1911 Cost

[Oldgringo]

davidtx:

What recently happened in Round Rock that makes you happy
to have your 1911 on you?

SIA

I think he may be referring to this happening:

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=31719" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

Springfield makes some really GREAT 1911s. I love mine. However, if you dont want to spend a lil more money than you will be looking at the GI and/or Mil-Spec versions. I have the Mil-Spec. I did not like the way it fit in my hand or shot so I changed a lot of the stuff on it but the price was good and I got to kinda customize it to my liking. If you want a good reliable, cost efficient 1911 with all the modern bells and whistles get the Taurus PT1911. Its a great gun with a great price.

As for concealing a 5" 1911. I do as do many on this forum. My concealment meathod is either a Galco Combat Master Belt Holster (OWB) or a Galco Summer Comfort Holster (IWB). 99% of the time its the OWB with a T-Shirt over it. The slimness of the 1911 and the fit of the holster are great for concealment.

[57Coastie]

I guess I was just a little shocked at how much they were, especially given the age of the design.

Let us hope you found a good 1911 during the last few months. Ask any of us who are, and, in my case have been for 50 years, obsessed with John Browning's classic, and we will tell you that the 1911's design is ageless.

The cream of my collection is a Colt M1911 government vintage 1917, which may have seen service in two world wars. I was fortunate enough to acquire her in 1960. It is faultless and always works as it is supposed to work, with the only repair being a slide stop which was becoming a little worn. I have put thousands of rounds through her, many in military and NRA competition, with never the slightest burp.

I was tempted once to put her to a hard-earned rest on display in pride of place over the fireplace, but promptly decided that is not what Mr. Browning intended for her, and she still goes to the range regularly.

Jim

[casingpoint]

Ya'll do Walt Kowalski proud.

[davidtx]

davidtx:

What recently happened in Round Rock that makes you happy
to have your 1911 on you?

SIA

I think he may be referring to this happening:

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=31719" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yep - oldgringo (that name reminds me of my Dad's self proclaimed nickname - gringo viejo) beat me to it.

[SYMWAFA]

I love 1911s. My main carry is a S&W 1911sc. It's Commander sized (4.25"). It carries great IWB, and draws easily. I got a Colt New Agent (3") a few weeks ago, but I'm not carrying it until I get the rig in.

One issue with carrying a full size is whether or not you can draw it easily. The taller you are, the better. I would stay far away from te Taurus 1991s. They're not to spec in some areas, and I've heard too many stories of terrible, or even non-existant, uh, "customer service".

[samobius]

Well my wife and I talked about it and we're going to wait until our house is finished being built and get a feel for where we stand at that point.

I hope I can hold out that long.

[57Coastie]

Well my wife and I talked about it and we're going to wait until our house is finished being built and get a feel for where we stand at that point.

I hope I can hold out that long.

Possibly the most important factor in getting in to owning firearms is: "Keep mama happy!"

As much as it hurts to wait, you are doing the right thing.

Jim

[grad_Student]

Found a Springfield 1911 GI for $639. How much would you offer?

[Oldgringo]

Found a Springfield 1911 GI for $639. How much would you offer?

Go to...say er, uh...Gunbroker.com and see what the various 1911's are going for on that site and take it from there.

BTW, what did you say your major study is?

[grad_Student]

Found a Springfield 1911 GI for $639. How much would you offer?

Go to...say er, uh...Gunbroker.com and see what the various 1911's are going for on that site and take it from there.

BTW, what did you say your major study is?

Law

[kragluver]

I have a Taurus PT1911 and it is my primary carry weapon. I have had excellent luck with this pistol - I consider it an excellent value for the money. When I bought mine, the prices were still right at $500 - they are a bit higher now. In a side-by-side comparison with my friend's Kimber Eclipse, accuracy was every bit as good and reliability was considerably better. The Eclipse has been back to Kimber twice and it still has issues with extraction. All this said, I have never had to use Taurus' customer service - I think if I ever have a problem with the pistol, I'll pay a 'smith to have it fixed. The pistol now has over 1000 rounds through it with no issues whatsoever.

Common complaints I've read about the Taurus are:

- Shoots low with the Heine straight-8 sights - TRUE. These sights are designed for a center hold as opposed to the more common target shooters 6'o clock hold. Just something you need to get used to. The more recent PT1911s can also be had with Novak sights. After shooting with the Heine's for the last couple of years, I find I like them. They are quick to get on target and do not snag on clothing.
- Sight dovetails are not milspec - TRUE. If you go with an aftermarket sight, you'll need to have the dovetail adjusted. All other parts appear to be milspec.
- Blued finish is not durable - I have not found this to be true. Mine has held up well.
- Ambi safety breakage - I have not had this problem, but this does appear to be the one common mechanical problem at least with the early PT1911 pistols based on what I've read. If it breaks, just buy a new safety from Wilson or Cylinder & Slide.

As far as "features" go on a 1911, you won't find a better value. These are not cheap 1911s, just less expensive.

IMHO - concealing a full size 1911 is actually quite easy. As another poster said upstream, the slimness of the design really helps. I frankly find it more comfortable to carry IWB than my P64 (which is nearly identical to a Walther PPK). The 1911 doesn't cause any pressure points on my hip when carrying (I carry at about 4'0clock on my hip); whereas, the P64 seems to always find an uncomfortable spot. Carrying OWB is by far the most comfortable, but you're limited to having to pretty much wear a jacket in that case. I have Bullard IWB tuckable holsters for both my 1911 and the P64 - these work well for me. I also use a Galco OWB holster for the 1911 on occasion. Your mileage may vary...

[witchdoctor575]

i have a taurus 1911 and a kimber 4" covert pro. if your on a budget, then taurus is a decent buy, however a springfield gi is a better gun (quality wise) for the same money, but is doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" the taurus has. if your wanting a carry weapon you might want to look for a commander size 1911. yes it is possible to conceal a 5" but you have to work at it. my kimber hides very well with a supertuck holster and having an aluminum frame it is much lighter than my taurus. and yes the kimber shoots WAY better groups than the taurus does. not that the taurus shoots badly but there is a distinct difference. All that being said I believe the taurus is a great entry level gun that will serve its purpose well and will let you decide what your looking for in your next 1911. yes there will be another as 1911's are like tattoo's. one you get one it becomes a disease and more soon follow.

[kragluver]

One item that is often not mentioned when carrying with a belt holster (especially important for any of the heavier pistols) - get a good gunbelt Most holster makers offer them. Don't try to use just your everyday belt. You need a heavy duty, thick leather belt to help support the extra weight of the gun. They're not cheap so far as belts go, but they are worth it if you're trying to carry a full size pistol.

[The Annoyed Man]

I have a Taurus PT1911 and it is my primary carry weapon. I have had excellent luck with this pistol - I consider it an excellent value for the money. When I bought mine, the prices were still right at $500 - they are a bit higher now. In a side-by-side comparison with my friend's Kimber Eclipse, accuracy was every bit as good and reliability was considerably better. The Eclipse has been back to Kimber twice and it still has issues with extraction. All this said, I have never had to use Taurus' customer service - I think if I ever have a problem with the pistol, I'll pay a 'smith to have it fixed. The pistol now has over 1000 rounds through it with no issues whatsoever.

I'll give you the accuracy part. My son's PT1911 is quite accurate — somewhat more accurate than my Springfield Loaded (mostly because the Taurus has a better trigger), and about on a parr with the two Kimbers we own.

That said... about 500 rounds or so into the Taurus pistol's life, it snapped the slide stop right in two... MIM parts! Meh. However, I had a spare Kimber slide stop with me at the time (also a MIM part) that came out of my Stainless Ultra Carry II. (Why I had the extra part is a story in itself.) Anyway, the Kimber part dropped right into the Taurus, and my son went right back to shooting. Now, maybe 1,000-1,500 rounds further along and a year and a half later, that Kimber part is still in there in that Taurus, working just fine.

And to add insult to injury, the Taurus pistol's ambidextrous safety lever keeps trying to back out of the right side of the pistol and has to be tapped back into place with a nylon hammer.

I still wouldn't mind owning a PT1911, but they aren't perfect, and we've had fewer problems with either of our Kimbers or the Springfield than with the Taurus.