1911- The Harley-Davidson of handguns

[SilverState]

Ed Brown. There is just something cool about having a pistol where every part was built by the named owner and his sons from bar stock in their shop. And after they made each part, they put it together by hand and tested it before sending it to me.

Yeah, the price was higher than some lesser pistols. But I trust my life to this thing...

 

[DHart]

SilverState... I couldn't agree more... here's my EB:

A superb choice for personal defense.

 

[SilverState]

Nice!

 

[Moonclip]

Threadlock a coming! When I was in my more beginning stages of being seriously in to shooting, I though the 1911 pattern was for old people and dated, I just wanted one for fun plinking and considered the Glock superior.

Once I got my hands on both and discounting a poor range rental 1911 pattern that I pitted against my S&W 25-2, I realized the 1911 pattern is excellent once you get to know it and while Glocks have their place, I don't really like them as much! I guess I'm getting older!

As for bikes, I've always been one to like something strange or unique at times, be it guns or whatever. I like to have something like the Glocks for ease of finding parts, ammo, but my true fun guns are stuff like a Astra 400 and a destoyer carbine in 9mm largo to match. Like the history, uniqueness at the range.

I ride a Moto Guzzi and want a Triumph(not the speed triple) I find most(not all) Harley people I see(no offense) to be like the characters in Wild Hogs who are trying too hard to compensate or something, playing like they are hardcore 1%er's.

Like the 1911 though, I don't want to judge too much, I'll have to extensively ride a Harley before I get too judgemental.

 

[johnle]

Have you ever shoot a 1911?

The trigger is the definition of PRECISION. Clean, crisp and refreshing like 7-Up.

Harleys on the other hand aren't the most precise bikes...so no comparison other then they are american designs and old, but the Harley is only made by Harley and the designs aren't being updated to modern standards. The 1911 has evolved with the times, you can get them in almost any caliber, you can get a variety of frames, a variety of custom parts, from a huge number of makers and yet they have an air of mystery to them still due to the history.

Wars have been won with the 1911, it's got soul.

 

[Moonclip]

Harleys,Moto Guzzis, and Triumphs have soul also! Wars are not won with pistols generally I'd say. I think we could have been armed with .22 derringers for sidearms and the Germans and Japanese with .50AE Desert Eagles and the outcome would not have changed a bit. That does not change the fact though that the 1911 pattern has a lot going for it even after 100 years.

 

[varoadking]

You left out that they're both how middle-aged guys prove they have a lot of money.

...actually, it's how we middle-aged guys enjoy what our money can buy.

 

[varoadking]

But I trust my life to this thing...

Without a doubt, the most stale and overused phrase on this and every other gun forum. Moreso when used in conjunction with a Taurus or some such piece, but stale and overused nevertheless...

 

[1911Tuner]

Ahhh! The myth of the obsolete, unreliable, finicky, fragile 1911 rears its head once again.

Bring your Glock and lots of ammo and magazines. Lots and lots. Play follow the leader with me in a torture/endurance test with any one of a dozen or so pistols that I use as range beaters...some a lot and some occasionally. Do what I do and make me proud. Do it not, and you buy the ammo. If your Glock is still functional at the end of the day, I'll buy it.

Standin' by...

 

[Catalina]

*snip*

 

[Catalina]

JGO - be honest - you just joined THR to push my buttons right? You're like 21 years old and rebelling against authority, right? You have some sort of sculpted facial hair, right? You use some sort of "product" to style your hair, right? I can appreciate all that at your age - it's a beautiful thing...

BUT

Unless you handled, fired, carried, used a 1911 that you spent an extra $150 - $200 (the cost of a Glock flashlight) to tweak you really don't know of what you type.

I'm getting to the point were I would actually support very, very strong governmental oversight, regulation and possibly PROHIBITION / BANNING of threads that "discuss" the value of the 1911 versus _____ gun. :banghead:



I frequent a dozen firearm/RKBA web boards, of someone knows how to "ignore" these threads PLEASE help me

 

[Dustinthewind]

1911- The Harley-Davidson of handguns
I view 1911 heads much similar to harley guys. The harley is a dated design. It is inferior in power and reliability to the modern designed liquid cooled bikes, but harley riders ignore these things and some how still claim their bike superior. The harleys are also heavy and very expensive, but i guess their look counts for something. All this seems just like 1911 guys to me. Not saying there is anything wrong with liking that sort of thing. 1911 guys are a big part of the shooting world as harley is of riding.
As for me ill shoot a glock and ride a speed triple.

You may be right. I ride a Harley and I carry a 1911. Why would I like both Harley's and 1911's? Both are American icons, both are simple in design and both are Reliable and have stood the test of time. Will you have problems with a Harley or a 1911? Maybe, but it will be able to be fixed and parts are readily available. I agree that neither are High Tech, but I feel that this is a good thing. I won't spout accolades for the 1911 as it has proven itself time and again. As for the outdated Harley, try running your Saki burner on diesel some night and see how far you get.

P.S.
My outdated Harley got me home by running on diesel.

 

[bikerdoc]

my brain tells me just pass on this thread, but my hot buttons have been touched. There are no motorcyles or guns i dislike. What you like might not suit my taste but thats a good thing. Yes, at 60 i have been blessed to be able to afford a harley and a 1911. I also have a honda shadow and a ninja. Guns include ruger revolvers, cz's, taurus,and a glock. What I will ride and carry on any given day is the fun part of life.

 

[tinygnat219]

Comparing the Glock to the 1911 is kind of silly, just like comparing your Rice Rocket to a Harley. Both are of the same genre, but bought for different reasons.
The Glock is usually purchased by a department looking for a low maintenance, dependable, high-capacity firearm that can be issued and goes "bang" right out of the box. The 1911s... well one of the most common reasons I hear about them being replaced is lack of capacity. If you are a police officer, what would you rather have: 17 rounds or 8?
As for the Rice Rockets vs Harleys: Some people like to ride all hunched over and crunched together. Others like to take ride something akin to their sofa which now has chrome all over the place.

 

[Mad Magyar]

As for me ill shoot a glock and ride a speed triple.

If I want a ugly, clunky "piece of plastic", I'll go into my grandkids toy box....

 

[crankshop1000]

Troll!!!!!

 

[CWL]

I'll feed this Troll.

What is the preferred sidearm of the High Speed, Low Drag crowd? The M1911 of course.

Delta and SEALs use the M1911. Did you know that the SEALs disqualified the Glock? It seems that Glocks can jam if sand gets in them and since 80% of the worlds population live near the ocean...

Marine Force Recon uses the 1911...

SWAT Entry Team people seem to like their 1911s alot...

None of these guys need doublestacks since they tend to hit their targets the first time...

 

[Sk0t24]

Any of the elite high speed, low drag crowd that are using the 1911 are using it for it's intended purpose, an accurate, reliable, easy to deploy, secondary weapon. Capacity of their sidearm isn't as critical for these gentlemen. Loadout for their m4, ar15, mp5 etc etc is their priority. As for the Harley 1911 blah blah, that's just sillyness meant to stir up the fire.

 

[CWL]

Sk0t24,

You do know the definition of a "sidearm" don't you?

 

[HisSoldier]

"uncle has probably 6 different 1991's even the .380 1911"

huh? What 1911 is in .380? The Colt's Government .380 is far from being a 1911, the closest .380 to a 1911 is the Llama, the earlier ones with the locked breech.

The Colt has only a superficial resemblance to a 1911. But I suppose a glock guy wouldn't be able to tell.

 

[keyboard commando]

Huh ?

My 1911 ain't nothin' like my Harley. My 1911 isn't always in need of a high priced part and it doesn't leak oil.

 

[XDKingslayer]

The 1911 is NOT like the Harley Davidson. The Harley is old, outdated, unreliable, overpriced, rattles, eventually falls apart and are bought by a bunch of rabid supporters some who refuse to even acknowledge modern version of others.

Wait a minute...there's something to this...

 

[Bob R]

This thread has given me lots of ideas.

Like a Webley Mk VI to go with my Norton, a piece of plastic (Glock) to go with my Hurricane, which after all is covered in plastic.

I don't have a Harley, but I do have a 1911, so I guess I will have to find a fine American bike to buy, maybe an Indian.

bob

 

[Dobe]

The continuos 1911 bashing is all the proof one needs of its success. There is no valid comparision of a Harley to the 1911. Serious competitors do not ride Harleys. Serious competitors DO shoot 1911's.

If there were something better, competitors would switch. Competitors, who really wish to win have NO LOYALTY to platforms.

 

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

I am Screaming MALL NINJA!!! (and not for Ice cream ).