1911: Best from the past in present.

[el Godfather]

Dear THR,
I have recently noticed that many gun enthusiasts have turned back to the 1911 claiming that it is the best platform for the good ole 45ACP. I used not to agree with that always stating the most obvious reason: capacity. Was I ever that young? I have come to realize after years of experience that 7+1 is more then what you need in a pistol for SD. 20+1 or such are good marketing gimmicks at best, unless you are targeting the special forces segment who may need high capacity pistols for VIP protection, etc. Just my "opinion" nothing more.

I want to know if there are other member who feel the same way about the 1911s. Their slim profile and 45 combination is on the top of my list of what I like about them.

There is a reason the design lives on and still copied by major players in the market for hundred plus years.

PLEASE note that this thread is not to bash any other brand or design. This is just to get information and thoughts of 1911 enthusiasts.

It is my opinion that a collection is incomplete without a quality 1911.

Thanks.

 

[jim243]

It is my opinion that a collection is incomplete without a quality 1911

Interesting, I am not sure I would agree with that, even though I own a Kinber 1911. There are many fine pistols out there that use the 45 ACP that are not 1911 pattern pistols, the FNP-45 T (15 rounds) comes to mind as well as the H&K, Sig and Taurus PT-145 (small but effective.)

However I wish all pistols had the 1911 trigger design (straight back) and were as easy to shoot.
Jim

 

[el Godfather]

I agree that there are fine pistols in 45 other than 1911, but when you speak of a collection then a 1911 is a must. That is what I meant not that in a collection if you want to have a 45 it must be a 1911.

 

[BHP FAN]

I gave my son my WWI Colt, but kept the RIA GI, and two Ballester Molinas.

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

Interesting, I am not sure I would agree with that, even though I own a Kinber 1911.

You're sure you own a 1911 since the gun's name is spelled "Kimber" and not "Kinber"?

I don't believe in gun "collections" unless you are a classic gun collector. I buy guns to shoot, regardless of type, design, maker, etc. So, I would suggest buying a 1911 to use it and not to fill out a "collection." That being said - yes, I currently own seven 1911's.

 

[bannockburn]

Typically I buy certain handguns because 1) they fit my hand well, are ergonomic, and are comfortable for me to shoot; 2) I like their design, their overall quality, and their reliability; and 3) they serve a particular purpose or application (CCW, target shooting, plinking, etc.).

For me, the M1911 platform in its numerous and varied configurations, does a great job of delivering on all of these things to me.

 

[Armed012002]

I like Glocks.

I like 1911s.

I own both. I like both equally.

Believe it or not!

 

[Armed012002]

I have come to realize after years of experience that 7+1 is more then what you need in a pistol for SD. 20+1 or such are good marketing gimmicks at best, unless you are targeting the special forces segment who may need high capacity pistols for VIP protection, etc. Just my "opinion" nothing more.

Having experienced a two-way range, 7+1 turns into 0 really fast.

A bad guy doesn't just stand there like a static paper target. He moves.

Trying to hit a moving target who's trying to kill you is not an easy task.

Look at any shooting involving police or civilians. A common trend is there are a whole lot more misses than hits.

More rounds equals more chances to put your bullets where they need to go.

Conversely, if you shoot a 1911 better than any other handgun, then that's the best option for you. A Glock 17 will do you no good if you miss 17 times.

All handguns are a compromise of size, weight, capacity, and "stopping power." We must weigh our needs and options and choose the best compromise.

The 1911 may be the best compromise for some, but certainly not the best compromise for all.

 

[19-3Ben]

there is no such thing as "stopping power" in any handgun!

"Stopping power" is simply the term used to describe the ability of a firearm to produce an incapacitating wound. Do handguns have as much "stopping power" as rifles and shotguns? No, of course not. But to say that there is no such thing is an overstatement.
There are plenty of bad guys who have been stopped with handguns.

 

[Manson]

I love 1911's. But I don't think anyone who has actually been in a fire fight has said "Ya know I was carrying way too much ammo."

 

[guywithfastcar]

My Springfield 1911 just feels right in my hand, and although my pistol is not a collector item by any means, I feel proud to own a pistol with such a rich heritage.

 

[Manson]

I think we might want to keep in mind the OP's request not to bash brands.

 

[jim243]

You're sure you own a 1911 since the gun's name is spelled "Kimber" and not "Kinber"?

Thank you for helping me with my typing.

Jim

Yes I do own one:

 

[Manson]

Very nice Jim.

 

[joecil]

I had a Springfield Loaded full size model for a couple of years and really liked it, but rarely fired it as I also have a Armscor/RIA 1911 CS that I carry daily. I recently sold the Springfield and bought a Cimarron 1873 SAA with 7.5" barrel in 45 Colt as well as a 45 ACP cylinder for it. A real fun gun to shot in both versions of the 45. My guns range from the SAA 45's, 1911 and Beretta 92. My wife has a Taurus PT 111 Pro that she likes.

 

[el Godfather]

Jim is this Kinber or Kimber......just kidding. Nice gun.

 

[Cherokee]

I really like 1911's, have several and some in different cartidges: 9mm, Super 38, 45 ACP. Have shoot them for 50+ years. But, the gun I can shoot the best now days is an XDm 5.25 9mm Comp.

 

[MCMXI]

I have recently noticed that many gun enthusiasts have turned back to the 1911 claiming that it is the best platform for the good ole 45ACP.

I also really like 1911s (I have seven) but I don't consider them to be "the best platform for the good ole 45ACP". 1911s have many desirable features but I honestly think that the SIG P220 (or GLOCK) is a better .45 Auto platform. If JMB were around today I bet he'd love the pistols from the mid 20th Century and beyond, particularly since most of them evolved from his orginal concept.

 

[CmdrSlander]

The 1911 is great because in the end, no two are alike, there are so many aftermarket parts and options - with some guns we say: there are many like it, but this one is mine. - with the 1911 we can say: there a few like it, and this one is mine.

 

[10-96]

claiming that it is the best platform for the good ole 45ACP.

That word "Best" always trips me up. I don't guess it's just the younger folk who become inclined to think everyone ought to own what they own and liberally use/abuse/misuse the word "Best". How the heck would I know what is best for someone I've never laid eyes on? Oh yeah, I love the 1911 in just about all it's forms and... well, OK, I don't like forwards serrations... changes and... OK, I don't much care for micro EMP types... innovations. It's got a great history and it's a pure joy to learn the... Seems I don't much care for the whole Series 80 thing... mechanics of inside and out. If a person has a decent mechanical aptitude, a good set of related shop tools (files, stones, jigs, etc), and a good set of shop manuals- the 1911 is as much fun at home on a bench or under a reading lamp as it is on the range. But does that make it the "best"? I'm not... Nope, don't care for those fiber optics sights either... qualified to be the judge on that. (Good thing I didn't go off on a tangent about the word "Platform"- every fool ought to know it's the shooter who creates the "Platform" for the firing of the firearm... Don't like what the word "Gun" has become either- those belong on ships and tanks not on snarling smirky faces of news anchors who... never mind.)

 

[BYJO4]

I think it entirely a matter of personal preference. For me, the 1911 platform is ideal. It fits my hand nicley, excellent trigger, and accuracy that I can count on.

 

[kragluver]

What attracts me to the 1911 platform (in no particular order):

1) SA trigger
2) Slimness of the design - even the full size conceals quite well and to me is every bit as comfortable as a smaller pistol.
3) Ease of shooting which I attribute to both the trigger design and the low bore axis leading to easy recoil control. The beaver tail grip safety contributed greatly to improving shootability. Our fore-fathers who didn't care for the 1911 in the service didn't shoot with a beavertail which greatly balances recoil.
4) Accuracy. My Ruger P97 is an accurate handgun in .45 ACP but is just too bulky to carry. It gets relegated to house gun duty. I'm not a big fan of DA/SA triggers either.
5) Reliability.

 

[KAS1981]

I like all kinds of pistols, even plastic guns, but I love a 1911. I do not feel under-gunned with 8 rounds from a 1911, mostly because the pistol is so effective as far as handling & shooting goes.

 

[Gtimothy]

I personally love my 1911 because it was the first gun I ever built from the frame up. Learned a lot putting it together and it just feels right in my hand. Only complaint is its weight! It gets REAL heavy after a while!

 

[el Godfather]

10-96

I don't guess it's just the younger folk who become inclined to think everyone ought to own what they own and liberally use/abuse/misuse the word "Best"

I am not sure what you are trying to get at with this statement. One on hand you do not like people using absolute terms, yet you yourself are making a statement which is purely based on your feeling with absolute disregard to what others may think.

If I categorize some items as the "BEST" then that is my opinion as much as it is your opinion that it may not be the best. Simple is that..... I dont know why "some" people on internet spend time to nitpick other member's posts instead of producing something original and worth while.