I wrote up a two and a half page long essay on myself, the world, the 1911, and what I should do. I even considered, towards the end, copying and pasting it in case it failed to post correctly. But my computer seemed to be running fine, and so I went ahead and posted. For whatever idiotic reason the forums decided that even though it had told me I had registered successfully, I was not actually logged in. Furthermore, it decided to REFRESH instead of returning back to the Post New Thread. It is a testament to my improving patience with the stupidities internet that I'm even typing now, after losing the better part of an hour's work. On to the simplified point, now:

I am 17, and would like to own my first firearm for a variety of reasons (Yes, I know what the laws are). I would like a 1911, preferably one as close as possible to the originals as they came out of the factory. The WWI Replica seems like my best bet. I've found one, a single one on hold for me for the next week or so, at $930 (give or take $25). Is this a good price? Could I find a better price at a gun show? Is the WWI Replica a good choice for me? Is the Replica a quality gun, and is it reasonably accurate out of box (what sort of accuracy can I expect)? Is it reliable?

Thank you.

Wes,

You are probably going to hear all sorts of advise on your choice, Personally I think it's a neat one. Granted the WW 1 repro is expensive but it is certainly a beautiful gun. Lots' of folks consider that particular 1911 as a collector or safe queen, My thinking is that it's made to shoot, I just picked up an old 1911 made back in 1917, it's old and it works just fine, If you get that model of 1911 there is no reason why yours won't still be plugging along after nearly 100 years too. Granted there are less expensive guns out there but for you to pick this one out of all the choices must mean that you know that already, I say if you like it and plan on taking care of it, Jump on it, If you do it right you could still have it with you when you are an old old man. Let us know, good luck.

Possibly all the advise will be coming from me if SOMEBODY ELSE DOESN'T POST soon. I got to thinking about the first gun I paid for myself, I think I was about 14. I got a Smith & Wesson Model 28 HIGHWAY PATROLMAN. I paid $123.88 for it at a sporting goods shop named H Cookes in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I worked during the summer for .80 cents an hour. I guess there are some things that you never forget. I got a lee reloader, the kind you use a rubber mallet and pound the rounds out, no presses for me then. I think I shot that gun 1,500,000 times. I sold it when I was in my early 20's because in my 20's I knew everything Lord I had fun with that gun, Now some 30 years later you have reminded me of some good times, I appreciate that, I hope you get that 1911,

BTW the price you mentioned is pretty good, I think the chances of it being reliable run an easy 99.9% in your favor.

Sounds like you made a good choice on a fine shooter. Just take care of it and you should have lots of fun with it. Heck, if someone asks you about it, you can give them a history lesson. A quick warning though. Be cautious of gun show guns. Remember our 1911's are the most heavily customized weapons out there with lots and lots of aftermarket stuff. Some good and some, well junk. I am a law enforcement armorer and I can't tell you the number of guys who came to me with a gun show "deal" that they can't get to run. You'd be suprised at the things I find. Have fun.

Thank you very much. I wasn't able to find much suggesting any problems with the gun from Google searching, and so far I've yet to hear an informed opinion against getting a Colt.

What precisely is at fault with the junk guns? I recall a guide on the forums here to checking a gun before buying, but I wondered if you're speaking of issues that would only come up during actual shooting? I lack the knowledge to identify an aftermarket part(s) in a gun, so my only real guide would be to check the functionality and appearance beforehand. All of this adds up to more good reason for skipping the gun show and ordering online.

Just to be on the safe side, does anyone here know anything about Sniper Country PX? Googling for information reveals a fair number of people who recommend it, but in case anyone here knew more, I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Appearances can always be decieving, and I have no intentions of entering into a thousand-dollar transaction over the internet with someone whom I think is trustworthy.

Thanks!

Getting a Colt for your first 1911 is great. The recent Colts coming out are some of the best ones in years. Great fit & finish and mostly solid steel parts, which is a good.

I like guncop am a L.E. armorer as well. I build 1911's for L.E. personel and too have seen some pretty weird stuff coming from gun shows. I'm working on one now that is a pain. Alot of out of spec parts, stuff bent, cracked.......etc.

I take it that you're buying a new one? If so, looking at a gun show should be okay, as long as you go thru a dealer with a good reputation.

If you're not 100% set on the model yet, look around and see what's out there.

Colts are reasonably accurate & reliable, so have no worries there.

Like wichaka and GunCop said, there is some strange stuff that pops up, they ought to know. I too am assuming that you are getting a new WW I repro, I am pretty much convinced that you are looking at a 99.9% chance of getting a winner with one of those. I really believe and I'm sure the other will agree that the problem with some used guns is someone "fixed" them when they weren't broken, The 1911 design is very forgiving, if a person takes care of them they will last a long time. But it is real easy to goof up the works if someone starts improving or fixing a 1911. I think that sometimes folks get the idea that all sorts of gizmos will improve the gun, the simple fact is that most Colt 1911's will out shoot most shooters, Many parts will drop in as advertised but that doesn't mean that they work correctly. I stear away from 1911's that have aftermarket drop in parts on them because there is one way to install parts correctly and a couple hundred ways to install them wrong. Its just safer to go with a new one when you are starting out, I've been fooling with 1911's for a long time and there are things that I just won't fool with on the gun, I'm not going to get one that someone else has fooled with. It's more about safety than anything, second is about having a gun that can protect you (which is actually running hand in hand with safety) the last thing is that you don't want to buy someone elses problems, You want to enjoy your 1911, so I say if you want that WW I repro, look around find a good one, and even if it costs a few extra bucks it's worth it in the short and long run.

I'm anxious to hear what you come up with.

Much of what you have to say reminds me in part of my experience with paintball. There are a million and one different things people can, have, and will do to their markers. And a great deal of them are unnecessary, detrimental, or useless. Luckily in that realm, it's quite difficult to damage the basic functionality of most markers, although the higher-end guns can be highly complex in their design and function. Screwing around with things is always the fastest way to destroy any gun or marker's ability to shoot properly.
As it stands my primary obstacle to ownership is coming up with enough money. I'm not quite certain how much I have already, since I'm still owed a paycheck or two, and I'm not certain how much it will ultimately cost once everything else is factored in (shipping, FFL, etc). I'm hoping I won't be more than one or two hundred short. Time will tell. Thanks for the information!

PS: Would it likely be necessary to order additional, better mags from other companies, or am I safe to assume the included two will be adequate?

I think that the two that come with the gun are fine for starters, Colt is making some pretty decent magazines.

Congrats on getting a Pony for your first 1911. Couldn't choose a finer pistola. If you go out and check different makes, you will see that Colts feel different. The only exception I have found to this, is with a Wilson CQB I checked out yesterday. But man, $1900, I don't know if it is worth that. As for mags, the Colt ones work really well. The other mags my two Colts currently enjoy without any problems are CMC Shooting Stars and Power Mags, and the High Standard mags Midway was selling for a while. Good luck in your 1911 endeavors.