First 1911

[tkdgeek]

Never owned a 1911 and don't know anyone who does, maybe because I don't have friends but that's another story. HA. I rented a not taken care of Springfield RO Compact and was very surprised at the feel and accuracy only a couple of mags in. Sad to say I had tighter groups than with my carry HK 9mm by end of the box.
Now that I'm much older I have a question or two in my decision to finally get one and I know there are many long time owners if I could have an opinion. I really only want it to use at the range and to take some classes on how to be a more accurate handgun shooter. Not carry or hunting.
Does the Ambi safety bother a normal right handed shooter? I don't have overly large hands so wouldn't think it would touch. Not worried about a wolf chewing my right hand and needing the left hand to save my life...
As an older person with eyes that stare at computer screens a LOT, would the tritium sights be worth the money? The RangeOfficer had an orange/red front fiber sight and it worked pretty well. I'd worry if it would hold up in a holster as I can see myself carrying it at the farm (I carry the Glock30 out there) but not anything competition as I'm just not any good!
Would the 4" or 5" barrel probably be a better fit for first one in this use? I was pleasantly surprised that the RO Compact wasn't really an issue to control slow but would take some time to learn anything a bit faster. Haven't tried a full weight full length.

Sorry to have a post that long and sound so basic but I recognize my lack of knowledge and my reading has shown a large number of good people here that do know more.

 

[Glock 40]

Plenty of retired AARP members should be along shortly to answer your questions. After they finish their Ensure for lunch.

 

[Ignored Member]

Plenty of retired AARP members should be along shortly to answer your questions. After they finish their Ensure for lunch.

Yep. And they'll sing the praises of the 1911 like it was sent from the heavens.

 

[adamsredlines]

I'm not retired nor do I drink Ensure but I guess I can still respond...

I have fairly big hands (I'm 6'6") and am right handed and have never had an issue with ambi safeties. I personally wouldnt pay extra for an ambi specifically but its also not worth paying to get a single sided safety either. Both of mine have ambi from factory and ambi they remain.
Barrel length is mostly preference. I guess the main consideration is sight radius, all else being equal you'll in theory be more accurate with a 5" than a 4".

 

[adamsredlines]

I also prefer night sights on anything I plan on carrying. They dont usually help during daylight unless there's a fiber optic involved also. During daylight most standard night sights look the same as 3 dot white sights.

 

[HMCS(FMF)Ret.]

I’ve owned a couple. Never carried them. One was a Les Baer, the other was a Springfield TRP. For me they were more like pieces of art. Beautiful guns that I only took to the range. I’m sure many people carry them, but I think there are better carry guns out there.....but that’s just my opinion. For a pretty range gun to play with, I think they’re great.

As for your questions, I agree with adamsredlines.

 

[Revolvers4Life]

I don’t carry a 1911, but really enjoy shooting them at the range in various calibers like 9mm, 45, and 10mm... I have really big hands, for example glock 19s are way too small for I always have to go for full size glocks or something like the 19x. I would worry about your hands and the am I safety. As for sights I think it’s just a preference, i honestly don’t like fiberoptic sights and much prefer night sights even in the day time, but others are the exact opposite. Even if you don’t shoot just try to look at some different sight options and see how your eyes pick them up.

 

[MacFromOK]

It's not always just the old geezers that like 1911s.

But I think @druryj may still have the one that John Moses Browning gave him...

 

[surjimmy]

All you Haters need to remember, 100's of 1,000's of Dead Commies can't be wrong. To answer the OP's question, no it does not bother RHer's. I don't have any on my 1911's, because I don't like the looks.

 

[MacFromOK]

FWIW... I don't own a 1911, but am definitely not a hater.

Actually wouldn't mind having one in 9mm, the stars just haven't aligned yet.

 

[CharlieWH2O]

Full size Colt 70 series 1911 in .45 acc was my duty weapon for all but one year of my tenure as a LEO. The first year we were required to carry a wheel gun. As we had to purchase our own firearms and ammo I still have mine and it has continued to serve me well since 1979. A subcompact 1911 in .45 acp was my EDC from 1999 until last year when I went with a P365 in 9mm. Only problems I have encountered with any 1911 I have owned were either ammunition or crappy magazine induced. My 70 series still has the original bushing with thousands of rounds on it. Springs have been changed but it keeps shooting. Additionally it is stock except for the high profile sights I had installed when I purchased it, the Wilson flat wire recoil spring and Magpul grips. It makes range trips but is no longer carried.

I also have a Springfield compact RO which is really a sweet and accurate shooter. I would carry that pistol no worries. My subcompacts has ambi safeties and sometimes the safety could be disengaged accidentally. Just something to be aware of.