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

[Mr McSimon]

I have some trade credit at my LGS so I'm thinking about plunking down for my first 1911, knowing full well that I may catch a disease that I can't control if I go down that road. My question is, where do I start? I've been doing a small amount of research, at least enough to know how much I don't know, so what are some of the better starter pistols to be considering, books, websites, forums, etc.? I don't need to be looking at the cheapest models, and I think I like the idea of a Colt, and a .45 caliber, but I'm all ears when it comes to suggestions about brand, caliber, if thinking about suppressing it/one down the road is a good idea, if a commander or full size is a better option, or anything else that bears discussing. Please guys, help educate me.

[BigDog]

Springfield Loaded is a great one to start with.

[OldState]

Buy a .45 and get a full size. Buy the best you can afford....1911s are not like ARs...cheap ones often don’t work at all. Buy some books on the 1911 and read up as much as you can in how they work and how to trouble shoot. Chip McCormick power mags seem to work in every 1911.

It’s an addictive gun but can frustrating to keep running. I weened myself off several years ago and went to a full sized M&P 45 with an Apex FSS trigger and thumb safety for gun games.

I have been intrigued by the S&W E Series for years but never bought one. I like the idea of an external extractor as that is the source of many headaches in the original design.

[MountainRaven]

How much do you want to spend and do you want a toy or a serious defensive tool?

[opngrnd]

If I were serious about getting into it with the advantage of hindsight, starting point would be Springfield TRP or Colt equivalent. Just for fun, a standard Colt or Colt Competition. There's plenty of preference in that recommendation, but also about 13 years of playing with and carrying 1911s.

[brushy bill]

If I were getting a 1911 today, I'd check out the STI R model.

[ndmiller]

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

+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.

[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?

[glocktogo]

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?

Two Words: Dan Wesson.

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

[Jonnyt16]

No mention of the Colt M45A1?? OORAH!

Saw this video recently...if the intro doesn't get you pumped about shooting a 1911 then there's something wrong with you...