URGENT 1911 Questions

[DEUCE-DOBE]

Am on the verge of purchasing a 1911... SA Custom Loaded SS full size Will be buying w/in 24 hours.

First: The gun will be for general target shooting and, if necessary, home defense.

Second: Spare mags. Which ones? I heard McCormick power mags are the way to go. 8 or 10 rounders?

Third: Grips. I like the feel of the hogue rubber wrap around grips on the SA Ultra Compact and would like to get them for the full size... where can I get them for a decent price?

Fourth: I'm already convinced that the Double Tap ammo at 230 gr at 900+ fps is the load for defense. What ammo would you all recommend for target/fun shooting that isn't too expensive?

Anything else that should accompany this purchase?

Thanks for the opinions/advice.

[muscles]

that sa loaded will be nice. the triggers are a bit heavy, but nothing a smith cant tune for you. great range/defense gun.

as for mags...i have a few mcormicks and a few wilson combats. i have no complaints about the mcromicks, but absolutely love the wilsons. i really like their follower and base pad. a bit more expensive, but great.

i also really like the hogue wraparounds. havent found anything yet i like more. ive bought them online from www.midwayusa.com before. not sure if its the best price out there, but good service & delivery.

i havent shot the doubletaps yet, but ive heard good things. i really like the corbon 200 gr's. as for practice ammo...i like to be able to practice with what i carry. as a result, i shoot a lot of gold dots, but i also reload. you can get a great cheap reloading press from midway as well. i like the lee hand press and the lee turret press. be careful though...it'll become a hobby all by itself.

enjoy!

[Cross-X]

Chip McCormicks are very good mags, but I think Wilson Combat's mags are untouchable.

[SilverState]

Mags: Wilson Combat 47D

Grips: VZ Grips

Practice Ammo: Remington UMC from Natchez in bulk

Double Tap: over 1200fps

[EX CATM]

Wilson 47Ds are probably the best over all. I tried CMCs but they kept scratching the feed rampn my steel TLE II. So I only use wilsons now. Tripp and novack are both supposed to make very good mags as well. As far as 8 or 10 rounders, just dependsn how much you want hanging out.
Houge grips are pretty common check Brownells and your local shops and fun shows.
I like winchester white box from wally world for practice. around $20 per hundred rounds.

[DEUCE-DOBE]

Thanks gents.

Silverstate: your dog kill any cats or children lately?!?! ;) Thanks for your input bro.

[SilverState]

Originally posted by DEUCE-DOBE
Thanks gents.

Silverstate: your dog kill any cats or children lately?!?! ;) Thanks for your input bro.

You are welcome.

All three of my APBTs living together in harmony and the only danger to my child or any other is that they will lick the skin off of him. ;e

Remember Petey the APBT from the Little Rascals? ;f

[NoGo]

Mags- Get 8 round mags. The 10 rd mags were designed for specific competition requirements. I like CMC Power Mags for carry and have a bunch of their regular mags for range fire. The only mag related malfunctions I've ever had with these were from dirty mags. I shoot wax lubed LSWC's over WW231 and usually don't stop to oil or clean until problems occur. Everything gets messy after 400-700 rds.

Grips- Whatever feels best/ gives adequate grip is most important. After that, looks count.

Ammo- I suggest that you stick w/ standard velocity 230gr JHP's for the first 1-2K rounds until you get used to it. Faster may create a larger/ deeper wound, but they will slow your follow up shots.

Range Ammo- Start collecting brass (Watch out for the Win brass w/ small primers:( ) and buy a RL550. You can keep "per round" costs down to $0.07 easily and as low as $0.05 if you buy in bulk (Disregarding start up costs of about $400). A Lee Annaversary Reloading kit will work great for about $70, but you'll slowly go crazy loading high volume pistol calibers on a single stage press.

Anything else that should accompany this purchase?

Your own personal range, a couple cases of ammo and a huge panel of steel targets would be nice, but in reality- basic weapon cleaning supplies, decent oil and grease (1911's like a bit more lube than Glocks)and a stack of mags are all you need. Maybe buy Kuhnhausen's Vol I for a reference and a small brass punch for detail stripping.

Suggest printing and reading the AMU's Marksmanship Training Guide (http://www.bullseyepistol.com/amucover.htm)

[DEUCE-DOBE]

Although the wife's jaw dropped to the floor when I told her, I went out yesterday afternoon and bought... *drum roll*...

Springfield 1911, Ultra Compact, Stainless Steel, 45auto, with standard Hogue wrap-around rubber grips.

A coworker of mine brought some of his 1911's to the range earlier in the day yesterday and I test drove them... I ended-up liking the compact versions a little more. This was the first time I ever shot a 1911.

I had initially considered the full size 1911, but when I saw and held this one (plus my test drives an hour before), my heart melted. Sure it costs a little more, but it was worth it.

Here's my new baby... the first handgun I've ever OWNED (I have my issued glock weapons).

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-uc.shtml

[quantico]

You will enjoy your new 1911.... I like winchester white box ammo for plinking and general practice shooting... UMC and blazer also work just fine... as does red box federal american eagle... try www.natchezss.com for good ammo deals . Walmart 100 round winchester value packs are also a good deal. Buying blazer at natchez in 1000 round packs is a great way to get started...

I use only 185 grain winchester white box for IDPA and IPSC... it makes major power factor and is reliable and easy to shoot fast.

For serious use federal hydra -shock is a great choice... +P and 185 grain is my current load... golden sabre and gold dot are also good defense ammo choices . Corbon makes some excellent defense ammo that packs a punch as well.

For magazines I typically use wilson combat mags... the ten rounders for limited ten and the old standby of 47-D's for everything else... Metalform makes the excellent 7 round mags used for the FBI 1911's and I have had great success with them as well. I use them for defense use... I have had several mags done in black teflon -S and they are fast to load and eject...

http://photobucket.com/albums/y43/fbigovusa/nor1.jpg