I'm ashamed, but I don't own a 1911. Help me change that!
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Jeremae
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With 1911s there are two approaches:
1. buy a basic gun and add parts until it fits you perfectly.
2. try and find the gun with all the bells and whistles already in place.
With your budget and lack of history, I would go route 1. and I would advise a basic Kimber Custom II. I just bought 1 NIB for $682 out the door from AJC sports at a gunshow. Stainless is same price I think. You might want to go with the Night Sights version but I suggest looking at the sights on other shooters guns before deciding what you want on YOUR 1911.
Now the only way to properly pursue route 2 requires MORE money and waiting for someone like Dane Burns or Ed Vandenberg to get around to your order. (not really all of the Big names have scads of variation that make it possible to find one set up to your satisfaction)
1 peice of advise, 1911 owners are almost universally glad to let you throw some lead downrange from their babies as long as you stroke their ego's by admiring their SUPERIOR firearms. This is a CHEAP way to try out different 1911s.
1. buy a basic gun and add parts until it fits you perfectly.
2. try and find the gun with all the bells and whistles already in place.
With your budget and lack of history, I would go route 1. and I would advise a basic Kimber Custom II. I just bought 1 NIB for $682 out the door from AJC sports at a gunshow. Stainless is same price I think. You might want to go with the Night Sights version but I suggest looking at the sights on other shooters guns before deciding what you want on YOUR 1911.
Now the only way to properly pursue route 2 requires MORE money and waiting for someone like Dane Burns or Ed Vandenberg to get around to your order. (not really all of the Big names have scads of variation that make it possible to find one set up to your satisfaction)
1 peice of advise, 1911 owners are almost universally glad to let you throw some lead downrange from their babies as long as you stroke their ego's by admiring their SUPERIOR firearms. This is a CHEAP way to try out different 1911s.
Reasonable gun control is hitting your target with the first shot.
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flintknapper
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TX Rancher
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Just about any major name 1911 will work as a home defense weapon. If the intent is home defense only, then weight isn’t really that big an issue since you won’t be carrying it on your hip for several hours. As others have stated, the extra weight of a full size, all steel 1911 cuts down on perceived recoil.
I would spring for night sights, especially since it’s a home defense weapon kept by your bed…most likely if you use it, it will be during the night.
If you’re going to go the 1911 route, I would just stick with the 45 ACP. The 1911 system comes in many calibers (9mm, 10mm, and 38 Super come to mind), but I’m biased. For a home defensive weapon in a 1911 frame, I would stick with 45 ACP.
Now if this will also be a carry weapon, then for someone starting out I think a full sized, all steel 1911 may not be an optimal choice. Some folks find the weight to be a distraction after a few hours of carry. If it’s going to do double duty, add a few bucks to the price and go for a lighter weapon. Again, my bias will show, but I think Kimber has the best light weight carry weapons…
I would spring for night sights, especially since it’s a home defense weapon kept by your bed…most likely if you use it, it will be during the night.
If you’re going to go the 1911 route, I would just stick with the 45 ACP. The 1911 system comes in many calibers (9mm, 10mm, and 38 Super come to mind), but I’m biased. For a home defensive weapon in a 1911 frame, I would stick with 45 ACP.
Now if this will also be a carry weapon, then for someone starting out I think a full sized, all steel 1911 may not be an optimal choice. Some folks find the weight to be a distraction after a few hours of carry. If it’s going to do double duty, add a few bucks to the price and go for a lighter weapon. Again, my bias will show, but I think Kimber has the best light weight carry weapons…
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anygunanywhere
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She is much more enjoyable to watch than the salty gunner's mate that taught me my first class on the 1911. The pistols are nicer too. They don't rattle.JasonH wrote:I just watched this girl's videos:
Very informative, for anybody like me who wants a quick run-down.
Anygun
"When democracy turns to tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote." Mike Vanderboegh
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
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jhutto
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My .02
for a thousand you cant get anything better than a stainless full size kimber. if you want to get the lightrail. I think the kimber TLE Rl II is a good choice.
I think they come in a couple cal.
Plenty of stopped threats with the 45.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/
and no I am not a sales rep.
for a thousand you cant get anything better than a stainless full size kimber. if you want to get the lightrail. I think the kimber TLE Rl II is a good choice.
I think they come in a couple cal.
Plenty of stopped threats with the 45.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/
and no I am not a sales rep.
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HOSSISFREE
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My first 1911.
I unfortunately did not have the money to buy a 1911 for about a year after I got the bug. I was thinking I couldn't get one for more than $1000. I finally saved up the money I needed.
During this year I looked at, and fired many different 1911's. I shot friends 1911's. I shot friends of friends 1911's. I rented 1911's. I looked at all the web sites of 1911 makers.
Now...Fortunately It took a year for me to get the money together. It let me do some homework.
My needs may be different than yours in that I wanted a carry gun, but I finally decided on a Kimber Tactical Ultra. 3" barrel, night sights, front strap checkering, checkering on bottom of finger guard, premium match grade trigger, etc...etc...
It cost me $1056 plus tax. Shortly there after I bought the 7rd magazines, holster, and mag carrier, and I absolutely love my first 1911 rig. I wouldn't trade it for anything!
I know how hard it is to wait, trust me! Considering that you want a 1911 to protect you and yours. Considering that a man can't buy just any gun, given it simply has to be impressive, beautiful, fun, outstanding, and one heck of a toy...
My recommendation is to take your time, despite the difficulty to do so, and make darn sure you get EXACTLY what YOU want! I'm not saying take a year, but whatever is comfortable for you.
Hoss
I unfortunately did not have the money to buy a 1911 for about a year after I got the bug. I was thinking I couldn't get one for more than $1000. I finally saved up the money I needed.
During this year I looked at, and fired many different 1911's. I shot friends 1911's. I shot friends of friends 1911's. I rented 1911's. I looked at all the web sites of 1911 makers.
Now...Fortunately It took a year for me to get the money together. It let me do some homework.
My needs may be different than yours in that I wanted a carry gun, but I finally decided on a Kimber Tactical Ultra. 3" barrel, night sights, front strap checkering, checkering on bottom of finger guard, premium match grade trigger, etc...etc...
It cost me $1056 plus tax. Shortly there after I bought the 7rd magazines, holster, and mag carrier, and I absolutely love my first 1911 rig. I wouldn't trade it for anything!
I know how hard it is to wait, trust me! Considering that you want a 1911 to protect you and yours. Considering that a man can't buy just any gun, given it simply has to be impressive, beautiful, fun, outstanding, and one heck of a toy...
My recommendation is to take your time, despite the difficulty to do so, and make darn sure you get EXACTLY what YOU want! I'm not saying take a year, but whatever is comfortable for you.
Hoss
..." it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." ~ Declaration of Independence!
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dws1117
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My first 1911 was a base model Springfield Mil-Spec with no bells or whistles. This is not the GI reissue look alike. This is the route that I recommend going. Not just because of price, but the beauty of the 1911 is that they are so easy to customize. You can go cheap or very expensive. For me I found that I didn't really need a beaver tail grip safety. With time and shooting you too can discover what changes you want to make it into the pistol that fits and works best for you.
Now I only Used Springfield in the above and an example because it was what I bought. It wasn't meant in any way to down play Colt, Kimber, or any other 1911. At some point or other I've owned Springfield, Colt, Dan Wesson, and Kimber. All were very good guns that I loved and dearly miss most.
For the cost, the Rock Island ( mentioned above) guns are good base guns to use as a starting point for personalization.
Now I only Used Springfield in the above and an example because it was what I bought. It wasn't meant in any way to down play Colt, Kimber, or any other 1911. At some point or other I've owned Springfield, Colt, Dan Wesson, and Kimber. All were very good guns that I loved and dearly miss most.
For the cost, the Rock Island ( mentioned above) guns are good base guns to use as a starting point for personalization.
I love my new Taurus 1911, with the Crimson trace grips. 650 rounds of ball over the last 3 weeks or so, to break her in, than a couple of mags of HP's this past weekend. Not 1 FTF or FTE in almost 670 rds. Without the laser it has been very accurate at 15 and 25ft. With the Laser...well, you know... 
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Greybeard
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Quote: "I don't exactly know what caliber I'm looking for."
I figured anything but .45ACP would be downright immoral.
I figured anything but .45ACP would be downright immoral.
CHL Instructor since 1995
http://www.dentoncountysports.com "A Private Palace for Pistol Proficiency"
http://www.dentoncountysports.com "A Private Palace for Pistol Proficiency"
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ThunderDownUnder
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If you want a 1911 that will seriously hold up, try :
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/
or
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/
In the end, these guns will still be shooting when the others fail.
There is a quality difference and they are worth the cost.
For someone on a lesser budget, I would say Springfield or even Colt over Kimber. I have seen too many Kimbers fail (plunger tubes, cracks, small parts failing) in pistol classes.
j
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/
or
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/
In the end, these guns will still be shooting when the others fail.
There is a quality difference and they are worth the cost.
For someone on a lesser budget, I would say Springfield or even Colt over Kimber. I have seen too many Kimbers fail (plunger tubes, cracks, small parts failing) in pistol classes.
j
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biblefreak
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Check out http://www.stiguns.com and then order through your local dealer or from http://www.dawsonprecision.com . STI is a Texas company so you will be supporting a felow Texan, they have GREAT customer service, and they have a wide range of 1911's to fit anybodys desire and or budget. I own a 5" Trojan that I could not be any happier with. They have big, little, single stack, double stack, 9, 38 super, 40, 45's, carry guns and pretty guns, tacticool guns and classic guns. A 1911 lovers dream!