1911 brands

[Man of the Demoneye]

Well, I think I have finally figured out my next major purchase. It will (likely) be a 1911 style pistol. The reasons are

1. I have enough shotguns already.

2. I can't shoot a rifle (legally) around here

3. Muzzleloader is an option, but I'm not an avid deer hunter, so there goes that.

Which brings us up to the pistol. I was privelaged to hold a Taurus 1911 at the show a couple weeks ago, and it felt like it was made just for me. A huge bonus was the ambi safety and the perfect balance. I love the lines on the 1911 and I like the larger .45 to the 9mm. The way I figure it, if I need more than 8 shots, I'm ******** anyways. I also like how it was used in quite a few wars (and still is). Finally, I have read very few complaints about the design other than comparing it to other guns.

Which brings us to the whole purpose of this topic. I now need to decide on a brand. I like the full size model from Armscor (rock Island) because it is within my price range and has good reviews. My question is are there any other brands out there on the cheaper end that are still reliable? Also, how does the Taurus do? I have quite a long while to build up funds, so don't expect anything too soon.


As a bonus topic, how does winchester 45 auto ammo do, and is it the same thing as 45 ACP? As you may be able to tell, I am a total pistol n00b, so any info on the subject is appriciated.  

[OO23OO]

I've heard Taurus bought all of Colt's machinery, so buying a Taurus is like buying a Colt with big ugly lettering on the side.  

[Stoic Socialist]

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

Stoic Socialist

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.

Is there any way to check the quality on the Taurus like tooling marks, tightness or wobble, or is it something you can't know until it is fired? Also, what would be considered the "bad" performance for the Taurus? Jam every mag? Every 100? Every freaking round?


Also, thanks for the info so far.  

[OberFeldwebel]

Stoic Socialist

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.

I've heard Springfield uses parts from outside of the country.  

[Freak_090]

OberFeldwebel

Stoic Socialist

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.

I've heard Springfield uses parts from outside of the country.

I've heard they have a lifetime warranty...  

[Stoic Socialist]

OberFeldwebel

Stoic Socialist

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.

I've heard Springfield uses parts from outside of the country.

I didn't say it was entirely manufactured in the US. I just said it was an American company, meaning they were founded in the US. As opposed to Taurus, a Brazilian company.

Can it be argued that Dodge is an American car manufacturer? Sure, but their trucks are getting made in Mexico.
What about Nissan being japanese? Yeah, but they have American factories.
Point being: The profit's going to a company founded in the US, which is something that matters to some people.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

Stoic Socialist

OberFeldwebel

Stoic Socialist

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.

I've heard Springfield uses parts from outside of the country.

I didn't say it was entirely manufactured in the US. I just said it was an American company, meaning they were founded in the US. As opposed to Taurus, a Brazilian company.

Can it be argued that Dodge is an American car manufacturer? Sure, but their trucks are getting made in Mexico.
What about Nissan being japanese? Yeah, but they have American factories.
Point being: The profit's going to a company founded in the US, which is something that matters to some people.

If I had the funds, I would take that into serious consideration, but right now I'm just looking for a starter gun.  

[uryu ishida]

Man of the Demoneye

Stoic Socialist

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.

Is there any way to check the quality on the Taurus like tooling marks, tightness or wobble, or is it something you can't know until it is fired? Also, what would be considered the "bad" performance for the Taurus? Jam every mag? Every 100? Every freaking round?


Also, thanks for the info so far.

My PT1911 is finely machined, and very tightly fit. BUT, it's not as tightly fit as a Kimber-- and I consider it a good thing! I haven't had any problems like having to break it in like a Kimber, while still enjoying great accuracy and reliability. I have yet to have a single failure, but to be fair I'm only 250 rounds in. All Winchester White Box and Winchester WinClean. It can shoot a lot better then me, too. That's not saying very much, but still.

One thing: Replace the mags quickly. I haven't had much of a problem because of low round count, but apparently their springs give away quickly for a magazine, so get other magazines. Or, you could also possibly just replace the springs with Wolff springs.



Here's the thing--I don't recommend the Taurus as a starter gun. It's a budget Race gun, not a range toy. It has several key features that make it nice, but are entirely unneeded for a range toy. The full-length guide rod, "memory pad" grip safety, Heinie Straight Eight sights. The FLGR CAN complicate takedown, though I haven't had a problem with it yet (who is really have a problem with them? If I happen to be having a weak thumb that day, I just use the bottom of a magazine to press down the plug) THe memory pad is an extruded area on the grip safety, making it fit farther into the palm and thus requiring a less tight grip to work. Really, you should always use a tight grip--it's for speed convenience. The Heinie sights take quite a bit of getting used to, since it's a dot on another dot, and the DOT is the point of aim, not the top of the sight.
As well, a lot of people have problems with a loose ambi safety. I haven't had a problem, but it is quite common.


You would be better off with a Rock Island Armory and a Wilson safety for whichever side you would use.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

uryu ishida

Man of the Demoneye

Stoic Socialist

We have a Taurus 1911, it's a fairly decent pistol. Just realize that their quality is hit or miss, as is their customer service.

If it were my money, I'd go with Springfield Armoury. They can be had for the same price, and you'd be supporting an American company (as opposed to Brazilian), with a reputation that isn't joked about.

You can always go with a "pre-loved" gun.

Is there any way to check the quality on the Taurus like tooling marks, tightness or wobble, or is it something you can't know until it is fired? Also, what would be considered the "bad" performance for the Taurus? Jam every mag? Every 100? Every freaking round?


Also, thanks for the info so far.

My PT1911 is finely machined, and very tightly fit. BUT, it's not as tightly fit as a Kimber-- and I consider it a good thing! I haven't had any problems like having to break it in like a Kimber, while still enjoying great accuracy and reliability. I have yet to have a single failure, but to be fair I'm only 250 rounds in. All Winchester White Box and Winchester WinClean. It can shoot a lot better then me, too. That's not saying very much, but still.

One thing: Replace the mags quickly. I haven't had much of a problem because of low round count, but apparently their springs give away quickly for a magazine, so get other magazines. Or, you could also possibly just replace the springs with Wolff springs.



Here's the thing--I don't recommend the Taurus as a starter gun. It's a budget Race gun, not a range toy. It has several key features that make it nice, but are entirely unneeded for a range toy. The full-length guide rod, "memory pad" grip safety, Heinie Straight Eight sights. The FLGR CAN complicate takedown, though I haven't had a problem with it yet (who is really have a problem with them? If I happen to be having a weak thumb that day, I just use the bottom of a magazine to press down the plug) THe memory pad is an extruded area on the grip safety, making it fit farther into the palm and thus requiring a less tight grip to work. Really, you should always use a tight grip--it's for speed convenience. The Heinie sights take quite a bit of getting used to, since it's a dot on another dot, and the DOT is the point of aim, not the top of the sight.
As well, a lot of people have problems with a loose ambi safety. I haven't had a problem, but it is quite common.


You would be better off with a Rock Island Armory and a Wilson safety for whichever side you would use.

Actually, after watching a couple videos on the Taurus, I think I am leaning more towards it now. The safety issue does not concern me as much since I will not be using it as a carry gun. Thanks on the warning on the mags as well. I'll plan on getting several extra mags eventually if I get it. As for the sights, I guess it will take a bit of getting used to, but I can see myself liking them.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

Actually, one additional question; what is the purpose of the full length guide rod compared to a regular one?  

[uryu ishida]

Man of the Demoneye

Actually, one additional question; what is the purpose of the full length guide rod compared to a regular one?

Prevents binding, supposedly. Never been a problem before. What it does, for a FACT, do, is add weight to the front of the gun helping with keeping the barrel down, even if only slightly.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

uryu ishida

Man of the Demoneye

Actually, one additional question; what is the purpose of the full length guide rod compared to a regular one?

Prevents binding, supposedly. Never been a problem before. What it does, for a FACT, do, is add weight to the front of the gun helping with keeping the barrel down, even if only slightly.

I see. Thanks man!  

[Shrantic]

I've heard nothing but good things from the Springfield Armory M1911 Pistols, but I hear their customer service is sub-par.  

[Fresnel]

I actually heard a pretty good review on Auto-Ordnance's 1911 the other day. Guy said it was one of the best out-of-the-box 1911s he'd ever handled.