JR24
Member
Absolutely, as innovative as he was with his designs, I'm sure he'd have embraced polymer and other "new" materials wholeheartedly.
I find man's attempts to "modernize" the 1911 unattractive and mostly useless
- Thread starter Archie
- Start date
- Status
Absolutely, as innovative as he was with his designs, I'm sure he'd have embraced polymer and other "new" materials wholeheartedly.
md7
Member
The first post asked what opinions lurk in the hearts of men?
Here’s mine. I like simple, soulless machines that are easy to use and reliable. They can be basic or fancy. Modified or stock. They just need to work, and work reliably.
For the record, my 1911 is a very basic SA Mil Spec. Parkerized. I’m as pleased with it as I would be a model with bells and whistles and Vice versa
Here’s mine. I like simple, soulless machines that are easy to use and reliable. They can be basic or fancy. Modified or stock. They just need to work, and work reliably.
For the record, my 1911 is a very basic SA Mil Spec. Parkerized. I’m as pleased with it as I would be a model with bells and whistles and Vice versa
I am fine with rather minimalist 1911 pistols. Small thumb safety levers suit me well, and a large “gas pedal” actually gets in my way, by interfering with my ability to adequately press the grip safety, while keeping my thumb on top of the safety lever. My skinny hand is best-served by a grip safety with a modest “speed bump,” and the junction of the front strap and trigger guard being relieved, to enable the weapon to be lower in my hand.
The flat MSH is best, for me. Of course, the original 1911 MSH was flat. The arched MSH was a later change. Really, except for the tiny sights, I could get along well enough with the original-pattern 1911.
My best 1911 has a permanent mag well, which I do not need, but, well, it adds recoil-damping weight. The original owner had it customized by Harrison Custom, and I bought the pistol, which had started life as a Les Baer Premier II, before Harrison had become a big-enough name to add significant value to a pre-owned weapon.
The flat MSH is best, for me. Of course, the original 1911 MSH was flat. The arched MSH was a later change. Really, except for the tiny sights, I could get along well enough with the original-pattern 1911.
My best 1911 has a permanent mag well, which I do not need, but, well, it adds recoil-damping weight. The original owner had it customized by Harrison Custom, and I bought the pistol, which had started life as a Les Baer Premier II, before Harrison had become a big-enough name to add significant value to a pre-owned weapon.
I like both classic and modren style 1911. They both tend to look good, function well, and get the job done. Be it match shooting or SD. With that said; the 1911 is not as be-all-end-all gun anymore, their are a few options more options out there now that is just good, of not better than 1911. Personally, I dislike the grip safety the most, it forces you to hold it a certain way. Which might not be on your mind if someone is running towards you with a bloody hammer. The .45 is a great around and 7 rds can be enough for most sd encounters, but not all of them. Not to mention most pistols now have 15 plus one rds now, a miss with a 1911 isn't in your favor.
loneviking
Member
I find the Staccatos to be an interesting 1911. Steel upper, polymer lower. Fairly lightweight, recoil reduced by a claimed 30%. Still looks like a 1911 and is very accurate and reliable.
What I miss in the modern 1911’s is that rich, deep, mirror polish bluing. I’d love to have a classic, blued 1911.
What I miss in the modern 1911’s is that rich, deep, mirror polish bluing. I’d love to have a classic, blued 1911.
Mosin Bubba
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2012
- Messages
- 1,936
My opinion is that the 1911 was passed by a couple decades ago as a combat pistol. Recreational shooters keep falling in love with the 1911 because of
-the single action trigger
-WWII nostalgia
and in their love for the gun, they try to extend it to become something it's really not. Either they say the original WWII design is some heaven-sent perfect design that can never be improved on and try to minimize the advantages of Glocks, or they accept the upsides of Glocks and try to tacticool up to match.
Either way, Glocks are delivering Wilson Combat reliability at Rock Island prices. That's going to be the big hurdle that the 1911 design just can't get over.
I like shooting 1911s, I won't even argue against you if you carry one (if you ever need to shoot for your life, it had better be a gun you are confident in). But they're not at the top of the heap any more.
-the single action trigger
-WWII nostalgia
and in their love for the gun, they try to extend it to become something it's really not. Either they say the original WWII design is some heaven-sent perfect design that can never be improved on and try to minimize the advantages of Glocks, or they accept the upsides of Glocks and try to tacticool up to match.
Either way, Glocks are delivering Wilson Combat reliability at Rock Island prices. That's going to be the big hurdle that the 1911 design just can't get over.
I like shooting 1911s, I won't even argue against you if you carry one (if you ever need to shoot for your life, it had better be a gun you are confident in). But they're not at the top of the heap any more.
Oh yes... the ol strawman argument.. Yet over look the fact that most modern poly wonders will jam without a proper grip. Heck, the term "limp wristing" was invented because of it...
There are also double stack 1911's that hold 15+ (45acp) or 21+(9mm).
True, that is a good point. But the my point with the grip safety is that the gun won't fire period without pressing down on it; not that it jams when you fire it limp wristed it.
Double stack 1911s are not exactly common and tend to be comp guns, not edc, but not always to be fair. The problem with that is you need to get a different model gun to compare it to many basic model ones.
FYI
The biggest maker no longer even offers competition guns. They went after the SD / LEO market with an entirely new catalog some years ago.
Who was the biggest maker?
Hangingrock
Member
"Limp Wristing" was terminology I first heard in 1964 at MCRD Parris Island when firing the 1911A1 for familiarization!
STI now named Staccato
Grip safeties work just fine IF the factory installs and adjust them for a proper release. A proper release means NOT having to chicken choke the gun to make it fire. Sadly NONE of the factories seem to give any thought to proper adjustment of the grip safety. You can either learn how to do it yourself or pay a smith. It should not make any difference whatsoever if you have an arched or flat MSH or a big honking extended safety or a G.I. safety or fat hands or skinny hands. The GS should clear the trigger with only 1/16th in. of depression (meaning if you're gripping the gun even loosely it will fire). It's not rocket science - it's just that none of the manufacturers care. In the old days every part was handfitted to each frame/slide. Now guns are "assembled" by employees. It doesn't really have to work properly - it only has to sell. The new owner gets to troubleshoot and repair his new gun.
Last edited:
doubleh
Member
I'm a "whatever floats your boat" type of person. If you don't like 1911s just leave them alone and don't disparage them to those that do like them. Personally they are my favorite semi-auto pistol. I have little use for plastic fantastic, striker fired, shoot all day on one loading, so called modern, handguns but I don't run them down to others. We are all in this game together. Shoot what you like and encourage others to do the same The more people that own and enjoy firearms for any reason makes it harder for the gun grabbers to take them away.
nofendertom
Member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2019
- Messages
- 1,029
That Wilson Combat doesn't look plain Jane to me.
Beautiful in form and function. Note Ruger did quite a bit to "modernize the basic 1911"
I have never owned a Ruger that did not perform far above average.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Nothing that hasn't been done before, just their version of it.
JR24
Member
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked