4"or5" Help!!!1911 Newbie!!!

[L1B3RAC3]

First post on this great site! Ok going this weekend to buy my first SA 1911. I have Glocks,Steyrs,and a SA 357sig XD. I'm planning on the G.I. model in 4 or 5". I'm going to carry the gun in and inside the pants holster; but want to have a good target gun for the range to plink with. You guys have alot more carry time with 1911's and would like your opinion. I'm all ready pumped about getting my first 1911 just because of this site. Great bunch of people and let me goahead and say thanks for all the input!

[GW45]

First post on this great site! Ok going this weekend to buy my first SA 1911. I have Glocks,Steyrs,and a SA 357sig XD. I'm planning on the G.I. model in 4 or 5". I'm going to carry the gun in and inside the pants holster; but want to have a good target gun for the range to plink with. You guys have alot more carry time with 1911's and would like your opinion. I'm all ready pumped about getting my first 1911 just because of this site. Great bunch of people and let me goahead and say thanks for all the input!
Hi L1B3RAC3, I have a sa 1911-A1 mil-spec .45 stainless w/5" barrel.
I use 230 grain PMC ammo and cor-bon for self defence rounds. I have
had great results with this gun. If you want to get into serious target work
I would pay the extra for the SA TRP .45 ,GW

[wichaka]

For the money......stay away from the TRP. If you need the features of the TRP, go with the Loaded. Its got the same guts as the TRP. The only things you get extra with the TRP is the one piece barrel, mag well, and front strap checkering.

There's not much difference between the two barrels for accuracy. The mag well can be added later, and alot cheaper. If you can do without the checkering.......you'll save a few hundred bucks.

I'd also stay away from anything smaller than a Commander size.........they tend to get a bit picky in their functioning.

[John]

I agree with Wichaka, the standard loaded model is a much more sensible idea. If you need the front strap checkering, go to your local yatching store or your local skateboard shop and buy some sticky tape, which is rough on the outside (it looks like sandpaper). Cut a piece and stick it around your front strap. I use this several years now and I am more than happy with the solution.

Mag well? Unless you are into extremely quick mag changes games, I wouldn't care for it. As Wichaka said, it can be added for 50 US$.

And I would get the 5" one, but that's a personal preference. Definitely stay away from anything shorter than 4".

Rgds

[Curt]

You will not see a big difference in accuracy from the firearm between a 4-5 inch. In a rest, the same gun will be very, very, close in performance. I have a Kimber Tactical Pro ll that I carry. 6 or 7 ounces with a lighter frame does make a difference if you plan to carry often.

If you are truly "plinking" and not competative shooting the 4 inch is fine. I shoot a 4" well enough at 75 ft to put 8 rounds in an 8" target (If someone is not shooting back:) I am going through a similiar situation trying to decide between an Ed Brown 4.25 and 5". Both will shoot similiarly. It is the shooters sight picture that is different. The longer the distance between sights the more you will be able to notice small correcting adjustments when you shoot. Not really sure how big a differnce in practical terms this is and I can't justify two $2500 1911's.

The toughest thing to conceal on a 1911 is the grip. You may be able to see the end of the grip through your shirt or jacket. If you don't mind the weight you could conceal the 4 or 5 equally well in most cases. Check out the Ed Brown Kobra Carry. A nice compromise with nice carry features.

Curt

[Big Sky Rancher]

I carry both a 5" and 4" 1911 however I will say that a 5" 1911 with a steel frame is a pretty heavy gun to tote around if you carry all day long like 12-15 hours at a time. Not that it can't be done, plenty of folks do. For me though I really prefer the lighter weight of the aluminum framed guns for carry. Of course that's nothing but my humble opinion.

If you are going to use the gun for a target gun I'd suggest getting a 1911 with a better set of sights than the GI model. In fact the sights that you want is one of the big decisions to make whenever you choose a 1911. The adjustable style sights are going to have an advantage for a target gun and the fixed sights are better for a carry gun. If I was going to carry it and use it for target gun I'd go with a good set of fixed sights or perhaps even a set of adjustable low mount Novaks like the ones on the bottom of THIS PAGE (http://www.precisionsights.com/sightsmain.html).

As for the side issue of the TRP; I like mine a lot. It's the TRP Operator.