Why A 1911??

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After reading this thread got urge to take the 1911 chambered in 9mm out for a run. Slapped a fastfire III on it, grabbed 500 rounds and hit the range. Fun/fun/fun!!!

Had the marvel 22lr conversion on the 1911/45acp for awhile and was burning a brick of ammo a week in it since the beginning of april. Just pulled it off and put the 45acp slide back on. Got a couple thousand rounds of blammo ammo to burn up.

Between the 3 calibers (22lr/9mm/45acp) I burn 15,000 to 20,000 rounds a year in the the 1911's. And just for the heck of it I picked up a plastic/steel hybrid. A ruger MK IV 22/45, the one with the plastic lower designed after the 1911.:):):)

Only got 1500 rounds thru that 22/45 so far.
 
These cons come to mind with a P220, you're free to disagree.
  • Chokes on semi-wadcutters
  • Limited sight options
  • Accessory rail on all current models
  • 9mm and 38 Super chamberings discontinued
  • Top heavy due to combination of alloy frame / steel slide
  • Steel frames only offered on Legions
  • Difficult to re-finish.
  • Seldomly used in action or bullseye competition.
  • Lack of aftermarket upgrades.
 
The 1911 guns just seem to be one of those hate them or love them guns. Personally I am drawn to them and it's one of those moth to a flame attractions. I collect the Colt Series 70 MK IV guns. Recently I came into a Kahr Arms (after they bought Auto Ordinance) 1911 guns. While not a gun I would have normally bought I ended up with it. Really not a bad gun at all. I have also shot several of the Remington and Springfield Armory flavors and the ones I have shot all functioned just fine. I won't try to talk anyone into or out of a 1911 or any gun for that matter. You either want one or you don't. That is for you to decide. :) Me? In a heartbeat!

Ron
 
Hmm. Apples to oranges; re-reading the OP, in spite of the fact he mentioned "upgrading" his P-220, it didn't seem like he was interested in comparisons, but rather was wondering why he was experiencing this seeming lust for a 1911. In any case, member Otto's "cons" vis a vis the 220 are nothing I'm in agreement with (my counters for his bullet points are subject for another thread); the P-220 is my very favorite non-1911 .45 ACP pistol. Especially my old W. German...

Hey, anyone notice the OP hasn't been back to check in on his thread?
x 220.jpg
 
Seriously, its like Lay's Potato Chips,
Best shooting gun i own
I switch mine back and forth from 9mm to 45 in field strip time...
RIA, 400 new, spent another 400 upgrading to 45 and grips and stuff..
Its AWESOME
20210325_145909.jpg
Great guns, parts interchange, never out of style...
 
If the 1911 came out tomorrow, it would fail in sales. Most, if not all, historically significant firearms would except maybe the AR. But there’s a reason the 1911 has survived so long and been copied by so many manufacturers, including some of the best custom pistol makers in the business. It’s a solid platform. Some of the copies offer a lot of firepower (double stack 10mm), they have a slim profile, have more upgrades available than any pistol on the market, and they’re classy.

But they aren’t for everyone. And that’s ok too.
 
To add to my previous posting on the matter...

There is a lot to be said for esthetics. Sometimes it's just the classic beauty that grabs our attention, not anything "practical" like something that you would carry concealed, shoot in competitions, or hunt with. Maybe it's just an association with fond memories of some kind.

There are people for whom esthetics are quite important in what they will or will not buy. I, for example, won't own a Glock because I think they're ugly as sin...not because I think they're junk firearms. I also own a .45 Colt SAA, color case hardened, 5 1/2" barrel precisely because I've viewed them as a thing of beauty since my youth several decades ago.

Looking at the firearms I own, I see an element of beauty in all of them, and looking back at the times I thought about each of their purchases I'm quite sure this was a significant factor in my decisions.
 
I have actually been thinking on this question, my dad used to shoot competitions on the military team back in the late 60s and 70s, he shot .22 and .45 rapid and slow fire, and has many medals to show for it. He won a gold cup match in one of them, or that was the story anyway, but, when I was 10 (late 60s) he used to take my brother and I to his range, so the first hand guns I shot were .22 and .45 both in a 1911 format. I have had a lot of guns over the years, but, I pretty much was a cowboy gun guy until somewhere along the line I bought a .357/38 special snub revolver.

I honestly felt 1911s were over priced for what they were, still do to some extent.

At one point, after spending time with the Kimber CDP and the little Sig P238s, it got me thinking I needed a .45 1911, I found an R1s on sale at Cabela's, and picked it up. The only regret I have on the 1911 was I didn't pick one up sooner.

There is something about shooting a big steel 1911 which is just different, big lead, push recoil, nostalgia, aesthetics, etc. can't put my finger on it, maybe it is mostly cuz that is the first "military" weapon I ever shot.

I don't see myself ever not having a steel 1911 or a 4" steel revolver (GP100 in .357 for me), I of course would sell anything and everything is that is what I needed to do to feed my family, but for now we are all good in that area and I would not hesitate to buy another 1911 if I see one I like and the price is reasonable.

Dave
 
Old Dog said:
Hmm. Apples to oranges; re-reading the OP, in spite of the fact he mentioned "upgrading" his P-220, it didn't seem like he was interested in comparisons, but rather was wondering why he was experiencing this seeming lust for a 1911. In any case, member Otto's "cons" vis a vis the 220 are nothing I'm in agreement with (my counters for his bullet points are subject for another thread); the P-220 is my very favorite non-1911 .45 ACP pistol. Especially my old W. German...

Hey, anyone notice the OP hasn't been back to check in on his thread?
View attachment 997949
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I do agree that I disagree (how's that for a confusing statement) with his cons on the 220.

I have my own cons between the 220 and 1911, though I like both and occasionally miss my w. German 220 I sold to fund my Dan Wesson VBob.

Basically it boiled down to the 220 is essentially the same gun, 8 shot relatively heavy .45 ACP but the Sig is missing the wonderful 1911 trigger and is bigger than a commander 1911 (which is my favorite size, balance wise). I had a 245 for a while and that was kinds fun but was, again, a bit bigger than an officer 1911 and held one less round in the small mag.

The other 220 issue is that the mags can bind up if the OAL of the bullet is too long. Not so much of an issue now that I reload but I recall back in the ammo crunch of 2013 or so I had boxes of UMC that would have 20-25% round that wouldn't feed in my OEM and ACT 220 mags yet ran just fine in my Springfield GI and Remington R1.

Easy enough to resize, now, but it did shake my confidence a bit in the Sig.

Still, until my recent purchase of an HK45C the P220 was my second favorite non 1911 .45, behind my Glock 21. These days I almost like the HK more than even my 1911s, but it's still relatively new so we'll see how I feel after the "new gun rush" ebbs.

Edit: speaking of SIG, I do regret not picking up a 227 SAS when I could have. That model should have cought on better but, as per typical Sig, it's probably better I didn't invest in a model that Sig dropped.
 
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Are there really people out there that don’t like the 1911? Not just nit picking a specific feature or function but truly hate a 1911 and would never own one? I suppose anything is possible in this wide world of sports but I can’t fathom it.
 
"Why a 1911 ?"

My first gut response was why not ? Easy on the wrist, history, Americana, its easy to come up with reasons on why. I only own one, and with it being in 9mm I am always on the lookout for my second in .45.

-Jeff
 
webrx said:
Cool Cannon btw - do you have a build thread so we can see how it was done? I thought I read it is homemade from PVC?

d
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Yes, it's a PVC core with carved foam for the body.

I have a Word document somewhere that I wrote up on how I made it. My personal laptop finally gave up the ghost a few months ago, but I believe my work computer still has it. If you PM me I can email you that document.

It discusses the processes I used with a lot of pictures to go along with it. There aren't any "technical" details, but I do a fair job of describing the process.

I had thought I had made a thread on this, but looking back through my postings, it seems not. Maybe it's time I did!

I don't want to derail this thread, though, so post a link later.


EDIT:

Here's a link to the thread I just created. Anybody with any comments/question, please take them there so we don't derail this thread.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/carbide-pirate-cannon.888806/
 
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If the 1911 came out tomorrow, it would fail in sales.
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Agreed. Look what happened to Hi-Powers....another one of John Browning's pistols and almost as old.
It wasn't that long ago (7 yrs.) that you could buy a new BHP for $600 at CDNN. They were selling cheap because of a lack of popularity..

If the OP want's a 1911, suggest he retrieve the one he loaned out.
FWIW: Letting someone borrow your guns is a great way to stain a relationship....same thing applies with tools.
 
Nature Boy said:
Are there really people out there that don’t like the 1911? Not just nit picking a specific feature or function but truly hate a 1911 and would never own one?
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keep in mind that there is an entire generation(s) that grew up with nothing but plastic fantastic's...

BigBore44 said:
Heavy and low round count are enough.
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Too many heavily populated states with 10rd limits + thinner than most guns of lesser calibers. Then that trigger, 100+ years and cannot be matched..
 
BigBore44 said:
Heavy and low round count are enough.
Click to expand...

tarosean said:
keep in mind that there is an entire generation(s) that grew up with nothing but plastic fantastic's...



Too many heavily populated states with 10rd limits + thinner than most guns of lesser calibers. Then that trigger, 100+ years and cannot be matched..
Click to expand...

Imagine a world without 1911 triggers for the last 100 years where our absolute best would be a slicked up CZ or something, then introducing the 1911 trigger. Mind blowing.

Even heavy and low round count, it would become popular immediately, IMO, on trigger alone, let alone how wonderful it feels in almost anyone's hands and the slim profile does conceal well, if that's your jam.
 
Otto said:
Agreed. Look what happened to Hi-Powers....another one of John Browning's pistols and almost as old.
It wasn't that long ago (7 yrs.) that you could buy a new BHP for $600 at CDNN. They were selling cheap because of a lack of popularity..

If the OP want's a 1911, suggest he retrieve the one he loaned out.
FWIW: Letting someone borrow your guns is a great way to stain a relationship....same thing applies with tools.
Click to expand...

Different gun though. Though nice in the hand the BHP is pretty notorious for hammer bite. The trigger, while SAO, is indifferent at best and up to decent/good with trigger work, nothing comparing to even a moderate 1911 trigger IMO.

Plus it played in a different sandbox than ol slabsides, being a double stack moderately compact 9mm it is a far closer comparison to Sig, CZ, or any of the plastic wonder nines.

The weight of a steel BHP is very unnessary in 9mm while a 1911s size and weight really help with running a .45 well (as an aside, 9mm 1911s shine in aluminum and short barrels because they, again, don't need the weight).

Even so didn't some Turkish firm pump out a BHP clone a few years back? They still making them?
 
JR24 said:
Even heavy and low round count, it would become popular immediately, IMO, on trigger alone, let alone how wonderful it feels in almost anyone's hands and the slim profile does conceal well, if that's your jam.
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I would submit that 90% of gun-owners today, particularly the younger generation
tarosean said:
that grew up with nothing but plastic fantastic's...
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wouldn't know a really good trigger if it came up to them and smacked them across the face. The mediocrity of the triggers on the last couple generations of DA/SA autos and polymer framed striker-fired pistols seems to be pretty much universally accepted with only a fraction of owners owners and shooters electing to have work done on their pistols' triggers.

I'd almost go so far as to say that many of those who claim to have never shot, nor like, 1911s might as also well state, "I'm good with a crappy trigger, because I don't know any better."
 
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