Sweet! My first 1911A1 Full Size

[zardoz]

The urge hit again like a tidal wave.

Been meditating on faster, more accurate 45ACP's the last couple of weeks.

The Taurus PT145 was OK, but was just not "there" for any target use. Only 3.25" barrel, and recoil was pretty stout on that puppy.

I purchased a Springfield Armory 1911A1 GI model today. I understand it to have full standard 1911 design. Uses all standard 1911 parts. I compared to photos of WW2 government models, and can't find any design difference. Parkerized finish.

Took her out for a few rounds, and most satisfying. Right on the target, at point of aim. Recoil no where near what that PT145 hammers me with. No wonder these type of guns are so popular.

[462]

Son-in-law's only handgun is a GI model. He asked me if he should buy it or a Ruger 9mm. Easiest question I ever had to answer.

Don't know what today's price is, but he paid $400...a steal for a .45 ACP.

[NickSS]

1911s are addictive, I have owned well over a dozen of them in the last 40 years and they never disappoint you. Today I have two full sized ones a kimber and an Auto Ordinance GI model. I shoot the GI model nore that the Kinber Elite as its just like a GI one I owned thirty years ago and feels like an old friend. I literally wore out my old GI pistol with something like 100,000 rounds through it. About all I did for five years was load and fire 45s in that gun.

[HeavyMetal]

Got my first 1911 when I was 17!

Traded a 1300cc VW engine straight across for it. Paid 2 bucks for the motor and it ran!

Still have that gun , reworked several times over the years, and will never be without a 1911.

Currently have 4 including a Combat Commander. You are correct the shorter the barrel the more they can buck! For real fun go find a Star PD, 24oz, and fire some GI Ball in it!

Be aware if you do this that aluminum frame won't like it at all!

[waksupi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8aM9EICGIM&feature=sdig&et=1254547534.58

[Shiloh]

Welcome to the 1911 owners/shooters family!!
Going strong for 98 years now!!

Shiloh

[zardoz]

Thanks for the replies on this.

Yesterdays shoot was some factory Magtech rounds, 230 gr. FMJ. Chroned 820 ft/s average over 10 rounds.

Sitting on the desk here in front of me, are my "blasters". 230 grain FMJ over 11.0 grains of AA#7. Been debating on whether to fire them a little later today. Should get well over 900 ft/s I am thinking with those. They were an attempt to approach 900 ft/s out of the PT-145, but it just would not do it. I had no desire to go over that level, a maximum published load in the Lee Modern Reloading book.

Also, have some 230 grain ACWW in the 2R Lee flavor, over 6.5 grains Unique. I am thinking that will be close to 830 ft/s out of the 1911. Maybe a bit faster, but we will see.

At any rate, been looking into some replacement grip side panels, so I can stow the checkered wood grips in favor of some textured black elastomer type.

This gun just "feels" right when held. I'm in awe of JMB's engineering skill, and the creation of a truely classic beauty of a firearm.

[462]

zardoz,

Check out Pachmayr's pistol Grippers. I have a set on my .45 ACP Randall Service Model. Under recoil, they provide a much better grip than the original Herrett checkered panels.

[Murphy]

zardoz,

I joined the 1911 family 25 years ago, I've yet to regret it. My first one I sent off for some modifications to suit my wants and needs at the time. I ran over 10K found thru that gun in about 9 months. Not sure what insanity possesed me to trade that one off, but I wasn't long without another full sized 1911. I've owned the chopped jobs and they just never warmed up to me.

A good 1911 and a S&W revolver in .357 are two handguns I just can't see me not having. Both will take care of my handgun needs unless a rogue elephant or rhino breaks loose in S.E. Oklahoma, which is highly unlikely.

Murphy

[zardoz]

OK, well the debate earlier was quickly met with action on my part.

The 230 grain Lee 2R over 6.5 gr. Unique, averaged 920 ft/s. I underestimated that one by quite a bit.

The 230 grain FMJ 2R over 11.0 gr. AA#7, average 970 ft/s. Very accurate too.

For comparison, I took the weights of my PT 145 w/6 rounds, versus the 1991A1 w/6 rounds.

Taurus PT145 w/6 =754 grams, or 26.6 oz.

SA 1911-A1 GI w/6= 1224 grams, or 43.2 oz.

Those full house loads on the PT145 were not a recreational experience. On the 1911, the extra mass makes it a nice controllable shoot. Those extra 2" of barrel make one heck of a difference.

My perception, is for open carry, 1911 hands down. For CCW, the PT145.

The 1911 is just a fantastic piece of hardware.

[technetium-99m]

You can conceal the govt. model just as easily. I have a 5" 1911 or my EMP on me most everywhere I go. A good IWB holster and belt and they are no harder to carry than any other compact gun. In fact, I feel the 5" barrel is easier to carry because it acts like a lever to push the butt of the gun further into my side. It disappears under an unticked t-shirt, and because it is so thin all day carry is very comfy.

[Ricochet]

I went shopping last night with my Government Model in my homemade IWB holster with my shirt hanging out over it. It was well concealed and more comfortable than the Bulldog in the pants pocket I've mostly carried over the summer. Much more convenient and faster to get to, too.

[35remington]

"Also, have some 230 grain ACWW in the 2R Lee flavor, over 6.5 grains Unique. I am thinking that will be close to 830 ft/s out of the 1911. Maybe a bit faster, but we will see."

I was gonna say "more likely closer to 930 fps" but I see you've found that out for yourself.

A lot of the load manual recommendations using Unique are off quite a bit, and verge on being quite excessive, re: Lyman's 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, and 49th and their maximum charges of Unique with 200 grain HG 68 pattern SWC's and 230 grain LRN's (452374). At 7.3 grains Unique each, I hope it is obvious that these suggested "maximum loads" are greatly excessive. Lyman is greatly overdue to revise this erroneous data.

As is the "old timey" recommendations of many years past (Col. Jeff Cooper, et. al) of 7.2 to 7.5 Unique with a HG 68 pattern SWC. Such would obtain over 1150 to 1200 fps out of a five inch 1911.

Not recommended.

[dk17hmr]

I got my 1911 when I turned 19. One of my favorite handguns, its a Springfield A1 and it will honestly feed anything. I have shot 185gr HP's in it and 255gr keith style bullets in it at velocities that range from 650fps to pushing 1100.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/pistol.jpg

[geargnasher]

Welcome to the Club! I think everyone who owns a 1911 of any make should also own a stock Springfield. It will make you shoot a Kimber or Les Baer about a hundred times better than you would otherwise, because if you can learn to shoot the Springfield straight, you can drive tacks with damned near anything! They are fairly accurate guns in and of themselves IMO, but the challenge is can YOU make it shoot!

Gear

[45nut]

zardoz,

Check out Pachmayr's pistol Grippers. I have a set on my .45 ACP Randall Service Model. Under recoil, they provide a much better grip than the original Herrett checkered panels.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/pistols/100_1338.jpg

Your Randall look like that? Not many Service Model's out there.

[flhroy]

Hey Ricochet how 'bout a pic of that home made holster

Thanks

[zardoz]

because if you can learn to shoot the Springfield straight, you can drive tacks with damned near anything!
Gear

Ironic for me that statement. I was learning how to get that PT145 on a pie plate at 15 yards, and then I got the 1911. I was astounded at how it was almost effortless compared to that short barrel, compact, polymer framed Taurus.

Relativity.

Would like to shoot a Kimber someday. I know a fellow in town here, part of a machine shop concern, that made custom parts for Wilson Combat. He claimed those 1911's were the cream of the crop. Much too rich for my blood I'm afraid.

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/