Should I buy a SA 1911 Mil Spec after work today? (Update, I bought it)

[thormx538]

Choose my fate, NES.

Every 6 months or so, I get the desire to buy a 1911. Then I shoot one, and remember I don't like shooting 1911s, and decide to stick to my fantastic plastic Glocks.

I found a SA 1911 Mil-Spec in what appears to be good shape, with an upgraded trigger, for a good price ($450). I may go take a peek after work.

What do? Will I ever grow to like 1911s if I buy this one, or should I know better now after 4-5yrs of my cyclical want/shoot/don't-want behavior?


Update - bought it. Pics later on tonight when I get home

 

[drgrant]

Take the $450 and buy a bunch of ammo with the money instead. Those aren't bad guns but if you're on the edge with 1911s that gun isn't going to push you over the edge into liking (and keeping) them.

ETA: A huge turnoff for me on those guns is just by looking at it, I'd need to have work done to it before I would even shoot the thing... grip safety upgrade (the tang on the mil style grip safeties bites the shit out of my hand) and get rid of arched MSH... I ****ing hate arched MSH's. So I look at a gun like that and I see a money pit waiting to happen.

-Mike

 

[kalash]

Why would you buy something you don't like?

 

[thormx538]

I feel like I'm missing something about the 1911's -- it's the classic American pistol. I appreciate the history and look of it, but they feel weird in my hand and thus I don't shoot them well. Curious to see if anyone else had that issue.

 

[drgrant]

I feel like I'm missing something about the 1911's -- it's the classic American pistol. I appreciate the history and look of it, but they feel weird in my hand and thus I don't shoot them well. Curious to see if anyone else had that issue.

Ergonomically also that gun is the worst option for 1911s... so if it "feeling wrong" is the main problem that's the absolute worst place to start.

Do you shoot thumbs forward with the thumb riding the safety?

-Mike

 

[thormx538]

Ergonomically also that gun is the worst option for 1911s... so if it "feeling wrong" is the main problem that's the absolute worst place to start.

Do you shoot thumbs forward with the thumb riding the safety?

-Mike

On a 1911, I'm not really sure if I ride the safety? I try and grip all pistols the same way. On my Glocks that means thumbs forward, with the left thumb planted on the frame in front of the slide takedown lever.

I assume you mean GI-style 1911s being the worst ergonomically?

 

[drgrant]

On a 1911, I'm not really sure if I ride the safety? I try and grip all pistols the same way. On my Glocks that means thumbs forward, with the left thumb planted on the frame in front of the slide takedown lever.

Yeah, with your right thumb riding the safety lever on the left side of the gun, probably. The reason I ask is not doing this can make the gun awkward to shoot but you're probably doing that already. They also make alternative style safeties which might make this easier. (eg, a low mount lever, etc. ).

I assume you mean GI-style 1911s being the worst ergonomically?

Yeah, the old-school tang on the grip safety sucks, and the arched MSH feels awkward. Of course if you have huge hands, the arched MSH might actually be a benefit.

-Mike

 

[thormx538]

Based on the pictures I saw, it looks to me that the hammer has been bobbed a notch or two, probably to prevent hammer bite.

The Mil-Spec model seems to have several favorable upgrades over the GI models, such as better sights, larger ejection port, etc...

The majority of 1911s I've shot have been cheap ones such as Tisas and RIA (few hundred rounds total), but I have run a mag through the occasional Remington/Kimber/Sig Sauer. Might I just be jaded from having more experience with the low end offerings? Based on what I've researched, the fit/finish, trigger, etc of the SA Mil-Spec is noticeably better than the RIA/ATI/Tisas offerings

 

[weehooker]

if you don't like 1911's, a mil spec one is not going to change your mind. There is a reason most 1911's in production today come with all the enhancements that people used to pour into milspec guns.

That said, a nice 1911 with bells and whistles is a heard thing not to like.

 

[lowbuckbob]

Buy it!

 

[tk421991]

If you want to change your mind about 1911s, a $450 mil-spec pistol probably won't change your mind. Shoot a Colt Gold Cup or a Springfield Range Officer or a Kimber or a S&W Performance Center and you'll see the advantage of the light trigger and SAO.

 

[Wadcutter]

If you've never owned one, go ahead and buy it. You can get your money back if it doesn't work out. In my experience you need to own a gun for a while to decide if you like it or not.

 

[just jim]

I bought a Springfield and a friend bought a Kimber Raptor, we both shot from the bench and the groups were not worth the $700 more he paid for the Raptor. Raptors look better though. Springfield makes a good 1911 and there is nothing wrong with having extra guns

 

[Golddiggie]

Do you have any friends with a nice 1911 you can try out? I only have two 1911's right now. One was my father's race gun and the other I tuned up over a few years. Both are sweet shooters.

BTW, both 1911's have more than a few dollars in them. My father's started off life as a WW2 surplus pistol. Mine, I bought new. I think I paid around $500 for mine back in 1995.

 

[thormx538]

Thanks for the input so far. I feel like this is going to be a game-time decision as I approach my exit on 95N in about 45min, lol.

It seemed like a pretty good price, that it wasn't too much of a risk of losing much on it if I decide I don't like it.

I don't regularly shoot with anyone that owns a high-end (> $1000) 1911

 

[Golddiggie]

I don't regularly shoot with anyone that owns a high-end (> $1000) 1911

You don't need to spend >$1000 to get a solid 1911...

 

[thormx538]

You don't need to spend >$1000 to get a solid 1911...

What should I look for as a nice 1911 then, in the context of what to try out? That was just a butt pull number.

The $350 Tisas my buddy has is definitely the crappiest 1911 I've shot, and the one I've spent the most time with.

I don't recall the nicer ones (Sig, Remington) being fundamentally different in how they handled, just everything seemed tighter and more well made.

 

[tk421991]

You don't need to spend >$1000 to get a solid 1911...

This. All the guns I mentioned, except maybe the S&Ws, can be had for less than $1000. Colts were going for pretty cheap, as in less than $800, back when they went bankrupt.

$866.23 for a Colt Series 70. Rugers are nice 1911s (not match grade, but nice) and they're around $700.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_141/products_id/36102

 

[tuna]

I feel like I'm missing something about the 1911's -- it's the classic American pistol. I appreciate the history and look of it, but they feel weird in my hand and thus I don't shoot them well. Curious to see if anyone else had that issue.

Don't get it for that reason, then. I did that with my Garand and regretted it. I don't care how mnay times Patton is quoted, or people on the internet say how awesome it is, I think it sucked (short stock, clunky handling, pita to break down, goofy clips...just don't like it).
Conversely, I've ignored the keyboard commandoes and had good luck with three Taurus guns that supposedly are terrible.
Stick with your Glocks. 1911s are great if you like them, but guns are a personal decision.

Or buy it if your budget allows knowing you should be able to get upur oney back selling it to someone who likes them.

 

[tomp]

Buy the 1911 that model is a 100yd strait shooter allday long you will love it. a solid awesome gun blows the 21 and the 41 glock away hands down. has not been around that long for no reason. love mine would not give it up for any other model out there. spend some time shooting one and then decide. you don't have to spend a 1000. if you want to. then find someone wanting to gouge the sh*t out of you on a glock.

 

[slap shot]

don't buy it, where did you find it again? just curious. PM will suffice

 

[drgrant]

Based on the pictures I saw, it looks to me that the hammer has been bobbed a notch or two, probably to prevent hammer bite.

The Mil-Spec model seems to have several favorable upgrades over the GI models, such as better sights, larger ejection port, etc...

The majority of 1911s I've shot have been cheap ones such as Tisas and RIA (few hundred rounds total), but I have run a mag through the occasional Remington/Kimber/Sig Sauer. Might I just be jaded from having more experience with the low end offerings? Based on what I've researched, the fit/finish, trigger, etc of the SA Mil-Spec is noticeably better than the RIA/ATI/Tisas offerings

Yeah, you might be... some of those guns are pretty rough around the edges to put it mildly. The SA at least will be a cut WAY above those in terms of fitment.

-Mike

 

[drgrant]

Thanks for the input so far. I feel like this is going to be a game-time decision as I approach my exit on 95N in about 45min, lol.

It seemed like a pretty good price, that it wasn't too much of a risk of losing much on it if I decide I don't like it.

I don't regularly shoot with anyone that owns a high-end (> $1000) 1911

Shit, I'm pretty sure you were at the STB event? and I had my DW Specialist with me, I'll probably be at the next one and I'll bring it again, you can put as many rounds through it as you like. If you don't like that gun you probably should just not touch 1911s ever again, they don't work for you. and IMHO that's not an unfair position to take either, I was almost there myself. If you have a range you can host me at in so NH I'd be more than happy to bring it up on a weekend, too, just PM me a few days in advance and I can figure something out... always looking for excuses to go shooting. I'm also babysitting a couple of well used S&W 1911s for the next 6 months at least so I can bring those with me, too. (one is a 5" target and the other is a 4.25" billboard scandium commander).

-Mike

 

[thormx538]

Shit, I'm pretty sure you were at the STB event? and I had my DW Specialist with me, I'll probably be at the next one and I'll bring it again, you can put as many rounds through it as you like. If you don't like that gun you probably should just not touch 1911s ever again, they don't work for you. and IMHO that's not an unfair position to take either, I was almost there myself. If you have a range you can host
me at in so NH I'd be more than happy to bring it up on a weekend, too, just PM me a few days in advance and I can figure something out... always looking for excuses to go shooting. I'm also babysitting a couple of well used S&W 1911s for the next 6 months at least so I can bring those with me, too. (one is a 5" target and the other is a 4.25" billboard scandium commander).

-Mike

Haha yeah, I didn't even think to ask anyone to shoot their 1911, and my buddy had his Kimber with him. I have a membership at Pelham, not sure how far that is for you.

I'm leaving work now. I'll post later tonight with what I decided haha. I'm tempted to just go fondle it, but things have a way of coming home with me when I do that. I mean, it's pretty low risk I think -- I'm confident I won't lose much if I buy it, don't like it, and decide to sell it. I did just get rid of a G22 the other day too, so...

 

[drgrant]

Buy the 1911 that model is a 100yd strait shooter allday long you will love it. a solid awesome gun blows the 21 and the 41 glock away hands down.

Except that there is no ****ing way, on the planet, that you would be able to do with a 1911 what I did with my G21 a couple years ago... I shot the gun for an entire season of bowling pin shoots, without cleaning it. Not even once. And it worked. The whole season. Try doing that with a 1911.

I own and have shot thousands and thousands of rounds through various 1911s, but there is no way in hell anyone can convince me that one would ever be as reliable as a G21, or even a Sig P220. (which in my mind is the standard bearer of single stack .45 reliability, a folded slide Sig P220 in .45... )

-Mike

 

[tk421991]

Except that there is no ****ing way, on the planet, that you would be able to do with a 1911 what I did with my G21 a couple years ago... I shot the gun for an entire season of bowling pin shoots, without cleaning it. Not even once. And it worked. The whole season. Try doing that with a 1911.

I own and have shot thousands and thousands of rounds through various 1911s, but there is no way in hell anyone can convince me that one would ever be as reliable as a G21, or even a Sig P220. (which in my mind is the standard bearer of single stack .45 reliability, a folded slide Sig P220 in .45... )

-Mike

People who buy guns like 1911s or older style SAO guns usually prefer to clean their guns after they shoot them, therefore it ain't required for the gun to function dirty all the time

 

[just jim]

Would like to open up the discussion on this but figure I would be trolling if I didn't stay on topic. Bringing in glock when the op asked about 1911 I guess would be off subject???

 

[drgrant]

People who buy guns like 1911s or older style SAO guns usually prefer to clean their guns after they shoot them, therefore it ain't required for the gun to function dirty all the time

True enough, but you also have to stop and think how many are OCD cleaners vs the people like me who clean 1911s because they know they will get punished by the gun if they don't... I do clean carry guns but I enjoy the luxury of only having to clean my G34 like once or twice during an entire season. That sucker will go about 2700 rounds with zero attention, and even after that point it still mostly works.

-Mike

- - - Updated - - -

Would like to open up the discussion on this but figure I would be trolling if I didn't stay on topic. Bringing in glock when the op asked about 1911 I guess would be off subject???

The OP mentioned Glocks in his post.

-Mike

 

[drgrant]

Haha yeah, I didn't even think to ask anyone to shoot their 1911, and my buddy had his Kimber with him. I have a membership at Pelham, not sure how far that is for you.

I'm leaving work now. I'll post later tonight with what I decided haha. I'm tempted to just go fondle it, but things have a way of coming home with me when I do that. I mean, it's pretty low risk I think -- I'm confident I won't lose much if I buy it, don't like it, and decide to sell it. I did just get rid of a G22 the other day too, so...

Yeah Pelham is probably under an hour for me, easy mode. Just PM me, I can usually make Saturdays work at a bare minimum.

The good news is the price that gun is at, even if it turns out you dont like it, you can probably roll it and get most of your cash back or even profit off it a tiny bit and be ahead at the end, so its a low risk proposition. At that price it might be a decent base gun, too.

-Mike

 

[just jim]

True enough, but you also have to stop and think how many are OCD cleaners vs the people like me who clean 1911s because they know they will get punished by the gun if they don't... I do clean carry guns but I enjoy the luxury of only having to clean my G34 like once or twice during an entire season. That sucker will go about 2700 rounds with zero attention, and even after that point it still mostly works.

-Mike

- - - Updated - - -



The OP mentioned Glocks in his post.

-Mike

Well then I better stay out of the conversation then. I have 53 years of shooting experience but fairly new to the net and net personalities. Later guys.