I ask this in all seriousness. I am not trying to demean the effectiveness of the .45 Auto cartridge - I do believe that it is one of the more effective pistol rounds out there. However, if you like .45, there are so many polymer double stacked pistols out there, like the XD or the FNX that offer you from 10 to 16 rounds of capacity, a modern operating system, lighter weight, etc. They are clearly superior platforms from which to launch your chosen round. I argue that it is the history and the romance of the pistol that attracts people. I don't think this is a bad thing, just like there are revolver people; of which I am one. I own several 1911s and this is true for me; what do other THR members think?
Aren't all 1911 owners Romantics?
- Thread starter mattm0691
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beeenbag
Member
I tried to be... I just couldn't do it. I love the look and nastalgia of the 1911 platform, I just can't shoot them, dislike the grip safety, dislike how high the bore axis is, dislike how limited capacity is to such a large gun, and just cant seem to get on board with paying 3x the price for this package. I just traded off the last 1911 I will ever own.
Never thought that the 1911 was more than a novelty gun that hangers on put on an overrated pedestal...until I shot one.
I own a lot of poly pistols and I am a fan. However, for me, there is nothing I shoot more accurately than the 1911. There is room for both.
I own a lot of poly pistols and I am a fan. However, for me, there is nothing I shoot more accurately than the 1911. There is room for both.
I do know what you are saying. Same for me; for say Smith and Wessons. I challenge anyone to find a trigger better than that on a tuned smith 629; and I'm sure many people carry them; I have. However, as much as I love the nostalgia and romance of revolvers or 1911s, they are not as effective as a platform as say ugh (puke) a glock for self defense.
SleazyRider
Member
1911 owner and hopeless romantic here!
I like it. Again I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the 1911 platform or the people who love it; I am one of you!!
I would not say romantic but one of great appreciation. My clarification is that I shoot my 1911's far better that my Glocks. The recoil impulse of them just seems more shooter friendly. Yep, I sure do like the way they look but hey I like my knife collection too.
care to elaborate, Sir?
How are they not as effective? My groups are much tighter with my 1911 than with my 21. If my first 8 rounds are on target, do I need the other 5?
I will give you that out of the box, if you told me that I had to select an untested gun and carry it for self defense, I'd go with my Glock. I will give the nod to a lot of poly pistols when it comes to reliability if the 1911 is untuned.
I will give you that out of the box, if you told me that I had to select an untested gun and carry it for self defense, I'd go with my Glock. I will give the nod to a lot of poly pistols when it comes to reliability if the 1911 is untuned.
It is just totally unreasonable to think 100% of 1911 fans only like them only due to romanticism.
Ok, so playing devils advocate, what are the other reasons? There are plenty of other single action only pistols that can accomplish a similar or better trigger. There are many other .45 platforms. There are many more accurate pistols. So why?
bowman1962
Member
HTML:
as much as I love the nostalgia and romance of revolvers or 1911s, they are not as effective as a platform as say ugh (puke) a glock for self defense.OK, you are right. I am sorry, I am an 11B in the Army and my frequent mindset is that more rounds on target quicker is better. I know that this isn't usually the case for civilians, so I am sorry for allowing my "mag dump mad minute" mindset to taint my statements. I usually do carry revolvers in fact because I shoot them most (easier to recover their brass! LOL) and am very confident in their abilities, and mine.
I shoot bullseye. There isn't another type of gun that is accurate enough at the 50 yard line. The only thing that comes close is a Pardini GT-45 or a worked over M9 (which still doesn't help for the .45 portion of the match).
I am no romantic; I want designs that function flawlessly and have accuracy. Show me an XD that will put 10 rounds in 1.5" at 50 yards from a rest.
I am no romantic; I want designs that function flawlessly and have accuracy. Show me an XD that will put 10 rounds in 1.5" at 50 yards from a rest.
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jimbo555
Member
Just bought my first fullsize 1911,love the ergos and accuracy. Hate the weight!
GBExpat
Member
mattm069 said:
Not all of them but it certainly explains part of the attraction for many of us.
I fired my first 1911 when I was 8 ... didn't hit what I was trying to aim at, but I loved the experience.
I don't find the 1911 romantic at all. I do love the platform, but I do not find it romantic in any way shape or form. It fits me well, is a great design, and I shoot it very well, so naturally I like it.
I could say the same thing about my 696, which I also shoot very well.
Performance trumps all. YMMV.
I could say the same thing about my 696, which I also shoot very well.
Performance trumps all. YMMV.
Eldraque
Member
Your right, why buy a 1911 when you could buy a Sig P227
tipoc
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Probably you know that not all 1911s are chambered in 45 acp.
They are home to the 38 Super, the 10 mm and the 9x23 Win. They are chambered in 9mm and 40S&W as well.
There have also been the home to a number of custom calibers over the years, possibly more than any other handgun.
The 1911 is the most adaptable platform made. It can be easily altered to fit the hand of a wide variety of shooters and for a wide variety of tasks. They are made in a number of barrel lengths and weights.
Few guns look as good or feel as good in the hand.
As for sentiment, there is something to be said for a gun that U.S. troops carried over 100 years ago and still carry today. Strong, reliable and simple.
tipoc
They are home to the 38 Super, the 10 mm and the 9x23 Win. They are chambered in 9mm and 40S&W as well.
There have also been the home to a number of custom calibers over the years, possibly more than any other handgun.
The 1911 is the most adaptable platform made. It can be easily altered to fit the hand of a wide variety of shooters and for a wide variety of tasks. They are made in a number of barrel lengths and weights.
Few guns look as good or feel as good in the hand.
As for sentiment, there is something to be said for a gun that U.S. troops carried over 100 years ago and still carry today. Strong, reliable and simple.
tipoc
I gotta admit I do love my 1911's! I also have my high cap polymer guns and they do very well for me but something about the way a 1911 fits my hand is just impossible for other guns to do.
As far as romance....Well you gotta admit this one sure is a looker! yeah, there's a little romance there.
As far as romance....Well you gotta admit this one sure is a looker! yeah, there's a little romance there.
Edarnold
Member
Not being a hater, but:
I think a big part of the 1911 is the enormous market of third-party parts, which means the gun can be endlessly tinkered with. Same thing for the AR platform, you can play with customizing your gun as long as your bank account lasts.
Back in the day the favored tinkering toy was the '57 Chevy: you could add, subtract and modify you car and never have to actually drive it anywhere but up and down Main street Saturday night. I'd bet that most of the 'Barbecue Guns' that are just for showing off but never shot are 1911's
As a handgun, the 1911 design is an anachronism that would have been superseded long ago except for the romance of it's use by the US military in the World Wars and beyond. While it can still be made into an excellent target or SD weapon with the right parts and skilled gun smithing, there are plenty of other choices that are as good or better.
IMHO
I think a big part of the 1911 is the enormous market of third-party parts, which means the gun can be endlessly tinkered with. Same thing for the AR platform, you can play with customizing your gun as long as your bank account lasts.
Back in the day the favored tinkering toy was the '57 Chevy: you could add, subtract and modify you car and never have to actually drive it anywhere but up and down Main street Saturday night. I'd bet that most of the 'Barbecue Guns' that are just for showing off but never shot are 1911's
As a handgun, the 1911 design is an anachronism that would have been superseded long ago except for the romance of it's use by the US military in the World Wars and beyond. While it can still be made into an excellent target or SD weapon with the right parts and skilled gun smithing, there are plenty of other choices that are as good or better.
IMHO
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