This is Hanks take on the situation
Probably not an answer anywhere in this rant but hopefully some useful info.
Thank you for your response and even offering detail into your current situation.
My reason for asking whether you currently have a pistol is to understand your current style of shooting, your comfort level by caliber, and your willingness to maintain your equipment. Also I would question of you plan to take your training to a higher level. I simply know by your jeep, your videos, etc..., you are a detailed person and willing to sacrifice a little time to keep things nice so right away a clean 1911 sounds tempting.
Owning a plastic gun is like owning an XJ... It works every time (this isn't arguable). There are only three plastic guns; Glock, S&W MP series, and Springfield XD's. Each of these guns will go bang every time.
Owning a 1911 is like owning a really nice Range Rover assuming you get a decent gun. Stock for stock both XJ and Rover get the job done. There is a level of guilt that can come with the Rover. You don't want just anyone getting in it and getting it dirty, you don't want to risk getting it scratched, you want to park it in the garage, etc.. This is life with a nice 1911.
Hopefully my comparison is understood.
Back to my three plastic guns..... I'm a firm believer that everyone needs a gun to beat on, to not clean after every use, to lay in the yard and practice picking up, to practice slamming mags into, and really just treat as there goto, XJ style, firearm. These three guns fit a shooters hand completely differently and need to be looked at as equals that simply fit differently. If you go plastic they all need considered.
VERY important to me is the angle of my wrist. I need a gun to feel like an extension of my body. Those three plastic guns have different grip angles. The XD is going to be closer to a 1911, the Glock is going to be closer to your revolver with your wrist rolled a little more forward. The Smith has never fit me quite right so I can't compare it.
So my curve ball to the plastic guns that I don't feel guilty beating on... The STI Trojan 1911. Don't own one but really like the bang for the buck and willingness to abuse it.
Have you decided on Aluminum frame vs. steel frame for the 1911? I don't need to know, just something to consider.
I have owned both plastic and 1911 and consider myself very proficient with both. I race with a Glock, I carry a Baby Glock in 357Sig when I need a smaller option and for years carried a 1911 when I would carry all weekend long.
The fact of the matter is that you may as well plan on owning two more guns...
I don't mind elaborating but I will not debate... For a couples of years I shot more per week than most average shooters shoot per year. I've seen a lot of guns in hands of very capable people, this has created what I feel is a very educated and experienced opinion.
Sorry for typos... All written on a phone and in a hurry.
Big Hank
