Afraid its time to 1911!

[webb3201]

webb3201, I would suggest you decide if weight and /or length are issues in your decision.
Steel vs alum alloy frames, SS, parkerized, nickel, blue? 3", 3 .5", 4" 4.25", 5", longslide?
Oh my gosh.....I'm gonna have to buy another!
Seriously, I own one or two in each size. I carry them in a type of rotation. I carry
a Kimber Ultra or Kimber Pro CDP 75% of the time. Extremely accurate guns and I have
had no problems with either from day one. I also carry a Dan Wesson CBOB that I like
very much (check the features/parts this gun comes standard with)and the DW customer service is very, very good.
You're going to love the 1911. Like others, I am warning you, they are an addiction.

This is really starting to sound like my Telecaster journey...basic components but lots of variety. I am thinking I am just going to have to take the plunge and learn through experience. I am debating one of the short barrel guns as an aid to CCW, but it seems that the 1911 family is so thin that the barrel length is easy to hide. I am going this week and test a few at the range to learn what I like.

[Rex B]

For a first 1911, I'd suggest a basic 5" model from Springfield or Colt.

The SA GI or Mil-Spec would be a good choice.
If Colt try to find a 70-series.

Once you get those figured out, you should have a better idea what your 2nd one will be.

[casingpoint]

The grapevine has it the latest Taurus 1911 is one very good gun.

That was pretty slick the way Walt Kowalski had that 1911 concealed crossdraw under his jacket in Grand Torino.

[gemini]

webb3201, I would suggest you decide if weight and /or length are issues in your decision.
Steel vs alum alloy frames, SS, parkerized, nickel, blue? 3", 3 .5", 4" 4.25", 5", longslide?
Oh my gosh.....I'm gonna have to buy another!
Seriously, I own one or two in each size. I carry them in a type of rotation. I carry
a Kimber Ultra or Kimber Pro CDP 75% of the time. Extremely accurate guns and I have
had no problems with either from day one. I also carry a Dan Wesson CBOB that I like
very much (check the features/parts this gun comes standard with)and the DW customer service is very, very good.
You're going to love the 1911. Like others, I am warning you, they are an addiction.

This is really starting to sound like my Telecaster journey...basic components but lots of variety. I am thinking I am just going to have to take the plunge and learn through experience. I am debating one of the short barrel guns as an aid to CCW, but it seems that the 1911 family is so thin that the barrel length is easy to hide. I am going this week and test a few at the range to learn what I like.

To Shaller or not, infinite variety of pick ups, maybe a birdseye maple neck, pre-amp electronics in the volumn pod,
fret job (higher or lower, different pick guard...........YES .....the journey with the 1911's is similar..... they can be
customized to your liking (or available funds). Even buy them in pieces and do a Frankenstein....just like a Tele.

[TLE2]

Stop, NO! You don't understand! They're cloning 1911's! There are too many of them, we can't fight it. How can you? It's not possible for humans to fight such strong urges....

[webb3201]

Update**_ I went out and made the mistake of shooting the Kimber Ultra Carry II today. After I stopped flinching like a girl (I literally missed a 10 yard target before I got under control) I fell in love with the thing. What a great gun...now I have to do the financial calculations on all the "hidden" costs involved (holsters, practice time, etc) and take the plunge.

This was the first 1911 shooting I have done since I was a kid, and I really liked the experience a lot more than I did at 12!

[slowrey]

I too have gotten the bug. I've always been a Sig and HK fan but now my tastes for a custom gun has matured. I'm looking at a .45 Dan Wesson CBOB. Love it and just waiting for one to come in stock at the right price.

[Rex B]

slowrey, if you like Sigs, take a look at the Sig 1911s.
Very nice guns. Feels like a custom at a much lower price point