Need 1911 help

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dakota.potts

New member
My dad's 40th birthday is happening in September. It's a little while away but I had a cool idea the other day that I've been thinking about.

My dad was in the Navy in the early 90's and qualified with the 1911 among other weapons. He qualified the highest level/longest distance rank with the 1911 and loved it and the .45 round. He says he hated when they switched to 9mm and his groupings went all over the place.

Anyways, he's got a .40 compact now that will be his carry gun when he gets his license. But I thought he would really enjoy it if I could find a 1911 for him just like the one he used in the Navy.

This is where I'm stuck though. There are so many 1911 variants and models that I don't know where to start. I know he was in during the 90's (I believe 91-95), on the USS Underwood http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Underwood_(FFG-36). That's the best knowledge I have. The only other thing I know is that it was a .45 1911. I think I remember him telling me once that it was an upgraded model called the 1917 but considering that's the designation for a Thompson I'm not sure that's right.

Also, I won't be able to fund it on my own, so it will have to be a family venture and cost will be an object.

Can any one help narrow things down for me? Thanks
 
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DeadEye1911

New member
M1911

I agree with the previous post, the M1911 is probably the most identical thing you'll find. There's so many options for you to buy for him and price range. From Kimber to Rock Island Armory, the sky is the limit. I personally recommend the RIA because it's in my 400-500 dollar price range. By the way, awesome gift idea!
 
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Tucker 1371

New member
The Springfield GI models seem to be pretty faithful reproductions aside from the grips.

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dakota.potts

New member
We don't have the money which is why saving is necessary this far in advance if we're going to do it. I went to look for the model number and found it was no longer up.
 
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RickB

New member
Yeah, the Springfield G.I. is apparently out of production. The Springfield Mil-Spec has better sights, and is a better shooter, as opposed to historical reproduction.
 
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Spats McGee

Administrator
I'm also curious as to the intended purpose for the 1911. If it's just a range goodie, intended to be as close to historically correct as you can get, that's fine. However, if it's going to be a carry piece, you might want to give up a little historical accuracy. In particular, if I were buying a 1911 to carry, the one feature that I would really look for is a lowered and flared ejection port. Not that I'm a gunsmith, but my gut says that sights, triggers, safeties, etc., can all be added with much less of an investment in smithing time than lowering and flaring the ejection port. (If anyone knows for sure that I'm wrong, please speak up.) Accordingly, that's one investment I'd make on the front end, if it's to be carried. If not, then it's less important.
 
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Andrewh

New member
your dad would have been in about the same time as me.

they were all frankenguns from WWII.

most rattled pretty badly.

when I qualified, they were using korean war surplus 45 ammo.

of course the officer next to me brought his personal gold cup and match ammo. lol.

Franken guns can be found and are not that much money.
But unless he really cares about that vs just having a nice 1911, I would do as other sugguested and check out other used 1911's.

it also depends on if he wants actual GI configuration vs again, just a nice 1911.

starting price if you can find them for a new RIA would be around 450ish.

springfield GI/milspecs are in the 600 range.

old colts are probably going to run you round 800-1000 depending on condition.

you might find some beat up ones in the 400-600 range. which can't be any worse off than the ones we qualified with.
 
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JimDandy

New member
old colts are probably going to run you round 800-1000 depending on condition.
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That's also pretty close to where New Colts are going for, as well as new Sig Sauers, and Kimbers. I've got the Sig 1911 Nightmare in 5" that I like. I plan on getting one with the Pony logo soon as well.
 
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BigJimP

New member
On a budget...I'd suggest you look at the new Colt's...they're doing pretty well these days.

But look at a bunch of different guns...in my opinion, its about the trigger...find the gun locally that has the best trigger in it ( some of the production level guns are being shipped with really crummy triggers ...and some of them are pretty nice ) but you can't make a judgement without holding each one - and picking the best one you can find.
 
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dakota.potts

New member
I don't see him carrying a full sized .45. It would just be a nice present. I want it to be like the one he had but niceties like a better trigger, ejection system etc. would be nice. I'm just looking for one that has the same type of trigger he used, similar sights, safeties and everything in the same position, and looks the same or similar. Basically if he were to pick it up it would feel like the one he fired 20 years ago. It's not important that's it's an exact replica of one that saw Normandy Beach or anything like that ;)
 
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Spats McGee

Administrator
With that additional information, dakota.potts, I'd suggest taking a look at the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. It's got the lowered ejection port, and better sights than the old SA GI model. To my eye, it's also got a nice old school look to it: parkerized finish, wood grips, etc.

ETA: also, if you want adjustable sights, consider the SA Range Officer.
 
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JimDandy

New member
I don't see him carrying a full sized .45
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Because he doesn't carry, because he doesn't carry .45ACP Single Stack, or because it's Full/Government-Model size?

I carry my Nightmare, and it's a 5" barrel. With a good horsehide IWB holster, you stuff most of it down your pants anyway.
 
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