1911s are fine guns. With an 8 round mag (so 8+1), you add an extra person so to speak on the number of opponents to be dealt with with one load (that's assuming 3 or so for each - which is a reasonable procedure) and what we were taught in classes. Also, the reload is much faster than a moonclipped revolver UNLESS you are up to top competitor levels. Carrying the extra mags is not as cumbersome as moonclips or speed loaders.
Another to mention is that if you trained for injured shooter drills, reloading a semi is easier.
To return to the 1911, for the same size package you can get almost twice the number of equally efficacious rounds (stopping power flame wars begone!) in a striker gun nowadays.
I wouldn't feel helpless with a 1911 and two extra mags. I would much prefer it to a belt revolver and moonclips and speed loaders. However, if I am serious about an optimal civilian EDC it's a striker gun with two extra mags.
An 8 shot revolver (N Frame) for example, is a big gun for what advantage?
I shoot a 1911 pretty decently quite a bit. Now at the old National Tactical Invitational, a very, very well known trainer mocked the polymer guys. His analysis relied in part on the Miami shoot out and the failure of the 9mm round. He always carried a 1911. Get in the DeLorean to now, he carries a Glock 9 mm. Times change, rounds got better.
However, a 1911 is a better belt choice than a revolver, if you can shoot it. Funny story, I told a guy at work I shoot a 1911. He said he once shot on in the Army and it damn near tore his arm off. He was big over 6 foot guy. I looked at him from my towering 5'6" and said, Wow - I shot 90ish rounds of 230 gr WWB this weekend. Still got my arm.
Chosen a gun for a fighting arm is for real and not to be cool with something less than optimal. We see folks proclaiming they carry a single action (not for hunting with a large caliber) or even a black powder gun - because blah, blah. Yeah, they are guns but optimal carry guns aren't for being cool. Fun in matches, sure. If Joe bans the hi caps because he believes 5 is enough, that would be different.