Ready to buy another 1911

flynlead · 01-10-2010, 19:37

I had a bad experience with my previous 1911 but I'm ready to try it again. I went looking at them yesterday but am trying to figure out which way to go. Should I buy a more expensive (tuned) gun or buy a cheap one and try it myself. I am mechanically inclined and know I can do it but have never done it before and not sure on what all the mods would be. Is there a guide available to guys like me who want to mod their own guns or am I stuck taking it to a gun smith?

BTW I am looking at the following:
colt gold cup for 900
kimber for 700
springfied for 640
citadel or rock island 350+

bac1023 · 01-10-2010, 19:42

The Gold Cup is nice, but for $900, I'd start looking for a Dan Wesson.

flynlead · 01-10-2010, 19:56

I have looked at them before, just not comfortable spending that much on a gun. At least not all at one time.

AZ Husker · 01-10-2010, 19:57

The Kuhnhausen manuals are what you need. Be aware though, if you fix up a cheap gun, you have a cheap fixed up gun.

flynlead · 01-10-2010, 20:11

what's a ball park figure to tune a 1911? Say I bought a stock colt or springfield and wanted to mod it.

Quack · 01-10-2010, 20:31

depends on what you want done and who does it.

flynlead · 01-10-2010, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

depends on what you want done and who does it.

I like the kimber custom models. Hammer,trigger, tail ect.. but I want to order the parts and do it myself.

Quack · 01-10-2010, 20:43

if you are military or LE, Brownell's offers discounts.

flynlead · 01-10-2010, 20:53

I am neither.

den888 · 01-10-2010, 20:54

Colt Gold Cup all the way (I am a Colt fan, of course).

Brian Brazier · 01-10-2010, 21:35

I still think the Springfield Mil Spec is the best value in 1911's, and it leaves plenty of money for changes

flynlead · 01-11-2010, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Brazier

I still think the Springfield Mil Spec is the best value in 1911's, and it leaves plenty of money for changes

I looked at one of those as well. I can get one for $620 but I'm not sure what it would cost to do the trigger, hammer, grips, and polish. If I'm going to have $900+ in one I might as well go with the colt

flynlead · 01-11-2010, 16:04

should I concider an alloy frame or stick with steel?

Brian Brazier · 01-11-2010, 16:36

Personally I would stick with steel, as for the upgrades, girps are easy, if you get a drop in hammer sear and dissconnector kit from EGW or Cylinder and Slide that is a pretty simple job as well. I bought all the parts from Brownells along with the trigger track stone, and hammer slot stone, they made cleaning up the interior of the frame a snap. There are many great how to sections over at 1911 forum, as well as internet pages, just do a search for fitting a trigger, and installing a hammer.

flynlead · 01-11-2010, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Brazier

Personally I would stick with steel, as for the upgrades, girps are easy, if you get a drop in hammer sear and dissconnector kit from EGW or Cylinder and Slide that is a pretty simple job as well. I bought all the parts from Brownells along with the trigger track stone, and hammer slot stone, they made cleaning up the interior of the frame a snap. There are many great how to sections over at 1911 forum, as well as internet pages, just do a search for fitting a trigger, and installing a hammer.

Thanks, I figured the alloy frame would not last as long. I've been doing some searching and it does not seem like it would be that hard. just a little time consuming

Brian Brazier · 01-11-2010, 16:59

Iam by no means a Gunsmith, but I did feel after reading a bunch of stuff on the net and picking up Kuhnhausen's Colt 1911 book that I could perform these tasks.

Navitimer · 01-11-2010, 17:20

Of those you list, I would take the Colt or Kimber. I also believe these are also the only U.S.-made ones on your list if that's important to you.

jeremy stanke · 01-11-2010, 18:52

just to give you a idea, i am currently spending over 600 on gunsmith work and im not going all crazy with the custom work

if i were you, i would buy one that has the work already done to it. the last thing you want is to mess up or get frustrated with a gun ESPECIALLY when you already had a dissappointing experience with 1911's. get a nice factory one and then work on one later

walkin' trails · 01-11-2010, 19:13

From everything I've read, Colt and Springfield are the pistols you want to get if you want to have a gun built to your specs. If you're not interested in tinkering yourself or sending a pistol back and forth to out-of-state gunsmiths, then spend the extra money and get a factory pistol that alreay has all the bells n whistles you want...Kimber, S&W, DW, etc.

RonS · 01-11-2010, 19:24

Skip the Gold Cup, they aren't what they used to be. I would get a Colt Series 70 and then the Khunhausen books. Fantastic bathroom reading.

flynlead · 01-11-2010, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonS

Skip the Gold Cup, they aren't what they used to be. I would get a Colt Series 70 and then the Khunhausen books. Fantastic bathroom reading.

Can you elaberate a little? Quality go down?

Don-wayne · 01-12-2010, 10:42

In that group I would get the Kimber. Colt is over rated. I know I will take some abuse for that but I'm ok with it. For what colt charges you can get alot better 1911 from another manufacturer. As for buying a Springer or Colt for a base gun to me is nuts. I would get a Caspian slide and frame to build my custom gun. If your going to install and hand fit all new parts why not start with a hand fit slide and frame. Just my 2 cents.

flynlead · 01-15-2010, 17:05

Had a friend of mine suggest STI today. He said he bought one and loves it and FWIW he has bought and sold 2 kimbers. He only sells the guns that don't shoot well. Anyone else agree with the STI?

Don-wayne · 01-15-2010, 20:47

I totally agree with STI. My STI Trojan has a ton of rnds through it. For the money I think STI is an excellent choice.

Cobra64 · 01-15-2010, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Brazier

Iam by no means a Gunsmith, but I did feel after reading a bunch of stuff on the net and picking up Kuhnhausen's Colt 1911 book that I could perform these tasks.

Absolutely. About a year ago I was considering a DIY 1911 build and believe these would be invaluable reference.

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