1911’s in general, 9mm versions specifically

[Formidilosus]

Have to question you on this one, Form. Best practice....likely. Designed? Not likely.

CZ themselves acknowledges that they are really meant as DA/SA guns- which is interesting as they have no decocker (where they came from didn’t carry chambered pistols way back when). The safety is too small to actuate as a thumb safety. Their SA guns have proper thumb safeties.
None of that is meant as you can’t carry one in condition 1- I have carried Shadow 2’s C&L a hunch, but the total system isn’t setup for it. From thumb safety size, to no grip safety.

Also, find out if CZ Shadows are actually drop safe….

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks for the feedback Form. I didn't mean it to be an exhaustive test, more of round one / out of the box impressions. I went way overboard getting guns and thought the test might be a good starting point to see which guns might be worth spending time / money on. In deciding which to keep I did the scoring / timing more to add stress. I usually look at group size, dispersion, and how the gun felt.

That said, I think I could be pretty happy just not spending any more time on the others and practicing with the C. I'm just not as sure that I want to put a dot on it as I originally did.
The Tisas and the C were probably all around the two standouts for me; I would like to see how the Tisas does with a different trigger and sights.

Understandable. And commendable that you actually used a “test” to see the differences.

For 1911’s- the KC Custom roll trigger kit is the one for performance carry/field guns. Drop in kit almost always, and is fantastic.

 

[JF_Idaho]

@Formidilosus

I agree with you.

And the shadow 2 was designed as a comp gun and likely left off the decocker for the slightly "improved" trigger specifically.

Was more basing off the 75 series which obviously the s2 is and offers models of both flavors..

And yes, the lever would not be a good choice for carry, speed or under stress for sure. I just do believe the actual design was optional.

I would guess the s2 "carry" has a decocker, but that's just speculation on my part.

 

[Bearsniper]

Understandable. And commendable that you actually used a “test” to see the differences.

For 1911’s- the KC Custom roll trigger kit is the one for performance carry/field guns. Drop in kit almost always, and is fantastic.

Thanks, my instinct is that Tisas trigger might just need to be lightened a little (might relax over time?) it is actually pretty crisp. The main issue is trigger reach. Shooting quicker definitely made understand that trigger reach is a thing.

The Springfield could use a trigger kit, it's creepy and inconsistent. I think the gun is kind of cool, but the safety is painful and it seems like it needs the most work. Frankly, I'm not really sure how to figure out if it's got potential or not.

 

[fwafwow]

Their books give a lot of drills you can train at home and then verify on the range. Latest one is here: https://www.amazon.com/Baseline-Dryfire-Guide-Red-Mastery/dp/B0G48V1JJ2/ref=sr_1_1

I have the book and am working through it. I plan to follow it, especially with building a routine.

I have also put my Mantis on my C, although the rail seems to be a tad wider (maybe 0.1") from the pic rail on my P320. I am looking at a magazine base plate option, but not sure if that location provides the same feedback as having it on the rail.

I am still too much of a novice to start timing myself, but Ben mentions early on the importance of using a timer. One more rabbit hole - but I'm trying to pull back on "must have gear" and focus on the fundamentals. Which is one reason I'm holding off on getting the red dot. (I do have a red dot on a different Sig, so I may do some drills with it as well.)

Realistically I’m more of a gun nerd and collector than a shooter, but I’m trying to move the balance more towards shooting and simplify things. At this point I pretty much use Form’s guidance as a starting point, but I like to test everything when possible. I am posting this in case my experience might help others starting to take pistol shooting more seriously like the OP.

I am in the same boat but trying to do the same. Thanks for the detailed posts.

So I went down the rabbit hole, trying to start out affordably to get my feet wet…you can guess about how that went.

The struggle is real

 

[Billogna]

Understandable. And commendable that you actually used a “test” to see the differences.

For 1911’s- the KC Custom roll trigger kit is the one for performance carry/field guns. Drop in kit almost always, and is fantastic.

I checked out KC's website and noticed that he sold kits as well as lone sears for the roll trigger. Any issues that you might see from someone just buying the sear and installing with their own hammer? Or do you just recommend getting the kit to avoid any technical/safetey issues?

 

[Formidilosus]

I checked out KC's website and noticed that he sold kits as well as lone sears for the roll trigger. Any issues that you might see from someone just buying the sear and installing with their own hammer? Or do you just recommend getting the kit to avoid any technical/safetey issues?

Get the kit. Don’t mess around with fitting and heat treat.

 

[streamerfish]

CZ themselves acknowledges that they are really meant as DA/SA guns- which is interesting as they have no decocker (where they came from didn’t carry chambered pistols way back when). The safety is too small to actuate as a thumb safety. Their SA guns have proper thumb safeties.
None of that is meant as you can’t carry one in condition 1- I have carried Shadow 2’s C&L a hunch, but the total system isn’t setup for it. From thumb safety size, to no grip safety.

Also, find out if CZ Shadows are actually drop safe….

Yeah, the shadow 2's specifically were designed as uspsa/ipsca competitive pistols to be run as da/sa. And they are dang good at it....

I don't have one, but I don't think they have a firing pin block?? I could be wrong.

 

[Billogna]

Get the kit. Don’t mess around with fitting and heat treat.

Figured as much! Thank you from a wannabe gunsmiff!!

 

[RockAndSage]

Which is one reason I'm holding off on getting the red dot. (I do have a red dot on a different Sig, so I may do some drills with it as well.)

I can't stress enough the value in using a red-dot in mastering your trigger press. Even if you decided to carry irons-only, the RDS will reveal stuff you just can't perceive or notice with irons during the press. They'd be worth a few hundred alone just as a training device.

 

[fwafwow]

I can't stress enough the value in using a red-dot in mastering your trigger press. Even if you decided to carry irons-only, the RDS will reveal stuff you just can't perceive or notice with irons during the press. They'd be worth a few hundred alone just as a training device.

OK - this foils my attempt to "master the basics" first. I was telling myself, "you can hold off on adding the RDS and just focus on the basics first. Then get the RDS." Yes, I bought more magazines. And a Speed Beez. But I was trying to show some restraint. For once.

I am getting some feedback on trigger press from the Mantis (although I realize it's not the same as live fire). I will continue to work on that as I retread the rabbit hole of RDS options. Or just go ahead and buy the Acro.

I haven't even shot the pistol yet! But I did lube it up with that sweet Cherry Balmz.

 

[RockAndSage]

I was telling myself, "you can hold off on adding the RDS and just focus on the basics first. Then get the RDS." Yes, I bought more magazines. And a Speed Beez. But I was trying to show some restraint. For once.

Lol, I hear ya. I usually end up spending more on accessories, mags, holsters, etc for a new handgun, than on the gun itself.

 

[Bearsniper]

Shot the s2 compact starting in double action. Was more difficult to get the timing down

 

[HighUintas]

I can't stress enough the value in using a red-dot in mastering your trigger press. Even if you decided to carry irons-only, the RDS will reveal stuff you just can't perceive or notice with irons during the press. They'd be worth a few hundred alone just as a training device.

Would this work even with a super cheap RDS?

 

[rileybassman]

Shot the s2 compact starting in double action. Was more difficult to get the timing down

I had and liked the S2C but ended up selling it and buying the S2 Carry for the decocker. They are great pistols. For me, double action trigger training has really helped all aspects of pistol shooting. Very accurate guns and nice shooting!

 

[FOS373]

Does anybody have any recommendations for 15 round magazines (yeah Colorado!!!!) for a Prodigy DS standard size, not the compact?

I know that calcompliantmags.com has pinned mags, just seeing if there was anything else reliable out there.

Thanks

 

[Southernfried]

So, how are the Kimber DS Warrior 1911's doing? I mean if ya found a Kimber Warrior DS and Tisas 2011 Carry or Full size, what are yall choosing? I thought I read Kimber was coming out with a 4.25 Warrior, but now I cant find any info, course I could have got it mixed up with something else.

 

[RockAndSage]

Would this work even with a super cheap RDS?

In theory, yes, though I'd be sure to look through the sight before buying it to check for bloom, especially if you have any astigmatism or eye issues. Generally speaking, the cheaper the RDS, the lower the quality the emitter and the lens coatings. Learned this the hard way - on paper, one of the holosun enclosed pistol sights seemed excellent for a CCW gun, but once it arrived, it was literally unusable for me, the bloom was so bad. Green dots also seem to be worse for it than red dots. Thus far, I've been 100% satisfied with crispness of the dots on 2 Trijicon pistol RDS's, and an Aimpoint M4S.

As long as the dot's fine though, yes, in dry fire a cheap optic should be just as good as expensive in learning trigger press.

That said...there's just no replacement for quality, especially when you end up spending more eventually to do it right the second time. I can't give a recommendation on what cheap ones might work, but I know I've never had a Trijicon fail in about 50k rounds across 1 RMR and 1 RMR HD. Admittedly though, my data set on RDS's is pretty small, with just the two pistol optics.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I can see a green dot a hell of a lot easier than a red dot.

Also always bought the 2-3moa stuff. Then tried a 6moa dot hated it to start. But honestly its growing on me fast.

 

[RockAndSage]

I can see a green dot a hell of a lot easier than a red dot.

Also always bought the 2-3moa stuff. Then tried a 6moa dot hated it to start. But honestly its growing on me fast.

When you say green's easier to see - we talking ability to pick up quickly, different light, etc, or are you getting less bloom with green?