1911 Model - What is a good one to start out with?

[Tallinthesaddle]

I have been shooting mainly 9mm but want to buy a 1911 model in 45 cal. to start out with. Last week I tried the Springfield Armory GI model which is inexpensive, but gets the job done. The top of the grip seems to bite my hand some but I can get through a 50 round box OK. I don't plan to use it much for CC, but for occasional target and plinking. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[bridge]

Doesn't really matter...Gov't model, Commander, Kimber UCII...once you get one, you'll want the own them all

[Oldgringo]

For my money, you can't beat a Taurus PT 1911. It's not as particular as my Kimber and as a consequence, gets to see a lot more of the world than the sensitive one.

[MTICop]

Doesn't really matter...Gov't model, Commander, Kimber UCII...once you get one, you'll want the own them all

Truer words have never been spoken!!!

I am a big fan of Kimber, Springfield Armory, Taurus, etc and so on. I've also seen quite a few from a company called Fusion Firearms and I want them all.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

To Tallinthesaddle: I believe your geography would not work for this sale but
Bass Pro Shops, until April 5, 2009, has brand new Taurus 1911B's on sale for $629.99.

This one has Heinie "Straight Eight" sights and some other identification
number in the ad is "1194354". I don't know if this is a Taurus stock number,
or something else.

This is a 5" barrel with 8 round .45 mags.

[Skeptilius]

I have a Taurus PT-1911B with Heine sights and night sights. I love this gun. Accurate and reliable and not fussy about the ammo used. Colts are nice, but very expensive. My Taurus was about $720.00.

[Oldgringo]

I have a Taurus PT 1911 with Heinie sights as stated. What is the difference between the various Taurus 1911's other than stainless or blued? BTW, my PT 1911 was $505 plus tax a year at the April Tyler Gun show.

[BigDaddyMac]

I have the Taurus PT1911B also. I bought it last fall at Cabela's for about $550 and they gave me a $150 gift card for my next purchase, which was some ammo and a holster (of course).

I am having a little trouble finding extra magazines for it though. Can anybody make some suggestions? I tried Kimber (which didn't seem to work at all), and Wilson Combat (which work, but I'm not convinced they're right). I can't seem to find anybody that actually sells the Taurus magazines.

[Keith B]

I have the Taurus PT1911B also. I bought it last fall at Cabela's for about $550 and they gave me a $150 gift card for my next purchase, which was some ammo and a holster (of course).

I am having a little trouble finding extra magazines for it though. Can anybody make some suggestions? I tried Kimber (which didn't seem to work at all), and Wilson Combat (which work, but I'm not convinced they're right). I can't seem to find anybody that actually sells the Taurus magazines.

I've always had good luck with Chip McCormick mags http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/Default ... -4_8-16-32" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I don't own a Taurus, but I would assume they would work as they are generic for the 1911's.

As for the OP's question, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the major brand 1911's. As for my preference, I like Springfield Armory. Their pistols are great quality, reasonably priced and their service/support is second to none. They also carry a lifetime warranty on the pistol!

[RPBrown]

Can't go wrong with a Les Baer custom.

[The Annoyed Man]

Can't go wrong with a Les Baer custom.

[Oldgringo]

I have a Taurus PT 1911 with Heinie sights as stated. What is the difference between the various Taurus 1911's other than stainless or blued? BTW, my PT 1911 was $505 plus tax a year at the April Tyler Gun show.

Nevermind

[bridge]

I have the Taurus PT1911B also. I bought it last fall at Cabela's for about $550 and they gave me a $150 gift card for my next purchase, which was some ammo and a holster (of course).

I am having a little trouble finding extra magazines for it though. Can anybody make some suggestions? I tried Kimber (which didn't seem to work at all), and Wilson Combat (which work, but I'm not convinced they're right). I can't seem to find anybody that actually sells the Taurus magazines.

I got my PT1911 about a year ago...great gun. I've also got a colt combat commander and I can say the Taurus stacks up well against it. Shoots dirty blazer brass with little complaint. Regarding the mags, I've used my colt mags in the Taurus and vice versa with no problems. I even bought some cheapo 7rd 1911 mags off the net a while back and they work fine as well.

[RKirby]

Rock Island Armory Tactical - around $500 new. It comes with a beavertail grip-safety, so you won't get hammerbite, and the sights are decent Novak-style which makes plinking easier (higher-profile than the tiny milspec sights).

Edit: The distributor in Vegas is legendary for their excellent customer-service, too.

What he said.^^

I own the officer's model of this gun and wouldn't take anything for it. Well, maybe not anything..but you get the idea, right? It's a regular member of my carry rotaion and I trust my safety and well being to this gun.

I will disagree with AndyC on one point, though..the Novak sites are next to worthless against a dark background. I plan on installing a set of XS Big Dots as soon as Obama sends me my bailout check.

I don't know what they sell for now, but I paid $400 for mine about a year ago. But that was before gun and ammo prices went sky high.