I just bought this one, but it's not a "first 1911" and really would be a waste as a range only gun.



This has been my carry and range gun for over a decade. This is a great range gun (which is what it be used for pretty much exclusively now that my Springfield Professional is "in the house".

Does anyone have hands on experience with the Iver Johnson Eagle?

My next 1911 I want adjustable sights, and in the $5-600 range. The Rock Island model that has adj. sights also has a fiber optic front which I don't want. All other suggestions are considered at this point as well.

Sold my Gold Cup a while ago, and with all the fiddling with handloads I don't want a fixed rear sight which is the only thing I have at the moment.

I agree with all who have recommended a Springfield 1911. I shoot Bullseye competition and most if not all the pistolsmiths who specialize in Bullseye pistols recommend the Springfield is one of their top choices. What that means to me is all the holes are correct and it is built to last a long time. I figure they surely know a lot more than I do. I suspect some of my competition 1911's have upwards of 100,000 rounds thru them and are still ticking with minor accuracy tuneups along the way.
If you want a complete custom build, then Caspian would also be a good choice, but they only make components, not complete pistols. I definitely would not go with a Rock Island.

I know nothing about Kimbers except they do have a nice finish. However, you are paying for that and if you intend to change up some of it, then you wasted money.
Phil

I bought my stock Colt 1911 about 15-20 yrs ago. Replaced everything in it except the frame and slide. Everything else is after market, Just did it because I like working on my guns. Spent some money but wth! She runs smooth and never jams.

Just treated myself to another Wilson 1911. This time around I purchased the Xtac. As noted before, Wilson's are expensive, perhaps even over priced, but man they are so sweet to shoot.

I remember in the 80's half my club bought stock Springfield 1911's. I think they were $450-500 ea. 1 club member was a pretty good 1911 smith, he did a few and a few got sent out to Maples.

quote:

Originally posted by Phil McFall:
I agree with all who have recommended a Springfield 1911. I shoot Bullseye competition and most if not all the pistolsmiths who specialize in Bullseye pistols recommend the Springfield is one of their top choices. What that means to me is all the holes are correct and it is built to last a long time. I figure they surely know a lot more than I do. I suspect some of my competition 1911's have upwards of 100,000 rounds thru them and are still ticking with minor accuracy tuneups along the way.
If you want a complete custom build, then Caspian would also be a good choice, but they only make components, not complete pistols. I definitely would not go with a Rock Island.

I know nothing about Kimbers except they do have a nice finish. However, you are paying for that and if you intend to change up some of it, then you wasted money.
Phil

I will have 3 Colt Model 1911 pistols available for sale shortly. A window of a Korean War vet who recently passed on has asked me to sell his weaponry. He was active in military matches, and I have his M1 NM Garands, 1911 target pistols, and 4 S&W Model 41 semi-autos. Here are the 1911s; one National Match, one modified by Clark Custom, and one by Giles. Once I get the OK and assess values, they will be in the Classified section.

Out of all the 1911's I currently own, The SigSauer TACOPS is the smoothest, most accurate 1911 out of the box I have ever shot.

Back in the late 1060's into the 1980's I shsot NRA Bullseye.

I used Clark 1911's. Clark and Giles ere regarded two of the best.

The center 1911 is what is called a "Hardball" gun. It can be used in the regular matches, but is actually designed to fit within the rules of what is called the LEG Match, or Service Pistol Match.

Those pistols had to look just like a regular issue 1911 on the outside, except the front strap/backstrap could be checered or stippled and you could have adjustable sights. Trigger pull could not be less than 4.5 lbs if I remember. This would be checked before every Leg Match.

The pistol was accurized as well.
That pistil looks just like the standard Army AMU Military issue Hardball National Match Gun.

Back in the early IPSC days, many of us just used our Hardball" gun.

Basically a new made Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Guncrafter, etc. 1911 is the outgrowth of a Hardball Gun, with modern refinments, and creature comforts added that were discovered to be good along the way.

All 3 of those 1911's are good pistols.

Nice! I just bought a Springfield Pro and own a V16 Longslide or I'd be jumping on that Colt National Match

It's a Colt or it's a copy.

There is a reason that top custom smiths prefer to build on Series 70 Colts.

quote:

Back in the late 1060's

Dam I knew you were old but not that old

Hey, don't be too hard on him. he meant "1600s".
Peter