1911’s in general, 9mm versions specifically

[RockAndSage]

I've read through this thread, and I've decided to dive head first into the club. I've got a milestone coming up and my wife said to do something special, so I think I'm going to put an order in for an Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime Carry in 9mm. As I'm starting to look over the build options, I thought I'd reach out to this thread for some feedback.

I'm struggling on which sights to go with. The Prime Carry comes standard with ACW's fixed rear sight. It is u-shaped which I've read a few comments suggesting to stay clear of. Are ACW's fixed gtg? They will install Novak style sights (I'd prefer Dawson). Are adjustable preferrable? I'm leaning toward fiber optic front, but the gold is tempting... Make a choice for me!

Those are some beautiful 1911s.

How much - in all honesty - are you planning on shooting this gun per month/year?

 

[Axlrod]

Davidsons Gallery of Guns has Kimber 1911 DS Warrior 9mm Hi Cap in stock. It says 6 Of them in stock, after I ordered one just now.

If you haven't used Davidsons before, they are a huge wholesaler. They have local dealers set up all over. You just pick the gun shop you want to use and put 25% down. Firearm is shipped (quickly) to the store you selected, and you pay them the remaining balance. Also they have a lifetime replacement program on all guns sold- you return it to the retailer, and Davidsons sends a new gun.

 

[mills0713]

Those are some beautiful 1911s.

How much - in all honesty - are you planning on shooting this gun per month/year?

Kids are young (keep me busy). I live next to a range. If I commit, I could realistically put in 100-200 rnds/month.

 

[RockAndSage]

Kids are young (keep me busy). I live next to a range. If I commit, I could realistically put in 100-200 rnds/month.

Getting a genuinely custom 1911 like what Alchemy does is a special thing. Get it exactly how you want it. At this price-point, the extra money for the sights you prefer should be irrelevant. Especially as, eventually, you'll likely wish you'd have done it how you'd wanted it initially.

My personal preference of the options given would be adjustable Novaks with tritium inserts. They're surprisingly helpful in finding the gun on a nightstand, in addition to their intended use, and I wouldn't be without them if they're an option - especially on an old-school gun with no optic and no light. Bear in mind, the tritium inserts need to be replaced about once every 10 years.

Those are very fine guns. A word of caution though - know your intended use. If this is a recreational gun, beautiful. Without wanting to throw cold water on the purchase though, I personally believe it important to also share that this model wouldn't be my first choice for a fighting/defensive/CCW handgun. Almost entirely because of the lack of a light rail and optic - those two items offer too many advantages to be without. But if neither of those things are an issue for you, given your intended use, this is definitely a gun to be proud of, and one of the best you can get made today. If you do get it, follow up here and share photos and experiences, I know I'd enjoy seeing them.

 

[Dobermann]

I've decided to dive head first into the club ... so I think I'm going to put an order in for an Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime Carry ...

Well ... that's a major flex right there. Well done.

 

[Formidilosus]

I've read through this thread, and I've decided to dive head first into the club. I've got a milestone coming up and my wife said to do something special, so I think I'm going to put an order in for an Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime Carry in 9mm. As I'm starting to look over the build options, I thought I'd reach out to this thread for some feedback.

An excellent option for a carry pistol.

What is your use for it?

I'm struggling on which sights to go with. The Prime Carry comes standard with ACW's fixed rear sight. It is u-shaped which I've read a few comments suggesting to stay clear of. Are ACW's fixed gtg? They will install Novak style sights (I'd prefer Dawson). Are adjustable preferrable? I'm leaning toward fiber optic front, but the gold is tempting... Make a choice for me!

Fiber optic front if performance is the goal. As for rear… ehh. Sights can be changed easily. ACW’s fixed rear you may like- I do not prefer U shape rear sights. For you, I would probably try it and see.

 

[cubdriver84d]

Anyone have experience with k/rmsc to Acro adapter plates? Got this Viridian one and it’s BARELY too thin to clear the top of the slide on this 2011 and my Tisas night stalker. There’s also a plate made by Atibal but not sure if it’s any thicker and they’re back ordered. Considering just taking a dremel to the bottom of the acro because it’s so close…

Edit: after looking into the Atibal more it does seem like it is a bit taller and should work.

 

[drnls]

rdramsey - how is the nightstalker? How does the front strap feel?

 

[mills0713]

I personally believe it important to also share that this model wouldn't be my first choice for a fighting/defensive/CCW handgun. Almost entirely because of the lack of a light rail and optic - those two items offer too many advantages to be without.

I really appreciate this feedback. In all honesty, I'm not overly concerned with having either. My current pistol is a cajunized CZ P01. It has an EPS Carry and light up front. But, I like simplicity. The optic and light distract me from enjoying the pistol.

I also find myself leaning towards Ken Hackathorn's sentiment: possibilities vs probabilities. The probability of needing a light on my pistol in a gunfight is very low. Let's be honest, the probability of getting into a gunfight is very low. Are both possibilities? Yes.

What is your use for it?

I want to be an effective pistol shooter. That's my primary motivation. As noted above, I'm not the type who daydreams about the O.K. Corral, but I value the confidence and knowledge that comes from investing into a skill and taking it seriously. I'm not that interested in target shooting as an end in itself. I want to train for a purpose, and defensive shooting makes the most sense to me. I will CCW the pistol, though my work requirements make it difficult to carry at all times. I also value the overall experience. A beautiful gun with history and class are more important to me than the gains that come from increased capacity, red dots, and WMLs.

Oh crap! I'm a fudd!

Fiber optic front if performance is the goal. As for rear… ehh. Sights can be changed easily. ACW’s fixed rear you may like- I do not prefer U shape rear sights. For you, I would probably try it and see.

I'll go with your suggestion. I'll shoot a while with the fixed U and see if I like them. Fiber optic it is.

 

[Formidilosus]

I really appreciate this feedback. In all honesty, I'm not overly concerned with having either. My current pistol is a cajunized CZ P01. It has an EPS Carry and light up front. But, I like simplicity. The optic and light distract me from enjoying the pistol.

I also find myself leaning towards Ken Hackathorn's sentiment: possibilities vs probabilities. The probability of needing a light on my pistol in a gunfight is very low. Let's be honest, the probability of getting into a gunfight is very low. Are both possibilities? Yes.



I want to be an effective pistol shooter. That's my primary motivation. As noted above, I'm not the type who daydreams about the O.K. Corral, but I value the confidence and knowledge that comes from investing into a skill and taking it seriously. I'm not that interested in target shooting as an end in itself. I want to train for a purpose, and defensive shooting makes the most sense to me. I will CCW the pistol, though my work requirements make it difficult to carry at all times. I also value the overall experience. A beautiful gun with history and class are more important to me than the gains that come from increased capacity, red dots, and WMLs.

Oh crap! I'm a fudd!

Haha. The Prime Carry is a great pistol for that.

 

[fwafwow]

Two months ago I didn't have a 2011....


As another member knows from some PMs, I am still thinking over the RDS for the CS. I may just go without for a while. Also back to the "what holster" or I may go with the easy button and go with another Tenicor Velo, at least to start.

 

[JohnJohnson]

I have 700 rounds through the P211 so far and I'm starting to mess with different grips to see what I like best. The ones I got from Mag-Mo with the edge in them just arrived and I quite like them. He custom makes them based on a picture you send of where your firing hand fingers fall on the support side of the gun. Since I'm really just looking for the P211 to be a range gun it's a cool addition (for only $75 too) and makes the gun fit my weird alien fingers better and the 32-grit texture is very aggressive which I like.

 

[fwafwow]

Let us know what you get and what you think ... ditto for leather, which I haven't decided on yet!

Very early impressions of the Velo5 for the C. It was easy to set up and I like the multiple camming bar options. For me, the largest size was best due to the printing of the grip. I did have to put the DCC Mod4 clips together and back towards heel of the grip, as splitting them with the widest separation put the front clip in a position that hit the RDS.

The only issue so far relates to the Mod4 clips. They are very secure, but also it's hard to get them in place because their width is so close to the size of the belt I was using. Unless I thread the belt into the clips before putting the holster on (not ideal), then I have a hard time getting the grip of the clips over/below the bottom edge of the belt. And when I take off the holster, the clips tend to markup or scratch the belt leather. That's not a big deal for some belts, but I also carry with a couple of leather belts that I would rather not mark up. I can use a Blue Alpha belt, but that's a limitation.

Still waiting on the TT Gunleather holster (just at 6 weeks), but I might check out have 99% already decided to buy their appendix carry option.

 

[RockAndSage]

I really appreciate this feedback. In all honesty, I'm not overly concerned with having either. My current pistol is a cajunized CZ P01. It has an EPS Carry and light up front. But, I like simplicity. The optic and light distract me from enjoying the pistol.

I also find myself leaning towards Ken Hackathorn's sentiment: possibilities vs probabilities. The probability of needing a light on my pistol in a gunfight is very low. Let's be honest, the probability of getting into a gunfight is very low. Are both possibilities? Yes.



I want to be an effective pistol shooter. That's my primary motivation. As noted above, I'm not the type who daydreams about the O.K. Corral, but I value the confidence and knowledge that comes from investing into a skill and taking it seriously. I'm not that interested in target shooting as an end in itself. I want to train for a purpose, and defensive shooting makes the most sense to me. I will CCW the pistol, though my work requirements make it difficult to carry at all times. I also value the overall experience. A beautiful gun with history and class are more important to me than the gains that come from increased capacity, red dots, and WMLs.

Oh crap! I'm a fudd!



I'll go with your suggestion. I'll shoot a while with the fixed U and see if I like them. Fiber optic it is.

You're going to have a hell of a nice gun, and it sounds like you've got your reasoning and intent very well thought out. There's definitely something to be said for having both that Prime Carry and your CZ, too.

 

[RockAndSage]

Two months ago I didn't have a 2011....
View attachment 1034740

As another member knows from some PMs, I am still thinking over the RDS for the CS. I may just go without for a while. Also back to the "what holster" or I may go with the easy button and go with another Tenicor Velo, at least to start.

Really interested in how that CS shoots. I've got a few thousand on my C, and really enjoy it. Would love to hear how they compare to each other.

 

[Dobermann]

Two months ago I didn't have a 2011....
View attachment 1034740

As another member knows from some PMs, I am still thinking over the RDS for the CS. I may just go without for a while. Also back to the "what holster" or I may go with the easy button and go with another Tenicor Velo, at least to start.

All right!

Proud to have been one of your cheerleaders in this ...

And I'm just a couple of weeks away from having my duo - but single-stack. Will post when in, as well as before and after pics with the custom grips.

 

[cubdriver84d]

Really interested in how that CS shoots. I've got a few thousand on my C, and really enjoy it. Would love to hear how they compare to each other.

You’ll see reports of the CS being “too snappy” but I’m convinced that’s just people who don’t know how to shoot well. I took the 250 course at Gunsite recently and shot my CS (~1000 rounds over 5 days). I hadn’t had any real pistol training like that before and would consider myself a below average pistol shooter, and by the end I was shooting better than folks with full size pistols, including a couple double stack 1911s, who had more experience and training than me. I did wonder how much better I could do with a larger pistol. (Un)fortunately Finks there had this double stack for a screaming deal.

 

[Lawnboi]

Very early impressions of the Velo5 for the C. It was easy to set up and I like the multiple camming bar options. For me, the largest size was best due to the printing of the grip. I did have to put the DCC Mod4 clips together and back towards heel of the grip, as splitting them with the widest separation put the front clip in a position that hit the RDS.

The only issue so far relates to the Mod4 clips. They are very secure, but also it's hard to get them in place because their width is so close to the size of the belt I was using. Unless I thread the belt into the clips before putting the holster on (not ideal), then I have a hard time getting the grip of the clips over/below the bottom edge of the belt. And when I take off the holster, the clips tend to markup or scratch the belt leather. That's not a big deal for some belts, but I also carry with a couple of leather belts that I would rather not mark up. I can use a Blue Alpha belt, but that's a limitation.

Still waiting on the TT Gunleather holster (just at 6 weeks), but I might check out have 99% already decided to buy their appendix carry option.

I’m a big fan of tenicors belt as well. It’s the perfect mix of function and flex. They sure are proud of them though!

All mh holsters have some kind of dcc clip on them after some use it’s all I like to use

 

[Hypernatremia]

Update on the Tisas commander 9mm.

Swapped the sights for a .180" tall x .100" wide front and the Novak cut adjustable rear from Dawson. The .200" tall front would have been a better choice in retrospect but I'm hitting where I want with the rear bottomed out so I'll roll with it.

I've been watching videos from Ben Stoeger/Joel Park and Mark Smith and doing some dry fire practice. The target focus shooting is a bit different but has definitely improved my accuracy. ~800 rounds through the gun so far with no firearm related malfunctions (had a shitty fiocchi 115gr squib that barely engraved into the lands)

This is the first time I've really enjoyed shooting a handgun. Here are a couple FBI instructor qual drills that I count at 271 and 272 from this morning.



15m slow fire with 135 +p Critical Duty, I called the 2 bad shots.



I picked up a Tenicor Certum for appendix carry them I'm happy with.

 

[rdramsey8]

I couldn’t be happier with my Tisas so far, 300 rounds through it without any issues.