| Author | Message | ||
     Aaron_thomas |
Anyone here have any experience with the Girsan .45 1911 model? found a NIB at a really good price. Seems to be well built and has good reviews on a few shooter webpages. Ideally I would like a colt, but I am not paying all cash just for the Colt name. I own a springfield which I purchased a few yrs ago for half of the price of a colt and have been very happy with it | ||
| Rick_a |
Colt is not just a name. It's a quality product made completely in the U.S.A. The frames and slides are also forged rather than the cast products that are prevalent these days. I'm not a wealthy man by any means, but I'd buy a Colt, Springfield, Kimber, Sig, or Ruger before I'd consider a Philippine or Turkish gun of any make. That's my opinion and worth what you paid for it. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
If you want a really decent 1911 for the money, the Ruger SR1911 is about 800.00. You can also get a Remington R1 or a Springfield for about the same. Plenty of options for the money without having to worry about quality. | ||
| Fb1 |
Hard to go wrong with Ruger. Here's an SR1911 on GB right now:
| ||
| Buellinachinashop |
excellent price too, the cheapest I've had them for at GM is 700.00 | ||
| Fb1 |
By the time you pay CC fee, shipping, and FFL fee on the buyer's end, the gub above would be pushing right at $700. If it were me, I'd buy it from my local dealer (YOU, if I lived close enough) in person, even if it cost me a little extra, rather than buying it online. Just tossed it out there for the OP for something to chew on... | ||
| Preybird1 |
I love my kimber ultra carry 2. But it was $899.95 10 yrs ago. But it has been a fantastic gun and i have put 3000 rounds through it and not a single jam or any problems.  I do field strip it and clean and oil it up every time i shoot it though. | ||
| Zenbiker |
Russ, that is very sweet! I hope to get my hands on a Kimber Ultra Carry 2 Crimson trace when the costs of relocating to Vermont are paid off. | ||
| Gregtonn |
Interesting that the Ruger SR1911 should come up here. Just did some new SR1911 prototype parts for Ruger yesterday. G | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I don't know anything about thay model but figured I'd mention I have a ported Springfield 1911 that has been very good to me. I'd love to have a Colt but don't shoot enough these days to justify the $$. Mine was $700 on gb. | ||
| Aaron_thomas |
I was considering a Ruger or another springfield. As They seem to be about the only quality built American 1911 for a good price and still maintain quality. I own several rugers as well as a springfield. I have been happy with them. Kimber are very nice, but out of $$$ range. I was actually hoping for hands on experience instead of just opinion. I remember back in the 80's when the SKS rifles started being imported from china. A lot of people told me I was a blithering idiot for buying one and that I should buy an AR/m-16 variant. I have owned my first SKS for 25 yrs shot several thousand round thru it and have never had a problem | ||
| Blake |
Not sure Springfield are American made. Good guns regardless. | ||
| Aaron_thomas |
Springfield are American made. On some models 1911 they were using cast frames made in Brazil for a while. I was told that has stopped. My springfield has a forged frame | ||
| Blake |
The XD's are reportedly made in Croatia. | ||
| Aaron_thomas |
The XD's are made in Croatia with a polymer frame. the 1911's are still American made (Message edited by aaron thomas on November 17, 2013) | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Hmmm... gun opinion questions appear to stir brand loyalty in people even more than motorcycles. I am a MN CCW instructor, NRA pistol, rifle, and shotgun instructor, and a volunteer Hunter Safety instructor. I believe I can speak competently on many shooting topics, but I won't claim to be "the expert", because I've found there's always someone out there who might have more information. Since you already own another 1911, I presume your question deals with the Girsan specifically. Having read the thread thus far, here is my smart ass opinion. Aaron, the practical answer to your original question appears to be: No one here but you, has any experience with the Girsan 1911. That by default makes you our resident Girsan 1911 expert. Any thoughts?  (less smart ass now) Girsan claims NATO spec, so it probably is manufactured using modern materials and methods. (Meaning not cast in a sand pit, from melted down Lada engine blocks, and assembled by a barefoot eleven year old.) Since the 1911 platform is now in the public domain, it is also a reasonable assumption that any parts in the Girsan you find fail to measure up to your expectations, (except the serialized receiver), can probably be replaced with one from any number of reputable manufacturers with only minor fitting. Brand names are all fine, (I own a few myself), but any 1911 that goes bang every time you pull the trigger makes me happy. If it out shoots your skills, it probably was a bargain. If you're disappointed by its (lack of) accuracy, it probably wasn't. | ||
| Aesquire |
 Once I mocked "combat tupperwear", then my Bother in Law started shooting IPSC with a Glock. Now I'm very agnostic. Oh, sure, I'm opinionated as all get out, and will suggest my current favorite toy. But, really, I've never tried a Girsan, so I looked it up... online. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.ph p/products_id/411552651 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Vz23xpht8 I'm VERY opinionated in what I like in a 1911 clone, and several things I like just looking. I like the curved 1911A1 style mainspring housing. I favor a low profile ambidextrous safety, so would change it on any 1911. The short trigger I'd have to try before changing, that's a fit issue and individual preference. I VERY much like the unadorned slide. I don't like forward cocking grooves on a 1911, ( not having trained to "press check" ) and really appreciate having a blank slate to work with. I may never have the gun engraved, but a 1911 is over a freaking century old. No need for the whole owners manual in print on the side. It's a lawyer annoying thing. Turkey has been having a gun making renaissance with many American & European firms investing in modern equipment and the level of quality has improved immensely in the last decade. Let us know how it works. | ||
| Aaron_thomas |
I did a little further research and decided to purchase one. Nato spec. Goes thru the same tests as any Nato carried sidearm Shipped to a local FFL which will cost $10.00 to process. $439.00 shipped. should have it by the end of the week. Also has a tactical rail. which is the 1911S-G2. I have no loyalty to gun manufacturers anymore. Similar to my feelings on motorcycles. Just want a good reliable shooter. I will keep everyone posted. @ Mnscrounger I agree. (Message edited by aaron thomas on November 18, 2013) | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Aesquire: "Once I mocked "combat tupperwear", then my Bother in Law started shooting IPSC with a Glock. Now I'm very agnostic." I had been, for a long, long time a true 1911 believer and I still like the feel of a 1911. As far as clones or somewhat odd brands I once bought a standard Auto Ordnance model and enhanced it with a new barrel bushing I hand sized and had a gunsmith tune the extractor.ejector. It was one of the best shooting 1911's I ever had including many Colts. The customs were out of my financial reach. Now my everyday personal carry pistol is a Glock 30 with 13 round mags. for a better grip. I did not like its trigger pull until I recently did a detail polishing of critical trigger parts and did the 3 1/12# connector. Now I believe I will not go back to a 1911 for practical use. It IS very accurate, highly dependable, and its perceived recoil seems less then a 1911. I was not an easy convert but now truly believe. To each his own. Bob | ||
| M1combat |
More people should try an H&K USP if they're looking for Tupperware... They're at least 9.3x better than a glock. That said... I carry a Kimber every day. It's cooler and now that I've fallen in love with the trigger nothing else will do. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I know that it is pretty much heresy, even to me. But of four guns that I have gotten to handle regularly, the 1911 would probably be my fourth choice if I was getting ready to run for my life. First would be the Beretta M9 with 18 round magazine (9mm). Idiot proof, never had a misfire, and it gives me 17 chances to miss.  Second would probably be the Sig P220 (.45 ACP). Night sights, never had a misfire, accurate and great stopping power. Third and fourth would be close. The .38 S&W chiefs special revolver is insanely reliable, hits more accurately than seems mathmatically possible, and is small and easy to carry. Truth be told, I'd grab gun #1 or #2 above, and then grab this one also "just in case" or to hand to the wife to back me up. 4th would be a 1911, at least a fairly stock one. If I had a Les Baer or something professionally worked over, it would probably be a tie for the SIG. Like motorcycles, its hard to find bad guns these days. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Now if you asked me which of the guns is my favorite in terms of shooting and just being cool, its the 1911, no contest. Particularly one stamped 1943 that likely saw combat. It doesn't get any cooler than that (and that particular 1911 was more reliable than the 1991A1, though both need the right ammo loaded the right way to be 100% reliable). | ||
| Bob_thompson |
M1combat: "It's cooler" and, just what is your opinion after trying a Glock which has a few enhancements, way less then many 1911's? My enhancements were about $30.00. I did have one of the first HK USP's so I could shoot .45 Super without alterations, but just too big for CC, and an excellent pistol none the less. I carried it all the time while hunting. Reepicheep: "in terms of shooting and just being cool" With all due respect guys but, its a tool, like any other tool, but it is way more serious then any other tool. It has to work, each and every time......easily and in a split second. It does not have to be "cool". | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Bob I agree it only needs to "work". I've had several CCW students shoot their qualifications with a $150.00 Hi Point, 9s, 40s, and 45s. Ugly as all sin! (IMO) but if they know how to shoot, and their grip is solid, it delivers the same lead weight to the paper as the $2000.00 customs. Plus if you ever mistakenly end up somewhere your not supposed to be with it, ie: stupid local ordinances in states without preemption laws, it won't break your heart to leave it behind with the authorities. | ||
| Sifo |
My big issue with Glocks is the grip angle. The 1911 just works with my natural point of aim. With a Glock, it naturally wants to aim at the ceiling. I know that's a personal thing, but it's common. The 1911? It's a serious tool that works every time. It's also very cool. I can only say one of those things about my XD(m). | ||
| Reepicheep |
I agree Bob. I'm distinguishing when I am taking a gun to the range or plinking. That happens to be 100% of the many rounds I have shot in my lifetime (thank God). I want a gun that is aesthetically and operationally pleasing, and that has a compelling story of some kind. I love that I can pick up a .22 revolver that came from Western Auto parts and think about my wife's grandfather that used it to kill turtles he would find while subsistence farming in Kentucky so his family could actually have meat for dinner. I love that I can pick up an M1 garand that was built about 4 months before the D-Day invasion, and which I pried some very old grease caked grass from after tearing it way down and getting way deep. I have no idea what that gun went through to get grass that deeply packed into it, but I am thankful for the man that did it for me, my country, and my family, and I even though I don't know who he was, I will honor his memory and his sacrifice and the icon of his struggles that I can still use. I agree though, that for a concealed carry gun, I would be looking for something reliable and practical. And frankly, cheap, as I would expose a CCW gun to stuff I would never voluntarily subject a more interesting gun too (getting soaked on a motorcycle trip in the rain, getting beat up by chair legs and motorcycle foot pegs in an ankle holster, getting sweated on, getting filled with lint and grit, etc.) I suppose becoming proficient with a CCW gun could be a category where I would grab the practical gun over the "cool" gun. But there is a place for guns as amazing tools (like motorcycles are amazing tools), where you aren't fighting for your life, you are enjoying a machine and a story. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
I totally agree Bill. I have a couple of guns from my youth that I hunted Illinois squirrels and other small game with along with my Dad & Uncle and they aren't great expensive guns but their history is so valuable to me I will never get rid of them. I still shoot them for nostalgia sake and what great memories they evoke. And Sifo, I have to agree with you also, not many pistols feel just about perfect in your hand then a 1911 but I am comfortable with my Glock 30 plus it has 13 rounds of .45, is very concealable and its perceived recoil feels less then a 1911 so I can shoot quicker and more accurate. I suppose it all comes down to a weapons use, doesn't it. Great discussion guys. | ||
| Rick_a |
I'm not a wealthy man, but I typically carry on my person a couple guns ranging from $1700 to $2K combined. My guns can be replaced. I cannot, therefore I carry the guns I like and shoot best. While recently one of these suffered fairly severe damage in an unfortunate incident, it can be fixed, and I will continue to carry it once it is. | ||
| Aaron_thomas |
I prefer a heavy sidearm. Glock is never one I cared for. I don't care much for the angle of the butt or the lightweight. The hands down best handgun I ever owned was my .44 mag desert eagle, second was my .44 mag super redhawk. They both were not practical for concealed carry, but great shooters. Some scumbag decided to burglarize my home and those and several others went south. I know own a few others including my springfield .45 For a carry gun I prefer my ruger SP .357 I always was of the thought if I could not hit someone or something in 6 or 8 shots I need more training. I still have some of my older collectors that didn't get stolen during the burglary, an 1860 army colt .44 caliber. Serial number makes production about 1864. Also an 1873 springfield .45-70 production on it was 1882. those can both still be shot, but I love them for the history. I wish they could talk, the stories they could tell (Message edited by aaron thomas on November 21, 2013) | ||
| Thumper74 |
I haven't handled a 'bad' gun in a loooong time. I've had guns I didn't like, but rarely a bad one. My dad was through and through a Ruger fan. When he got his CCW in Ohio, I got him a P95. He had problems with stovepipes. I shot it and had no problems. We realized he had shot revolvers up to this point. We adjusted his grip and had been great. Before he passed away in September, I had a Ruger MkIII and it's been a phenominal pistol. It's a nightmare to clean, but it's been great. Growing up I heard about his Superblackhawk .44 Magnum that he hunted boar with in Florida... When he passed away, I picked up a Superblackhawk, .44, 10.5" barrel. All of the Rugers have been flawless. My Springfield XD was great. Hell, my KelTec has been great. |
