1911 newbie

[kemiller]

O.K. I have had the fever for a while but I finally bought a PT1911. I am totally clueless to 1911's have spent most of my time researching and building AR's but I thought no proper gun collection would be complete without a 1911. Owning two Taurus pistols I was naturally drawn to theirs first although I just about bought the Kimber custom carry II crimson trace model (very nice piece of hardware), but I purchased the Taurus instead. What do I need to know about 1911's I want to get a few new mags but are there any other parts that should be swapped to aftermarket parts to help with fit and function? Great site by the way!! Thanks in advance. KM

[mp3mogul]

I personally use Wilson Combat mags, but Chip McCormick mags are great as well. You can't go wrong with a 1911... doesn't really matter who makes it.......... they are awesome guns...!

[texastaurusguy]

I also use kimber mags with no issues. Take a look back at the 1911 section posts and you'll find that there are many after market parts and accessories that can be outfitted to the PT1911.

Welcome to the forum !!

[BigSkiff]

The 1911 is a great pistol and one that has a true cult following. It was designed 100 years ago and has continued for a century to be one of the most popular pistols ever produced. There are probably more after market parts and accessories and more variations of this gun than any other pistol ever made. It is designed around a 230 grain Full Metal Jacket bullet and that is what it shoots best. Some, like my PT1911AL, will shoot just about any ammo I feed it. Others will be finicky about anything other than 230gr FMJ.

The 1911 is probably not the best pistol in the world for a beginner. It requires it's operator to pay attention to it, clean it properly, and lube it just enough to make it run and not so much that it collects excessive levels of crud. It also requires an appreciation of it's history and it limitations within whatever configuration your 1911 pistol is designed.

The 1911 grows on most shooters as they adjust to the gun and it's character. Shooting one instantly bonds you to all the other shooters down through history that have also experienced the same things that you will shooting yours. It has a unique feel, and a style all it's own. Some days you will cuss it and some days you will shoot it until you run out of ammo and feel dejected because you didn't bring more with you. The 1911 is a gun that no serious shooter or collector should be without. Shoot yours for a while and you'll see what I mean.

[kemiller]

I bought the blued version but I would like to put some stainless appointment's on it. Do most of the parts have to be put on by a gunsmith or is this something I can do myself? Is there anything I should stay away from that others have bad experiences. I can't wait to pick this baby up!!

[Jake3501]

I would get used to the 1911 first, just enjoy shooting it and take time on trying to improve it. It already has a lot of improvements to begin with. Don't hurry an already good thing. And welcome to the forum from Lubbock, TX
MecGar also makes some good magazines.

[Franklindeez]

The 1911 is a great pistol and one that has a true cult following. It was designed 100 years ago and has continued for a century to be one of the most popular pistols ever produced. There are probably more after market parts and accessories and more variations of this gun than any other pistol ever made. It is designed around a 230 grain Full Metal Jacket bullet and that is what it shoots best. Some, like my PT1911AL, will shoot just about any ammo I feed it. Others will be finicky about anything other than 230gr FMJ.

The 1911 is probably not the best pistol in the world for a beginner. It requires it's operator to pay attention to it, clean it properly, and lube it just enough to make it run and not so much that it collects excessive levels of crud. It also requires an appreciation of it's history and it limitations within whatever configuration your 1911 pistol is designed.

The 1911 grows on most shooters as they adjust to the gun and it's character. Shooting one instantly bonds you to all the other shooters down through history that have also experienced the same things that you will shooting yours. It has a unique feel, and a style all it's own. Some days you will cuss it and some days you will shoot it until you run out of ammo and feel dejected because you didn't bring more with you. The 1911 is a gun that no serious shooter or collector should be without. Shoot yours for a while and you'll see what I mean.

As a side note to this, mine was pretty picky about georgia arms hollow point ammo, eats up everything else, but for some reason it didnt like the GA HPs