Why A 1911??

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Redcoat3340

Redcoat3340

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My oldest "borrowed" my 1911 a few years ago. It's still in his safe.
I keep feeling the urge to get another full-size .45, but not a high-end 1911, something more modest in price; but....I keep asking myself, "Why?"

It's big and semi-clunky and not for carry. (My Smith 4513 and CS45 are much more IWB friendly.)
It's single action only. (My Smith 745 is SAO and has a pretty good trigger. So is the Browning HP. I had "done." Hard to think I'd find better triggers except on something specially tuned.)
My Sig 220 .45 is at least as accurate as any mid-priced 1911. (And it's DA/SA and about the same size, or maybe just a bit smaller in the barrel.)
And there's nothing a 1911 can do that my Smith 4566 can't, except for the grip safety.

Someone please convince me my analysis is faulty. Plus I'm thinking I'd send my Sig off to get tuned up with the money a used 1911 would cost me. I feel like something's missing in the safe and it nags at me, but just can't justify the $$$ when it comes time to hit the "Bid" button on Gunbroker.

(And I know, I'm pretty lucky to be facing such an embarrassment of riches, but I've been shooting since 1960 or so....so I've "collected" my guns over many years and have bought/sold/traded a bunch of stuff to get where I am now.)
 
Did you enjoy shooting the 1911? Maybe not.
What caliber? Maybe now a 9mm? Ruger,
Colt and Springfield Armory all have models
in about the same price range. And do you
like that "platform" compared to what you have?

If you get one and. you don't like it, then your
son will have a backup to "his" current 1911.

Being biased, I think you might like a Beretta 92
model perhaps with some Langdon or Wilson
refinements. Consider their Centurions or a
new 92X model---no, not the 92X Performance.
 
One can’t convince another to love the 1911 just like you couldn’t convince me to love a Picasso that just doesn’t do it for me. I absolutely love the 1911....the feel...the accuracy...the reliability... I’ll never be without one or more. They aren’t my go-to for concealed carry, but that’s on me....personal preference.
 
bannockburn said:
Either you like and enjoy shooting a 1911 or you don't.
Click to expand...
True.

I don't try to talk folks into the 1911, I actually try to talk folks out of the 1911. I like the 1911, and while I understand it has shortcomings (every firearm does), to me, the strengths outweigh those shortcomings.

If all you see in a 1911 are the shortcomings, it's probably not the gun for you. Move on to something else.
 
I have a bunch of service pistols. As a category, I enjoy shooting the 1911's the most. I have one in 9mm, one in 40 S&W, and one in 45acp. I like them all.

You can get a NiB or used RIA 1911 for not a lot of money. They are generally considered to be reliable and good shooters.

This one cost me around $400 OTD NiB, before the whole covid thing. I paid a little extra for the larger sights and beavertail.

I also had one of the Turkish 1911's previously, and it was a good shooter too.

You don't have to pay a lot anymore to get a decent 1911 that will be reliable and accurate.

RIA 1911 45acp

RIA 1911 45acp

 
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with a proper belt and holster designed for carry,....the 1911 carries very well.

if you think DA / SA is an advantage, then maybe the 1911 is not for you.

It takes a level of dedication, . . . of 5000+ repetitions to develop muscle memory for the 1911's cocked & locked system

With training and dedication, it can be a very deadly weapon.
 
Redcoat3340 said:
I keep feeling the urge to get another full-size .45, but not a high-end 1911, something more modest in price; but....I keep asking myself, "Why?"
Click to expand...
I have asked myself that question over the years, when there are so many pistols that, on the face of it, would seem to make more sense... but then I handle one of my 1911s a bit, take it out and shoot it, and have my answer. Because few other pistols feel as natural, handle the recoil of the .45 ACP cartridge (assuming a full size, steel frame model), shoot as accurately or are possessed of such an inherently superior trigger. But, also for me, the nostalgia factor probably plays in a bit -- the pistol carried by our G.I.s fighting evil for most of the 20th century, and the pistol many of us oldsters came up on when we served.
Redcoat3340 said:
It's big and semi-clunky and not for carry.
Click to expand...
This is where some of us would disagree: yeah, it's relatively big, but by no means "semi-clunky;" most of us consider it a pretty doggone sleek pistol, and, for those that want to (as @derek45 above notes), it can easily carry very well. A moderate high-rise pancake or quality IWB with a quality belt, and there ya go....
JTQ said:
I like the 1911, and while I understand it has shortcomings (every firearm does), to me, the strengths outweigh those shortcomings.

If all you see in a 1911 are the shortcomings, it's probably not the gun for you. Move on to something else.
Click to expand...
Well, I see the 1911s as the Harley -Davidson bikes of the gun world. Either you dedicate yourself to learning its operating system and how to maintain, tweak and repair it, or you move on. Like a Harley, it can be your best buddy or a money pit that sits in your garage and rarely sees the light of day.
 
Redcoat3340 said:
My oldest "borrowed" my 1911 a few years ago. It's still in his safe.
I keep feeling the urge to get another full-size .45, but not a high-end 1911, something more modest in price; but....I keep asking myself, "Why?"

It's big and semi-clunky and not for carry. (My Smith 4513 and CS45 are much more IWB friendly.)
It's single action only. (My Smith 745 is SAO and has a pretty good trigger. So is the Browning HP. I had "done." Hard to think I'd find better triggers except on something specially tuned.)
My Sig 220 .45 is at least as accurate as any mid-priced 1911. (And it's DA/SA and about the same size, or maybe just a bit smaller in the barrel.)
And there's nothing a 1911 can do that my Smith 4566 can't, except for the grip safety.

Someone please convince me my analysis is faulty. Plus I'm thinking I'd send my Sig off to get tuned up with the money a used 1911 would cost me. I feel like something's missing in the safe and it nags at me, but just can't justify the $$$ when it comes time to hit the "Bid" button on Gunbroker.

(And I know, I'm pretty lucky to be facing such an embarrassment of riches, but I've been shooting since 1960 or so....so I've "collected" my guns over many years and have bought/sold/traded a bunch of stuff to get where I am now.)
Click to expand...
I'm not big on "convincing" people either way on matters like this.

My opinion is if you want a 1911, then buy a 1911. You don't have to over think it, you don't have to feel guilty about it, you don't have to replace anything with it.

Budget for it and get it. It's that simple. So long as it doesn't adversely affect the family budget, go for it.
 
My question is why does he have it? Was it a loaner while he gets his own? Is there something he would rather have than a 1911? If so, if you can, then maybe gift him a glock or S&W or whatever he might want more and is less than the cost of a 1911, and get your 1911 back? If your intent is to let him keep it, then, I agree with the above, if you want one, and can afford one, then buy one.

I don’t know your circumstances, but I got my shotgun back after loaning to my son once he bought his shield.
 
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RetiredUSNChief said:
I'm not big on "convincing" people either way on matters like this.

My opinion is if you want a 1911, then buy a 1911. You don't have to over think it, you don't have to feel guilty about it, you don't have to replace anything with it.

Budget for it and get it. It's that simple. So long as it doesn't adversely affect the family budget, go for it.
Click to expand...

Pretty much. It sounds like the OP is settled without one but still kinda wants one.

Usually a good enough reason :)
 
Historically, I've always leaned towards "everyone needs a 1911," but I probably should lean towards "everyone should spend a little time with a 1911." I'd say 'borrow' it back from your son, or (better yet) go to the range with him, spend a little time shooting the 1911, and then decide.
 
The gun that got me into shooting was the 1911, and I learned to shoot on both the 1911 and the Glock.
It was a young me that idolized the Colt 1911 platform and it was my favorite semi auto.
As I matured I developed a heavy preference for revolvers. Insomuch I only have a handful of semi autos, including Glocks.
I never could justify owning a 1911 because I knew too well it's shortcomings compared to modern semi-autos. If I'm getting a semi-auto, it'd be one that made sense.
The 1911 is SAO, single stack. And it's hard to choose the right caliber for you. .45 ACP is good but .357 mag and .357 Sig is better.
A 9mm? A Glock 17/19 covers that for me.

Earlier this year I decided if I was to get a 1911, it'd be a stainless one. That'd justify it and that's what I did. Found a good stainless 1911, and for a good price. Because it's stainless, it's corrasion resistant and is built tough. They say every man needs a 1911 in his safe, once you find your specific niche for it. I think with all of us here, we all lean towards wanting a 1911 at some point but find it hard to justify. You just need to find your own justification for owning one.
 
md7 said:
Op,

You say that “you keep feeling the urge” to get a 1911. That’s justification enough. Go get one!
Click to expand...

True, oddly enough I just noticed going through my safe that I'm down to only two 1911s, and one double stack 1911.

Not too long ago I had like 10, lol. Even so one of the two (Kimber Warrior) might get sold to help fund a Wilson or Nighthawk.
 
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If finding the sweet spot that a 1911 would fill with the least amount of overlapping what you currently own, I'd suggest finding a 1911 in .38 Super. It's a nearly 100 year old round that was developed specifically to run in 1911's, so you get the nostalgia factor. It really takes off where the 9mm drops off, and you can run 9+1 so you get added capacity over the .45.
 
Howland937 said:
If finding the sweet spot that a 1911 would fill with the least amount of overlapping what you currently own, I'd suggest finding a 1911 in .38 Super. It's a nearly 100 year old round that was developed specifically to run in 1911's, so you get the nostalgia factor. It really takes off where the 9mm drops off, and you can run 9+1 so you get added capacity over the .45.
Click to expand...

9mm 1911s are real nice too, especially lightweights since they shoot so sweetly. Helps fill a niche perhaps.
 
Get together with your son and work out a deal; if he wants to keep it, establish 'visiting rights.' (Range time with your son with the 1911; best of both worlds!) If there's a gun he's a-hankering for (and what gun owner doesn't have several in mind?) work out a trade. I've traded guns with one of my sons, even for ones I didn't want, just so he'd get what he wanted.
 
I carry a Springfield Armory Milspec stainless daily. I've carried various others including glocks. I like and shoot various others well. But most of them are just guns, whereas a 1911 is more than the sum of it's parts.

I carry in a desantis duo carry II with thumb snap removed.
 
I developed a fondness in Army basic training for the 1911, looked at them at gun shows and sport shops over the years. I never wanted a basic 1911, I wanted one with all the refinements already done. Finally just before retirement I payed up and bought a Springfield Loaded Target 1911. I cast and reload for all my handguns,. I've put tens of thousands of rounds threw that gun without a hick up that was gun related, The Springfield just feels right in my hand, handles recoil well and is accurate ... hdbiker
 
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