1911 45acp - Is it the caliber or platform that attracts most?

[BigG]

About the 9mm Luger/Nato/Parabellum/Etc.

As H. W. McBride said, in A RIFLEMAN WENT TO WAR, a Luger was just fine for knockout power. When they were doing a patrol one of the men picked up a Luger in a pistol belt from a deserted trench. Upon being surprised by a sentry, he swung the holstered Luger by the belt and brained the German. As far as using it as a shootin arn, however, McBride stated the 9mm Luger was not a good killer.

This was in WWI, about 80 years ago, and people now are finding the LEOs have to empty their 9mm Glocks to stop a suspect. Something has been lost, and I think it is common sense.

 

[20yearvet]

For me it isn't really a .45 unless it's a 1911 platform. In other words, if I'm going to have a .45, it's going to be a 1911 (which I have). It's the same but different for 9mm - my 9mm is a Browning Hi-Power and nothing else.

 

[BigG]

my 9mm is a Browning Hi-Power and nothing else.

Mine is a LUGER. Nyeh nyeh!

 

[20yearvet]

Quote:
my 9mm is a Browning Hi-Power and nothing else.

Mine is a LUGER. Nyeh nyeh!

Oh yeah! Well my .40 is a Beretta 96. So there!

 

[Angus Podgorney]

The M1911 was first issued in 1912, had its baptism of fire at Bagsak Mountain in the Phillippines in 1913,

Thank you Sir...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
The M1911 was first issued in 1912, had its baptism of fire at Bagsak Mountain in the Phillippines in 1913,

Thank you Sir...

The Army has a series of historical paintings called, "The US Army in Action" -- it includes scenes like Washington's attack on Trenton, storming the Remagen bridge in WWII, and so on. One of the paintings is "Knocking out the Moros" and depicts the hand-to-hand fighting on Bagsak Mountain.

 

[RNB65]

1911 and .45ACP are like Abbot and Costello.

Apart, they're amusing but not fascinating.

Together, they're magic!!!

 

[Surefire]

I love the (.45 acp) cartridge, but am NOT a fan of the (1911) gun.

YMMV

 

[BigG]

Vern - not to be a spoil sport but, I think some of those Army paintings have anachronisms. I don't think the M1911 ever made to Bangsak Mountain or wherever you are quoting. They wree using SAAs and 38 Army Colts, I think. There was quite a discussion about the validity of the autoloader depicted. Although I'm a big fan of the Colt/Browning pistol, as you probably know.

 

[JP1954]

OK history buffs....I heard it was said........

I heard it was said that the motivation for the development of the 1911 came from a conflict in the Phillipines in which some group( I 'don't remember the name....maybe it was these Moros u guys ar talkin bout) had this habit of mounting a crazed, maniacal frontal attack which was answered with US Army 38 cal sidearms. It was quickly observed that some of these attackers would absord up to 6 rounds and would eventually die but not before lopping off the head ( or some other lethal action) of said shooter. These experiences lead to a request for a sidearm with more "knockdown" power.
The 1911 came about as a result....This has always been my understanding of the genesis of the 1911....Has my understanding been correct????

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The Moros, who are muslims, practiced suicide attacks even then. The normal approach was to go through a ceremony where they took an oath to kill a Christian, supposedly took certain drugs, and had their bodies wrapped with bandages (to retard bleeding.) These "oath-bound" terrorists (the Spanish called them that -- "Juramentados") would then dress normally, concealing a Barong or Bolo under their clothing, walk into a group of Christians (read "Americans"), and suddenly explode in a frenzy of hacking and chopping. The .38 Long Colt was a notable failure in putting these people down quickly enough to minimize the damage.

In 1902, two Army Colonels, Thompson (Ordnance Corps) and LaGarde (Medical Corps) conducted grisley experiments where they shot corpses, beeves and a horse with many different guns and calibers to determine what characteristics a good defensive round should have. They recommended nothing smaller than .44. In 1904, John M. Browning developed the prototype of what is now called the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol Cartridge (ACP). Tests began to select a pistol to fire this new cartridge.

The Army, in the meantime was re-issuing the old Model 1873 Single Action Colts. In 1909, they ran out and adopted the Colt New Service in .45 Colt as the Model 1909. It was short-lived -- in 1911, the Colt entry (designed by John Browning) won the competition for the new service automatic pistol and the rest is history.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Vern - not to be a spoil sport but, I think some of those Army paintings have anachronisms. I don't think the M1911 ever made to Bangsak Mountain or wherever you are quoting. They wree using SAAs and 38 Army Colts, I think. There was quite a discussion about the validity of the autoloader depicted. Although I'm a big fan of the Colt/Browning pistol, as you probably know.

I'm not citing the Army paintings as my authority, merely pointing them out as an item of interest. The early M1911s were issued to the units in combat -- which were in the Philippines, just as they had earlier got the M1909 revolvers first.

 

[carterbeauford]

For me, it's a number of factors, but what it all comes down to is if it 'aint broke, don't fix it. Your opinion may vary, especially if you are a polymer fan, but in my opinion I don't think we have ever seen a better, or ever will see a better combat handgun.

I spent some serious time behind my 1911 yesterday and am going to have a hard time carrying anything else from now on. Never have I made as many successful head shots on a silhouette target as I did with a 1911 in my hands. It just feels so right in every way. Can't really put it into words. They are amazing pistols and John M. Browning was a man not from this earth.