My First 1911

[mhl6493]

Finally got my very first 1911 - a Springfield Armory Loaded Parkerized.  Sorry for the terrible pictures.  Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I did field strip it and do an initial cleaning.  A couple of observations along those lines:

 

1.  Everything I had read about the FLGR is absolutely true.  Even using the included allen wrench, I didn't think I'd ever get the thing loose.  And getting it back together after cleaning?  Yeah, it was even more... interesting.  May eventually go with the GI guide rod.

 

2.  Even more difficult than the FLGR, however, was getting the slide stop back in - particularly the end closest to to the grip.  There is a small piece of metal that protrudes slightly from the plunger tube (I think that's what it's called) that has to be depressed in order for the slide stop to go back in.  Doing that without scratching your gun all to heck?  Interesting...

 

But in spite of the first-time challenges, there was something strangely fun about the whole thing.  There's just something about working with a 1911 that is, well, pleasing... Provided I enjoy shooting it, looks like I may have found my handgun niche -- a very expensive niche...  :D

 

Thanks again for all the advice I receive here about what to get for my first one.  So many good options... I'm confident this one won't be my last.

 

[DJTC45]

Good looking 1911, you did good for your first one, now learn everything you can about them especially when you go to do a complete tear down, it's easy just pay attention. Let us know how it shoots, also go and check out www.1911addicts.com  I'm a supporting member there and those guy's got a wealth of info. on there if you have any questions about anything 1911 related, also feel free to PM me any questions I'll be glad to answer them if I can, I own several 1911's and won't carry or buy anything else.

[Grand Torino]

Heck of a first 1911. Congratulations :up:

[herr.baer]

Congrats!! Your collection will grow. I know mine did! :up: :up:

[Fourtyfive]

Nice one but just like AR's , now you'll just have to have more .... Smaller ones , shinier ones , lighter ones ....

[hipower]

Nice one but just like AR's , now you'll just have to have more .... Smaller ones , shinier ones , lighter ones ....

 

That's pretty much the way it happened with me as well. lol

[Jct1911]

That's the exact gun I recommend to everyone as a first or only 1911. Nice score!

[JPR1959]

Nice pistol, now go throw some 230 grain bullets down range.  Just try and keep the smile of your face.  You can use a small screwdriver or guitar pick to press in the plunger to make it easier to put in the slide stop.

[crossfire]

Nice one but just like AR's , now you'll just have to have more .... Smaller ones , shinier ones , lighter ones ....

This :up:

[tarheelbball]

I'm still new to 1911 but I read about using a small piece of card (like from a deck of cards). Too kept from scratching the frame until you more comfortable.

[hipower]

I'm still new to 1911 but I read about using a small piece of card (like from a deck of cards). Too kept from scratching the frame until you more comfortable.

Good idea,tarheelbball.

But don't be afraid of the "idiot scratch." It is a sign of advancement in the gun world. You've gotten into a 1911 and won.

[mhl6493]

You've gotten into a 1911 and won.

 

That is most definitely how I felt an hour-and-a-half after I started trying to give it a simple get-rid-of-the-factory-gunk cleaning last night...  :D

[et45]

Nice gun,if you like the idea of a FLGR you could swap the one in it for a 1 piece rod you would need a bushing wrench but would be much easier to take down

[SonnyCrockett]

I have a TRP and it come with a FLGR ,swapped it out before I even hit the range with a Wilson GI style

 

But you have a nice 1911 and it will shoot great regardless of which style you go with

 

good luck

[eRay]

You made an excellent choice. I have 4 of the parked loaded springfields. Only thing I changed on them was putting in a GI recoil spring setup and changing the mainspring housings to EGW arched ones. My favorites of all the 1911's.

[mhl6493]

I have a TRP and it come with a FLGR ,swapped it out before I even hit the range with a Wilson GI style

 

But you have a nice 1911 and it will shoot great regardless of which style you go with

 

good luck

 

Thanks.  I just ordered a Wilson GI guide rod and plug.  I think it'll make a big difference...

[csaxj3]

1911forum.com is a great resource

[Moped]

I had a SS Loaded edition.  Great pistol.  Traded for an AR.  Now I have a GI with adjustable sights.  Hard to beat a Springer!

[graycrait]

I swapped out the FLGR for a GI plug and spring in my current SA Loaded. Also you might want to read this, but you don't have to make your trigger 2.5lbs. 

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=10297/GunTechdetail/2-lb-Trigger-Pull

 

If you like the stock trigger great.  If you want to make your trigger pretty darn nice you can order this and do it yourself for less than you can "buy" it done.  http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/handgun-tools/trigger-tools/1911-sear-jig-prod1299.aspx  If this is new to you might want to buy a spare 3 legged spring.

 

You might want to visit these websites.  

 

http://forums.1911forum.com/

http://www.m1911.org/full_technic.htm

 

Lastly, you might like this: https://www.nelsoncustomguns.com/22lr-conversion/

[TGO David]

Looks good.  Those Springfield Loaded series guns are usually good to go with minimal fuss.  Should be a sweet shooter.

[JPR1959]

I wish this model was made in 9 mm.

[mhl6493]

Finally had a chance after two weeks of waiting to take the Loaded to the range this morning.  Put 77 rounds of various kinds of ammo through it without a hiccup.  As expected, it was a blast to shoot!

 

I do have a few observations, some of which I'd like to get your input on.

 

1.  As much fun as shooting the 1911 was, I shoot my CZ 75B much more accurately.  I'm sure it's just my not being used to the "punch" of a .45 compared to 9mm, and I'm confident that will improve some with practice.  

 

2.  My hands hurt some after I was done - particularly my support hand (and more particularly still, the bottom part of my index finger and upper part of my palm below the index finger).  Do you think it was the grips?  I love the way the crossed-cannon SA grips look, but maybe I need something a little thinner and perhaps a little more "grippy" to prevent any movement in my hand?  Not sure if that's the cause of the discomfort.  May just be that it was a .45.

 

3.  Even though I have an XDs .45 and therefore am somewhat used to having a grip safety, I found that numerous time, my firing grip didn't engage the GS, and the gun wouldn't fire.  I mean, at least 5 or 6 times this happened.  Never have had a problem with the XDs.  Could that also be a result of the stock grip panels being too thick and not allowing me to get a good grip?  I do have small-to-medium sized hands.

 

Anyway, it was still a lot of fun to shoot.  If anybody has any any input on #2 and #3, I'd love to hear it.  Thanks!

[Jct1911]

What kind of grip(hold) are you using?

I'm a high grip with thumbs forward. I also ride thumb safety with right thumb. I highly suggest riding the thumb safety.

[mhl6493]

What kind of grip(hold) are you using?

I'm a high grip with thumbs forward. I also ride thumb safety with right thumb. I highly suggest riding the thumb safety.

 

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was doing - or at least attempting to do.  Sometimes my shooting hand thumb would be under the safety - really couldn't find a comfortable spot for it.  

[mhl6493]

Doing some reflecting, and I really think my problems boiled down to 2 major things.  One, my hands are pretty small.  Even a 1911 is a major handful for me, and getting a good grip consistently takes some effort.  And two, I think not having a place to naturally put my shooting-hand thumb affected my grip.  It really wasn't comfortable on top of the thumb safety, or under it.  I'd go back and forth from each position, and I think that had an impact on how I was holding it.  

 

Before I change out the grips or do anything else, I'm going to try to go back to the range in the next few weeks and try to shoot it some more, keeping my thumb consistently in one spot.  I think that, more than anything, will help.