I have given a lot of thought to your question... First off let me say a 1911 is not for everybody. I have been shooting them for over 50 years. I can remember when Government surplus could be had for 150. now they go for 10x or more for them. All 1911's are not created equal. You have steel frames, alloy frames, plastic frames.. 5",4",3" barrels, .22, 9mm, .38 super, .45, 10mm, Series 70, {no internal safety}, Series 80 {Government Mandated P-In-T-A internal safety}. Does a cheap 1911 shoot as good as a 4000 model. They all go bang, problem is for how long, and where it's going. I have owned a bunch from different manufacturers. Currently my EDC is a Kimber Aegis Elite Ultra in .45. Light weight, {alloy frame} and packs a punch with 180gr JHP's. The choices are endless. The only good advise I can give you is look for something that fits your hand, and you are comfortable with. Contrary to popular beliefs, a .45 doesn't kick, it just sort of pushes back into your hand. A good grip is a must. Also, if you can, get one with a beaver-tail grip safety. You DO NOT want a slide bite. {when the slide goes to the rear after you shoot, and cuts the webbing on your hand, between the thumb and pointer finger] I'll tell you a story about a guy at the gun range.. The guy was a new shooter, he had just bought a new Hi-Point auto in .45, and came out to the range to shoot it. He was having a bit of a problem trying to get it to work. After watching him, I knew right off what the problem was, He kept "riding the slide" forward, causing the gun to miss feed.{FTF} Solving that problem, I watched as he shot, and showed him how his grip was all wrong. {Limp Wrist} @ 20ft he was lucky to hit the target.. I worked a bit more with him, and then offered to let him shoot one of mine. I gave him my Kimber 5" Custom Stainless, @ 20 ft all 8 rounds went into the center mass on a man size target, 3 were dead center and touching. He was amazed. My advice, trade that thing in on a gun. The best advice I can give you is, whatever your choice of caliber, PRACTICE, be familiar with how it comes apart, clean and oil, Practice some more.
1911 Beginner Tips and Recommendation?
I'm not much into collecting firearms but I absolutely love the look of a 1911 and want to own a high end one someday. But before that I was thinking I should buy a cheaper one to practice and learn about it.
Would you recommend getting a 1911 chambered in .22 to practice with? If so, which brand/manufacturer should I go with? Are the mechanics of a .22 be the same as one chambered in .45? (safety, takedown, cleaning, etc...)
If I should not get a .22, which brand/manufacturer would you recommend? Which caliber would you recommend?
In summary, I'm looking for a 1911 that will be cheap, fun, and educational to buy.
Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks
Would you recommend getting a 1911 chambered in .22 to practice with? If so, which brand/manufacturer should I go with? Are the mechanics of a .22 be the same as one chambered in .45? (safety, takedown, cleaning, etc...)
If I should not get a .22, which brand/manufacturer would you recommend? Which caliber would you recommend?
In summary, I'm looking for a 1911 that will be cheap, fun, and educational to buy.
Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
My first and only piece of 1911 ownership advice: Learn and educate yourself on how to AVOID "idiot scratching" your frame during reassembly. Other than that, I EDC a 1911 and think it is absolutely the best pistol for such a job. Practice with what you carry.
I’d start out with a Kimber in 9mm, 10mm or 45, choose your on flavor in cartridge, then when you want a “nice one” look at the custom brands.
While Kimber's shoot nice, I would not classify them as "cheaper" as the OP asked. The Rock Island and Tisas ones shoot pretty good considering how inexpensive they are comparatively.
The 9mm chambering of either shoots flat and has little recoil.
The 9mm chambering of either shoots flat and has little recoil.
My suggestion: Get an inexpensive Rock Island .45 1911 and an Advantage Arms .22 Conversion kit for starters. You will probably need a trigger job as a bad trigger makes the 1911 hard to shoot (IMHO). Use checkered grips, plain wood if you can get them, it'll help with the grip. I started shooting 1911's just over 50 years ago in the Marines so I have a little experience here. Find someone that knows how to shoot a pistol to work with you. They are great guns and still have a place with shooters. Enjoy!
Buy a quality gun and shoot the heck out of it. As for cost of shooting, it is worth it to buy a progressive reloader and load your own, IMO. I reload about 2000 rounds of .45 per year for less than 20 cents per round. It's not as cheap as .22 but affordable and a lot more fun to shoot.
I have had a Rock Island 1911 and the Mauser 1911 in 22LR as a training pair for my CMP 1911 45 competitions. Got the Mauser from Classic Firearms for a ridiculously low price because of a fifty dollar of coupon. Easier to have two guns than to be swapping slides and the Mauser cost what an adapter kit cost - actually less!. If you don't have a 45, by the 1911 in 22LR first and see if you like the grip and hold. Then buy a 45 1911 to shoot full power
I guess I'm a purest. The first time I had a 1911 placed in my had was circa 1964. Absolutely fell in love with it. All but one of my 1911's are mil spec. My EDC has a bull barrel and the tear down is a little different.
I have a Ciener conversion kit that fits all my 1911 frames.
I have a Ciener conversion kit that fits all my 1911 frames.
I'm not much into collecting firearms but I absolutely love the look of a 1911 and want to own a high end one someday. But before that I was thinking I should buy a cheaper one to practice and learn about it.
Would you recommend getting a 1911 chambered in .22 to practice with? If so, which brand/manufacturer should I go with? Are the mechanics of a .22 be the same as one chambered in .45? (safety, takedown, cleaning, etc...)
If I should not get a .22, which brand/manufacturer would you recommend? Which caliber would you recommend?
In summary, I'm looking for a 1911 that will be cheap, fun, and educational to buy.
Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks
The only 22 cal 1911 that I have experience with is the Walther Arms Colt 1911. It functions flawlessly and is fun to shoot and train with. But, if you are going to buy the 1911 in 45 you can add a 22 conversation for it for about the same price as the 22 cal 1911. Just check with the manufacturer to make the conversion works with the particular model if 45 that you have.I'm not much into collecting firearms but I absolutely love the look of a 1911 and want to own a high end one someday. But before that I was thinking I should buy a cheaper one to practice and learn about it.
Would you recommend getting a 1911 chambered in .22 to practice with? If so, which brand/manufacturer should I go with? Are the mechanics of a .22 be the same as one chambered in .45? (safety, takedown, cleaning, etc...)
If I should not get a .22, which brand/manufacturer would you recommend? Which caliber would you recommend?
In summary, I'm looking for a 1911 that will be cheap, fun, and educational to buy.
Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks
There are a lot of excellent 1911 pistols. I happen to like/prefer Ruger SR1911 models (Standard & Target). They have been dependable for me and did not exceed what I was willing to pay for a solid 1911 option.I'm not much into collecting firearms but I absolutely love the look of a 1911 and want to own a high end one someday. But before that I was thinking I should buy a cheaper one to practice and learn about it.
Would you recommend getting a 1911 chambered in .22 to practice with? If so, which brand/manufacturer should I go with? Are the mechanics of a .22 be the same as one chambered in .45? (safety, takedown, cleaning, etc...)
If I should not get a .22, which brand/manufacturer would you recommend? Which caliber would you recommend?
In summary, I'm looking for a 1911 that will be cheap, fun, and educational to buy.
Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks
The Ruger .22/45 is a great little pistol with the same grip angle as a 1911. I even was able to put 1911 diamond checkered grips on mine with no trouble, pretty much dropped onto the frame. I like the "standard" model with the solid steel barrel. Overall a little lighter than a 1911, I think, but a good little trainer in my opinion. As I mentioned earlier, I have an Advantage Arms conversion kit I've used on my RIA .45 1911 and it fits and functions perfectly. No hesitation in recommending the Advantage Arms kit.
Sounds like you should take a look at 1911Addicts.com. Lot's of good info there. I started on Colt's in the 70's, Kimber's in the 80's, then Springfield Armory, Wilson, Night Hawk and now ACW. I would look for a lightly used model. Colt, Ruger, Springfield has some nice entry pistols you could probably find used maybe 600 to 750. Jump right in and skip the .22 although I have a 22/45 Ruger and as mentioned its a solid performer. Also as mentioned .45 is not that rough to manage recoil. You'll be hooked and well on your way to becoming an Addict too!
Would be interested to hear what path you take.
Would be interested to hear what path you take.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Carolina Shooters Forum
A forum community dedicated to Carolina firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, training, shows, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
