[Hakko]

Before I break my nice, new DW, I'm thinking it might make sense to learn the fine points of disassembling, reassembling, and tinkering with the 1911 on a cheap "beater". Any suggestions? The cheapest I can find on GA or GB is the RIA for just under $300. None of my local shops has anything cheaper, new or used.

Alternatives highly appreciated.

 

[Tomac]

Go with the RIA milspec as your "beater". You may be as surprised by the accuracy, trigger & quality as I was.
Tomac

 

[smity]

My "beater," my first, and my only 1911 is a Springfield mil-spec.

Bought Kuhnhausen's manual, read it all, and began taking mine appart and putting it together. Piece of cake, and I'm free from having to worry about trashing a $1,200 gun. Best thing is, I get to shoot it too!
Enjoy the journey, and safe shooting, smity

http://www.sydweedon.com/

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-ms.shtml

 

[AGE]

1911s are like potato chips. You can't stop after only one. Maybe a dozen is about right.

 

[1911Badger]

Just don't get "rammy" when you're installing the slide stop.

 

[SW9mm]

i beat up my springfield mil spec. just lookin at it makes me want to shoot the snot out of it.

 

[Hakko]

BTT

Other possibilities I've been thinking about are Sistema and Griffon (from CDNN). Any thoughts on those?

It seems like Sistema's have become hard to find all of a sudden. Anyone know where they've gone to?

 

[Valkman]

I did my first detail strip on my "beater", a Norinco I got for $299 way back when. That way I didn't beat up my $399 SA Mil-Spec!