I'm carrying a SS 5" kimber right now, and dont' worry about it.

And with a blued gun, carry wear/holster wear just makes it look better imo

When I had the cdp it bother me at first. Then I realized its a tool. I don't worry about my drills and hammers getting scratched, why worry about my carry gun.

Now, I realize neither of those are high dollar 1911's, but you get my point

 

I had a Kimber Custom II, and it went with me everywhere. Hunting, fishing, hiking, you name it. Never left home without it. It shot straighter than any other 1911 I've ever owned, including the "high dollar" 1911's, including the Kimber SIS, Tactical, Springer Black Stainless, Baer Custom, etc. Cost me $600, used, and worth every penny. They can be had for about $730 new + tax at the Gun Rack in Kernersville. You won't be disappointed as it is a great shooter, at a price that won't break the bank, or break your heart if you scratch it up a bit. No pics, but mine was very very well worn. A tip, let her ride in a belt slide holster that keeps very close to your side, and she won't be in much danger of catching much damage.. I found that out a bit late. LoL. I vote +1 for you getting a 1911.

 

Sure. That's what the 1911 pistol was designed for...carrying into nasty places to take care of business.

I don't own any high-end, custom/tactical/fancy-pants 1911 pistols. All mine are working guns. Two of the pistols in my carry rotation are WW2-era USGI Colts...mostly stock. The other two are a Satin Nickel Combat Commander and a mid-80s production Springfield...also pretty much stock. They all look like they've been dragged on the road behind a pickup truck, and they sure wouldn't draw any attention at SHOT...but they all work and they all shoot better than I can prove without a sandbag rest...and I may not even be able to prove it with one.

 

I have carried a 1911 commander for 25 years..everywhere..and I mean everywhere.....no problems with it...

 

I wouldn't carry it if it had a nice finish such as a bright nickel/stainless or some fancy engraving - but other than that who cares, holster up.

 

I started off worrying about it. I quit that foolishness. Just gives me an opportunity to practice bluing touch ups.

 

Are you looking for a safe queen or a weapon? I carry a Para EVERYWHERE. I'll touch it up when I cant stand to look at it. Keep it clean and no problems. It goes BANG every time I pull the trigger.I have a Kimber I don't carry very much. No use scuffing two of them. LOL

 

I love my 1911. I have wanted one since I was 10 years old. It took me 5 years of trying before I was able to buy one. It is a tool and I use it like one. I performe maintance on it like all my tools. But it was originally designed to be carried in the field by military men. With proper maintance any decent 1911 can handle it.

 

Another thing to think about. Buy an awesome beautiful gun. Beat it half to death. Send it in for a refinish, and a custom engraving job.

How much fun is that?

 

Just buy a Rock Island 1911 and don't spend $800-$1000 on a name. I bought a Rock Island just to say I had a 1911.

 

Why would I treat them any different? I've treated both of my Paras exactly the same as the Glock I borrowed from my dad. Probably a little bit worse because I didn't want to tear up a pistol that wasn't mine. The 1911 is a military pistol. It can handle almost everything you throw at it.

 

I don't buy show guns, I buy functional guns. The 1911 was designed by JMB to be unstoppable. Who cares if my bluing gets messed up? That's what we invented duracoat for.

 

thats what coating manufatures are made for.........carry it, wear off the finish, get it re-finished, ect.

 

Our military carried them for what.........75 years???
If they'll take wartime abuse......I'd say they will be okay for everyday use. If you like the looks and feel of a 1911.......you owe it to yourself to enjoy one!

 

I don't baby mine at all. It's stainless, I sweat all over it. I roll around under the cars changing oil sometimes strapped because I didn't bother to take it off. A few jabs in the kidney and I usually take it off to finish the job. I don't have any "show" guns and probably never will, I like to shoot guns. If I own it, its used.

 

I always shuttered a bit when someone said fine precision-made firearms were "just tools" until I realized that those people who mistreat their axes, screwdrivers, and reloading dies would also mistreat about anything they owned and that those who take good care of their tools are likely to take good care of their firearms.

I bought a 70 series 1911 back in the 1970's to use. It has been an almost constant companion for nearly 40 years and still functions first time every time. I take care of it because it has occasionally been called on to take care of me. I figure that I am under no obligation to pass on a pristine firearm to the person who gets it after I am dead. That lucky person will probably get a couple of 1911's I have in the safe that I got in case the first one wears out. I imagine they will be in pristine condition.

 

I used to baby my Series 80...until it fell out of a (stupidly) unsecured container and hit a concrete driveway. :scared: After that, short of preventing actual abuse, I don't worry much about a bit of honest wear.

Thankfully, unless you know where to look you cant tell it ever hit the ground. :001_smile:

Get a 1911 and dont look back.

 

Both my 1911s are working guns. I wont own one I wont carry and worry about if I did.

 

Sure. That's what the 1911 pistol was designed for...carrying into nasty places to take care of business.

I don't own any high-end, custom/tactical/fancy-pants 1911 pistols. All mine are working guns. Two of the pistols in my carry rotation are WW2-era USGI Colts...mostly stock. The other two are a Satin Nickel Combat Commander and a mid-80s production Springfield...also pretty much stock. They all look like they've been dragged on the road behind a pickup truck, and they sure wouldn't draw any attention at SHOT...but they all work and they all shoot better than I can prove without a sandbag rest...and I may not even be able to prove it with one.

I can't add anything to that, Mr.Tuner ! "

 

I spend more on my carry than any other gun.
I do carry it rain or shine, anywhere I go.
The Glock is what I would cut grass with, don't think I would wear a 3k gun doing that, but yes, no restrictions on what I do outside of that.

 

I treat my guns like I caught every one of them banging my friends when they thought I was out of town.

 

yep. me too. an oven and some cold blue can go a long way.

 

IMO, any gun (expensive or not) that is being carried, it's purpose is to protect your life. If you "ding" it or get a few "dummy scratches" (like on my 1911-lol) every now and then shouldn't matter if it ever comes to the point where you have to use it....

 

From a carry perspective, I have had zero concern with carrying a 1911 vs a Glock. I never got bent out of shape about holster wear, scratches, etc. From a maintenance perspective, the Glock is fire-and-forget. The 1911 does require more vigilence with regard to cleaning/lubing/maintenance.

 

I have always treated my carries like the tools they are--and I take care of my tools. Couple of yrs back I went to a Makarov for it's toughness, lighter weight, accuracy, and dependability. I move houses and the work is often dusty/dirty/etc. I call it my "AK of the pistol world". Right now it has dust behind the hammer(that will be cleaned very shortly) and lots of holster wear. It is literally, a tool. I keep the Para, clones, and Colt 1911s for my "Sunday go to meetin guns"-lol. One stays very close but not carried every day. I used to "poke fun" at those who carry less than a 45 but now here I am carrying a 9X18 -- times change. Will be picking up my Sig 232 (380) stainless shortly and it will become my main carry instead of the Mak after putting a few hundred rounds down the tube.