So I've Figured Out That I Want a 1911. Now What?

[Lost River]

I own Colt, Springfield, Kimber, and Les Baer, and have been shooting 1911s since the late 1980s.

I have used them for LE work, USPSA/IPSC, teaching various classes, as well as hunting.

With that background in mind, if I could not afford a Les Baer, I would go with Colt, and nothing else.

In fact, much like AR-15s, where the Colt 6920 is the rifle by which all others are judged, it is my opinion that the Colt brand 1911 5" Government model is the 1911 by which all others are judged.

The stuff coming from Colt these days is darn nice, and if I was in the market for another 1911, it would have a Rampant Pony on the slide.

[Lost River]

So I've been reading the specs on the Colt commanders, steel vs. aluminum frame. Only a 2-3 oz difference, those who have shot or carried both, do you feel the difference?

You can definitely feel a difference, with the Lightweight Commanders being "snappier". That said, I was just carrying my 1973 era Lightweight Commander today, and wit practice, they are not too hard to shoot well.

[Wake27]

That box and the included papers are awesome.


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[PattonWasRight]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Rock Island Rock Series Standard, in 9mm.

Will shoot it this Friday.

I figure this is a good way to start, and if I become a 1911 enthusiast, I'll sell it and udgrade to a "proper" 1911 in .45 and get something nicer.

[1986s4]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Rock Island Rock Series Standard, in 9mm.

Will shoot it this Friday.

I figure this is a good way to start, and if I become a 1911 enthusiast, I'll sell it and udgrade to a "proper" 1911 in .45 and get something nicer.

I would not have bought a Rock but then again I bought a Taurus PT 1911 as my first foray into the 1911 world. It was reliable and accurate for the time I owned it. Sold it for what I paid for it, they were new and popular then. Moved on to Colt and Springfield.
I hope your Rock runs well enough to give you an accurate idea if a 1911 is for you.

All the best,
1986s4

[PattonWasRight]

I would not have bought a Rock but then again I bought a Taurus PT 1911 as my first foray into the 1911 world. It was reliable and accurate for the time I owned it. Sold it for what I paid for it, they were new and popular then. Moved on to Colt and Springfield.
I hope your Rock runs well enough to give you an accurate idea if a 1911 is for you.

All the best,
1986s4

Those PTs were regarded as a decent gun IIRC. I've seen mixed reviews on the Rock Island, more positive than negative, so we'll see, but that's why I like to pay more at a gun store ... if it needs to go back, they handle the hassle of that for me, for as long as I own the gun. Will holler back after I give it a first workout. The one at the store really had a super slick smooth slide and a trigger I that I couldn't believe was in a gun at this price, felt worked over well. They still do hand fitting where these are made in the Philippines, and they've been making them there for a long time, so maybe they have some experienced guys that know what they're doing. That's the hope at least.

[capt46wfd]

Less than $1k; Springfield Armory Range Officer. A little more than $1300 if you look around, hands down Dan Wesson Valor (Specialist if you want a rail, Valkyrie Commander if you want lightweight).

The Dan Wessons based on the Valor are fitted better than the Ed Brown I bought new.

[1986s4]

Assuming it runs, and I hope it does, you will get a good idea if the 1911 is good for you. At least you won't have much in it, I didn't do anything to my old PT 1911, just left it as is, original. When I decided I liked the 1911 I bought a good holster and mags, those can be used again. I have also heard some good things about the Rock.

[PattonWasRight]

Assuming it runs, and I hope it does, you will get a good idea if the 1911 is good for you. At least you won't have much in it, I didn't do anything to my old PT 1911, just left it as is, original. When I decided I liked the 1911 I bought a good holster and mags, those can be used again. I have also heard some good things about the Rock.

Thanks 1986s4 ... I appreciate your input. You seem like an even-keeled kinda' guy. Every gun I get needs a holster, and I'm sure I'll be getting mags, probably MetalForms from input per my "Google-foo." It comes with a MecGar which apparently the gun fusses at.

I hope it runs well, but I also hope it doesn't run well too ... hey, more practice handling malfunctions! I carry Glocks and an LCP when needed, this will be a range toy.

I found this interesting article where a guy compares and tests a Kimber vs the Rock Island.

As he notes, Kimber has their "custom shop" yet their parts are MiM'd ... those two don't go together in my mind. To me, custom means the parts are hand fitted.

From his article he states per a production guy, Rock Island parts are hand fitted. I believe him as I just could not fathom how buttery smooth the slide action and thin grass straw the trigger was on the Rock Island. Cheaper labor = cheaper gun, but man, I do believe these guys are serious craftsman.

https://gunner777.wordpress.com/2011...ory-vs-kimber/

I'll put 100 rounds through it tomorrow night and see what I can do with it.

[PattonWasRight]

Man o' man, the 1911 trigger ... who knew that mechanism was so sexy sweet?

My handgun shooting has been predominately with striker fired stuff Glocks, never had a 1911 til now

Shot 100 Baptismal rounds thru the Rock Island

No complaints with the gun ... 100% function with Speer Lawman 124 grain FMJ std pressure, and some home brew hollow points a friend gave me

Compared to strike-fired guns, was almost stupid easy hitting X's and 10's at SD range ... out to about 10 yards

The magazine with the gun was a total joke ... tried 3X to get the first round to feed and it nose dived against the ramp. The spring felt weak and the top round was not pointed up at all. Looking down the breech into the mag, it looked like 0 chance the round would be picked up, almost like the mag was too short / seated in too soon.

Who knows, who cares ... the LGS where I bought GAVE me a Springfield mag and the gun was 100% with that. They'll also contact the MFR for me to seek a replacement mag. This is why I buy and pay more locally than online. The one that came with the Rock was a 10 round and the Springfield was a 9. Oh well, free is free.

So, after 100 rounds, def have come to appreciate the 1911 platform. In 9mm, the recoil is just kitty kat soft. Did some speed drills moving from one target to the other and I felt faster than with my poly guns, thou I didn't bring a timer.

Good stuff.