1911 Nirvana

[5whiskey]

Just that. Have you found it, and what brings it on? Is it a custom Les Baer or Wilson? Or is it just a simple Colt or Ruger with a few upgrades? Perhaps a custom build you did?

I recently found mine today in a cheap RIA GI that have tinkered with for months. Some polishing on all trigger surfaces but the sear and hammer hooks, a reduced weight sear spring and 21lb mainspring, some snakewood grips i made, and a sight upgrade... And I experienced it today when I went to the range with a new hire at my agency. I did some failure to stop drills at 10 yards drawing from a thumb break. I was very pleased. My firearms coordinator also refused a small wager (non monetary) to shoot against me on the dueling tree. My times weren't far off from my times with my go to carry pistol, a CZ p07 in 9mm. It was the sights that topped it off. I got a cheap set from Brownells as a birthday gift to myself, and they are miles ahead of the thumbnail GI sights.

I'm interested in hearing your 1911 story. Plus I like hearing about preferred custom add-ons. I prefer to keep this one close to GI style, but I would love to pick up a 70s series Colt one day to add some "flair" to. Plus just to have another colt (had a series 80 some time ago but had to sell it due to fund career/life changes). So... Tell me about your favorite 1911.

[Model12Win]

My M1911A1 Springer:



I prefer mine GI. No fruity nonsense, just a real fightin' M1911A1. I believe a 1911 should be kept simple and a bit loose. Them boys on Iwo and in Nam didn't complain about jamming 1911s. That's because they were built a bit loose and wouldn't choke on debris in combat.

[mulespurs]

What sights did you get from Brownells?

[Rob228]

Springfield 1911 Operator. I put VZ grips on it, an Ed Brown MSH and an Ed Brown standard length guide rod to replace the wonky 2 piece guide rod it came with. Its the most accurate pistol I own since selling my S&W 586 and the most pleasant to shoot.

[muzzleblast...]

1911 Nirvana? I found it in a gunshop. An Armand Swenson longslide in .38 Super. Unfortunately, it was priced beyond my reach.

[RickB]

1930's National Match would be my holy grail.
I saw one at a gun show, maybe fifteen years ago, tagged $4000, and having driven to the show in a car worth about that, decided the price was not in line with what I could afford.
Still, the most beautiful pistol I've ever seen.
That would be my choice for simply having, as opposed to one for shooting.

I started USPSA competition 20 years ago, shooting a G.I. Colt that had belonged to my dad. I soon started shooting IDPA too, and decided I needed two new guns, one for each game.
My IDPA gun would double as a weapon, so it was very basic with few bells and whistles.
I selected all of the components, did all of the fitting that could be done by hand, then turned it over to a local gunsmith for milling-in the sight dovetails and surface prep.
I have about 20,000 rounds through it now, and it would be my "if I could have just one" choice.

[Danoobie]

Hogue grips on a Springfield 1911A1 did it for me.

[highpower3006]

The first time I handled one I knew that I had found "the gun". I developed a long lasting appreciation for them that has lasted over forty years. My favorites are US property marked 1911 and 1911-A1's and I am always on the lookout for pre 1945 military Colts. I do have a few civilian Colt 1911's to kind of round out the collection.

[surveyor]

This one Started out as a norinco 1911a1 before a trip to my smith.

[Reloadron]

My love affair with the 1911 likely began in the mid 1960s when I was a kid. I really don't know why I was drawn to the things. I originally went to Vietnam as a courier so had a Marine Corps issued 1911 in addition to my rifle. The love affair continues today and I really lean towards the Colt Series 70 MK IV guns. Last count I think there were about a dozen of them. Actually the last 1911 I got was a Colt Series 70 .38 Super. I would like to find a good clean Series 70 9mm. I also have a nice little 3" barrel Kimber which I got from a friend in need of money, the little gun shoots well and the accuracy surprised me as a .45 ACP 3" barrel I would never had thought would shoot as well as it does.

Anyway here are a few of my Colt Series 70 guns, the adjustable rear sight ones are Gold Cups.



The stainless looking one is actually a Series 70 Nickel finish. Something else I really like and enjoy using is this old Colt .22 LR Conversion Kit.



The kit will fit any 1911 and makes for a lot of fun. Anyway 50 plus years later I still havent a clue what draws me to the things but apparently I like them.

Ron

[jdc1244]

Is it a custom Les Baer or Wilson? Or is it just a simple Colt or Ruger with a few upgrades? Perhaps a custom build you did?

Nope.

Just a beat up and rusted Colt model O1091 – I rubbed out the rust spots and installed a new barrel, got two new mags and it’s been 100 percent reliable and accurate, a true joy to shoot.

[PatientWolf]

Right now, it is probably this one...

[5whiskey]

What sights did you get from Brownells?

These here. Pretty good for the money IMO. You will likely have to do some fitting with the rear sight, but nothing that's any more difficult than staking a front sight in the first place.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-par...prod41672.aspx

Some pretty pistols shown off so far. Model12 I'm kind of with you, I like 1911A1 models. I do want to get another Colt one day, but my RIA will probably remain GI styled other than the sights and grips. I will post a picture later since everyone else is.

[5whiskey]

And here's mine. Not 2 grand custom piece, but I like her just the same...

[Reloadron]

I like those grips, really nice look, like the burl of the wood.

Ron

[HisSoldier]

The RIA has a special place in my heart because it is so good for the price. I own one now and gave my first one to my brother because he wanted a SD handgun and the RIA always functioned reliably. But I missed it so bought another, a replacement.
Of all the other 1911 type guns I have the DW's are very special indeed, plus a SA 38 Super that I parkerized myself.
Four or five is not nearly enough 1911's.

[larryf1952]

I own 7 1911's, but this is the one that I likely prize the most. I bought it in 1998. Kimber Classic Stainless LE. 1 of about 600 produced. Runs 100%, crazy accurate, fantastic trigger, fit and finish are superb. I paid about half of what it'd sell for today.

[tony pasley]

My favorite is a colt made in 1914 it is a family heirloom from WW I.

[smee78]

I would have to say my favorite 1911 is my dad's Colt Combat Commander in 9mm, it was the first center fire pistol I ever shot and last a lasting impression. I am in no hurry to get it from him and hope I have to wait a long time to get it.

Now my personal favorite that I own is either my Springfield Armory brushed chrome 9mm or my Colt Combat Commander 45 with a brushed nickel finish. Its tough between them to pick a favorite.

[KyJim]

It would be hard to pick just one 1911 as my Nirvana. It would be hard to pick even two but here are two I really love, a Dan Wesson Valkyrie and a Nighthawk Falcon. I changed grips on both pistols (both are slim grips). The grips are made by VZ exclusively for Harrison Custom. They give me a sure grip but curiously are not rough on my ample love handles when Carrying IWB. I ordered a non-standard front sight and rear sight on the Falcon.

[lee n. field]

Originally Posted by 5whiskey

And here's mine. Not 2 grand custom piece, but I like her just the same...

http://i68.tinypic.com/a9mh4g.jpg

A RIA GI, with new sights?

[dgludwig]

I've had more than a few 1911s over time but my favorite one is a Gold Cup "National Match" Colt that I bought new in 1972. Still use it in Bullseye competition.

[std7mag]

Great...
After veiwing all those my desire for another 1911 has risen it's head.

For me now it's my Springfield Armory Milspec Champion. 45 of course.

Slide cracked up both sides(last year i think). Sent into Springfield.
They fitted new slide, sights on it.
While there i asked them to replace the rubber Pachmier grips with the original wood Springfield grips.

I installed a Ed Brown bushing and retainer to make it dis-assemble/assemble like a proper government 1911 should.

Shoot 22 swingers at 15 yards with it. Mostly 185gr. Sierra JHP. Also 185gr. Tounamant Masters.

[Rangerrich99]

For me, it seems to depend. Up until very recently my favorite 1911 has been my S&W 1911SC-E.

However, about a month ago I discovered an exact clone of the Para-Ordnance P13.45 I had twenty years ago. After an internal argument that lasted about 0.000698 seconds, I bought it. I got it for cheap because the owner thought it was non-functional; turned out it was just the series 80 firing pin disconnector. Tossed that, installed a Wolff spacer to effectively make the gun a series 70. Goes bang bang perfectly through 400 rounds now.

It's not anywhere near the same fit-and-finish quality of my S&W, but it's like going back in time, and I love it.

I thought I had a few pics of it, but I guess I'll have to take a few in the morning and get them posted up here.

[pete2]

I guess you never know what it'll be til you get it and shoot it. right now I shoot a Ruger .45 CMD, it just works for me. Had a rough start to start with including Ruger replacing the original gun and then repairing the replacement on warranty, I had to file the front sight to zero it, Ruger would not correct point of impact. Any way, now it shoots where I point it, very fast out of the holster. The only thing I changed was the thumb safety(I can't use the giant competition safetys) and I put in a Colt sear spring, now has a 3-1/2# pull with very little creep. I have Colts, Kimber, SA, a Citadel and seem to shoot the Ruger . The Citadel is a 9 MM and it's been a lot of fun too. They are all fun but right now the Ruger is getting shot at least weekly. Wilsons,. Ed Browns and such are above my pay grade so I can't comment on them.