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Well, I’ve always been a 1911 fan since the first day I saw my grandfather’s Colt M1911A1 from WWII. The more I researched it, the more I found that I wasn’t alone. Serving the US Military from 1911 to around 1986, the 1911 is a proven fighting pistol. Still favored my many police and civilians, there is no sign of this pistol going into the sunset.

Well, standing there at Riley’s looking at the variety of 1911s before me, I was torn. Kimber has some nice stuff ($800-$1000), but all of the Kimber’s they had didn’t appeal to me, either due to finish or hand grips. The Colts were nice (around $775), but they were mil-spec’d 1911A1 with all of the standard features, and no upgrades. Smith and Wesson had some nice pistols, but Riley’s only had a 4.5in Commander model ($800), and I was in the mood for a Gov’t model. The Smith was tempting since it came with the Novak sites with Tritium inserts, but honestly, I can always add those myself. I finally settled on the Taurus PT1911 DUOTONE finish ($650). That is a handy link right to Taurus’ website on this pistol. Here is a pic of one.

I have a Taurus PT92, as you might know from my previous review. It’s a great pistol. I won’t go any deeper except to say I wasn’t opposed to another Taurus pistol. All of the other reviews on the PT1911 that I have read have all been good. Some of it’s features that I like:

– Large ambidextrous safety
– Lightened trigger
– Extended recoil spring guide rod
– Flared ejection port
– Novak (yes, real Novak) three dot sights

In the past, these plus numerous other features would have to be added later by a pistol smith, but here they’re all included. In the past, it wouldn’t surprise me if someone dropped $2k on a good 1911 after upgrades. Just look at the Nighthawk custom pistols. Great pistol, worth every penny, but many will still have sticker shock. Now, with the times as they are, I wasn’t prepared to drop that much money on a pistol, so I was happy to see the price tag on the Taurus pistol.

I borrowed a coworker’s Para Ordinance P-14 1911. It has a 14 round double stack magazine and as such is almost as wide as the PT92. Being a traditionalist, I prefer the thinner 8 round standard magazine design. This will become my primary carry pistol, so having something that is easier to conceal is important to me.

Well you can’t have a new pistol without a new holster can you? I normally prefer leather holsters, but a good leather holster will run you around $100-$120. While at a gun show with a friend I was tempted by this gentleman selling polymer holsters. Some Blackhawk Serpas, etc… Well, I was looking at some Galco leather holters when I came across their M7X polymer holster. Supposed to look like leather and from the reviews feel like leather. I did some research and found a good price here. It snaps on the belt, which believe me I like a lot, and it balances the pistol nicely. Well 7 days later, the holster finally arrives.

I also picked up a belt mag holster for this. The Galco M15X single mag snap on holder.

I usually throw a nice dress shirt over it and nobody can tell the 1911 is there. I have a nice black jacket that also conceals it nicely when outside, and it is completely hidden in my suit.

Due to work and the weather, I am sad to say I haven’t taken it out yet. I hope to go this Sun and try her out.

For target shooting, I’ve had VERY good luck with the Wincester .45 ACP ammo. Honestly, the cheapest I have found this is at Walmart, which is $29 for 100 rounds.

I have been looking for the Federal Hydra Shock JHP .45 ACP, but everyone is sold out. I am keeping my eyes open though.

Anyhow, I’ll update this once I take her onto the range and we’ll see how she holds up! Remember shoot safe and shoot often!

Update – 02/01/09: Just got back from the range after putting about 100 rnds through it. Shoots like a dream at the 75ft mark of our indoor range.