want to buy a 1911

[FP2000H]

Here's the deal. There's a gun show coming this weekend. I've got a Sig Sauer P239 that I'm considering trading for another pistol. The 1911 has crossed my mind. A .45 would be cool and I had a Glock G.A.P. but my wallet couldn't handle it. Obviously, ACP is more available and cost effective. My concern is that I've heard of lots of problems with 1911's. Problems which are no doubt common in how shall we say, lower models or cheaper 1911s. I'm afraid this is all I'll be in the market to own off a trade with my meager Sig P239. If that's the case I'd rather just keep the reliable pistol (instead of taking the chance of trading for a pistol may not be) and save for a good 1911. It's between Kimber and Springfield in my mind. Most likely a pre-owned pistol (I don't have a problem with that). Please post your thoughts and suggestions. I was thinking of trying for another Sig or Glock but a good 1911 would be very cool. I've never shot one, only held it and it felt pretty good in the hand.

[ShipWreck]

If I were to ever buy a used gun, I would have to shoot it first. I once sold a Beretta 92FS Inox in 1998. Guy asked to meet me at a range. We met there and he shot about 25-30 rounds thru it and then decided to buy it.

I only buy new guns usually, but if I had the urge to buy one used, I would have to do it that way too. So, this would necessitate a private sale. Obviously, ya can't do that at a guns how.

There are plenty of good 1911s out there. But, there are also some w/ proiblems. W/ a used 1911, U might inherit someone else's headache.

If I was to buy a used 1911 w/o trying it - me personally, I'd buy a Springfield before I bought a Kimber. Had a Kimber before, and I liked it. But, I see way too many Kimber heahache stories (granted, you will see a few neg posts about any guns - but Kimbers and Keltecs take the lead for this).

Check out the S&W 1911s. Everyone that posts on different sights only have good things to say about them...

[FP2000H]

Thank you verry much. I was actually leaning towards a Springfield but I have seen the S&W before and they look nice. I just don't know a whole lot about S&W so it makes me hesitant but I'll seriously consider your suggestion.

[ShipWreck]

I am contemplating eventually buying a S&W 1911 myself. Almost bought one prev.

1 caveat. I would stick w/ a steel framed gun - do not buy an aluminum framed 1911. I had one, and that's why I got rid of the Kimber. I have had aluminum guns before, and still even have my Beretta 92FS. But, in mnost aluminum framed guns, the steel barel has the feed ramp for the bullet built into the barrel. For a 1911, the feed ramp is actually in the frame.

I had noticible wear in the softer aluminum frame after just 250 rounds.

Also, for an aluminum 1911, you will definetly want to use magazines w/ a plastic follower - like a Wilson Combat mag. Metal followers actually gouge the inside of the frame over time. I found out all of this after I bought the Kimber I had. I soon got rid of it and decided that I didn't want a gun I would damage just from shooting it. I was already getting marks from the followers after 400 rounds.

So, I would definetly advise people to get a steel 1911 if you want to use it for regular range practice. I understand thatr a cop or someone who carries it everyday may want a lighter aluminum frame. But to be honest, we aren't talking about a huge weight difference anyway.

S&W makes aluminum framed guns that are mixed w/ a small amount of scandium. Supposedly, they are a bit stringer than straight aluminum. But, even so, I will only get a steel 1911 from now on...

[FP2000H]

Are the SPringfields made from steel. I've heard a few bad things about them too. Is there a particular make of the 1911 from each company that was "the best?" Model, year released and so forth would be helpful in knowing what to look for. Shipwreck, the wear in the feed ramp on the aluminum frame was caused by the follower or just the bullet itself?

[Rinspeed]

Keep the 239 and save up for a 1911. The accuracy, reliability and concealability of the 239 is very tough to beat.

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by FP2000H
Are the SPringfields made from steel. I've heard a few bad things about them too. Is there a particular make of the 1911 from each company that was "the best?" Model, year released and so forth would be helpful in knowing what to look for. Shipwreck, the wear in the feed ramp on the aluminum frame was caused by the follower or just the bullet itself?

The wear on the feed ramp was just from the bullet.

The follower actually makes a gash in the frame, below the feed ramp area. I saw some pics online of people who had this about a week after I made my purchase. I was really irritated. And, I could see the wear in the very beginning stages.

What I don't nderstand, and neither did anyone else on that thread, was why Kimber sells the aluminum framed guns w/ mags that will eventually destroy their own guns.

As for a specific model, year, etc. No one can really answer that.

For me personally, I would ONLY buy a new 1911. That way you still have the warranty to deal w/. If you MUST buy one used, find a person selling it near you, and give it a try first.

[freepatriot]

KEep the Sig. You will feel like you are getting ripped off when you find out how much a dealer will be willing to give you in trade.

Save for a 1911.

In the meantime, find a place that rents 1911s so you can decide which ones you like.

[ShipWreck]

Yes, this is true. You will get ripped on a trade. If you want to get rid of the Sig, sell it yourself, and then use the money to buy what youw ant.

If you post your forsale ad for face to face sales only in your area, and post it on all the gun talk sights, you will get a sale w/i a few weeks usually. Try Ar15, The High Road, Berettaforum, the Springfield XD chat sight, etc...

[Solit Hit]

I’ve done well at gun shows – both buying and selling. When I first started out I went to shows with people who knew quite a bit about the type of gun I was looking for so I was confident about buying without the ability of shooting it first.

The 1911 is a pretty straight forward design and there is not a whole lot that can wrong that can’t be reasonably fixed. As long as the frame, slide, and barrel are not damaged, the rest can be fixed, modified, or replaced without a whole lot of trouble. Knowing your prices is the critical part.

For the past several months I’ve been shooting a Smith 1911DK in IDPA and other similar matches. I’ve got well over 5,000 rounds through it without a single problem and although I also own an STI, a Kimber, and a Springfield all in 1911 style, I prefer the Smith for competition. The only thing I’ve ever replaced is the mag release and only because I went to an ambi release for faster mag changes without having to change my grip between changes. I’m now due to replace my mag springs. BTW this is the second Smith that I bought. The first was one of the originals that I bought used and still use it – I was so impressed with it that I moved up to the DK model.

I’ve heard the expression that the S&W 1911 is the “Glock of 1911’s” and I believe that.

[ShipWreck]

I've read countless messages about people w/ Kimber problems. Some have sent the gun in numerous times and still have never gotten their's to work. A few have even had guns totally replaced, only to find the replacement guns also having problems. I think a KImber is a crap shoot.

The one I had that I sold only worked with stock mags. It would not feed w/ Wilson mags. And, since it was an aluminum framed gun, I really needed to be able to use the Wilson mags because the stock mags had metal followers.

[Robert McLeod]

I would go for a Springfield Mil-Spec, put a few hundred rounds through it and see what YOU want to do to the pistol to make it shoot better and feel better to you. You may find that you want to do nothing to it and keep it as is. Even if you do decide to modify it you will probably have as much invested in it as you would a factory custom, only you would have spec'd it out yourself.

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by Robert McLeod
I would go for a Springfield Mil-Spec, put a few hundred rounds through it and see what YOU want to do to the pistol to make it shoot better and feel better to you. You may find that you want to do nothing to it and keep it as is. Even if you do decide to modify it you will probably have as much invested in it as you would a factory custom, only you would have spec'd it out yourself.

Well, a lot of people do that. But the down side is that if you do a lot of mods, it will end up costing much more in the end. I prefer to buy what I want to begin with.

[FP2000H]

Yeah, I'm keeping the Sig. Private sale is definitely the way to go. I'll buy some ACP one of these days and go rent a 1911 at Red's...

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by FP2000H
Yeah, I'm keeping the Sig. Private sale is definitely the way to go. I'll buy some ACP one of these days and go rent a 1911 at Red's...

Well, if you get a 1911 that has no problems, it will become your fav gun :)