My son will be going off to San Diego for boot camp in January. He said he wants a 1911 for his 21st birthday. I'm thinking that his becoming a Marine (praying he makes it) is more fitting. I'm all ears as to what would be the most fitting 1911 for a Marine...

Dan Wesson Valor should be a very good choice.

My first thought would be Colt Series 70 Government model with the 100 years of service roll mark if you can find one. Reports that I've read say it's a really nice shooter and very accurate.

When he goes active, unless in Spec Ops, they'll take it away and give him a 9mm Italian peashooter.

I would buy a full size Springfield 1911

Loaded Target or Trophy Match. Either is great.

I think the 5" Springfield is a wise choice also. Given the open-ended nature of the question, it doesn't sound like the young man has any experience with 1911s yet, or any preferences either. A solid basic full size would be a good place to start. After he's shot it a lot, he can send it back to SA's custom shop for whatever tweaking he'd like.

My first stop would be Colt's these days. The classic Series 70 (They are made new from the factory once again) is very nice. If you want one with all the bells and whistles, then the XSE series are very good also. I fell in love with the XSE LW Commander in .38 Super, just wish I had seen it before I bought my S&W.

After the Colt's, my next stop would be S&W, then Springfield.

If it's a gift for a special occasion, and not a "one and only 1911 to do everything," I'd make it a Colt 1911, 5" 45ACP, blued, with some tasteful engraving to personalize it.

A buddy of mine took a Springfield with him to Iraq as a recon Marine. I think he said it was the pre cursor to what became the Springfielf Operator. I have also read articles that some Marine SOCOM units are issued Kimbers. Check out their Desert Warrior.

I have a Kimber Pro Carry which is their plane Jane 4 inch and it is a good gun. Tell your son to be loud and do good things. He will be fine as long as he keeps a positive mental attitude.

Kind of depends on what the OP wants to spend. I have owned a variety of 1911's over the years (all were OK), but I never really got on the bandwagon until I bought my first Wilson Combat.

If I may make a slightly different suggestion.

A smart thing to do would be to buy him a few days at a top ranking handgun school, such as Thunder Ranch or Gunsite, along with his new sidearm.

Most kids coming out of basic/boot have no real idea how to properly manipulate a handgun (conventional military trains it as almost an afterthought)and it would put him light years ahead of 99% of his coworkers. It will also prevent him from ingraining piss poor habits from non comms who themselves are completely clueless.

That gift to him would be far more rewarding over the course of his career than either of you may ever realize.

Right now (when he comes home on leave)is the time to put the young man in contact with a true pro he can emulate.

We do not need loud dumb Marines.

We need thinkers who are shooters and shooters who are thinkers.

Sincerely,

Mackay Sagebrush.

Amen.

Read this article right here first.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/evolution-of-the-custom-combat-45/

Pay particular attention to the Combat section were it says the handling, reliability, and durability are the most important.

There are many fine combat 1911's today that have good handling, are durable but are not very reliable because they are to tight. Many 1911's are real maintenance hogs today and that's not a good thing where maintenance is a catch as catch can.

I enjoy the videos that Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch has put out and wanted to sign up for a class this winter. According to their web site, the next available class is February.......2013.

i have quite a few 1911's, some high end, some low end, and collect military 1911's. John Moses wanted the sucker to work all the time, every time, the intent was not bullseye competition. I enjoy shooting some of the WWII stuff or there modern counterparts probably as much or more as i do the tight stuff.
That series 70, mark IV by the way with the collet bushing by the way works real good, minute of pop can. I had a grandson last year, never shot a .45 before make a beer can dance at about 10yards with a full mag, first time he shot it. Wondered if i was gonna get it back. Mickey's advice is good, i would listen to it.

mackay:
I took the liberty of copy/pasting your post to someone i know that spent a lot of time in special ops. I am pretty sure he would agree 100% with you particularly as to the last sentence, which he brought up in some discussions on what makes our military different than others around the world.

That's a great post.

RE: "... most fitting 1911 for a marine."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- A MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT -

- MEU (SOC) COLT M1911 A1 - (Modified Pistol)

Sometimes referred to as "Near Match" or "Combat Accuratized".

Tell him "Thanks" for being willing to protect our Freedom.

I think the Colt would be my choice.


ddj

I have a Marine buddy who would bet his life on his Colt Commaner......because he already has. He's a Marine sniper & has been in some crazy situations in Iraq & Afganistan.

Dick

Fixed it for you.

Mac--Good post.

If your son has an MOS where a handgun is issued to him at the junior enlisted ranks he will have people around him who know their way around a handgun. Many MOSs will not recieve a pistol until they are SNCO, and that is usually during a second or even third enlistment. As good as a Gunsite visit could be, there is a decent chance that he may go to one of these schools with his unit. Mackay is correct about a lot of Marines being trained with a pistol with unremarkable training, but if he is in a MOS that needs it, I can bet that he will be around some fine shooters. Even a great handgun is a last resort to a just about any rifle, let alone an M4.

colt wiley capp commander

i copied your post verbatim and fired it off to a retired intelligence wonk i know. He agreed with you word for word. Course i knew he would because we have had similar conversations in the past. Thinkers are the key

thank you guys for your input. I believe in trainning too...

In Vietnam, my assigned weapons were the M-79 grenade launcher and a .45 (we all had M14's which were replaced by AR-15's shortly after our arrival in VN). Beyond qualifying, the Army gave us NO training w/ these before facing combat.

Your budget will have a say on which 1911, but a 1911 by Les Bear is never wrong if i they fit in the budget

jwp...I've no budget restraints...so to speak. Reality, may prove different as momma has a vote too.

Having traded enough PM's with Mack I can whole heartedly agree with his assessment of the situation. Most people I know, including past comrades in arms, do not have enough situational awareness to survive their first CQB engagement. Your head's gotta move like it's on a swivel and you had better be ready to be mean enough, fast enough to make it through! A good school plus a good gun would put your son light years ahead of most of his contemporaries....

Good luck!

This!

It ain't the gun it's the nut behind the trigger that matters.

Yes, I used the word "gun", pun intentional.

Biker

if the young man is insistant on a 1911 for purely sentimental reasons, any one of them will work as long as it's a true 1911 design. if it's something that will become a way to famialarize himself with service weapons, stick to things more service related.

i was issued a handgun in the army. i had lots of experience beforehand. i learned more while in. the days of "here's your pistol, go qualify" are over. you are properly trained in your weapons platform these days. as previously noted, training is *always* better than buying a certain model. especially combat oriented training.

personally, i like springfield models. always have. i avoid colt. i can't afford kimber, wilson, or higher end dan wessons. i have shot all of them though, and noticed no real difference. if anything, it's always going to shoot better than the guy pulling the trigger.

also, can we avoid the dumbass snide remarks about the boy fighting for oil? i'm grateful to have another young man interested in standing up for what he believes in, regardless of the branch. i wish him well. you gotta be a proud daddy!

I took this Springfield






And sent it to JRH Advanced Gunsmithing and had a new barrel fitted and a face lift. I am very pleased with the results. SHoots GREAT

Good Morning all,

I sure like the looks of that Wiley Clapp Colt Commander, posted above. Stick a tritium front sight on it, add stock panels to suit individual tastes and it would be G2G for me.

In regards to a .45 for the young Marine, a 5", all steel version may be better suited.

If it can be swung money wise, a Les Baer "ulimate tactical carry model", which looks to me like a Thunder Ranch model without the markings,would be perfect.

Such a .45 would be outstanding for both work and play.

On another note, I did not anticipate such a reaction to my post about suggestions for training to accompany the gift.

Funny how something we feel strongly about strikes home with so many, who may or may not even be in the same line of work.

I like to see new and bright people with potential get set on the right path. Even if they do not realize they are getting a little extra attention.

Cheers!

the wiley has a brass front sight which gives quick fast sight picture

Yep, I like the looks of the gold/brass bead for general daylight hours, but given that I may use it in a low light setting, I would just prefer a tritium post up front.

Fortunately it is an easy swap to whatever the end user wishes, so everyone should be a happy camper. Pretty slicking gun overall.

That's a good post & even better advice.

As for the gun, since a tight budget is not a constraint, I'd buy the best you want to spring for......Baer, Wilson, Ed Brown, Chuck Rodgers, Fusion.

If you go off the shelf, Colt Series 70 or Dan Wesson or one of the Kimbers w/o a FPS. (The Colt S-70 & Dan Wesson also do not have a FPS).

I'd never want a gun for true combat use with a FPS & I disable any I get that has one for my own use.

Anyone planning serious use of a 1911 needs to get minimally capable of completely stripping the gun, knowing what issues to look for & how to correct them; to bet your life on a gun & not be capable of doing that is asking for trouble & is literally taking your life in your own hands.

Not talking about completely being able to 'smith all aspects of it, just a bit more than the very basics.

Whenever I get a 1911, I do exactly as JOG has mentioned before a round is ever fired & the gun is as perfect (functionally) as it can be before it's ever fired.

JMHO

MM

I own both a Dan Wesson Valor (top end) and a Series 70 Mk IV Colt (between both ends). I would go with the Colt for your son. This photo above is a very good representation of the beauty that is a Series 70 Colt.

What about a SIG 1911?

I want to introduce you to my son, The Marine. I'm going to take him this week to mull over his choices...on 1911 and training site...

That's the coolest post yet. Thanks for sharing it, and congrats to the new Marine.

Wo! Just noticed my post count. Prophetic?

I think a Kimber Desert Warrior would be pretty appropriate, although I acknowledge I don't know that much about Kimbers.

Congratulations on having a fine son!! Please thank him for his service and dedication to that which I also sought from '69-'71 while in the USMC. I've some hardware that very much resembles his from the infamous Edson Range.

It is nice to see a father wanting to honor his son in the way that you are. I'm not a huge .45 fan and own only one .45, a Kimber UC II. There have been a lot of good suggestions from others much more knowledgable on this subject than I, but for what it's worth, a training site prior to a purchase will allow him the opportunity to experience many .45's in hand which should greatly enhance his decision making process.

May you and your son spend many years together enjoying his eventual new firearm after his return from his last duty station.

Semper Fi.......

I would go with a Springfield Mil-Spec. Very good basic gun, and the sky is the limit on how he can customize it to his own wishes later on.

From one Marine to the Father of a hopefully to make it Marine. STI Trojan all the bells and whistles you want and need at a price that is more then fair. Oh yeah and they are shooters! Semper Fi

First off tell your son that an old Marine says that bootcamp is more about the mind than the body......they rebuild and toughen up both.....Tell him that if he makes it the pride and honor will last a lifetime...as for the pistol.....A Colt...The current crop on Series 70 config'd guns are first rate....

Congratulations to you and your son the Marine...He looks good and you must be very proud...god bless him and tell him an old Marine says "Thank you" as I and my family sleep well knowing that he and his fellow Marines are on Post....there to protect and defend us along with our way of life............SEMPER FI AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

Thank you Sir and I will tell him that. As I checked on him before I went to work yesterday and thought to myself that it was so awesome to have a Marine sleeping in my house. and it warmed my heart that I knew him. I sleep better too. Soon he will be back for more training, and I wish time would slow down for me...

You have a fine looking young man Sir..Congrats and a big thank you for his service. Of course a Colt anything else is an imposter.

HK USP 45 ACP or Sig 220 Stainless! The modern fighting 45.

1911 Go with Les Baer or Ed Brown.


There are several reputable shooting schools to go to. Blackwater offers courses and others.

Whats his MOS? Congrats.

Here is the best quote I know of about Marines and it came from one of my hero's

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem."
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

Tell your son that he and his fellow Marines they make a differnce in this world and by God Ronald Regan said so.....................

That is a fine looking Marine. Tell him thank you from me for his service.

Get him whatever 1911 he wants!

Fixed it for you.

Sound advice...I'm not going to pick it out for him, he IS.

James,

I like that quote from Pres. Regan! It is so true. I have a shirt that says "Marine Dad...he called me Sir first" The boy likes it too.

Look at the S & W as well.

One question,

Where will a deployed soldier get .45 ACP ammo?

Or

Is this just something he would like to have for personal use?

Either way, I would select one of the fine Kimbers.


Snake

A fine looking young man that makes his parents and country proud!

I like Kimbers, have had several (two now), have shot them for years and like them. This one, while expensive and from their custom shop, would make any pistolero's heart skip a beat. It would be a fine gift to your son:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/uploads/product-spec/customii/royalii.pdf

For a bit more, I like the Les Baer pistols, much better than Ed Brown's.

Meant to include this one as well...a great Series 70 Colt:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth.../1/FS_Colt_Government_Series_70_1#UNREAD

Springfield 1911a1 milspec 45 acp. This is a pictures of mine, and a target of the first 5 shots I made with it at 50 feet. Load was a 200 grain SWC home cast SAECO model 69 over 4.0 grains of Bullseye.

I'm having it turned into a wadcutter gun for 2700 bullseye competition. If I wasn't going to do that, I'd just get a trigger job on it (and install a "long" trigger), and have a heck of a nice pistol. Simple, reliable and accurate.

This pistol has a very nice frame/slide fit. It is a "NM" prefix (> 50# made in USA).

Highly recommended.

GF1, just noticed your preference of Les Baer 1911s over Ed Brown 1911s. Aesthetics, function, cost, availability?
Any explanation?

338Federal, it's less about the specifics and details of the 1911 pistols, more about the people.

Took the boy out and shoot my Wilson Combats (Protector and CQB Elite) followed by a trip to the gun store for an eyeball test of the other choices. At the shop there were many Les Baers, only 2 Wilsons, and only 2 Ed Browns. The boy took a fancy to the Les Baer SRP. I sent him on a fact finding mission for himself to look at what is out there and we will go from that point.

He's got excellent taste!

Congrats to the OP, he has raised a fine young man. Thanks to the Marine for his service.

Since you're leaning Les Baer, I might suggest the Super-Tac:



Same basic gun as the Premier II, but comes with adjustable night sights, and Baercote (Cerracote) finish. A bit more versatility with adjustable sights, IMHO. I picked this one up used, and I am very pleased with it.

Congrats Sir!

Your son serves a Grateful Nation!

Yuuuuttt. Sir, seeing your son there at MCRD San Diego with his chin tucked and shoulders back gave me chills. He will never forget what it means to be a Marine, and we are all very proud of him.

Semper Fi.

Jeff

buy him a colt all the others are knock offs. even if they are better.

buy him a colt all the others are knock offs. even if they are better.

I have had several "upper end" 1911's the ones that remain are an original Kimber Pro CDP,, a Wilson CQB and a Les Baer commanche monolith. All have been 100% reliable and all are definitely fine guns and plenty accurate but the Les Baer is a step above in all ways. Fit and finish are superb, never bobbled no matter what I fed it and more accurate then I am as it has shot sub 2" groups for 8 rds at 50 yds from a ransom rest with 5 differnt loads.

You adopting?

sorry...momma said "NO!" Not even kittens and puppies...

I know she doesn't mean it though... about the four legged fur balls, that is...