if you cant decide between a 1911 and a polymer pistol, just get both.  or even better......get a revolver!!! 

My 1st pistol is a 9mm.  The reasoning is I need to learn fundamentals, and it's cheaper to use 9mm than 45 and still have a recoil.

So if this is your 1st pistol, that's a factor.  They do make 1911's in 9mm, but if I'm going to buy a 1911, it's going to be in 45.  So I would buy a 9mm 1st, then once proficient, a 45 later.

Go to a gun shop and look at and feel what feels and looks cool.  Then see if you know anyone with that pistol so you can test fire it, or if an indoor range has one for rental.

Always remember, it's the Indian, not the arrow.

1) if you cant decide between a 1911 and a polymer pistol, just get both.  or even better...... 2) get a revolver!!! 

1) Love that response!   

2) Boo, hiss. . . [kidding] 

Get the 1911 along with the GSG/ATI or Advantage Arms 22lr conversion. Now its pennies a round and the same form factor. Sight picture and pistol mechanics stay the same. Go to the range and blow through 300 22lr rounds for $20 , then do 1 box of .45ACP for $15 to remind you of recoil and noise. It's $35 now for 350 rounds and about 3 hours of fun if you've done it right. To do the same in 9mm will run you $100.

http://www.advantagearms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AASOS&Category_Code=1911

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/parts-and-accessories/parts-by-gun-model/1911/22-long-rifle-conversion-kits.do

1) Love that response!   

2) Boo, hiss. . . [kidding] 

just giving some options.   

Get the 1911 along with the GSG/ATI or Advantage Arms 22lr conversion. Now its pennies a round and the same form factor. Sight picture and pistol mechanics stay the same. Go to the range and blow through 300 22lr rounds for $20 , then do 1 box of .45ACP for $15 to remind you of recoil and noise. It's $35 now for 350 rounds and about 3 hours of fun if you've done it right. To do the same in 9mm will run you $100.

http://www.advantagearms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AASOS&Category_Code=1911

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/parts-and-accessories/parts-by-gun-model/1911/22-long-rifle-conversion-kits.do

2nd that load out. If you can, go with the Advantage Arms kit. Got one for the G19 and now I shoot 3x as many rounds out of it as I do 9mm. Not sure on the reliability of the 1911 kits though.

I always wonder about those who buy a $2,000 rifle, shoot 100 rounds, then try to sell it for $2,000. They didn't like how it sounds? Did they change their mind about the filigrees? I say start light and work your way up to heavy weaponry. It's easier to sell an economy firearm than a luxury model. IMHO

Get the 1911 along with the GSG/ATI or Advantage Arms 22lr conversion. Now its pennies a round and the same form factor. Sight picture and pistol mechanics stay the same. Go to the range and blow through 300 22lr rounds for $20 , then do 1 box of .45ACP for $15 to remind you of recoil and noise. It's $35 now for 350 rounds and about 3 hours of fun if you've done it right. To do the same in 9mm will run you $100.

http://www.advantagearms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AASOS&Category_Code=1911

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/parts-and-accessories/parts-by-gun-model/1911/22-long-rifle-conversion-kits.do

I have the Sig 1911-22.  It's accuracy is pretty bad, and after adding the after-market upgrades, I could have spent the same amount in a .45 ACP 1911.

If you want to practice with a 1911-like .22LR, I'd say the Ruger Mark III or IV 22/45 is the way to go.  Same grip design as a 1911, but with target pistol accuracy. 

I have the 22/45 Lite.  It develops "grip" muscle memory and is more fun to shoot than the 1911-22.

Now, if you're teaching a kid to operate a 1911, and you don't want to start them at .45 caliber recoil, then the 1911-22 has the advantage of being almost identical to any M1911.  If you're already shooting a 1911, then that really won't add much to the experience.

For the 1911-22, you have to use High Velocity ammo to get the slide to cycle.  On the 22/45, I can use standard velocity .22LR ammo with no problem.

I always wonder about those who buy a $2,000 rifle, shoot 100 rounds, then try to sell it for $2,000. They didn't like how it sounds? Did they change their mind about the filigrees? I say start light and work your way up to heavy weaponry. It's easier to sell an economy firearm than a luxury model. IMHO

Why would anyone even buy a 2k+ rifle then want to sell it? I would think at that price point it would be a investment that you’d keep then pass it down to your kids. Put it in the collection. Later hang it on your wall years later as display or something. I remember when I bought my DE .50 in the early 90’s for only 875 bucks at sports authority.. lol. Now I can’t believe how much they cost now. Back then I was so into getting my first rifle. And I had my eyes set on a PSG1. Was gonna take a loan out for that too. But too much Fat Tuesday’s, Blue Zebra’s, and World Cafe. And too much dates! No can save! Lol.. damn, I wish I got the rifle, it would’ve been surly a collector item. Oh, there was even a Mark 23 with 2 mags and suppressor all in a case for 2gs back then.. dammit should’ve got em too. Well, anyways I do regret, but at the same time, I don’t regret all the fun I had in my 20’s goin out.. lol

 To the OP, get both of em. Safe you the extra trip to the station.

I've shot a 9mm 1911 and loved it.  Seems like a good compromise of having the 1911 feel and cheap 9mm ammo. 

just giving some options.   

Always!  And when folks ask me about opinions about whether to buy this gun or that, I always jokingly say to buy both!  Well, I'm actually mostly serious.   

SNIP

 To the OP, get both of em. Safe you the extra trip to the station.

Amen to that!   

another thing to consider if getting a 1911, is which brand of 1911 to get?  and which model?

I have a RIA 9 mm 1911.  I don't shoot it that much, but it's a really nice and solid gun for the price.  I wouldn't mind a beater RIA 1911 45 as well.  I would also LOVE to pick up a nice 1911 45.  Say Ed Brown, Wilson, etc.  Hell, even a "nice" SA 1911.  The ammo cost is a big factor in that, even if I could afford the gun itself.  I came close to buying a SA TRP or Loaded a few years ago.  Those are some pretty sweet guns.  My buddy has a Target Match (or something like that).  Sweet shooting gun!   

To me, 1911s would be for range fun and competition (if I could afford the ammo to shoot single stack).  My preference is Glock for self-defense.  I would also include a PPQ, P320, CZ P10C in that category as well.  I have a couple of PPQs and the trigger is different enough from the Glock that I do need to be cautious when going back and forth between them.  The trigger on the PPQ is actually quite nice.  Not that the Glock trigger is that bad, but just different.   

another thing to consider if getting a 1911, is which brand of 1911 to get?  and which model?

We should have a 1911 day as sequel to the revolver shoot. 

Too bad the OP is on Maui.  Would be a good chance to try out some 1911s!

We should have a 1911 day as sequel to the revolver shoot. 

Too bad the OP is on Maui.  Would be a good chance to try out some 1911s!

great idea!   

that would be a lot of fun.  we should do it!!!   

Aloha everyone took my pistol saftey class a couple years ago and finally im ready to start a collection and start going to the range here on Maui. I really like the feeling of the 1911 but people recommend its not the best first gun, wanted to see what people think i should get i want a 45cal gun in the 800 to 1000 dollar range.
Any recommendations appreciated.

Whatever you decide to get, first thing to remember to do is to appreciate the fact that the gun coming from the factory is good to go out of the box and considering the price range you set, any modern pistol at that price range is going to be good. If its your first handgun, just remember that all the “fun” aftermarket things you can do to it is NOT practically necessary, especially for someone just getting their first firearm.

When I was new and I was looking up firearms, I researched a few things (my personal decision to do so):

-What are the things that I could replace myself on the gun without needing a gunsmith?
-What spare parts should I keep at home just in case AND how easily available are those items?
-How many magazines would I need and are they easy to get as well?
-Research what guns have the least amount of known issues.

My first gun was a pistol and it was to be for home defense so I also researched reliability in addition to all of those things I mentioned above. The thing about having spare parts isnt necessary either , BUT that's just my neurotic self always trying to keep things handy and available.

But, again whatever it is, just get to know that gun inside and out as is from the factory. Shoot it often as much as you can. Then whatever your purpose is, then spend your money on the aftermarket items as you see fit. 

Oh and definitely stay AWAY from aftermarket competition triggers if you are planning on using that gun as a defensive firearm. Don't need to give the already ANTI-GUN and ANTI-SELF DEFENSE prosecutors any more "ammo" to try to criminalize you for defending yourself as it is. 

I don't own any RIA 1911's but I did shoot one once, functioned well
If Hickok45 likes it then it must be good

Did you buy something?

Just went to Mags today and ordered a springfield 1911 A1 mil spec in stainless. Cant wait to try it out in the range and get to meet a few people

some smiths won't work on RIA 1911s. Don't know why