First time 1911 shooting

[MojoTexas]

I had looked at the Taurus 1911s before buying my Kimber back in February. From what I've heard, they're a great value for the money, but they're not exactly 100% compatible with other 1911 pistols. In other words, your mileage may vary trying to find holsters that fit perfectly, or trying to use aftermarket parts like grips and stuff. I don't know how true this is...but it's what I've heard. I would think that if you're just looking for an inexpensive range gun, a Taurus 1911 would be a great buy, especially if you're okay with keeping it stock.

I know what you mean about the first time shooting a 1911. My buddy has a Springfield TRP and shooting his TRP was what hooked me.

My son has a Taurus 1911. I don't know about "100%," but the old stainless slide-stop lever from my Kimber Stainless UC II has been doing duty in my son's Taurus 1911 for the past 2 years now; so that part at least appears to be compatible with other 1911s. The primary trouble my son has had with his Taurus is finding a holster to fit it. His is the PT1911AR with the accessory rail, and the Taurus rail is larger and more obtrusive than the rails on similar Kimbers or Springfields. So unless you can get someone to make you a custom holster, it doesn't look like anyone makes a standard model of holster to fit that gun.

That's exactly what I've heard, TAM...that holsters are the biggest problem due to the rail on the Taurus 1911. I've heard that feature-wise they are an EXCELLENT value for the money, and shoot very well.

MojoTexas

[karder]

I am like TAM in that the first handgun I ever fired was a 1911. A really basic Colt. I never knew why 1911 were so highly praised until I started firing other types of guns. The 1911 platform probably does more things better than any other design. I still carry a Colt 1911 as my "Sunday" gun. I opt for a higher capacity pistol during my weekday as I work in a high risk area, but it is no where near as comfortable or intuitive to shoot as my Colt. Good luck in your search.

[Frobert]

I went today to DFW Gun Range and rented a Kimber Stainless Steel Compact. This was my first time to shoot a 1911. I had no trouble keeping the gun on target, and didn't feel the recoil that I had expected. The gun was a breeze to shoot and very comfortable in my hands. The single stack made the grip more comfortable than the double stacks that I have shot. As I reloaded after each round of shooting I could really tell how much more accurate I was with it than most of the 45 cal that I have shot before. The shooting trip has only helped me to decide that I will be buying a 1911 soon, and most likely a Kimber.

[USA1]

The shooting trip has only helped me to decide that I will be buying a 1911 soon, and most likely a Kimber.

That's what I like to hear!

[dicion]

The shooting trip has only helped me to decide that I will be buying a 1911 soon, and most likely a Kimber.

That's what I like to hear!

One of us.... One of us...

[Vecco]

I had looked at the Taurus 1911s before buying my Kimber back in February. From what I've heard, they're a great value for the money, but they're not exactly 100% compatible with other 1911 pistols. In other words, your mileage may vary trying to find holsters that fit perfectly, or trying to use aftermarket parts like grips and stuff. I don't know how true this is...but it's what I've heard. I would think that if you're just looking for an inexpensive range gun, a Taurus 1911 would be a great buy, especially if you're okay with keeping it stock.

I know what you mean about the first time shooting a 1911. My buddy has a Springfield TRP and shooting his TRP was what hooked me.

MojoTexas

Your right and wrong, NO 1911 is just drop in parts that 1 size fits all (even when they say they are), some will some wont. I have a PT-1911 Great gun, a Kimber Custom II, great gun and a Springfield GI, NOW a great gun. I went to a 1911 armors course to learn the 1911 and took an unfired Springfield 1911 with me. Out of the box the 11lb trigger will kill you. With some simple smithing a 4.5lb tiger makes it a great gun but it was the same price as the PT-1911 which is already a great gun. Some part will easily swap, others need a little smithing, and others need a lot. Don’t forget the Springfield GI is a model 70, the Taurus is a Colt model 80 and the Kimber is a Kimber model 80. So parts can be different.
Grips, Holsters and what not ALL fit the same size frames GI or Reg.

[G.A. Heath]

Springfield's are built like the Colt Model 70's in that they have no firing pin block device. The PT1911's do use the Series 80 firing pin block, but the Kimbers use a Swartz safety mechanism which colt experimented with in the 1930s and then dropped from their production guns.

Some guns do not like some holsters, the Taurus guns with a rail are a good example. Same goes with grips some manufacturers place the grip screws in a slightly different location than the mil-spec guns which means that many larger grips will not work on those guns, although most regular grips will still fit. When looking at grips you must also take into account some added features that may be present on the gun such as an ambi-safety or bobbed grip.

[mgood]

My first two pistols were double-stack forties. I decided I wanted a single-stack gun for a couple reasons.
1) My hands are slightly smaller than average and the fat grips just didn't sit in my hand as well as a single-stack.
2) I felt that the slimmer grip would be more concealable.
That made me take another look at 1911s.
I wanted compact and light weight. I decided I liked the Kimber Ultra CDP II. I figured that since I'm going to have fewer shots, I might as well punch a bigger hole, so I ordered the CDP in .45 ACP.
I'd never fired a .45-anything (except a couple times with a .45 Colt through a scoped Thompson/Center Contender that seemed more like a short rifle than a pistol, and that was 30 years ago). Never fired a 1911. And I was getting a 3" barrelled, aluminum framed 1911 in .45. I was a little concerned about the recoil. First time I shot it, I was really braced for something. After popping off a couple rounds, I thought "Oh, this is no big deal." It's really fun to shoot. I was worried it was going to beat me up, but that's not the case at all. The ergonomics of the 1911 design allow me to handle the more powerful round, even in a lighter, shorter gun, at least as well as I handle the .40.

[Rick343]

I have 2 1911's, one is custom built full size SS that is match grade and the other is a Citadel sub compact with a 3.5" barrell. The Citadel is my carry gun. The more I shoot it the better it gets plus there are no plastic parts in it. It has swallowed and spit out everythin I've put through it from from factory ball and HP to hand load ball and HP. I paid a little over $500 for it.