Looking toward getting an M1911

[Meatwad]

Due to reasons I cant say that will give me a temp vacation from the boards, I am looking toward investing in an M1911 for home defense. I have been looking at the S&W types, but cant really decide on between the classic .45 or the 9mm. I dont really care how pretty one is or any aftermarket things, just something simple and will do the job. Mainly looking for accuracy and gets the job done without a hassle

[hitech]

How much do you wish to spend?

How much experience do you have?

Why the 1911?

HiTech

[Arlo]

Why the 1911?

`Cause it's the best. 

[Spikes]

What are the laws like for pistols in IL? I'd imagine it would be easier/more economical to pick up a 18.5" barrel 12/20ga shotgun or something...

[Shuffler]

As far as for home defense, you have many options as you are not lugging it around all day. No reason to limit size or weight because of that. It will be more according to what you are most comfortable with. You want something you will take down and practice with from time to time... take cost of ammo into consideration. A 45 or 9mm is fine if you are wanting to have a handgun. A shotgun with shortened barrel works fine too.

Do you live in a home or apartment? If a home is it close to another home? You will also need to think about loads so you have less chance of shooting through walls into other non-threat areas.

[Meatwad]

For me it would be a 1st pistol. Reason behind looking at the M1911 is that it appeals to me for one to start out on. The others out there dont really catch my interest. I would have to be concerned about something with too much power since there is another residential house within 100 feet. Here at home it is more of a "just in case" with all the insanity going on. Would really like to have something to protect the family with if things go the wrong way

[hitech]

How old is the family?
HiTech

[perdue3]

I'd like to have a beautiful little PPK to keep in my nightstand. This way I can defend myself in the covers with minimal clothing.

[Maverick]

I'll chime in here too. For caliber I'd recommend 9mm. The ammo is about the cheapest thing you will find for practice outside of 22 rimfire. It's also widely available. The "serious" ammo is also available but at a higher price of course. Think CCI gold dot for serious stuff for one. The white box Winchester is fine for familiarization and informal practice. There are several internet providers for ammo you can find on ammoseek. I have used LAX ammo without any issues on 9, 40 and 45. You do need to practice more than once or twice a year or your "skills" will fall through the floor under extreme stress. I highly recommend some kind of professional training. Stoppages are no fun when things are bad.

As to brand, I wouldn't look at Kimber or even les Baer, not that they make bad guns, but because they are pricey and lean towards accuracy first (Baer) and flashy looks (Kimber) more than reliability. I do not recommend plain jane GI sights. Those are hardly better then the hog trough groove on old time 6 guns. S&W, Ruger even Rock Island or Springfield all make very serviceable 1911's, Rock Island less expensively and more GI like.

Look for good sights first as they are not cheap to buy later on. You can get a rough gritty trigger fixed fairly cheaply by most any gunsmith that has been in business more than a couple years. Fixed sights are most common but I like adjustable ones more so I can tailor the point of impact to the ammo I choose. I also recommend a "beaver tail" grip safety as the old narrow style on GI guns WILL bite your hand with a high grip.

I'll be happy to talk "turkey" over the phone as well. Send me a PM if interested.

[Meatwad]

How old is the family?
HiTech

Late 30's down to grade school

[Meatwad]

I'll chime in here too. For caliber I'd recommend 9mm. The ammo is about the cheapest thing you will find for practice outside of 22 rimfire. It's also widely available. The "serious" ammo is also available but at a higher price of course. Think CCI gold dot for serious stuff for one. The white box Winchester is fine for familiarization and informal practice. There are several internet providers for ammo you can find on ammoseek. I have used LAX ammo without any issues on 9, 40 and 45. You do need to practice more than once or twice a year or your "skills" will fall through the floor under extreme stress. I highly recommend some kind of professional training. Stoppages are no fun when things are bad.

As to brand, I wouldn't look at Kimber or even les Baer, not that they make bad guns, but because they are pricey and lean towards accuracy first (Baer) and flashy looks (Kimber) more than reliability. I do not recommend plain jane GI sights. Those are hardly better then the hog trough groove on old time 6 guns. S&W, Ruger even Rock Island or Springfield all make very serviceable 1911's, Rock Island less expensively and more GI like.

Look for good sights first as they are not cheap to buy later on. You can get a rough gritty trigger fixed fairly cheaply by most any gunsmith that has been in business more than a couple years. Fixed sights are most common but I like adjustable ones more so I can tailor the point of impact to the ammo I choose. I also recommend a "beaver tail" grip safety as the old narrow style on GI guns WILL bite your hand with a high grip.

I'll be happy to talk "turkey" over the phone as well. Send me a PM if interested.

Ill keep the offer open

I was looking at a few by Rock Island the other night. Need to check out some training courses for safety also

[saggs]

While I love the 1911 (long live J.M. Browning) for just good old shooting fun.  I prefer something with a bigger magazine and no thumb safety as a defensive tool.  You should definitely buy a 1911, I think it's a great 1st handgun and then maybe buy another gun, and another, and another for defensive purposes.

If you do have your heart set on a 1911 for a first gun, the good news is you have a plethora of choices, and most of them are pretty good.  You've got the likes of Rock Island and Ruger on the bottom end of the price scale, mid-price would be stuff like Springfield, S&W and Colt, then you get into the higher end with Kimber, Ed Brown, Dan Wesson etc. Lastly you have the absolutely ridiculous priced stuff like Cabot.

Across the entire price spectrum you will not find much if any difference in reliability or accuracy (any handgun is usually more accurate then the user, especially in a pressure situation).  The difference is in the fine details and fit and finish. But again the good news is that many 1911 parts are interchangeable and there is a huge aftermarket.  You could buy the cheapest Rock Island, and then later swap in a better trigger, or safety lever, or barrel, or recoil spring, or grips, or main spring.. whatever you want.

I'm not gonna touch the .45ACP vs 9mm for self defense debate, it's a dead horse that's been beat for decades.  Except to say that a TRUE 1911 should be chambered in .45ACP as our firearms lord and savior John Moses Browning intended.

[Chalenge]

What saggs said. I've been contemplating the Rock Island .45 with some Wilson Combat mods, but I like to tinker. For home defense you're probably better off going with a stock firearm and the same ammo your local police force uses. That way you don't get sued for planning a murder. Also, I think what Hitech was considering is a safe storage unit so the kids can't get their hands on it. Certainly, think about that.

[streakeagle]

While I love the look of a stock GI 1911, I wouldn't carry one without the beaver tail. The beaver tail not only protects you from getting "bit", but helps your muscle memory for holding the pistol the exact same way every time instead of trying to hold it lower to avoid injury. I think it feels a little more comfortable, too.

[ACE]

Glock only.