Thinking about getting into 1911's, where do I start?

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Originally Posted by OldState

Buy a .45 and get a full size. Buy the best you can afford....

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+1 on this. Also buy and shoot a 500 rounds while keeping it wet with CLP to break it in before thinking about changing anything on it. Not all of them need it, but enough do, to just recommend a 500 round pack shot without cleaning to get everything a bit smoothed out. It's a pain, but could mean the difference between issues and no issues.

Bought a Les Baer after saving a long while, took my licks breaking it in and it's just a perfect tack driver with anything I want to shoot through it. During break-in it was a sputtering mess of hard fit inconsistent grittiness spraying CLP everywhere.

There is a thread somewhere listing a handful of 1911 at every price point/category to get you thinking, might be on another forum.

Thanks for the reply's so far. This pistol would mostly be a hobby/range toy for me, but I'll treat it and expect it to run as if it were for serious defense, and it should be able to be us used in that capacity if needed or wanted. I'm all for the buy once cry once approach, and I'm not necessarily bound by a maximum price tag. I'm not sure I'd jump to the top end custom right out of the box, but I certainly don't want to gimp myself by trying to save a few bucks. If I had to grab a starting number that I'd be comfortable with, knowing the good guns are expensive, I'd say $1200, maybe a few hundred more, but I'd love it to be a few hundred less.

I've heard about the TRP being talked about more than once, so that's got my attention. What set's it apart?

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Originally Posted by Mr McSimon

Thanks for the reply's so far. This pistol would mostly be a hobby/range toy for me, but I'll treat it and expect it to run as if it were for serious defense, and it should be able to be us used in that capacity if needed or wanted. I'm all for the buy once cry once approach, and I'm not necessarily bound by a maximum price tag. I'm not sure I'd jump to the top end custom right out of the box, but I certainly don't want to gimp myself by trying to save a few bucks. If I had to grab a starting number that I'd be comfortable with, knowing the good guns are expensive, I'd say $1200, maybe a few hundred more, but I'd love it to be a few hundred less.

I've heard about the TRP being talked about more than once, so that's got my attention. What set's it apart?

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Two Words: Dan Wesson.

KYGunco has a bunch of flavors in stock, some of which are just under your budget.

Yeah, in that $1200 range DW is the one to try and beat.
I’ve been impressed with their lack of MIM and reasonable attention to detail in assembly.

And FWIW; a properly set up 1911, even brand new, will run 100% given good mags and ammo.
That “xx hundred rds. for break in” shouldn’t be necessary- cleaned and lubed- it should run, right out of the box.

If it’s a carry gun-sure, run a 100+ rds to verify function with that particular bullet profile.

Springfield Armory's Range Officer or Colt's Competition models are definitely solid lower end options. I seriously considered a TRP for my first 1911, till I checked out a Dan Wesson Valor. The TRP is still a good choice, but you'd have a hard time finding a better pistol for $1500 than a Dan Wesson.

Pointers:

1. 1911s were designed for 230 grain round nose FMJ. Any deviation in weight or shape may cause problems. A feed ramp job used to be a necessity but now many come from the factory already polished.

2. Throw away the GI cheapo magazines that come with the gun. Buy Wilson, McCormick, Mecgar, Metalform. Many 1911 problems are magazine caused.

3. For your first 1911, I'd go classic and get .45 ACP.

4. Avoid 1911s in .40. There's a problem adapting 1911 to this cartridge. Colt and Kimber, at least, quietly dropped. 40 from their lines. 9mm and .38 Super will work. Skip +P .45 ammo.

5. 1911 needs more maintenance than a Glock or M&P. Cleaning, lubrication, even extractor tuning.

I also suggest .45 in full size. Springfield TRP or Dan Wesson Valor are both great and are in your price range. I think you would be very happy with either!

After owning Colts and Springfields for just over 30 years I picked up my first Les Baer (5" Gunsite model) and I don't think I will ever go back. It was another $700 more that the Colt WC I looked at, but it was so worth it. Whatever you get be sure to lay hands on first.

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Originally Posted by Fpnunes

After owning Colts and Springfields for just over 30 years I picked up my first Les Baer (5" Gunsite model) and I don't think I will ever go back. It was another $700 more that the Colt WC I looked at, but it was so worth it. Whatever you get be sure to lay hands on first.

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I'm with you on that. I traded off a few guns to fund a Thunder Ranch Special a few years ago and it is now my go to for 45ACP. Did the same thing this year to fund an Ed Brown KC9 and it was well worth the 3 glocks and shotgun I let go. These are now my most used and carried guns in the safe. The last few years I have been cleaning out the safe and getting better quality and less quantity and actually shooting what I have. Never been happier.

Well I've been doing my research and I'm narrowing my choices, but I haven't had a chance to compare any guns side by side yet since I've been on Christmas break at the in laws. There are some good choices, and I've at least settled on a full size frame and .45 cal.

The Dan Wesson Valor is discontinued, so I could consider one of those used, but I'm also looking at the Specialist which is a little above my budget, and also the A2 which I like and is in the budget, but doesn't have the front or back strap checkering. How big of a deal is the grip checkering in real life? Can anybody speak about the DW A2 specifically or have comments about any other specific DW models? I haven't discounted a TRP yet either, so right now it's neck and neck between the two brands with Colt running in third.

There is one other question I have at the moment. I'm noticing that some models come with a 7 round mag, and some with 8 round. Is that a limitation of the gun or simply the magazines? It seems like it would be the mag, like any other gun, but as the TRP is sold as 7+1, will it always be a 7+1 unless using an extended mag? Congruently, the Dan Wessons are sold as an 8+1, so would those pistols accept 7 round magazines? Is there any difference in functionality between 7 and 8 rounds magazines? It seems like the answer would be a no brainer, but I hope not to take anything for granted with this purchase.