My first 1911

[catfish308]

I picked up my PT1911B last Friday. It's my first 1911 and I can say that it won't be my last. I give a for adding the ambi safety. That was the deciding factor in my quest, since I'm a lefty. I got her all cleaned up and I can say that, that was the dirtiest new gun I've seen. I love the color of the bluing but I already have plans of an OD frame and matte or tactical black slide. Not sure when that will happen, but it's what I want. Sorry, but I don't have any pics at the moment. I'll get some up after work. Hope to get it to the range this coming weekend.

One more thing, mine came with 3 dot Novaks. Is that normal now on the newer guns? I was sorta hoping for the Heinie's as I've never tried them.

[Panda]

Welcome to the forum, you'll love that 1911 and yes, the Novak's are standard now.

[catfish308]

Here she is, it's all stock for right now. I forgot to mention that I polished up the rails and other rough spots. I plan to get some wood grips but in the mean time, knocked the sharpness off of the plastic ones.

[BigSkiff]

Congrats on the new pistol!  Nice pictures, too.

[Czechbikr]

Congrats on the new pistol.  Get that baby out to the range and blow some holes in the center of the target.  BTW, there may be people here who would be happy to swap their Heine sights, but I am not one of them.

[mp3mogul]

Congrats,

But unfortunately, you must now understand, 1911s are a sickness... and you will aquire many more before you are done, and they require feeding very often!

[catfish308]

Thanks everyone. I already see myself buying more, I really want a commander length. I'm hoping Taurus comes out with one.

[TexasAviator]

Congrats on the PT 1911!  I bought mine a month ago and put 1000 rounds through it in the first 3 days, handles perfectly. mp3mogul is right...1911's are a great sickness, like potato chips one isn't enough!

[catfish308]

Just thought I would post to say I finally shot my recoil spring to the ceiling. Came about an inch or two from my head that thing moves pretty quick.

[STANGF150]

The number one catch to owning a 1911, is you absolutely MUST have a good eye for tracking flying recoil springs. Or else you might never find the lil booger. Also beware of ricochet, cuz sumtimes they come BACK at you!!!

[olfarhors]

 
 Just put a big old magnet under your refrigerator to catch the spring, thats where they end up anyway!
The taurus simply will not shoot the recoil spring near as far as the PARA USA GI EXPERT will, doesn't matter how many times  thta i try the para launches it much farther!
wood grips did you say?
Raasco is the place!

[catfish308]

I was able to take it out today and ran 100 rounds through it. Can't say it was trouble free. Once the gun got warmed up it would fail to lock back on both factory magazines. The gun also locked up on one round. The hammer fell but didn't hit the firing pin. It looked like I had bumped the safety as it was pushed up just a hair. But I couldn't disengage it or anything. It finally disengaged after some fiddling around and I went on my way. My dad and I were also shooting 3in low at 7yrds, I'm going to try shooting off a rest to check the accuracy though.

My only question right now is what could cause the slide to not lock up? I'm going to write off the gun seizing up to user error unless someone has some input and the accuracy needs more testing before I determine the gun is off.

Thanks for the help,

Eric

[olfarhors]

Just a few guesses!
 the slide not locking back , I would look at the magazine or the slide stop plunger, this may simply be a cleaning issue!
the weapon not firing may be due to the slide not completely closing to lockup the chamber.
reason, bad feed from the magazine, shooter allowing the slide to ease forward to battery, bad ammo.(size/shape/ disfigured projectile.)
shooting low?
 could be the sights (although typically we hear very little of this with the PT1911.)
In my case my very first shot at 7 yards with mine was a pinwheel, i could not have walked up to the target and centered it any better, the 4 remaining shots were three touching and a total of about  1 1/2 inch 5 shot group ,right in the middle.
normally the sights are very close on these weapons.
I would guess that proper sight alignment is the cause, grip being improper can also allow for shooting low as well as overpulling the trigger upon shooting, and dropping the arm to peek at where the bullet has hit!
there will be some of our 1911 gurus here shortly to talk about this and they can tell you more possibly, and correct any of my statements.
I am thinking of getting a PT1911 in black, i just like the weapon!
not as much as my Duotone but a lot!

[scrabtree6]

Now I tend to shoot alittle low with my pt1911 but I haven't shot but maybe 100 rounds so me personally I'm going to break it in first before I worry. I have the straight 8 sites to tho and I think part of the reason is I'm just not used to them. Just sharing my own experience.   

[catfish308]

I cleaned it and used a little less grease on the rails than last time. I'm also going to get a new magazine to try out on my next outing as well as use a rest while shooting to make sure I'm not flinching. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll let you know how things go when I can make it out