The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: bucktracker on July 17, 2009, 07:17:20 PM
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The 1911 is as American to me as apple pie and baseball. I dont own one but I finally appreciate the craftsmanship of this classic design. I have strayed from the idea of carrying this weapon because of capacity. I noticed that some Para models hold a higher capacity than others. Are they any good? I'm willing to spend up to $1000 or so. Any recommendations? there are way to many manufacturers and models to choose from. Any suggestions are appreciated. Has any one tried the Para GI expert? I like the $599 msrp
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I own 3 para's, all light double actions, I like them a lot, the only thing I don't like is their locations on the holes for pins and the safety are a little sloppy and if you want to add options like grip safeties and mag wells or ambi safeties, they take more work, but work from the get go as purchased. I have 2 single stacks and one P14, 14 shot. My gunsmith background makes me mention the previous.
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GLOCK!
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If you want a modern .45 I can recommend you get a SIG 220 or a Springfield XD. Some say Glocks are good too --- I am not one of them.
Any M1911A1 CURRENTLY manufactured is probably good stuff. I have an older Colt Gold Cup and an Ithaca from WWII. I like them both. But do not fall into the M1911 trap without checking out the modern pistols first. That is said not to take anything away from the M1911, just to say you need to look at all the options before you shell out your dough. It's a big chunk of change in this economy for any good gun. I have seen many fine M1911s. They are good guns but the design is frankly dated and they are heavy. I do not like to carry "cocked and locked" myself, but that is just me.
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I have 3 Paras. One isn't broke in yet but the other two are and they go bang every time I pull the trigger. I like them.
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you can buy alot for a $1000 these days.
IMO, you can't go wrong with a colt.
The used market is always a great place to look. Lots of low rount count guns for 50-75% of thier new retail price.
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GLOCK!
Yes I own a few glocks and I love them, but I'm looking for a different flavor. Although my g29+20 are my carry choices. ;)
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(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/45acpbmp.jpg)
And my personal 1911.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/The45.jpg)
Many options for the price you mentioned. Application? Purpose? Usage? all are a factor.
Weekend warriors at the range can choose from a variety.
SD carry? can narrow the choices down for the $1000 mark.
My humble .02 cents is to take a little time to research what you want, and what you intend to do with it.
A long list of options are out there that have merit. Springfield 1911A1, why mess with history,....Para is close to the traditional "next generation" 1911, as well as the Kimber, Les Baer, versions which will get you to the $1000 mark very quickly.
The Kimber Ultra CDP II....is a fine option.. 25 ounces, and 7+1, IT'S A .45, how many rds. do you think you'll need??? Carry a spare mag or two...
http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/cdp/ultracdp.php
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I have a Springfield Armory "Loaded" 1911 and would not hesitate to buy another. Takes time to learn how to shoot the1911 correctly but it is worth it.
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My first (and so far only) 1911 is a Para LDA in .45ACP I acquired earlier this year. Great pistol, comfortable in the hand and shooting. Love the LDA. Mine is a single stack, so not 12-15 rounds like others. But I have small hands.
And that is the key - handle a lot of them, shoot them if you can before buying, see what works for you. That is the sole determinant.
And +1 on the Sig P220 as well, but you said you were looking for a 1911.
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The 1911 is as American to me as apple pie and baseball. I dont own one but I finally appreciate the craftsmanship of this classic design. I have strayed from the idea of carrying this weapon because of capacity. I noticed that some Para models hold a higher capacity than others. Are they any good? I'm willing to spend up to $1000 or so. Any recommendations? there are way to many manufacturers and models to choose from. Any suggestions are appreciated. Has any one tried the Para GI expert? I like the $599 msrp
By all means start out with a classic 1911. The Para GI is a good start as is the Springfield Mil-Spec.
I'm partial to Springfield for their overall quality, outstanding support of the shooting sports, and the fact that they're the most popular choice among competitive shooters (i.e. people who put many thousands of rounds a year through their guns.
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Sig Sauer GSR Revolution. A nice out of the box 1911 for around 900 depending on where you look.
This one's on GunBroker right now.
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The one and only Michael Bane speaks highly of his Para GI Expert. I have 2 Para's (both .45 before the .40 came out) that have been build up specifically for USPSA competition. I will be shooting one tomorrow in a match. I love them but have not tried a stone stock Para. It depends on what you want a new blaster for, in my opinion. Any of the low end single staqck .45, .40 or 9mm will work for plinking or whatever and serve as a good basis for customizing for competition as you progress. Any of the newer polymer semi's will work too. Whatever you decide, look into a .22 conversion unit for your new blaster for cheap fun!
JMHO
Richard
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Sounds like the Paras are getting the nod. I don't know about bucktracker, but my next 1911 is going to be a Para.
Let's see; M25operator has 3 Paras, JumboFrank has 3 Paras, twyacht speaks highly of Paras (in the same sentence as Les Baer), Pathfinder has and loves a Para, bbbean recomends Para GI, ellis4538 has 2 Paras and shoots USPSA with them and last but certainly not least MB speaks highly of and has worked on design with.......Para.
I'm almost ready to let a Les Baer go cheap. Well maybe there is room for old Les and a new Para. Shhhhh. Please don't wake or tell my wife. She is still under the delusion that I have enough guns.
Seriously, if anyone is interested in a Les Baer 1911 in 40 S&W with an extended mag 18 +1, PM me. The Les 45 will stay at home for a while, but I could part with the Les Baer 40 S&W. It was bought as a prototype before the 40s were made into production models.
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Shhhhh. Please don't wake or tell my wife. She is still under the delusion that I have enough guns.
My wife thinks so too. This is the reason I don't buy OD green Glocks. A new black one looks just like I've had it forever. ;)
If I ever want a green one, I'll have to tell her that she's getting her own.
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I've got a Springfield GI and Springfield loaded both get the job done.
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Here's my 1911- Sig GSR...paid about $750 two years ago.
I LOVE this gun.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll237/jaybethel/1911Good.jpg)
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Kid that looks real familiar, is it a Les Baer frame??
Here is my Home built Caspian frame with springfield upper. 9mm, 19+1, it is a hoot to shoot.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/100_1354.jpg)
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I got a Kimber Desert Warrior that has been a 100% for me. I have wrote about on here before many times as being a firearm that seems to have a spirit and for some reason when you shoot it, it brings everything about shooting a firearm to life and seems right.
Two 1911 that I really like and plan on buying and maybe you might want to check out is
1) a Colt. Hey can your really go wrong. I have heard the 70 series repos are great.
2) Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. Not the GI but the grade up from that with the flared ejection port and couple other features.
I have heard nothing but good about the Para LDA trigger system
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Kid that looks real familiar, is it a Les Baer frame??
Here is my Home built Caspian frame with springfield upper. 9mm, 19+1, it is a hoot to shoot.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/100_1354.jpg)
Yes, it's a Les Baer. Extended mag with 18 rds of .40 S&W is fugly but it was a prototype before they were producing the hi-capacity 40s. The HC-40s are on the Baer sight now, but they dont show the magazines. Hopefully they are at least black.
Despite that ugly magazine, it shoots like a Baer and with 18 +1, it sure is fun.
Very, very sweet 9mm. Great frame, nice build and 20rds....yeee haw. Looks like fun. Nice to stay in practice with a 1911 that eats 9mm ammo.
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Here's my 1911- Sig GSR...paid about $750 two years ago.
I LOVE this gun.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll237/jaybethel/1911Good.jpg)
That's why I posted the stainless GSR Revolution. My buddy has one just like that with some custom grips. He loves it more that his wife or his kids. ;D
He let me borrow it for a few weeks. It was great. I would buy one in a heartbeat. Great 1911. Sig quality and a good price. What more could a fella ask for?
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I just got a ss Dan Wesson heritage 1911 .45, and i'm really happy with it. Also I have a Para p-14 .45 and it's nice too- but the mags are really expensive.
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so many guns so little money. Choices, choices. I dont think any of these suggestion one could go wrong with.
There all great quality guns. I'll put em in my hands and decide from there. thanks for the help.
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I'm partial to Para. I have 5 Para's, 1 Kimber. Most 1911's manufactured today should be no problem. I prefer Para because of capacity. When I started shooting, Para was the only manufacturer with wide bodied frames. There are also so many different choices of Para that you should be able to find something to suit your needs.
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GLOCK!
Wilson CQB
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Sounds like the Paras are getting the nod. I don't know about bucktracker, but my next 1911 is going to be a Para.
Let's see; M25operator has 3 Paras, JumboFrank has 3 Paras, twyacht speaks highly of Paras (in the same sentence as Les Baer), Pathfinder has and loves a Para, bbbean recomends Para GI, ellis4538 has 2 Paras and shoots USPSA with them and last but certainly not least MB speaks highly of and has worked on design with.......Para.
I'm almost ready to let a Les Baer go cheap. Well maybe there is room for old Les and a new Para. Shhhhh. Please don't wake or tell my wife. She is still under the delusion that I have enough guns.
Seriously, if anyone is interested in a Les Baer 1911 in 40 S&W with an extended mag 18 +1, PM me. The Les 45 will stay at home for a while, but I could part with the Les Baer 40 S&W. It was bought as a prototype before the 40s were made into production models.
There's an article on this gun in the new American Rifleman. It says they bought the frames from Caspian. Looks like a nice gun.
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You are 100% correct Peg, see M25s post on page 2. He has the identical lower (Caspian frame) on a very sweet homemade 1911, 9mm.
The Caspian is a wide frame 1911. It accepts double stack mags.
I'm sorry that I missed the article. I get America's First Freedom from the NRA.
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I really like any thing made by Springfield, but i hold sweet spot in my heart for my G30. The pic also has my m1 in it please pay no attention to it.