[Stan]

I'm new to pistols. In fact today I completed my safety course and fired pistols for the first time (8 weeks to go for my permit). I'm hooked. I fired a 22, a 9 mm, a 357 mag, and a 1911 45. After all I had read I wasn't surprised to find the 1911 to be, by far, my favorite. I am now looking for a perfect pair of guns to suit my needs and would appreciate some help. I need home defense and recreational use.

I would like a 1911 for the light single action pull and the standard features. This will be my "real gun". I can't afford to blow $100 per week in ammo so I figure I'll need a 22. I would like to have guns as similar as possible so I guess I'm looking for a good moderately priced 1911 and a 22 that thinks it's a 1911. I would prefer to have unremarkable looking pistols that are the highest quality than geougeous pistols that aren't as good.

I was looking at Kimber and they appear to have what I need but are a bit more than I wanted to spend. Any suggestions? (...and price ranges would be appreciated). Also, as I plan on joining a club and hopefully competing, (and this is probabaly a stupid question) which gun should I spend more on? Is the 22 better for competitions? ...or would I be using the .45 more? I'm really new here so I would appreciate any help you could give.

Thanks

 

[uglydog]

Personally, I feel the Springfield 1911 models are the best buy for he money. I have had a couple of them over the years and they have always been a good value. There are other brands that I feel are just as good or even "better" but cost more than the worth of the added benefit. I feel Kimber is one of these though I do have to admit I have one. I bought mine used at a store closing sale so did get a great price. At the same time I bought a great device, a 22 LR conversion kit for the 1911. This allows me to use the same lower portion for either shooting 22 LR or the standard 45 ACP. Mine is more than accurate enough for an entry level target pistol and some of the Marvel units are reputed to be even more accurate. Cost starts about the same as a decent 22 LR pistol so there is not a great cost difference.
I recently started shooting in an informal pistol league in which I use a 22 of some sort. I do this as I can shoot these guns more accurately than any of my others and I want to win. This is for a modified bullseye format but for other disciplines you may not have a choice. If I had a choice, I would start with the the 22 LR as it is so inexpensive to shoot, even with target ammo. When I became familiar with whatever discipline I chose, I would then look at shooting the 45 ACP.

 

[Stan]

Thanks for the info. I'll check out the Springfields next time I'm at the shop. I'm intrigued by the idea of a conversion kit. It sounds like you could essentially get two guns in one, am I right? Are they inexpensive and easy to change at the range? or would it be worthwhile to have seperate guns? If I could save a few hundred on a conversion kit I could buy a better base gun. But it wouldn't be worth it to me if it was too hard to change back and forth.

Also, what should I expect to pay for a decent 1911? (black on black, without any bells and wistles). I think the Kimber I was looking at was about $900, but I know that was on the expensive side. If I could get both guns or a single with a good conversion for about $1,000 I would be very happy.

 

[TMats]

I shoot a Kimber myself, Stan, but I understand that Taurus (for one) makes a quality 1911 for about $600. You could get that, a conversion kit, and some ammunition all for a grand.

 

[Stan]

Thanks, that sounds like a good deal to me. I like the idea of the conversion kit. I'll keep looking around a bit, but I'll check the Taurus section next time I'm at the shop.

 

[godfreek]

You must go look at the Taurus PT1911. My dad just got one and it is one if the nicest feeling 1911's i have ever held.
$509 std sights and $609 for trijicon night sights.

Any one else use the Taurus PT1911?

It is awesome.