Expert 1911 shooters

[Hunter88]

For all those of you that have shot alot of 1911s. Which models have the least recoil? I've been looking for a 1911 for awhile. I want a 45 but I need to make sure my girlfriend can handle it confidently. Looking for a commander size 1911. $1300 limit. Thanks!

 

[straight-shooter]

Well, were gonna need pics of the girlfriend before we can help you!

Seriously it depends on her really. Has she ever shot a .45 before? If not I recommend you take her to a range that rents guns to find out. A lot cheaper than making the purchase then finding out she doesn't want anything to do with that caliber.

 

[melensdad]

Not sure that I qualify as an expert, but I've got many dozens of various sizes and brands of 1911 pistols. High school physics class will tell you that the larger and heavier the gun the lower the recoil is perceived by the shooter.

1911 guru, the father of modern combat/defensive hand gunning, Col. Jeff Cooper remarked that the captured multiple recoil spring assembly used on the Detonics brand pistols resulted in the lowest recoiling 1911 ever designed. Find a used ScoreMaster or ServiceMaster and you'll be good to go, inside your budget too.

Or, you can buy a new one for under a grand direct from www.detonicsdefense.com

Another option would be to look at the 9mm or 38 Super chambered guns. Kimber makes some 9mm 1911s, several brands, including Taurus chamber them in 38 Super. Both 9 and 38 Super have lower recoil.

 

[bigkahunasix]

Get a 1911 in either .38 Super or 9mm. Same ergos, less recoil.

All 1911s in .45 recoil roughly equally, perceived recoil in subjective.

 

[rockhopper46038]

No expert, but here are some thoughts. The things which can mitigate "felt" recoil (which is what it sounds like you are interested in) include heavier guns (Government > Commander > Officer), denser material (stainless > carbon steel > aluminum alloy), more weight up front (full length guide rods, full length tungsten guide rods, extended dust covers, heavyweight dust covers), ergonomic grips (molded rubber, carved wood, shaped G10, etc.)

About the only thing that can mitigate actual recoil is to use lighter loads, or reload your own rounds using a recipe you like the feel and performance of. I find heavy bullets traveling slow have the least "perceived" recoil for me.

Unfortunately, I can't really say which Commander size 1911s out in the market are going to feel best to you.

Maybe someone else can chime in with some other ideas.

 

[Hunter88]

We plan to go to her grandparents and shoot several different calibers. 9mm .40 .45 12ga 20ga .44mag and a .50 cal (for me...muahahahaha). So I guess we will see what she is comfortable with.

 

[JetGirl]

Steel over aluminum.
Larger frame over compacts.

the larger and heavier the gun the lower the recoil is perceived by the shooter.

And there ya have it ^.
/thread

 

[jgreiner]

For all those of you that have shot alot of 1911s. Which models have the least recoil? I've been looking for a 1911 for awhile. I want a 45 but I need to make sure my girlfriend can handle it confidently. Looking for a commander size 1911. $1300 limit. Thanks!

where ya located? you are welcome to shoot mine.

 

[Hunter88]

I live in Fort Wayne. None if the lgs here allow renting.

 

[halfmileharry]

Steel over aluminum.
Larger frame over compacts.

And there ya have it ^.
/thread

It is a wise monkey to listen to!

 

[halfmileharry]

Steel over aluminum.
Larger frame over compacts.

And there ya have it ^.
/thread

It is a wise monkey to listen to!

 

[churchmouse]

We are ate up with 1911's as are the rest of the addicts/junky's posting here. My SA TRP is easy to handle with less felt recoil than my COLT or my Para's. One of the sweetest shooters we have is my S&W 1911 PD.
Full length over compact any day.

 

[Rob377]

No expert, but here are some thoughts. The things which can mitigate "felt" recoil (which is what it sounds like you are interested in) include heavier guns (Government > Commander > Officer), denser material (stainless > carbon steel > aluminum alloy), more weight up front (full length guide rods, full length tungsten guide rods, extended dust covers, heavyweight dust covers), ergonomic grips (molded rubber, carved wood, shaped G10, etc.)

About the only thing that can mitigate actual recoil is to use lighter loads, or reload your own rounds using a recipe you like the feel and performance of. I find heavy bullets traveling slow have the least "perceived" recoil for me.

Unfortunately, I can't really say which Commander size 1911s out in the market are going to feel best to you.

Maybe someone else can chime in with some other ideas.

This. Weight is good. Can't fight physics.

Softest shooter you'll ever fire will be a full size 9mm 1911 (or CZ)

As far as brand differences, there won't be much. All other things being equal, a model with a high cut beavertail and frontstrap will allow a slightly higher grip, thus reducing flip, in theory.

.

 

[gregkl]

My wife is petite and has never really shot guns much. She has shot my 4" 1911 .45 a few times. She does not like it much. These are with factory 230 gr round nose.

She likes my .22 pistol though. She may like a 9mm, but I don't own one for her to try.

 

[Miketodd]

My wife shoots both my commander and govt sized Sig 1911s. She LOVES my Nightmare Carry! It is a commander slide on govt frame. She said it has a lot less recoil than she thought and shoots it every chance we get.

 

[cbseniour]

Sounds like you want the impossible.. I am 67 and my wife 73 she hates my colt commander lightweight but tears up targets with mr Ruger SR1911. the extra length and weight make the bigger model more stable and reduces the kick and muzzle flip. go with the full size 1911. good luck

 

[flnt38]

while i have no claim to being an expert most of my shooting has been done with a 1911. everyone has offered very sound suggestions. the one thing that struck me the first time i fired a 4 in barrelled 1911 was how much muzzle blast i could feel compared to the 5 inch ones. it could affect her if she is not used to it.

 

[Sedanman]

My wife shot my 3" Kimber today and she said the kick wasn't to much. That being said she is stronger then most women.

 

[Sniper 79]

My wife kicks but with my full size Para. She is now trying to find her own or she told me to find a new gun and she will keep that one. The only thing that I can say is let her try one out. Try and hit a local action match or something. Guns are a lot of personal preferance fit, finish, and feel. I got lucky that my wife likes the outdoors as much as me. We hunt, shoot and fish together. She is not the norm and is not recoil or noise sensitive by any means. I have seen her outshoot a lot of guys including me a couple times with my own darn gun.

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW my 90lb daughter (she was maybe 15) used to shoot my Commander with reg 230 gr factory WW ammo and just bounced the pop cans and smiled.

She never asked me about recoil, she just shot the dang thing.