little over 4" but the grip is the same size as the full-size government model. That means that more accessories (especially grips and magazines) will fit it.

If you go with Springfield, get one of their higher-end models. Experiences I have had (and a friend) are that the lower-end stuff might be OK for the range, but you wouldn't want to trust your life to them.


To answer your direct questions:

1) You are almost certainly looking at SA only, though as Glockeyed said, Para does offer LDA models. Para also offers double-stack models. I don't recall if they have both features in one gun.

2) I would also look at Colt and S&W. By the time you find something you would trust your life to, you might be a bit over your $1,000 threshold.

3) Double-stack magazines make the grip thicker (wider) and they make the gun heavier (more rounds).

4) Unlike most guns, accessories are widely available across all brands for the 1911, especially government and commander models. Check out http://www.brownells.com/ for starters. The smaller models and the models that are specific to one brand (e.g., double-stack Paras) will have fewer options. Look carefully at the sights available. The grooves that accommodate sights come in different sizes, so if you pick up a G.I. Springfield and want to put Novak sights on it, you'll have to have the slide re-milled.

As always, do your research. I think research is more necessary when buying a 1911 than any other pistol.

[meanc]

Sounds like you have a pretty big paw, so to get them all on the grip frame you're probably going to have a pretty high grip.

If I were you I'd be looking at a 1911 with a beavertail grip safety. This is almost a must for the big paws to avoid getting "bit".

I'd recommend any Commander sized 1911 with a full sized "gov't" grip frame. There are several makers out there. I have a Colt and two Springfields in this size.

Other than capacity, the single stacks conceal much easier.

As far as accessories go, unless you get a sub compact micro, just about every configuration of 1911 has plenty of acc's/parts available.

Best thing to do is rent one and shoot it.

[ab4ka]

I'm no 1911 expert, but I have a couple of observations. When shooting a "subcompact" pistol where there's not room enough to get your pinky on the grip, what works for my is to curl my pinky under the grip and make sure I'm squeezing that grip hard...squeezing it with your other fingers will automatically make that pinky curl. It takes a little getting used to, but I learned to shoot a Glock 33 quite nicely by doing that.

As far as an inexpensive 1911 goes, if you just want to try out the platform and see if you like it, you can't go wrong with a RIA. I had one, loved it (wish I still had it). I've never talked to anyone that had one that didn't like it. Check out the forums at m1911.org for more info. If you decide you don't like it, or do like it and want a nicer one, the RIA never fails to sell.

[XFactor]

Thank you very much for your replies. I honestly never considered S&W in a 1911 platform but I'll be looking now. I have heard really good things about RIA and have seen that they are recommended quite often as a "starter" pistol so I will look at getting one of them to really see if I like the platform. I will look to see if they offer a commander or compact size and go from there.

Once again, thanks guys!

X

[ab4ka]

I believe RIA offers all 3 sizes, but the one with the short slide and full size grip (I'm not sure which model that is) can be tough to come by.

[XFactor]

I believe RIA offers all 3 sizes, but the one with the short slide and full size grip (I'm not sure which model that is) can be tough to come by.

Yeah, I am kind of figuring that out. According to the website it should be a MS. The model with the shorter frame and grip is called the CS. I have an ad in the BST area so let me know if anyone runs across something. I'll even take a full size now for the time being. I just want to run the platform and see if it works for me.

Thanks again,

X

[Cracker]

Think I'm going to step in it with this, but what the heck.

1.) Are all 1911's SA only or can I chamber, return the hammer and pull the trigger like a long pull DA weapon?

To the best of my knowledge, all 1911's are SA only, but not all pistols that look, and work like a 1911 are.

2.) In your experience, what would you recommend? (I would like to keep it under $1000)

I no longer recommend Colt to anybody. I have an old 10mm Delta Elite that I've never had a problem with. I have a pretty expensive Gold Cup that's been a problem since the day I bought it. I won't be buying any more Colts. I've never owned one, but the S&W pistols I've handled in the gun shops seemed to be good qualiity, with good triggers. I really like their custom shop pistols, but they're beyond your price range. Taurus pistols don't seem to be real popular here, but mine has been reliable and accurate so far. It's a lot better than the Gold Cup. Hopefully, you're getting the idea that I don't like my Gold Cup.

3.) Are there any advantages of double stacked or staggered over single stack weapons besides round count?

First, a double stack is not a 1911. It's a 2011. Yes, I know I'm picking nits, but we might as well get it right. Round count is the obvious advantage of a double stack. The larger grip size may be an advantage for you. The downside is that it can be very hard to conceal a wide grip pistol when you're not wearing a coat. Here in S. Florida, we don't wear coats often.

4.) What brands tend to have more accessories available such as mags, springs, holsters etc.?

One of the nice things about 1911s is that they tend to be standarized. Mags, springs, holsters, extractors, ejectors and most other parts tend to be interchangeable. My Taurus, for example, because it is a USPSA competition gun, no longer has a Taurus hammer, trigger, sear or several other parts. Quite often, you can mix and match parts such as slides, barrels, etc., and 1911 mags generally fit all 1911s. I even have a Kimber .22 conversion top end that slides right on any of my 1911 pistols.

I have had good experience with Springfield in the past but there are so many available today. How are RIA's, and Para's? I've heard good and bad about Kimber. Please let me know your thoughts and experiences. I don't want to turn this into a brand war or sword fight just looking for facts, recommendations and experiences.

I don't know anything about RIAs. I have a .40 caliber Kimber that's as good as any 1911 I've owned provided I don't use Kimber mags with it. I just have not had any luck at all with Kimber mags. My current favorite is Wilson Combat. My Kimber is out of your price range. I've already mentioned that I've had good luck with my Taurus.

Here's something you might want to consider, something that will open up you options quite a bit. You indicated you're interested in a shorter barrel 1911 type gun. Generally speaking, it's the size of the grip rather than the length of the barrel that determines how well a gun will conceal. I'm not nearly as big as you are, but I have no problem concealing a full sized 1911 under a loose fitting T shirt in a Milt Sparks IWB Summer Special holster. If you're sure you want a 1911 type pistol, at least consider the full sized ones. In my opinion, they're a lot more fun to shoot when you're not defending yourself.

Lee

[XFactor]

Thanks for the reply Cracker. I think I'm leaning more towards a full size due to the availability or lack there of with regards to a 4 or 3 inch barrel.

Any thoughts on a KIMBER PRO CDP II? I found a smoking deal and want the 1911 scholars opinions. It sure is a pretty pistol but I know sometimes pistols can be a lot like women if you get what I'm saying!

Any thoughts on a Para 1911 LTC?


Thanks,

X

[03Shadowbob]

I've had Colts, Springfields and Kimbers and haven't had a problem with any of them. I still have a WW2 Colt my grandfather gave me that functions just fine. My Springfield wasn't as "polished" as the higher end guns but still ran just fine. I currently carry a Kimber Pro Carry (4" model) that runs like a top and is scary accurate.
Along with the lower end 1911s, RIA seems like the best deal going and now there is a Citadel lne that I believe Armscor makes along with the RIA. Not sure I'd trust a Citadel just yet but Gander carries the compact version for $579 I believe.

[JJ]

I love the 1911's but im kinda small.... have 7 or 8 1911's, But the only one I can carry is a Para Slim Hawg.

[Cracker]

Thanks for the reply Cracker. I think I'm leaning more towards a full size due to the availability or lack there of with regards to a 4 or 3 inch barrel. Any thoughts on a KIMBER PRO CDP II? I found a smoking deal and want the 1911 scholars opinions. It sure is a pretty pistol but I know sometimes pistols can be a lot like women if you get what I'm saying! Any thoughts on a Para 1911 LTC? Thanks, X

My Kimber was touched by the custom shop and may not be characteristic of those that have not been. I've not heard anything bad about any of the Kimbers except, of course, the mags I mentioned. Funny how everybody seemed to know they were a problem after I discovered it the hard way. Before I took a smoking deal on any gun, I think I'd want to know why the former owner was selling it.

I've never shot a Para of any sort. Two of my competitive friends shoot them, but their guns are a long, long way from being stock. The one thing I remember, though, is that neither of them like the extractors their Paras came with and, unfortunately, it was not easy to change the extractor. It's a different diameter. Both had a sleeve made so they could use Aftec extractors.

Lee

[XFactor]

Thanks for the reply Cracker. As I assumed, the deal was too good to be true. The gun was listed in Orlando but upon contact the seller stated he was in Ohio and would ship to my FFL upon payment..........instant red flag. I also discovered over on another forum the same guy is scamming there as well. A potential buyer contacted the scammer and the scammer stated he was in NC. Same guy same photo different BS story.

I'll continue my search and I will find what I'm looking for but I'm just going to have to be patient and wait for the right one to come along.

Thanks for the help!

X

[Forcesbeyondcontrol]

Nothing wrong with a Kimber CDP II Pro. I own one and it works well, but as it was stated before if you are not going to carry cocked and locked then go with the para LDA. Para makes several verison of which I have two. The Fullsize 7.45 LDA and the 3in 6.45 LDA. Both are reliable,but the grip on the 6.45 is much smaller and some would say harder to handle. For a CCW I tend to go with a smaller grip so it is easier to conceal. So I just learn to adjust my grip. Here are a pic of both and yes you can get the fullsize LDA in a double stack mag.

[tegemu]

I have 11 of them and love each one. They all have their own personalities, sort of like siblings. For carry though. I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II in an Andrews pocket holster. It rides very comfortably in my pocket (It's in there as I type.) My alternate carry 1911 is a Dan Wesson Scandium Bobtailed Commander In a Brommeland IWB holster.
I have become a real fan of the Bobtail and have had several of my 1911's bobtailed. The pointy end of a 1911's grip always caused me some discomfort, it's gone with the Bobtail. I also find that I can get a better grip with a Bobtail. I dont know about anyone else but the palm of my hand is rounded not pointy compatable. The Bobtail nests in my palm naturally and comfortably. A big plus is that when concealing a 1911, the prominent grip point is the most noticeable, the Bobtail eliminates that problem.

[flcracker]

Just get a Kimber and don't look back.

I picked up my first 1911- a Kimber Eclipse Pro - about 8 or 9 years ago from a local gun shop. It was gently used and the price ($750) was WAY more digestible than the MSRP for a new one.

Now I own the following Kimbers - all of which were bought gently used - all but my original Eclipse came from individuals (FSN members):

Eclipse Pro
Classic
Pro CDP
Warrior

as well as a Springfield 1911A1 WWII model and two Argentine Sistemas.

The Eclipse Pro or the Pro CDP are on my hip 99% of the time I walk out the front door.

[DragunovMan]

What About A Citadel M1911-A1 Compact? Perfect If You Ask Me!



http://www.legacysports.com/products/citadel/cit_m1911.html

[XFactor]

Thanks for all of your input guys; I ended up finding a RIA in the 4 inch MS size that I believe is the Commander size. It was ridiculous steal and I am very happy with it. I am getting a pretty bad hammer bite now so a new beaver tail is going to be installed in the very near future. I ordered a Brownell 1911 catalogue and I have been going through it daily. I'm planning on replacing the hammer, trigger, beaver tail and mainspring housing.

I got a lower priced unit because I wanted to learn the platform and do some mods on my own. If I buy something completely "loaded" it is great and nice but then I will get board with it and be looking for something else to tinker with! I've been looking in the project gun section here and now want to get something to completely strip down, refinish and do a custom build on. You guys weren't lying when you said it was addictive, I've got the dangerous disease now!

Once again, thank you and I may be sending you guys a few PMs with questions if that would be ok. I will also be placing an ad in the BST area to find a project 1911 so if any one knows of one, please let me know!

X