[bill2]

Now before everyone gets all fired up here, I'm not trolling. I'm just curious. I own a couple of pistols, including an H&K USP .45 and love it. Put 600 rds through it at Front Sight, didn't clean it just to see what would happen, and it did not jam once. I have put several thousand rounds down range, and have never had a problem. I did qualify expert with the 1911 .45 in the Army when I was on a tank in the 70's; I've also rented a Kimber at a local range to see what it was like and liked it but not as much as my USP. I just don't get what is so great about them compared to ther quality guns, like Sigs or H&K's.

So enlighten me, but without any flames please! Reliability, accuracy, ease of maintenance, etc.

Thanks

[Tag]

ease of maintenance

That's what sold me. In fact I got rid of a USP in favor of a 1911. I did not like the roll pins and had been leaning away from polymer.

The USP is an awesome design, no argument there, but I enjoy being able to replace parts without voiding the warranty. :scrutiny:

[Billmanweh]

when you get done here, can we touch on the 9mm vs .45 thing again?

[Tag]

.45!

:neener:

[stans]

The 1911 is my favorite because it is durable, properly set up it is reliable, it uses few parts and is easy to detail strip. The 1911 also fits my hands very well.

[sfhogman]

Ease of maintenence, the S/A trigger, and the way it fits my hand. My Springfield shoots well, points well for me, and is like holding a chunk of history, if you'll pardon the intangible.

I also find the USP to be an incredibly fine gun. I shot one recently, and was very impressed. If I had one, I'd still want a 1911, but wow!

Jeff

[Jim Watson]

All good points, but the 1911 is easy to shoot, contrary to old boot camp stories. I have demonstrated it with 115 lb new female shooters.
There are other guns that are simpler to operate mechanically, suitable for undertrained personnel; and guns more reliable out of the box; and guns that hold more rounds, but the 1911 gets hits.

I tried hard to like the USP, tough, reliable, and accurate. But the double column .45 magazine (and the gunbutt to hold it) was the answer to a question I did not ask. And the trigger was no better than fair. Got a Python for it, though.

[Smoke]

In addition to what everyone else has said, add the history and lore behind the 1911. What other design of auto loading pistol has been around as long and proven itself time and time again.

The 1911 also has the largest selection of after-market parts and is easily configurable into anything you want it to be. Double stack, single stack, wood grips, polymer, carbon-fiber, ivory. Many options for sights, grips safety design, thumb safety design. Stainless, blued, other finsihes...what other platform gives you so many options?

It can be made to fit most people. Chamberings in 9mm, 38super, 40acp, 45 acp. What else could you want?

Now that is not to say it is perfect for everyone. Maybe it isn't your platform and the USP is.....different strokes.

If you found the platform that is right for you.....just forget about hte 1911....











.....If you can. :neener:


Smoke

[Shootcraps]

I just don't get what is so great about them


They're pretty. :evil:

[Mark8252]

If Browning was still alive he would tell you the handgun he designed has many flaws. He would then show you how he corrected the flaws in his later designs.
He would be amased by the people that think his 1911 is the perfect firearm.
There are many handguns that equal or out perform the 1911. Just none with the close to 100 years of stories to go with it.
Its the stories that sell it.
By the way......I like mine too.

[XavierBreath]

I shoot better with the 1911 than I do with anything else. I own a couple, no, three HK's. They are great pistols. I just shoot better with the 1911.
The ergonomics of the 1911 fits me, especially with the Ed Brown grip safety. I like the fact it shoots a bullet that is not to be sneezed at. I like the fact that I can detail strip it quickly, without fear of breaking a piece of plastic. I like the 1911's heritage. Set up correctly, I think it is the ultimate combat sidearm. Mine have been reliable, and accurate. I like the fact that there is a broad aftermarket of parts that allow me to alter my weapon to fit me better. I like the way I can tuck a full size 1911 into my belt at 4:00, cover it with a light jacket and conceal it without fear. There are not many full size guns I can do that with.

HK makes a great pistol, no doubt. I carried a USPc for a while. The 1911 Government just does the job better for me.

Here's a quote I saved after the 1911 was called an outdated design...
"Of course the 1911 is an outdated design. It came from an era when weapons were designed to win fights, not to avoid product liability lawsuits. It came from an era where it was the norm to learn how your weapon operated and to practice that operation until it became second nature, not to design the piece to the lowest common denominator. It came from an era in which our country tried to supply its fighting men with the best tools possible, unlike today, when our fighting men and women are issued hardware that was adopted because of international deal-making or the fact that the factory is in some well-connected congressman's district. Yes, beyond any shadow of a doubt, the 1911 IS an outdated design....and that's exactly what I love about it."
....(courtesy of Rosco Benson)

Best regards,
X

[MrMurphy]

Browning designed the 1911 for the US Army and they got what they wanted (he didn't think it needed a grip safety or thumb safety). He began designing the Hi Power for the European military market (which is why it's a 9mm and hicap) and omitted the grip safety cause nobody asked for it.

However he died in 1926 I think and the Hi Power came out in '35. Dieudonne Saive did most of the finish up work.


The 1911 fits anyone (as does the HP) and is easy to get solid fast hits with a large round that puts people down. I carry a Glock 30, but I grew up on the 1911 and would be perfectly happy with a Commander size Kimber, Springfield, etc. Or a Gov't size.

The HK USP is also quite good, but it is a bit thick. The DA/SA/Cocked and locked option is nice, and for a duty gun, I'd seriously consider it. I'd choose a .40 or 9mm or .45 USP over the M9 Beretta anyday. :)

[roscoe]

Cause Bogie shot Major Strasser with one in 'Casablanca'.

Round up the usual suspects!

[Black Majik]

For me it was several factors.

The SA trigger, all other platform gun's trigger sucked compared to it. Nothing was even in the same league as to trigger feel.

Ergonomics: The feel of the gun. slim, great pointability, easy use of thumb safety.

Looks: Its the baddest looking platform out there. :o

The .45 ACP round: Nuff said

All steel, no plastic. The weight helps with the ways it points so easily. It also makes it feel like a real gun unlike some of the polymer pistols. To me, the Glocks, USP's, P99's etc feel like toy guns. I have some pellet guns that feel more real than those.


Ease of maintenance, that I gotta disagree with. Field stripping a 1911 is not nearly as a Sig or Glock. And a lot more loose parts after a field strip than the more modern pistols.

All in all, I shoot 1911's better than any other platform. Plus I also really like a manual safety. Yeah yeah.... best safety is the one between your ears... but its still a good thing.

1911's are the best. :)

[valor1]

The HK's are good to go right out of the box. The price is reasonable for it "Uber-engineering." No tweaks just mags and ammo and your ready to roll. Still, the 1911 is a good gun. It may take some tweaking but it will shoot out fine after some reliability tuning. Take and keep both.

[TK73]

The single-stack 5" M1911, or the slightly shorter Commander-sized 1911s for that matter, are quite slim & flat pistols that carry quite comfortably and discreetly.

A well set-up 1911, especially when chambered for the .45 ACP, is a rather durable sidearm that can withstand a lot of shooting in addition to heavy abuse under adverse conditions and keep on functioning. Both has been proven on the competition circles (mostly IPSC) and battlefield over the years. It's difficult to wear out a 1911 pistol. Most of the time, it can be rebuild with new components (slide, for example) and parts.

In case of repairs, it's quite easy to find a competent 1911 gunsmith that has the required replacement part(s) in stock already. Therefore, a 1911 might be in service much sooner again than a more recent pistol design that demands the exact & specific part(s) from the manufacturer or even needs to be returned to the factory for servicing.

Despite its single-action trigger mechanism, it has always been my impression that the 1911 might be (:o ) a viable police sidearms because it's preferably carried in condition one (cocked & locked). In case of an unexpected gun snatch, the perp must first figure out how to make it fire. That will borrow precious seconds to counter the criminals actions. Of course, the USP has a similar manual frame mounted safety and that's great.

[M2 Carbine]

I've got dozens of semi autos in many different brands.
All good guns or I would not have them.
Many would serve as excellent carry guns.

But because of some of the reasons already stated and a few others, I carry a 45 Kimber Tactical.

Nothing's perfect but (to me) the 1911 represents the semi auto combat pistol in it's purest form.





But then, I think the J3 Cub is one of the most enjoyable airplanes to fly that was ever made. :D

[Missouri Mule]

Nothing to the uninitated...yet...Everything to those that know!

I won't say it is the greatest for everybody!

I'd almost bet that if Glock, HK and the like came out with a 1911 copy we'd have nothing to argue about!
Oh yeah not, but for the 9mm vs 45 acp superority thing.

I will say it does everything I ask mine to do!
That's good enough for me!

[Snake Eyes]

it's like the price of an Aston Martin......

.....If you have to ask......

[RobW]

I'd almost bet that if Glock, HK and the like came out with a 1911 copy we'd have nothing to argue about!
Didn't SIG come out with a 1911 clone?

[jed]

So far no one has said it can be had in 22 LR for the cheapest possible
shooting.

Another thing is that a person with a short trigger finger can go to
a short trigger to get a fit. Also grips can be made thinner and even thicker if desired. All of this has to do with aftermarket parts and customizing.

It is the most customizable of the semiautos by most accounts.

A big negative is the cost side of doing the modifications even if it is done by the owner.

They can be made in almost a one of a kind way.

Now for shootability, those that work well are terrific!!

[MP5]

Didn't SIG come out with a 1911 clone?

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ga_handguns/gsr_0401/