[Gideon]

New to the forum but impressed with what I've been reading! I've loved weapons since I was knee high to a grasshopper! Spent 21 years in the Air Force, now I serve the Lord as a Pastor but It's a small country church so I work full time in a purchasing position. I'm waiting for a Kahr P9 with blackened slide to come in and it'll be my primary carry for now, but while I've been researching, I started looking at .45's in 1911's. They're just one of the best looking guns I've ever seen! Now the challenge is that I have small hands. I've held a Springfield Armory Micro and simply loved it, but it's $900+. I saw some pictures some of you posted of the SA GI and I absolutely love the way it looks. Now I just don't understand the sizes but I know that smaller frames have a smaller grip (like the SA micro compact) verses the full size. I've held a full size SA 1911 and it was a little big in the grip area. Are the SA GI's full size? I hear everyone talking about commander and officer sizes. I think the officer size is smaller, right? Anyway, it'll mainly be a range gun and maybe I'll carry it occassionaly in the winter, that or it'll be for home defense. Sorry for the long post and rambling but would the SA GI be a good starting place? I think you can get them for just over $400, right? Again, the small grip is important which is why I'm getting the Kahr, so if you know of a gun that has a grip the size of a SA micro or Kimber ultra carry, or you know how the GI comprares, I could sure use some advise!

Thanks everyone!
Gideon

 

[Gideon]

Thanks! that does clarify the grip issue...

 

[Gideon]

thanks to all!

I appreciate all of the advise and feeback guys! Good stuff. I think I have to try this but I'm going to sift through your replys a little. In my area of Missouri it's impossible to try weapons, no one has ranges with rentals. There may be a place in St. Louis. I'll have to check. I guess I should try to get something that's a decent platform to begin with that isn't too expesive but one that has potential. A few of you mentioned the SA Mil Spec. I'll definitely check it out. There's one guy on this site who posted pics of his GI that he made grips for. That's one of the best looking weapons I've ever seen! People would think we're crazy but next to my family, my Lord, and my Bible, guns rank at the top of the list! I think I'll have to have a 1911 .45 just once in my life! Thanks again and if you guys think of what would be an ideal "starting In" 1911 that could be customized later but wouldn't be too bad to start out with, then please feel free to sugest it.

Thanks!
Gideon

 

[Gideon]

I Think I've made a decision

I think I've made a decision. I think the SA mil spec would be a good choice. I got to hold a GI and a Mil Spec today. I REALLY liked the look of the GI but the sights are sooo much better on the mil spec! And I know there are some other advantages to the mil spec as well. I've found a dealer who'll order me one for $545.00 which sounds like a fair price. I don't like the black plastic grips but I can add some walnut woods later. In fact, I'd like to ask the gentleman who posted pics of his home made walnut grips if he'd be interested in making some for me I though his were great on a GI. I'd like the same look. If anyone knows where you can buy some nice dark walnut grips that are plain and don't cost an arm and a leg, please let me know! I think the 5" standard version will be just a good weapon to enjoy.

If you think I'm going astray, please pipe in and I want to thank everyone for their suggestions!

 

[Gideon]

Now what about holsters and mags?

Well, I ordered it and it'll be here next week. I went out and bought a box of rounds for it. BOY I couldn't believe how big they are! I've already begun looking for
1. Nice looking grips (I want some smooth woods). I've found a few sites that offer some that look nice.
2. An extra Mag or two; do any of you have some recommendations? It only comes with one!
3. A Holster. I don't think I'll ever carry this unless it's winter and i have a big coat so I'm thinking a middle of the road OWB and then a reasonably priced IWB. I thougth about getting a fobus paddle holster for at the range since they're cheap, easy on/off, etc.
4. And cheap practice ammo. I've been hitting the sites to see what I could find. I did find some Winchester white box 100 rounds of 230 FMJ for just shy of $20.00. Is that reasonable?

Thanks for the advise. I'll be sure to post my impression of the SA and the .45 ACP after I get to shoot it in a few weeks. I'm definitely looking forward to it! :biggrin:

 

[Gideon]

Well hello havegunjoe! Spent 21 years in the Air Force as a purchasing agent/contracting officer. Got out to answer the Lord's call to preach but I'm pastoring a small country church so I'm the purchasing manager for a small company too. Helps keep food on the table.

I can't wait to get my 1911. It'll be the first gun I've ever purchased without any specific reason other than the fact that I just think it's a great weapon. I would have liked a high end SA but alas, the funds just aren't there and I already feel guilty enough! It's a plain gun but I'm going to put some smooth wood grips on it. There was a guy on this site that made his own walnut grips and put them on one and it looked great.

I'll check out those hosters you mentioned, thanks!

 

[Gideon]

And now for the holster dilema!

I appreciate the advise some of you gave on holsters. I'm looking at a Tuckers OWB and and one from Andrews. Once is suede lined, one is not. On one site, I found this quote from Mr. Alessi: Note: "Any smooth vegetable tanned leather, vs. chrome tanned leather would be good for a lining. Suede is definitely not recommended for a lining. It absorbs oil, and then dirt, and powder residue stick to the oil, get embedded into the suede, and act like sandpaper on your guns finish. Most suede is also chrome tanned, which is a process of tanning using chromic acids to soften the leather. All garment leather is chrome tanned for softness, but unless specifically treated to neutralize the chrome salts in the leather, (which most aren't), the chrome tanned leather will eat blueing off a gun in no time." I was wondering if any of you have had any issues with Suede lining? Also, does the modified saddle holster from Anderews hold your weapon securely enought for every day wear? I noticed they have a cut down the front to allow you to draw and present the weapon faster, i.e., you clear leather sooner. The regular saddle version of this OWB has a full holster in front. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gideon

 

[Gideon]

Well Bumper, I did call Andrews leather. Not sure who I talked to but they said it's true about the acid found in most tanned suede, however, he said they treat their Suede once the holster has been fashioned with Silicone which they feel either conteracts or serves as a barrier to the tanning acid as well as a barrier to moisture. They feel the softer suede will do less harm in the long run than regular cow hide but they do offer a thin cow hide lining if a customer wants that.

On your Hybrid Saddle, do you have a thumb release strap? At this point, I don't plan to carry my SA very often if hardly at all and when I do, i don't expect to carry it cocked and locked so I'm thinking I'll get either the regular saddle or they hybrid without the thumbstrap. I'm an absolute newbie with a 1911 so if you've done alot with both types and are confident that I'm more than likely going to come to the same conclusion you have when I've had some experience, please let me know. If the thumb strap is definitely the way to go, i'd be willing to listen to the voice of experience.

I ordered two Wilson mags today, have a pair of kingwood grips on the way from a man named Hedin, and have 300 rounds layed up so far. Lord have mercy but I almost feel like a kid! I paid for the weapon today and got to look it over. Now I'm waiting for the permit to acquire which we have to get here in Missouri. It felt great and I can't wait to shoot it!

I've decided to go with an OWB for now because I have my Kahr for IWB.

Bumper, (or anyone else), have you ever used a kydex holster? If so, how was it on the finish? I was thinking of picking up a cheap fobus paddle holster in kydex (or plastic) just for range use until I get a leather holster.

Thanks again for all the good advice!

 

[Gideon]

answering my own question

Well, I just read a thread in the other section about strap vs no strap. I can see you say no to'em Bumper. I guess for an OWB I'm a little nervous about retention but I'm not going to carry cocked and locked. Most of my carry will be at a range, in the woods, etc., so I'm leaning towards Andrews regular saddle OWB. It's too bad you can't try these things out more. The hybrid looks infinitely better to draw from but it doesn't look like theres much holding such a large heavy gun. Well, I'll think about it for a day or so. I don't think I can go wrong with the regular Saddle.

thanks all and God Bless

Gideon

 

[Gideon]

Thanks Bumper for the extra input. I think I will get the hybrid, I'm just going to mull over the strap or not. I really appreciate your input! I'll probably get a fobus paddle to hold me over at the range but I like leather too for OWB and I think this rig with a good belt will make for a good carry. Thanks again for all the input!

Gideon

 

[Gideon]

Well I picked it up today. My first 1911, SA Mil Spec. Feel a little guilty because its the first gun I ever bought for no reason other than I love the way it looks and feels. Lord knows I didn't need it. Still, it's a pleasure to just hold it! I could sit here and just look at it and point it, etc. I guess this must seem awfully silly for my wife to see a middle aged man fondling over his gun. Just like a big kid with his boy toys! Have two Wilson 47D mags enroute along with a set of wooden grips. I'm hoping to get off to the range this weekend. It'll take a little bit to get the hang of breaking this think down. I did do a lot of research on the cock and lock and have come to the conclusion that it's the best way to carry for CCW. Otherwise it'll be condition 3 or totally empty.

I appreciate all the advise and input. I feel like I got just the right gun with all your help! I didn't have a minute there when I wondered if I should have gotten a micro or compact with a shorter grip, but then I'm not intending this for carry, but rather to use at the range, plinking, or if the US ever gets invaded.

Thanks all!

Gideon

 

[Gideon]

WOW, Made it to the range!

I took my 1st 1911 to the range tonight! WOW. I'm an experienced shot, qualified marksman w/pistol and M16, used to shoot bumble bees off clover with my Daisy Red Ryder as a kid but this gun was really something! first of all, I might not have killed a couple of men charging me over a bunker but I sure would have scared'em! Seriously, I was only able to shoot at 25 yards. The first shot I take with any new gun I basically put a safe death grip on it and hope it doesn't fly apart. funny, I keep doing that even though none ever had! Well talk about some RECOIL. I'd fired a .45 many years ago but had forgotten the real push! Now I've shot a lot of .40's, +p in .38, ext. but WOW. My 25yrd backstop was in a row with some 50 and a 100yd line so the earthen bank was 75 yards back from the big plywood target holders. When I shot I could see big puffs of dirt!

My accuracy wasn't the best but they we're all sufficient to stop a person. I'll need to practice to get a handle on this. The trigger was excellent and the gun worked flawlessly. Not one issue. I'd purchased 2 Wilson Combat 47D magazines on Bumpers advise and they were great. I can see the value of that raised base! The magazine that came with the gun worked perfectly too but you have to think more about seating it all the way because the bottom is so flat and disappears into the mag well.

I know this won't be the best carry gun for me due to accuracy and the fact that it's heavy as all get out, not to mention how hard it is to followup quick for me but It's still just a fantastic combat weapon period! I practiced loading, unloading. Boy what a thrill! Just seeing it cocked and locked! I just finished breaking it down, cleaning it, and putting it back together. Quite easy.

And no hammer bite! I had to ask what that was because I couldn't see how the hammer could get anyone but I guess it's the slide everyones worried about, well no problems there!

So, if a guy wanted to improve accuracy on one of these but didn't care about looks, weight, or reliability, what would the be the number 1-3 mods that would do the most for just accuracy?

Just curious mind you... :biggrin:

I held my J frame. 38 after my session and boy what a difference. If I had to really fight a battle, I'd want this one by my side. From my anemic unreliable Kel-Tec .380 to this, WOW, not even on the same planet!

Well, I've ranted on enough. Can't wait to get the wood grips I ordered

OH, YES, how hard is it to tap the rear sight a bit? I'm shooting consistenly a little left at 25 yards. I don't intend to do anything until I've fired a few hundred more rounds and practiced some at 7 & 10 yards, but how hard is it to tap it if I want to move the point of impact a pit?

Thanks everyone again for the advise!

Gideon

 

[Gideon]

I Repent!

I Repent QK..., I've ordered a leather holster from Andrews custom leather shop. Enjoyed talking to them as I placed the order. I have a friend who makes horse saddles, bridles, etc. I told him about gun belts. He made a belt for me that's so stiff it's impossible to fold the top towards the bottom. It'll be nice.

My wood grips from a guy named Hedin came in today as well. They're made of Kingwood which looks like a dark walnut but is supposed to be harder with less pours. I got them without any checkering and love the way they look. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.


Gideon