Semi-Auto Handgun 'epiphany' Last Saturday

[Mistered]

Regardless of what I do I keep coming back to my 1911 when it comes to what I like for a 'favorite' semi-auto to shoot.
I was out Saturday and even though I was rifle shooting I brought about 30 rounds to run through it and after shooting it I really realized I had been 'fighting it' all along. It's pretty simple - it comes down to 'fit' for me (both in hand and carry) and the incredible trigger my 1991-A1 has. I like my CZ 75 9mm but reality is I don't like the long takeup and creep (on any gun) not just the CZ.
I have only owned a couple 9mms (and several 1911s) and bought the CZ several years ago to replace an IMI Baby Eagle I traded away (compact version - GREAT gun but too small)
Anyway maybe It was just a good day but the 1911 just seemed to feel better in my hand than the CZ and I was shooting it incredibly well (I wish I had brought more ammo!)
There are no doubt some 9mms that have good triggers and single actions semis typically have better triggers than double action but the reality is few (if any) can equate a 1911 trigger which can be made to equal the trigger quality of a good revolver in single action.
The trigger on my 1991-A1 is stock but pretty dang good and I might give its parts a little polishing next complete tear down to make it even better.
Anyway I think I am going to install a better set of sights on my 1911 AND - start looking for a 1911 in 9 mm.
When I draw down on target I want the best trigger available on ANY gun I have - especially a handgun - and in a semi it simply comes down to the 1911 for me.
OK crazy guy rant over!

[BigAl52]

Couldn't agree more. I do like the CZ for fit in the hand as well but the trigger just isnt up to par with a 1911. Mine have been hiding from me in the safe lately and I need to see if I can find them again. But I cant seem to let go of the 22 and the 357 levers at the range for the time being.

[Mistered]

but the trigger just isnt up to par with a 1911.

Yea and I have the BD version which is the decocker and makes it even worse.
I had always heard the 'B' version (non-decocker) has a much better trigger than the BD and ironically a LGS recently took one in used, but VERY nice. SO - decided to go look at it and IF the trigger was better than my 'BD' I was going to take it immediately and put my BD up for sale. I went to look at it today and well, while it was MARGINALLY better than my BD it still wasn't enough to make me want it so it went back in the case.
Now there is an entirely single action only CZ 75 the SA version and reviews on it report 1911 like trigger quality but it ain't like there are many of them out there to look at and I would probably not take a chance on special ordering one without having personally tried one.

[albin25]

1911.jpg

[ESquared]

For the money, Dan Wesson makes a pretty fine 1911. I picked up the V-Bob in 9mm earlier this year from Bud's. Honestly, the difference between it and my Ed Brown is negligible.
Worth a look...

[North Country Gal]

With you all the way on the 1911 thing. Don't have to convince me. Although my passion is revolver shooting and collecting some of the old revolvers, when it comes to shooting something that just fits me so naturally and that sometimes just seems to shoot itself, the 1911 is number one with me. We've had a wide variety of 1911s come and go and are down to just a few old standbys, now, but those would be some of the very last guns I would ever sell

I also have a Dan Wesson in the A2. Honestly, I just can't see how you could make a 1911 any better than the DW.

If you're looking for a 1911 in 9mm, lots and lots of choices, now. Our 9mm 1911, currently, is a Springfield Range Officer. No work of art, but a great range shooter, for sure.

[Mistered]

For the money, Dan Wesson makes a pretty fine 1911.

Yea the Valor V-bob looks pretty nice but it's hard to rationalize the price ($1700 & change) when I have found an unfired LNIB Colt Gold Cup NM for a $1000.

[dddrees]

For the money, Dan Wesson makes a pretty fine 1911. I picked up the V-Bob in 9mm earlier this year from Bud's. Honestly, the difference between it and my Ed Brown is negligible.
Worth a look...

I have a Dan Wesson V-Bob as well and everything I've heard to this point is pretty much is the same. I think your other option maybe to look around and you can find some used Les Baers for about the same it would cost to get a new Dan Wesson. Highly encourage you to take a look at the 1911Forum and do your own research.

[ESquared]

1911addicts.com is also a good forum and has a very active Classifieds section, with many used (and generally babied) 1911s coming and going all the time.

[Mistered]

Actually narrowing it down and I think the Springfield Range Officer is one of the ‘finalists’.
I’ve looked at many of them and don’t think It can be beat for quality Vs. price - especially
In stainless steel.

[PT7]

Guess it's time to ask one of those "I-don't-know" questions, since this thread is focused on semi-auto handguns. First, some comments re. Springfield Armory.

I've only had two semi-autos during the half dozen years I've been into firearms. The first one was a Springfield Armory XD 4" Full Size Model 9mm in plain-Jane black polymer. Like NCG's said of her 1911, "no work of art." But it sure did shoot excellently with the white 3-dot sight system, and rarely if ever had any operating issues with FTFs or FTEs. I probably should not have let it go even though I'm not big into semi-autos. It was that good. This is a photo of the model I had.

XD9.jpg

Here is what I'd like to find out about the 1911. What actually is the difference(s) between the 1911 and say this 9mm I had? They look so similar other than the wider angle of the 1911 grip and the bottom line of the barrel. I do remember how comfortable it was to hold and shoot the XD. So, as often as I hear many folk talk about 1911s, there evidently is something special or unique about that model handgun. Appreciate whatever comments anyone might make.
PT7

Our 9mm 1911, currently, is a Springfield Range Officer. No work of art, but a great range shooter, for sure.

Actually narrowing it down and I think the Springfield Range Officer is one of the ‘finalists’.
I’ve looked at many of them and don’t think It can be beat for quality Vs. price - especially
In stainless steel.

[Mistered]

Here is what I'd like to find out about the 1911. What actually is the difference(s) between the 1911 and say this 9mm I had?

Well, without going into great detail I would start with the material the frame is made from - and the typical 1911 is NOT made of plastic.
Next would be that little flippy thingy in the middle of the trigger (trigger safety) - enough said.
Last (for this comparison) would be the lack of the hammer on the back of the frame - again enough said.
Last but not least there is the 'traditional' aspect of the 1911 being a J.M.B. design which has sort of a 'built in' appreciation for many. The essential design of the 1911 bears no resemblance with the internal, or external design of any modern, striker fired, polymer framed semi-auto.
Have you ever shot a quality 1911 and experienced the trigger? A 1911 trigger can be as good as a S & W Revolver trigger. There are virtually NO striker fired 9mms (and dang few hammer style) that even come close to having the trigger of a quality 1911.

They look so similar other than the wider angle of the 1911 grip and the bottom line of the barrel.

Look Similar? - not quite.
This is the Gold Cup I am considering.

20ACB2F2-8A92-4B74-9037-0D95B38B0A71.jpeg

[Mistered]

Probably going to do a 'first', for me that is, and buy a non-Colt 1911.
While I have shot and held many (and some could give Colt a run for their money) I noticed a Rock Island Armory one in my LGS. The RIA is on the lower 'tier' of price for 1911s in general but I have heard lots of good things about them and this is the first one I ever got serious about looking over.
I am really impressed with the overall quality and the features usually found on more expensive ones. The action is very smooth and tight and has an excellent trigger. Part of this is due to it's Series 70 configuration (no firing pin safety as in a Series 80) but this trigger would rival a much higher end 1911.
The finish is the big compromise being parkerized but it is nicely done with even coloring and I am already used to parkerizing as my Colt 1991 is parked. Also it comes with a set of LPA fiber optic sights so I would not be so inclined to need to buy a set to try on my Colt as I had planned.
Anyway with a Vet discount and a gift cert I have for the store I can get it for about $435 - and for the quality and the excellent reviews I am reading about them I might just be a 'player'.
I really like the looks of the Colt or other higher end 1911s but can't really justify them for my planned use of it - and I'll never complain about 'beauty marks' from carrying this one!

1.png

[ESquared]

Very nice. Sounds like it has quite a bit going for it. Like just about every firearm, it all comes down to sights, trigger and overall "fit," and it seems like those boxes are checked. Best of all, the money lines up well, especially with what Colts are selling for these days. I've never owned one, but they appear to be wandering into "new" vs. "old" territory when it come to current QC and fit/finish.
That RIA, however, looks very well put together. Please keep us posted!

[North Country Gal]

Actually narrowing it down and I think the Springfield Range Officer is one of the ‘finalists’.
I’ve looked at many of them and don’t think It can be beat for quality Vs. price - especially
In stainless steel.

I agree. Best buy in a range gun. Have had two and still have one in 9mm.

[BigAl52]

Have one in a 10mm and it shots as good as any of the higher priced 1911's I have. I have looked into getting another one several times I just have other items in front of it.

[Coach]

I love my 1911's...

Springfields have fit my budget so I have a TRP 45 and a EMP 9 . The TRP is my favorite hand gun by far.

My Avatar shows a little TRP work

[Mistered]

Yep the Springers are nice but with the price I can get the RIA for I’ll be close to $300 lower, and really the RIA is comparable in quality and it is a Series 70 which is what I really want. Like I said the finish is the biggest compromise but I am already used to a parkerized 1911 and it will be carried so no issues there.

[ESquared]

45ACP? Do you reload this round?

[BigAl52]

I reload 45 acp Evan