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What is it about 1911's

2716 Views 24 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Gruntcall
I took the Arkansas concealed carry class today. After the class ended I was left thinking, what is it with 1911's? Their price is greater than most other pistols. Their magazine capacity is only 8. They're large and heavy. If one wanted to carry a .45, I would think and XD or Glock would be the way to go. Could someone help me to understand the 1911's appeal.
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My Colt 1991 fits my hand better than any other semi-automatic pistol.

It is "what a pistol needs to be", in my opinion.


Tommy
My Colt 1991 fits my hand better than any other semi-automatic pistol.

It is "what a pistol needs to be", in my opinion.


Tommy
They do fit in your hand very nicley, actually I would prefer a 1911 over another automatic pistil. :biggrin:
An XD shared much of the same grip ergonomics with the 1911, and greater capacity in a lighter package. They're nice guns, but seem to be a bit behind on firepower and conceal ability.
I'm not a 1911 fan, although I have one that is on it's second barrel. When I first started competition shooting back in the 80's, the 1911 was the standard that all others were judged by. I shot literally 10's and 10's of thousands of rounds through that gun. Since then, double stack and hi cap have become the standard. I still have a 1911, but it hasn't been shot in years. Some people say it fits their hand like a glove, it just doesn't really feel right to me. I guess it's like the Ford/Chevy debate, it'll go on forever.
I'm not a 1911 fan, although I have one that is on it's second barrel. When I first started competition shooting back in the 80's, the 1911 was the standard that all others were judged by. I shot literally 10's and 10's of thousands of rounds through that gun. Since then, double stack and hi cap have become the standard. I still have a 1911, but it hasn't been shot in years. Some people say it fits their hand like a glove, it just doesn't really feel right to me. I guess it's like the Ford/Chevy debate, it'll go on forever.
Yep, that and that we all have hads of different sizes and shapes. The Browning HP pistols hurt my hand after 30-40 rounds... go figure.

Tommy

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my brother has an 800 or 900 dollar Kimber 1911, i hate the way it feels in my hand. I think with some grip modification it would fit better. Its fun to shoot, great combo of power and precise accuracy. They (1911's) are a fine piece of weaponary. I want a Springfield Mil-Spec. have no reason to own one other than to just have one
i can't say that i am a 1911 fan. they are cool and all, and a big part of history. but if was going to spend close to a 1000 on a pistol, it would be a luger...
our 1911 colt is a very good gun and it shoots real well. its balanced and accurized and it has a special grip ingraved in the frame. luke did you like it any when you shot it?
our 1911 colt is a very good gun and it shoots real well. its balanced and accurized and it has a special grip ingraved in the frame. luke did you like it any when you shot it?
that .45 ya'll got is a nice one:thumb:. i like them, but i just like the lugers and berettas better.
There's a lot of folks that really like 1911's. You gotta admit, for a platform to last for almost a century (so far), it's gotta be a good one.

Now, having said that.......I've never shot a 1911 that I liked.......and I've shot some really nice ones. I've shot everything from bone-stock GI models to a $3500 Guncrafter Industries custom pistol. Don't know why they don't shoot good for me........:dontknow:

However, I'm a big fan of Springfield XDs. I shoot them well, and I really like the way they fit me. I also like the venerable wheelguns. My current favorite revolver is a Ruger SP101 in .357 Mag (2 1/4" barrel).
I personally like my Springfield 1911. It fits my hands good.
M1 tommy said it diversity.....I have S&W's and Berettas in autos from 9mm,40 S&W and 45 ACP and .........well ............I just like them all:thumb:
I guess the thing I like about the 1911 is the "cocked & locked" thing. Makes it ready to fire in an instant. I have a .45 Llama (Colt 1911 knock off) that I carry frequently. The main reason I carry it is the large caliber & knockdown power.

I also have a Ruger P-89 in 9mm hi-capacity that I like - and carry often, too.

The downside to these bigger guns is concealability. I'd really like to have one of the compact .40's or .45's. When I am wearing clothing that makes it hard to conceal, I have an RG double barrel .38 derringer that will fit about anywhere.:thumb:
I guess the thing I like about the 1911 is the "cocked & locked" thing. Makes it ready to fire in an instant. I have a .45 Llama (Colt 1911 knock off) that I carry frequently. The main reason I carry it is the large caliber & knockdown power.

I also have a Ruger P-89 in 9mm hi-capacity that I like - and carry often, too.

The downside to these bigger guns is concealability. I'd really like to have one of the compact .40's or .45's. When I am wearing clothing that makes it hard to conceal, I have an RG double barrel .38 derringer that will fit about anywhere.:thumb:
There are many guns that carry "cocked and locked," only safer. Notably ones would be the Glocks and XDs. Both are ready to fire in an instant, the Glock having a more unique fire control system.

As far as knock down power, the 40s&w seems to fare better than the 45. I saw a paper on police shooting statistics where the 45 didn't fare nearly as well as the 40 in one shot stops.

There is definite history with the 1911, and they have some strong points, but even John Browning felt they needed refinement. That's why he designed the Hi-Power. For a carry gun they seem to fall short in conceal ability, fire power, and safety features.
I guess the thing I like about the 1911 is the "cocked & locked" thing. Makes it ready to fire in an instant. I have a .45 Llama (Colt 1911 knock off) that I carry frequently. The main reason I carry it is the large caliber & knockdown power.

I also have a Ruger P-89 in 9mm hi-capacity that I like - and carry often, too.

The downside to these bigger guns is concealability. I'd really like to have one of the compact .40's or .45's. When I am wearing clothing that makes it hard to conceal, I have an RG double barrel .38 derringer that will fit about anywhere.:thumb:
I have to disagree with that.
One SHOULD have to:
1) Have a firm grip on the pistol (to disengage the grip safety)
2) Disengage the thumb safety.
... before the pistol will fire.

I think that seeing the hammer back gives a 'perception of danger", or that it's been preached to sell other pistols.

This, JMO,
Tommy
Bretheren and Sisters, let us consider for a moment a passage from the book of John Moses (Browning, that is):

1 In the beginning was the 1911, and the 1911 was THE pistol, and it was good. And behold the Lord said, "Thou shalt not muck with my disciple John's design for it is good and it workith. For John made the 1911, and lo all of his weapons, from the designs which I, the Lord, gave him upon the mountain."

2 "And shouldst thou muck with it, and hang all manner of foul implements upon it, and profane its internal parts, thou shalt surely have malfunctions, and in the midst of battle thou shalt surely come to harm."

So remember, when in dire danger, don't dial 911, use a 1911. Just practice a lot first!! :biggrin:
.........
2 "And shouldst thou muck with it, and hang all manner of foul implements upon it, and profane its internal parts, thou shalt surely have malfunctions, and in the midst of battle thou shalt surely come to harm."
.........
My 1991 is completely stock except for pachmyr grips. Maybe that's why it will eat ANYthing I feed it. I've even put empty cases in the middle of a mag.-full, and it would chamber them ..... but wouldn't go "bang", only show up my bad hold!

Tommy
See, Tommy gets it!

No, really, you just have to look at all the bazillions of pistols that have come and gone that have "borrowed" from John Browning's divinely inspired designs to understand what a milestone they were. The design concepts live on today not just in the 1911 and Hi-power, but nearly every major auto pistol you've had your mits on.

No, they don't fit everybody, and they can be a challenge to learn to shoot well. And gummint models really are heavy. But they work, and a good one works every time. And even a bad one makes a dang good bludgeon when all else fails! I'll be willing to bet they'll still be taliking about JMB's 1911 pistol design another hundred years from now.
i think i would like one better if it was chambered in 9mm or .357 sig...

just me talking
luke:thumb:
i think i would like one better if it was chambered in 9mm or .357 sig...

just me talking
luke:thumb:
They are available in those calibers and lots more, 38 Super, 9x21, 10mm, 9x25, 45 Super just to name a few right off the top of my head. Drop a barrel in and start shooting.
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