catblaster, the first handgun my dad gave me was the Colt 1911-A1 made cerca 1940, and let me tell you, IT ROCKS! .45's RULE! It was the 1911 that got me hooked on being a gun-freak. It's well worth whatever you can pay for it. I've shot my buddy's Kimber 1911 and i just don't like how tight it is, it's not the same, get an older one. I've even been told that that "slop" i guess you might call it, is one of the best features of the 1911.