Ruger 1911

[Doug B]

Looking for some thoughts on this handgun. Never fired or owned a handgun but I am considering buying one to protect our home (to go along with our 2 enormous German Shepherds). I believe it buying things once and buying quality... Any suggestions would be great. Thank you.
p.s. I have watched quite a few youtube reviews on these and read what I can...Can you still get one anywhere?

 

[StocktonJohn]

Just a thought.... For a first handgun it may be better to buy one that is easier to operate and maintain than a 1911 model. In any event you need to try out several models and brands at a range and see what works best for you. If you don't have firearms experience I also recommend you get some quality instruction on handling and use of firearms prior to buying one.

A couple suggestions on models to try are Sig Sauer P220, Glock 22sf and the Smith and Wesson M&P models.

 

[Doug B]

^ Thank you for the suggestions and ideas. I appreciate it.

 

[mwlabel]

Owned one and sold it. Don't know if mine was lemon, but it was a total POS. I don't recommend ANY 1911 that isn't at least in the semi-custom category (so, roughly, 2+ thousand dollars).

 

[StocktonJohn]

Owned one and sold it. Don't know if mine was lemon, but it was a total POS. I don't recommend ANY 1911 that isn't at least in the semi-custom category (so, roughly, 2+ thousand dollars).

Agreed.

 

[Shaunylw]

I am a huge 1911 fan but being a first handgun I would recommend something like a plastic or polymer pistol. Springfield armory xd is my personal favorite in the category, can be had for somewhere in the 475-525 range.

 

[mdwest]

+1 to what everyone else has already said...

I love my SA TRP... but a 1911 is not a good choice for a first handgun in my opinion...

take a hard look at a glock 19.. very hard to go wrong there..

 

[Schmec]

If you just want a range gun then it really doesn't matter. for home defense, ie sits in your nightstand type gun then Glock or a springfield xd full size 5" in 45 is fantastic.
Now if your looking for a carry gun id look for a single stack, thin gun. I carried a xd 9mm sc and it's like having a brick stuck in your pants. It's very uncomfortable to carry. Shot awesome, very reliable just way to thick for ccw.

 

[mwlabel]

+1 to what everyone else has already said...

I love my SA TRP... but a 1911 is not a good choice for a first handgun in my opinion...

take a hard look at a glock 19.. very hard to go wrong there..

+1. Very hard to go wrong with that. Fits just about any role quite well.

If you just want a range gun then it really doesn't matter. for home defense, ie sits in your nightstand type gun then Glock or a springfield xd full size 5" in 45 is fantastic.
Now if your looking for a carry gun id look for a single stack, thin gun. I carried a xd 9mm sc and it's like having a brick stuck in your pants. It's very uncomfortable to carry. Shot awesome, very reliable just way to thick for ccw.

I'm going to disagree here. The gun you are carrying should be the one that you are able to get good hits with as quickly as possible consistently. While I have an M&P Shield, that is set aside for specific occasions. Other than that, I carry a fullsize double-stack. Carrying a gun should be comforting, not comfortable.

 

[Hot_Sauce]

I've heard lot's of good thing about the Ruger 1911's

Would be fine for Home defense and target practice. A full size 1911 wouldn't be my first choice for an everyday carry pistol though.

Look on the Gun auction sights if you can't find one locally.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

I guess I'm the odd one out here. I owned a colt combat elite for my first gun, I absolutely love it.
Could you guys elaborate a bit more in why it would be a bad gun. Not trying to be argumentative, I just want to know.
The only two things I can see why you guys might not want it as a first gun, I see as not an issue. The dove tail might be seen as an issue, I see it as a good thing. It helps teach you to maintain a good grip on the pistol. The complex disassembly could also be a negative, but I feel that since its your first pistol, you should really try to lean everything about it. I don't know about you guys, but my first gun didn't leave my hands for a few weeks straight. I took it apart and reassembled it in my spare time. I feel it really helped me understand the physics behind firearms.

All thy being said, I am not a fan of that line of 1911s.
If you want one in that price range, I trust auto ordinance and Colt. After that it takes a mega huge jump in price all the way to Wilson and Nighthawk.

1911s fit in my hands soo much better than most pistols. First time I held a glock, I instantly thought i was holding a huge chunk of Legos. Definitely not for me. The M&P series is a good pistol in that price range if you decide not to go the 1911 route. The best ergonomic pistol I have owned to date is easily my HK P30. Absolutely love that firearm, sadly it's not in the Ruger price range. You can get them used for $750, which is definitely worth it in my opinion.

 

[Doug B]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Total newbie when it comes to firearms so any information and personal experience is welcome, thank you.

 

[mdwest]

I guess I'm the odd one out here. I owned a colt combat elite for my first gun, I absolutely love it.
Could you guys elaborate a bit more in why it would be a bad gun. Not trying to be argumentative, I just want to know.

I love the 1911 platform... and have owned several over the years.. I think its a great pistol.. has stood the test of time... etc..

I just dont think its the best choice available for a first purchase..

I find that most new pistol shooters are overwhelmed by the .45 round.. it can take a while to get used to and become proficient at controling both a pistol the size and heft of the 1911 and the recoil of the .45... spin up time to proficiency is normally a whole lot faster with other options...

I also find that the 1911 is a bit too "complex" of a firearm for a lot of new shooters.. adding in the extra steps involved with single action weapons to put them into action and render them safe during draw stroke drills can get confusing to newer shooters under stress... assembly/disassembly of the 1911 is far more complicated than many other semi auto pistols.. maintenance is more complex... etc..etc..

there are also a wide variety of "1911" style pistols out there.. some are very well manufactured.. some are crap.. .a lot are somewhere in between... to be assured of getting a "good" 1911, you have to be willing to step up and pay a pretty hefty price tag.. you can buy 2x brand new glocks for the price of most of the higher end production 1911's... and damn near buy 3x glocks for the price of a lower end custom..

Again, I am NOT a 1911 hater.. I think its an excellent platform in the hands of a well trained and experienced shooter... I just think there are far better options out there these days for someone thats "new" to pistols.. I've owned several over the years.. ranging from an old WWII Remington Rand... to a Springfield Armory TRP that Ive had quite a bit of additional work done to (semi-custom)..

but the gun I carry... and utilize 99% of the time these days... is a G19...

 

[vperlman]

Lots of good advice, and I agree with everything that's been said. I'm another vote for staying away from .45 and 1911's for your first handgun. Like others, I would recommend a full-size Glock to start with. No matter what, go to a range where they can give you some instruction and let you try out a variety of guns. Ergonomics are crucial to accurate and safe gun-handling, and everybody's hands and comfort zones are different. You can only know whether a gun is a good one for you if you try it out.

 

[MoJo]

if you need protection at the office...

 

[CigarSaint]

Glock 19 is what I have... it's the easiest to handle, clean, etc.

 

[tazbigdog]

I have a G22 in .40 cal and had a Colt 1991 .45. The Glock is cheaper and user-friendly. The Colt was a great gun and shot big holes through targets. Different mag capacities, but for a HD gun, think multiple targets!

 

[turbomunkey]

Ruger 1911s have been a big hit and finding one, nay finding one priced reasonably is not an easy task right now.

A shotgun is going be a better HD gun than a pistol ever will. It has more energy, easier to maneuver/aim, and can second as a hand to hand weapon. Malfunctions are also far less likely (assuming you have a pump action)

If you want stick with a pistol go with a larger caliber like a .45 and full size as a house gun doesnt make or break on things like capacity or weight where it would when say carrying

 

[mwlabel]

Shotguns are not easier to maneuver, though they are superior HD weapons as they offer far superior ballistics when loaded properly. Also, they are exponentially harder to use as a "hand-to-hand" weapon than a handgun.

Also, there is no reason to go with .45 over 9mm for a handgun - especially in the HD role.

 

[turbomunkey]

Shotguns are not easier to maneuver, though they are superior HD weapons as they offer far superior ballistics when loaded properly. Also, they are exponentially harder to use as a "hand-to-hand" weapon than a handgun.

Also, there is no reason to go with .45 over 9mm for a handgun - especially in the HD role.

How do you figure they are harder to use? I will fight you hand to hand with a shotgun over a pistol 7 days a week

.45 offers more energy so why would you not choose it when things like ammunition carry out are not an issue