Is the 1911 Still Relevant?

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Today's polymer guns are so vastly superior in nearly every way to the 1911 that it shouldn't even be a question.

Not sure what drives people to refuse to accept reality or facts.
So those who do no agree with your first statement are refusing to "accept reality or facts?"

Hmm. Kindly enumerate the ways in which polymer guns are so vastly superior.

Weight? Magazine capacity? Average or median price point? Sure, the plastic pistols are superior for those who cannot be bothered to learn a firearm's operating system or how to perform any maintenance beyond a field-strip, perfunctory cleaning and oiling. Sure, the plastic pistols are superior for those who don't require a great trigger or even know what one is like, and for sure, plastic pistols are great for those who simply punch some holes in paper on a static range once a month and don't see the need to have a fighting weapon personally tailored to their individual needs or abilities.

I can think of several reasons that I believe make a good 1911 superior to most polymer pistols, but I'm not gonna denigrate those who do not agree with me.

Some of us appreciate a heavier gun. Some of us can easily conceal a full-size 1911. Some of us appreciate the 1911's trigger, which is second to none. Some of us have hands for which the 1911 fits better than any other gun. Some of us appreciate a timeless, efficient design, craftsmanship and the ability to constantly tweak the pistol to suit our fancy. Some of us favor blued or bright silver steel and fine wood stocks.

I fear that the fact there are more folks here than ever before who can't recognize the relevance of the 1911 is yet another sign that the Apocalypse is nigh...
 
Today's polymer guns are so vastly superior in nearly every way to the 1911 that it shouldn't even be a question.
Not sure what drives people to refuse to accept reality or facts.
So those who do no agree with your first statement are refusing to "accept reality or facts?"
Hmm. Kindly enumerate the ways in which polymer guns are so vastly superior.
Yeah I dont think someone knows how to separate their opinion from true facts.

It's easier to count the Companies that do not produce a 1911 than the ones who do. If it wasn't still relevant these companies would have stopped producing it long ago.

Ive owned/own plastic fantastics from every major manufacture (Glock, SW, SA, HK, Sig) and Ive yet to find one that is superior to anything. Course maybe I expect more than mediocrity? Nor do I make decisions based off bean counters and lobbyists.

now which one of those is opinion vs fact?






 
In this context what does relevant even mean? What makes a gun relevant?

A 1911 isn't relevant to me because it doesn't suit my needs or, more accurately, it doesn't suit my preferences.

Based on my experience I am not comfortable carrying a handgun with the capacity of less than 10 rounds. That automatically excludes every 1911 ever made but that doesn't mean it's a bad design or a bad gun (unless you're talking about a talking about a Llama). It just isn't something that I'm going to look at when I'm looking to purchase a new gun.
 
In this context what does relevant even mean? What makes a gun relevant?

A 1911 isn't relevant to me because it doesn't suit my needs or, more accurately, it doesn't suit my preferences.

Based on my experience I am not comfortable carrying a handgun with the capacity of less than 10 rounds. That automatically excludes every 1911 ever made but that doesn't mean it's a bad design or a bad gun (unless you're talking about a talking about a Llama). It just isn't something that I'm going to look at when I'm looking to purchase a new gun.

Most 1911's made today are modified in some way. Just because it's a Double Stack I wouldn't automatically exclude it from the 1911 Family. For that matter Polymer Frane 1911's also exist.
 
I am not comfortable carrying a handgun with the capacity of less than 10 rounds. That automatically excludes every 1911 ever made

Odd statement, there're 10rd magazines available for 9/38 Super, 40/10mm and 45 mags. Granted you would have to be a really big guy to conceal the 10rd single stack 45 mags. :eek:

Wont even get into the capacity of the double stack 1911's.
 
I may not carry a 1911 daily for all the stated reasons of weight, concealability, etc., but it is the pistol I always wish I could. It is the one I would want to have in my hand in a gunfight.
 
Most 1911's made today are modified in some way. Just because it's a Double Stack I wouldn't automatically exclude it from the 1911 Family. For that matter Polymer Frane 1911's also exist.
Exactly. That is perhaps the most relevant aspect of the 1911, that it can be updated to a modern form without losing its essential 1911-ness.
 
If you are convinced that having a polymer frame is essential in a pistol, there are polymer 1911s'. I prefer my 1911-380, it has a polymer frame. I did a quick search, there are also polymer 45 & 9mm 1911s'.
 
Does anyone still carry a 1911? . . . .

What is the consensus on the old 1911?
Still relevant in today's world? . . . .
I don't carry one any more, but I do consider going back to it from time to time. Sometimes, I just have to have Full Sized Fridays, too. Still relevant? Absolutely. I carry a S&W Shield about 95% of the time, and it's a great gun. That said, when I shoot my 1911, I'm frequently amazed at how much easier it is to shoot my 1911 well.
. . . . I shoot [1911s] better than anything else I own (though I'm amazed at how well an M&P Shield performs.)
This, right here.
All snark aside, we're living in an amazing time. I think we have more high-quality and affordable options than ever before. . . . .
This is The Golden Age of Guns, IMHO.
Today's polymer guns are so vastly superior in nearly every way to the 1911 that it shouldn't even be a question.

Not sure what drives people to refuse to accept reality or facts.

LOL. Our military also used to carry M1 Garands. Why don't they still carry them? Or the 1911? Hmmm... Maybe a clue there...
Hmmm . . . . Unless I'm mistaken, there are in fact some LE agencies and military that do carry 1911s.

Superior in every way? Oh, like how the pistol fits my hand? And the triggers? . . . . Oh, wait.

Don't misunderstand me. I carry a S&W Shield, and I'm very happy with it. But polymers being "vastly superior in nearly every way?" Hardly.
 
All snark aside, we're living in an amazing time. I think we have more high-quality and affordable options than ever before. From inexpensive AR10s, to cheap, reliable, lightweight carry pistols, to affordable optics. There are quality pistols that come from the factory with laser grips and a dot optic, and at quite a reasonable price if that's your thing. Throw on an aftermarket LED light and you've got an amazing home defense gun that can probably be shot better by someone with limited training than ever before, and this might cost less than the Officer's Model ACP I purchased back in 1994 (and that was far from reliable, by the way.)

Hollowpoint ammo is available now that's shockingly good. I think you'd have to work hard to find a load in a common caliber from a major manufacturer that's not perfectly sufficient for self defense. Go to Gunsite (home of the Weaver stance and long-time promoter of the 1911) and the instructors will tell you up-front that there really aren't any bad choices in self defense ammo in the major calibers, and even the lowly 9mm is plenty good for defense if using a modern loading.

And modern manufacturing methods and materials have really changed things up - earlier today there was a deal on an M&P Compact in 9mm for $228. Two Hundred and twenty eight dollars for a solid, reliable carry pistol in 9mm. That's amazing. These may truly be the best of times.

But the 1911 has stood the test of time. They shoot really, really well. They last a really long time if you're willing to perform some periodic maintenance on them. The 1911s being made now are (in my opinion) among the best ever made if you choose well, and modern hollowpoint design that's made 9mm performance acceptable has made .45 performance even better too, but that's another discussion.
Well said.
 
I would so like to see a manufacturer like perhaps RIA offer a line of MODERN 1911 evolutionary results. Polymer frame, double stack, modern level of fit and finish out of the box, starting with 9mm, improved reliable chambering, etc. And of course, a competitive price and a range of sizes/applications. It would be interesting to see whether most folks would care that these would be mechanically more complex than Glocks, a trait that is essentially hidden from unsophisticated users. Competitive reliability in both the short and long term could be assured by modern manufacturing methods.
 
Most 1911's made today are modified in some way. Just because it's a Double Stack I wouldn't automatically exclude it from the 1911 Family. For that matter Polymer Frane 1911's also exist.



Odd statement, there're 10rd magazines available for 9/38 Super, 40/10mm and 45 mags. Granted you would have to be a really big guy to conceal the 10rd single stack 45 mags. :eek:

Wont even get into the capacity of the double stack 1911's.

Not going to dignify either one of these with a response
 
First off.

Congrats and kudos to all for going 3 pages and 62 posts in a civil manner on a hot button topic.! I'm encouraged.



Most will remember my Folger principle:

The best part of waking up is deciding what gun to wear

That said carry what you want and are good with.

Me,
It could be a 1911, full or officer size.
A C Z -75 full of compact
Some flavor of revolver
Or
A small 380.

It is all good
 
I find it amusing that 1911 detractors only recognize a full size all steel GI single stack 45 acp when discussing size and weight but have no problem lumping 3" light weight guns in when discussing reliability.
Since OP is using a 4" Kimber as a example that opens the interpretation up quite a bit. If you look at the "design" of most "new" poly guns they'd all infringe on a JMB patent or two.
As to relevance of an original WW1 1911 configuration on a two way range, when the time comes to actually send rounds, I'd surely rather have that than the LCR or LC9 I usually carry.
 
Short answer: Yes, the 1911 is very relevant and is still carried.
Long answer: The 1911 was the first autoloading pistol to incorporate features we now take for granted, developed around a cartridge that has been the gold standard of man stopping power for over 100 years. There are those that will say modern material technology (ie. Polymers) and modern bullet design have rendered the 1911 (and 45 auto for that matter) obsolete. However, given that so many new offerings to the market still use design elements of the 1911, it certainly is still relevant to modern handgun design. Also, given that physics do not read, and are not influenced by gun rag reviews, the weight and balance of the 1911 is still one of the most effective means of combatting recoil. Now, if the primary purpose of your firearm is to be carried all day, concealed or otherwise, and fired next to never, then today we have much lighter, more comfortable options. If the purpose of your firearm is to promptly eliminate a human threat, the 1911, or it's myriad of imitators, is certainly still a relevant option. The wonderful thing about the time we live in now is, the 1911 is no longer the only best option. There are many remarkable handguns available today, that because of modern material and ammunition technology, are as effective or more so than the 1911. That being said, the fact that when new guns are introduced, they are often still compared to the 1911, illustrates the continued relevance of John Browning's creation.
 
Now, if the primary purpose of your firearm is to be carried all day, concealed or otherwise, and fired next to never, then today we have much lighter, more comfortable options. If the purpose of your firearm is to promptly eliminate a human threat, the 1911, or it's myriad of imitators, is certainly still a relevant option.
That's very well put. Maybe a good way of framing these sorts of discussions is this question when deciding what to strap on: "If I have to draw my pistol to save my life of the lives of my loved ones today, what pistol will I want to be wearing?"
 
That's very well put. Maybe a good way of framing these sorts of discussions is this question when deciding what to strap on: "If I have to draw my pistol to save my life of the lives of my loved ones today, what pistol will I want to be wearing?"

An M16A1, body armor, a radio to call for air support and artillery, another guy with the 203, a couple more guys with M16 A1 and a guy with the SAW
 
They are for me. I'm slowly transitioning back OUT of plastic guns to my 1911s again, all I have left are a couple Glocks that rarely see use.

I did concede to some modernization with my carry 1911, its 9mm and aluminum with an officer frame, but still holds 10 rounds and 2 10 round backup mags are easy enough to carry well. It's nearly as concealable on my body as a Glock 26 or any single stack plastic and the weight is a non issue with the lightweight frame. Plus I shoot circles around plastic guns with it.

If I feel like I need a bigger bullet I go back to a bobtail .45 1911. If I feel I need capacity I have a SAO Sig 226 which, while heavier, is easier to conceal over the same sized Glock 17, holds 18+1, and again shoots better in my hands.

If I feel like i need both, i have a 15+1 double stack 1911 in .45 (SAO as usual, see a pattern?). Works for me.

My plastic guns and my BHP languish in the safe largely unused.

Whenever I'm think I'm having a bad day I look at that picture.

You know it got ugly when he tried to get that squirrel off his shirt right?

My grandpa had one regain conciousness in a game pouch once. Was not pretty. Viscous things when cornered.

My sister rescued a little once once and it got pretty domesticated, very fun things with a better personality than most cats.
 
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