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Based on several responses in the "Inexpensive 1911" thread, I decided to 'bite the bullet' (no pun intended) and get myself a 1911. It was a tough decision, but I went with the Springfield .45 Milspec PW9151LP Stainless. Of all places, I found it at Academy when stopping in to buy some .223 ammo (along side the PT1911). After inspecting both and really being torn (the PT1911 has some extras) I went with the Springer. I went with it because it just felt better. I can't put my hand on it, but there was something about the Springer that just felt better. I also liked the fact that it was SS. All my other firearms are poly black. I needed to brighten up the safe a little.

Here it is: http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So what are some of the 'must haves' for any 1911 owner? There was a coupon in the case for discounted accessories and gear, so I will be getting more mags at the least. Any mods that I should look at?

Sweeeeet...good choice!! Put some of these bad boys on. I've got one set of VZ320's and 2 sets of Original Gatorbacks. The Gatorbacks are more aggressive and feel better to me.

http://www.vzgrips.com/grips.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Get some Wilson Combat mags and also some 3-dot sights. The low profile GI sights are tough to see sometimes.

-Rug

I'm a fan of the Pachmayr wraparound grips with the finger grooves. If you're coming to the Austin get-together, fenster usually shows up and he has a set on his RIA Tactical. I'm a big fan of these grips, and have a set on my Hi-Power.

Check this link. The bottom right picture under "Signature Grips" is what I'm talking about.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/pachmayr/p ... #Signature" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's what mine look like:

Congratulations.
I think you have made a wise choice for a 1st 1911. I am sure you will be pleased.
Now........the problem is.........kinda like rabbits, they seem to multiply rather fast!

pbwalker wrote:So what are some of the 'must haves' for any 1911 owner? There was a coupon in the case for discounted accessories and gear, so I will be getting more mags at the least. Any mods that I should look at?

1. An ambidextrous safety, in case you want to give me the pistol for safe-keeping.
2. A beaver tail grip safety will keep my hand from getting bitten by your hammer spur.
3. Have the ejection port lowered and flared so that it will eject my spent cases more securely.
4. A flat mainspring housing to better fit my hand.
5. A match grade barrel and barrel bushing to improve my accuracy with it.
6. A bobbed Commander style hammer to make it easier for me to carry and conceal.
7. A skeletonized match trigger set to take out the creep and overtravel, because I like a really crisp trigger.
8. A set of Novak low profile tritium night sights, because my eyes aren't so good anymore.
9. A left-handed IWB holster, in case you want to give me the pistol for safe-keeping.

Did I mention giving the pistol to me for safe keeping? Other than those items, I think you're set. I'll let you know if I can think of any others....

Congratulations!

Shoot it and enjoy it. Look at accessories to see what is available, but let your tastes and perceived needs guide what you buy. You got a great pistol and the more you shoot it, the more you will like it, and you will figure out what changes you want to make.

Regards,
Andrew

Congratulations on your 1911...Very nice!!!
One of the first things I did to mine was to install a set of Trijicon night sights. I could not see the original sights, of course, that couldn't have anything to do with my eyes. Anyway, after that I bought a couple of Wilson mags. There is just so much out there that you are going to have a ball just trying to figure out what you want next. After you run a few hundred rounds through it I am sure there will be something that you just have to have.

-geo

AEA wrote:Congratulations.
I think you have made a wise choice for a 1st 1911. I am sure you will be pleased.
Now........the problem is.........kinda like rabbits, they seem to multiply rather fast!

I second that!!

Congrats on the new pistol. Welcome to the addiction.

Good choice! Don't forget to give a range report after you shoot it.

Suggestions..........

Use the GI Model you bought as your range gun. Get used to the 1911 platform and it's obvious advantages. Once you are fully committed to the 1911 in general and Springfield in particular I suggest that you just save up and buy one of their "Loaded" models for carry.

The "Loaded" Models already have a lot of the "extras" that you may consider as add on's for your GI Model. Such as bevertails, ambi safeties, extended mag release and some even have the Night Sight Option.

Then you could still have your GI Model for Range use and your Loaded Model for carry.
The reason why I say this is because I (and others) have been where you are now. If you were to add components to your GI Model to make it more like a Loaded Model, I think you may fall into the position of finally deciding that you want a Loaded Model in the end. Then you have spent all that money on upgrading the GI and you end up buying a Loaded model anyway.

In any case, my suggestion to you is the first thing to do with any 1911 that has a full length guide rod is to replace it with a standard GI guide rod and plug. This is an easy and cheap modification that has no effect on accuracy. It will be much easier to take down the pistol without having to fool with a full length guide rod that does nothing anyway. Trust me, you will be glad you did it.

Also, I have owned many Springers and still have one now. I have never ordered anything from the coupon. I suggest that you buy Wilson Combat Mags. Springers like Wilson mags and love to eat from them all day long.

I would also suggest that you stay away from cheap ammo/reloads. Many will disagree with me on this one, but, in the end, you will be happy if you shoot something like Federal American Eagle (Red Box) for range use. I would suggest you consider Federal Tactical HST Hollow Points for carry.

Additionally, I suggest you remain with 230gr bullets. If you want something a bit hotter than standard, just buy the +P versions of the 230gr instead of going with a lighter bullet, especially for carry.

Happy shooting!

Nice gun. Welcome to the 1911 world. I do agree with the post above that they will start to multiply. But I find that all my guns have that problem.

I bought two Springfields in quick succession earlier this year...I took both to the range and put them thru a good workout with very little issues between them...

The GI A1 (that is now "Wife Units .45) I had some work done on it to tighten up some functions on it, any good gunsmith will know what needs to be done...And I would pay for it regardless...That pistol works devinely now...

The other GI I bought to replace the one I lost (above), was the next level up in the line up they put out...Not much work needed to be done to get it up to scratch...It have the low profile night sights that "the Annoyed Man" talked about, and that is the first pistol I have bought that has night sights...Call me a prude...

I already had a couple of good heavy-duty belts to rotate around, and bought a good CompTac "Infidel" style holster to carry this monstrocity around as my daily carry...I've gone thru one summer with it, and have not looked back...

Like I've always said, feel comfortable with your rig, carry it everyday, be consistent, and have fun figuring out how to make it work...If you've put this much money into it, it deserves the time to make it work for you all the more important...

I believe this is true regardless of what you carry anyway...

Good luck, have fun...

And when the last round is fired...Well, they make great hammers, and bottle openers...

ScubaSigGuy wrote:

AEA wrote:Congratulations.
I think you have made a wise choice for a 1st 1911. I am sure you will be pleased.
Now........the problem is.........kinda like rabbits, they seem to multiply rather fast!

I second that!!

Congrats on the new pistol. Welcome to the BROTHERHOOD.

Fixed it for ya, SSG.

Anygunanywhere

pbwalker wrote:Based on several responses in the "Inexpensive 1911" thread, I decided to 'bite the bullet' (no pun intended) and get myself a 1911. It was a tough decision, but I went with the Springfield .45 Milspec PW9151LP Stainless. Of all places, I found it at Academy when stopping in to buy some .223 ammo (along side the PT1911). After inspecting both and really being torn (the PT1911 has some extras) I went with the Springer. I went with it because it just felt better. I can't put my hand on it, but there was something about the Springer that just felt better. I also liked the fact that it was SS. All my other firearms are poly black. I needed to brighten up the safe a little.

Here it is: http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So what are some of the 'must haves' for any 1911 owner? There was a coupon in the case for discounted accessories and gear, so I will be getting more mags at the least. Any mods that I should look at?

Welcome to the world of 1911's! This will NOT be your last!

Welcome to the club.

When looking for my first pistols, I never even considered 1911's. No real reason, just didn't. Then again, maybe I just had sticker shock. But as I said in another post ScubaSigGuy talked me into checking them out and that's all it took. It may not hold as many rounds as the double stacks, but I am able to carry my 1911 when I would often have to leave the double stack at home, and as much as I like the concealability of my P3AT, it just aint the same!