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Buying my first 1911; questions

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S

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Good morning gents. I posted here and in the Glock forum just a few days ago as to which style .45 I should pick up. After heading to the range and firing a Springfield Mil-Spec and a Glock 21, and after watching Ronin for the 99th time, I can say that I am hopelessly obsessed on picking up a 1911! Now I have done more than a few searches here as I know that "which 1911 to buy" threads are waaay too common, but I am still having trouble deciding which gun to buy.

I have about $600.00 to work with, but I would drop another Ben-G or two for a pistol that was just spectacular. I just want a solid performing 1911 that I can use and become familiar with. I don't want to go near any safe queens...yet. The qualities I am looking for in my 1911 are durability and reliability right out of the box; looks are a secondary priority. I am a very inexperienced shooter, and any other accessories (holster, customizations, ect.) are unnecessary at this point. I want to be able to open the box, put 100 rounds through her, clean her spotless, and have her eat another 100 rounds without a hiccup. Here are my initial considerations:

1. Springfield Mil-Spec

2. STI Spartan

3. RIA GI 1911

4. Taurus pt 1911

5. Colt XSE Government (this one's a stretch)

Considering my priorities mentioned above, which pistol would be ideal? If you gentlemen have any other recommendations I would be more than willing to listen and consider.

As a final question, is there any benefit to having a stainless finish, nickel matte finish, or any of the finishes where the frame & slide has had a satin finish put on? I LOVE the look of RIA's nickel 1911, but being new to the maintenence of a 1911...I sure don't want to jump the gun :rofl:

Thanks very much for any help fellas! This seems like a great forum and I have learned a lot already.
 
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#2 ·
you're gonna get a lot more knowledgable suggestions than mine as i'm mostly a colt guy, and not an xse at that. but the one thing i can say is FOR HEAVENS SAKE, DROP THE PT 1911. and bac1023 has a super buyers guide stickied at the top of the forum. for someone like you, it will prove invaluable. good luck.
 
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Discussion Starter · #10 · (Edited)
Quack said:
fill us in on what you are looking for?
fixed sights or adjustable
std grip safety or enhanced (beavertail)
usage
finish

STI Spartan
RIA Tactical

the Springfield Range Officer also looks promising.
Click to expand...
To be honest, I don't know that much about 1911's to have a true preferance! Fixed or adjustable, standard or beavertail, I truly don't know which I would prefer. I just want a gun that I can fall in love with and rely upon to fire every time I pull the trigger. That being said, I take obessive compulsively good care of my weaponry.

As for finish, I would LOVE to get a stainless finish....but I hear that they are hard to get clean once you have shot a few. Is this true? Does having a stainless finish enhance performance at all..or is it strictly cosmetic?
 
Quack

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#11 · (Edited)
IMO SS doesn't stay as tight and can't be fit as tight as carbon steel guns.
my SS Loaded slide/frame fit was decent, but after ~5000rounds it's loosened up quite a bit. SS is also prone to galling if fit too tight.

they are not hard to clean at all, no different than a coated gun.

here's one of my SS guns that i used in a class in the rain/mud and shot a little over 500rds though it that day.




 
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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
WOW Quack! Beautiful collection man! As we speak, I am still reading up on a ton of literature regarding the 1911. I forgot to mention that buying a US made 1911 means a lot to me...so I can rule out the STI, Taurus, ect.

I really think I have narrowed it down to either the Springer Mil-Spec, Remington R1, or the Colt Gov't. This Colt Gov't is going for just under $800.00; what do you think?!
 
Quack

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snwbrdr202 said:
WOW Quack! Beautiful collection man! As we speak, I am still reading up on a ton of literature regarding the 1911. I forgot to mention that buying a US made 1911 means a lot to me...so I can rule out the STI, Taurus, ect.

I really think I have narrowed it down to either the Springer Mil-Spec, Remington R1, or the Colt Gov't. This Colt Gov't is going for just under $800.00; what do you think?!
Click to expand...

you can rule out the STI Spartan, but all the other STI's are made in Texas.
you can rule out Springfield because the mil-spec may be made in Brazil and all Springfields (even the high dollar ones) all start from Brazil forgings.

I like the Remington R1 for an entry/mil-spec type gun. IMO, it's much better fit than the Springfield mil-spec. the only slight downside is the Series 80 safety, but not a big deal.





I don't care for Colts.
 
bac1023

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#15 ·
snwbrdr202 said:
As for finish, I would LOVE to get a stainless finish....but I hear that they are hard to get clean once you have shot a few. Is this true? Does having a stainless finish enhance performance at all..or is it strictly cosmetic?
Click to expand...

Stainless isn't really a "finish" its the material.

I think stainless is a relatively poor material for a 1911. Although its improved greatly over the years, its still not as hard as carbon steel and the 1911's design requires tight tolerences, especially for a good one.

I'm not big on stainless 1911s. I own quite a few, but my best models are all carbon steel.
 
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Hokie1911
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