I was all set to buy a Colt 1911, but then I started to ponder, why. Other than nostalgic reasons why.

So now I am looking at a Glock 35 Practical/Tactical. The Springfield XD 5 or 5.2 looks great also. These will just range toys.

Hard to beat the P/T line of Glocks for range fun and field carry.

Got a 34 and 41 myself.

Any new gun is a good idea, but honestly, everyone "needs" a 1911.

And they're just plain fun to shoot.
But you just do what you gotta do....

I own both. For a range toy the 1911 is hard to beat. For every day carry the Glock starts to make a lot more sense.

Took my TRP 1911 to the range with me today, along with a couple revolvers.

Started shooting the 27-2 with 158 gr .38's and never got any further.

Beautiful day, too. What a hoot.

I did a rough estimate. I can get a 35, put night nights or better sights on it, conversion barrels for 9 mm and 357 Sig and still be under the price of a decent 1911 (1000-1200).

Also I would get 3 magazines, be able to use them in my 27. Use my 17 mags in it if I converted it to 9mm and also be able to use some of my holsters.

The only reason I would convert it to 9mm is for new shooters to use. They would benift from the longer sight radius and lighter trigger. Also the grips can be modified for smaller hands.

A no brainier.

Viking, if you're going that way, I'd suggest you take a look at the M&P also. They're a heckuva gun.

I haven't owned a 1911 since the early 90's. I don't see that changing either.

I've owned, built and rebuilt about a dozen of them. A 1911 can be a fantastic pistol. I still shoot them better in 'bullseye stance' shooting than anything else.

If I was buying one to carry, I'd buy a Ruger lightweight Commander (for the Titanium frame insert) and slap a retro slide on it, just because. All pretty unlikely because my MP40C leaves nothing to be desired in that role.

I just couldn't imagine going through life without owning at least one 1911 , but for everyday carry, I prefer the Glock 19, 23, 32 or XD 3.3

I sure understand, I am that way about single action 45 Colts.

I'm gonna buy a new Commander size .45... a Glock 30s.

Have you owned a 1911 before? Since it is just a range toy and you don't indicate competition plans for it I wouldn't worry too much about anything other than what you want. It sounds like you already have a few Glocks. What do you have to lose by buying a 1911? Colt holds its resale value well, and Colt quality today is probably as good as it has ever been in the past 40 years. I own both and have more fun shooting the 1911 than I do any of my striker fired guns.

It's becoming more apparent to me every day....if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.

Buy the Glock and be happy.

Got a Glockenspiel 30s coming next week.

I've had 2nd thoughts about buying a 1911 on more than a dozen occasions.

But then I always returned to my senses.............

MM

If you're sure it's just a range toy, and not for practical purposes, there's nothing at all wrong with a 1911. In fact, they will likely reward you at the range more so than will a striker fired gun like a Glock or an XD, since the trigger pull is shorter, lighter, and crisper, more like what strictly target shooters use.

This. You need at least one 1911, but for concealed carry, I've settled on the service size Glocks.

I know at least two people who have had trouble with the Glock 30S, myself and one other poster here. The problem is the same in both cases, i.e., a tendency to lock back with rounds still in the mag. Glock will tell you it's user error, only adding to the frustration. Good luck with your Glock 30S. Cool concept, but hasn't worked out for me.

If it's just a range toy, why not consider a "copy" of the venerable 1911A1 from any of a number of good manufacturers at a fraction of the price?

I have three 1911s. One is a series 70 Colt Gold Cup. But the other two are "renditions" of Colt products. One an RIA Compact that looks and shoots like Colt's old Officer's Model and it cost me about $400. The third is an ATI Commander sized "Rail" gun that shoots as good as the Gold Cup and as good as any Colt I've ever shot. It cost me in the $450 range.

Of course, neither of them will give me Colt's resale value, but I didn't buy collector pieces. I bought shooters.

Love my Springfield Armory Stainless Mil Spec. Flawless.

I shot the 30s against a shield 45. I could shoot the shield better. I also felt the 30s had a sharper recoil impulse.

One of my most fun to shoot pistols was this Norinco 1911. Far from a "prestige" piece, but a good fun shooter regardless.

Only for a few brief periods in the last fifty years have I been 1911-less. Usually due to financial reversals or stupidity. I have two now, a Pro Carry II and a RIA, to be joined shortly by a midget, a Micro. Still, I would like another 38 Super or a 9mm EMP or such.
Bullseye, pins, plinking, hunting,or defense, fine guns.

Gives me a little chuckle. I remember when Norcs were cheap and were scorned here worse than Remingtons are now. Then it turns out they were quite good. Now nearly unobtainable.

They didn't spend much money on the finish but the machining wasn't half bad. That one shot better than it's price.

Turns out the metallurgy is quite good as well. The provided mags...not so much.

Wish I would have ignored the nay-sayers at the time, when they were readily available at bargain prices.

When I sold that one I got more than I paid for it so.....

Someone should convince Trump when he becomes president (grin) to rescind the executive order that killed the importation of the Norinco's.

Owned 2 Colts and 2 Kimbers.

Colt 1 - Early 70's series in 38 Super. Came in a carboard box about the size of a cigar box. Excellent pistol in all respects. Never shoulda sold it but the GF was knocked up.

Colt 2 - basic 2002 mfg Colt in 45 ACP. Rather tight, no rattle, never had an issue with it. Had a shipmate that wanted it more than I did when I moved from Texas.

Kimbers were both ok but from a quality point, couldn't say they were head and shoulders above Colt.

Next one is likely a Ruger to give them a go. Joe Chambers once told me that he thought highly of the Ruger offerings he saw - had them above Springfield as a starting point for a build but behind Colt for reasons of re-sale, not quality. Joe's put a lot of people in the winner's circle at Perry, I trust his opinion on 1911's.

Since you've already taken your profit, eh?

Can we trade the embargo on Norcs for one on, say, dogfood and honey?

I'm a free market capitalist of the first order and a product of the 80's "ME" decade!

I'll second that motion. And while we're at it let's bring back all of those Garands and M1 carbines that might be sitting in third world warehouses and armories.

Wouldn't that be great.

A friend and I are buying 2 at the same time from an FFL friend of his to get a very attractive price.

Hopefully, we won't experience the same problems. If so, then we'll be contacting Glock, too.

At some point, they'd have to address the issue.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ No reason to own one.