1911s, what's the big deal?

[HBK]

I was just wondering, flame me if you want as well, what is the big deal about 1911s? Every gun class I have ever taken there were people shooting 1911s. They were the ones whose guns were constantly malfunctioning or outright breaking. So why the big love affair with the 1911? Educate me.

 

[makdaddy03]

Nothing. Traded mine for a Ruger P97. Much better handgun. Ducking and running. Slams the door behind me.

 

[cordex]

*shrug*
Individual taste, I guess.

For me, it has a good grip angle, points well, is slim enough to carry comfortably with good leather, is in a caliber I like, has easy to operate controls, has a very nice trigger pull, and just plain works for me.

 

[HBK]

Does yours ever break a lot? Do they all break a lot or was I just in a weird few classes?

 

[Mad Man]

For most of the 20th century, the 1911 was the most easily available full size semi-automatic pistol in the United States states.

It appears that two things happened:

1. In the 1950s, when Jeff Cooper started teaching and preaching about combat handgunning, a line of thinking developed that went something like "Since the .45 ACP is the best semi-automatic pistol round available, it must follow that the 1911 is the best semi-automatic handgun available."

2. For whatever reason, an entire industry emerged dedicated to customizing and improving the 1911 pistol. This, in turn, led to marketing campaigns designed to create more demand for 1911 pistols.


Now, back when the only bullets available were either solid lead or full-metal-jacket, the .45 was obviously superior to the 9mm. However, the advent of modern self-defense ammunition has made difference in calibers less important.

Also, back when the choice of combat handguns was the 1911, Luger, Walther P-38, and Browning Hi-Power, the 1911 was definitely in the top-half of that list. However, there are many more quality choices available than there were 50 years ago.

While I wouldn't call it a myth, or a big-lie, the idea of the 1911 as the greatest handgun ever is a meme that should have died a long time ago, but instead continues to perpetuate itself with a religious-like following. Having been repeated often enough over the decades, many people accept it.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Between the Wilson Tactical Elite, Dawson Tactical Advantage, Kimber Tactical Law Enforcement, Kimber Custom Tactical and Springfield Tactical Operator in a Wilson Combat Tactical Assault and Carbon Creations stocks, what's not to like?

OK seriously though, it's simple and has history. Everything since then has been different but not necessarily any better. That said, my Elite II is still my favorite, but I still want a 1911.

 

[HBK]

Thanks, you guys, that explains a lot.

 

[cordex]

HBK,
Never broken a part on my 1911 yet. I shoot it reasonably often too.

However, you are bound to see some 1911 pattern weapons that are absolute junk. Why?
Consider:
1. The patents have expired on the 1911.
2. It is a popular weapon, and therefore is desirable to produce and sell.
3. With a variety of companies producing 1911 style pistols, it's hard to say "A 1911 is likely to be very reliable" without prepending it with "If built by a competant manufacturer ..."

If there were a dozen small-time companies producing Glock style pistols with a variety of different processes, materials, and even changing fundamental principals of the Glock design, would there likely be variations in Glock-style weapons' quality?

 

[Sisco]

Just a matter of personal preference.
Some people like Harleys, some like Hondas.

 

[seeker_two]

Try one...

Then you'll understand...

 

[MCNETT]

I own three different 1911 style pistols. BUT, I own A LOT of pistols. That being said, I think that MAD MAN said it best. It has been around for almost 100 years, and has a lot of "die-hard followers". I like shooting mine, but when I put on my CCW everyday, it is my Glock 29 or glock 20, NEVER my 1911's. Personal choice, personal preference.
-Mike

 

[10-Ring]

I no longer own one. At one time I had 3 The 1911 is just a gun that everyone at some point in their shooting experience will gravitate towards. Many like them, just as many don't. I've gone through a few in search of the right one for me!

 

[Snake Eyes]

Try one...Then you'll understand

No greater truth was ever spoken.

When I first started getting into guns, 4 short years ago, I swore I'd never own one.

1911's are old, obsolete, cantankerous, expensive, only like ball ammo, the rounds are slow, only cary 6-8 rounds, etc, etc, ad nauseum....

Then I tried one.

I found out that 1911's are fast out of the leather, fast to first shot, fastest trigger reset, less recoil than a .40, have the unrepentent joy of never pulling a DA trigger, infinitley modifiable and personalizeable (call Webster! I made up a new word!) and really good for killing people.

You will see 1911's at Bullseye competition, at IPSC, at IDPA, at USPSA, at the PGA, the IRS, the ATF, at the frontlines of the battle and in the breifing room with the generals. You will see 1911's that cost $300 and some that cost $3000 and the $3000 gun doesn't necessarily shoot better.

1911's are like Craps. You can go to Vegas and play slots or Carribean stud all you want, but if you're a gambler you play craps.

You may not be a gunslinger just because you own a 1911 (God knows, I'm not), but I've never met a gunslinger that didn't have at least one.

PT

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

the 1911 has a better trigger than any other autopistol in current use by a PD or military, is in a caliber that seems to work, and it isn't three feet wide, like glocks, rugers, and hks.

 

[Tamara]

It's flat, has simply the best trigger design, has a low bore axis, has simply the best trigger design, is easy to customize to suit your individual tastes, has simply the best trigger design, is amazingly easy to CCW for a full-size all-steel service pistol, and it has simply the best trigger design.

None of mine are any more prone to jamming or breakage than my other guns. (Which is to say that the four I currently have have been 100% trouble-free thus far...)

 

[sonny]

Whats the big deal with 57 chevys or 67 GTOs?

 

[Dobe]

Every gun class I have ever taken there were people shooting 1911s. They were the ones whose guns were constantly malfunctioning or outright breaking

I'm not sure what classes nor how many you have taken, but any real instructor would dissagree about your relaibility statement. I own 4 1911's, and they don't choke.

The hallmark of a great firearm is seen in the amount of shots sent its way. No one would even bother criticizing, if the 1911 had not made such an impact in the shooting world.

 

[CWL]

I don't see too many M1911s break down, certainly not in any greater % than other guns, and I've seen brand new Sigs break, My P7M8 has broken, and I see more Glocks jam up at local IDPA/IPSC meets -mostly due to self-gunsmithing & crappy ammo.

The M1911 pistols grow on people, I started on hi-cap 9mms, went to .40s before settling down on M1911/.45ACPs as the preferred platform. Nowadays, I can't fire my Glocks accurately because I'm too used to the M1911 trigger.

I don't know what classes you attend, but I must point out that most of the better-known classes & trainers typically use M1911 pistols on the range.

It'll either grow on you, or it never will. At least you get a choice.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Most of hte 1911s I see crap out are gamers messing with their loads and Para mags going breakey breakey (I think )....

Mine failed a few times because of a not-so-tensioned extractor. Dorks.

 

[New_comer]

It's big & loud, akin to America's love for quarter-pounders, Harleys, Mustangs and rock & roll.


It's an endemic, American trademark.

 

[Boats]

American Icon or eurotrash? Hmmmm. Tough choice.

NAH!!! If I couldn't have any 1911s, I'd be a wheelgunner. Wait--that is exactly what I'll be doing in August. 1911s and wheelguns? I'd better fall in line and start worshipping Tamara.

Just nobody tell my wife.

 

[sm]

Tamara nailed it.

 

[harrydog]

At the classes I've attended, the 1911 shooters simply smoked everyone else in terms of speed and accuracy and none of them ever had a malfunction.
At one time, not all that long ago, I also had many misconceptions regarding the 1911. Couldn't understand why anyone would want one. I've since come to realize how foolish I was.

 

[dsk]

My 1911s don't jam. But I do know that many others' do.

Maybe the fact that I usually don't screw with them unless I have to is a factor?

 

[Sean Smith]

There are a bajillion clones made of the 1911 design. Well, they are clones in the same sense that we can clone sheep, i.e. they look the part but usually don't last like the real thing and have all kinds of inexplicable problems. A 1911 that isn't made by a chump company is, in my experience, as good as anything out there at the same price point in terms of function.

I've owned pretty much everything BUT 1911s for most of my time shooting. Once I got a good 1911, I realized that I personally had no use for 99% of the guns out there. Why should I put up with a blocky grip and crap trigger if I don't have to?