does anyone under the age of 27 have this strange affinity for 1911's?

[weisse52]

If you're asking whether people who post on The High Road forums like 1911's, then you are going to get an overwhelmingly positive response, but it may not be the most accurate indication to the real world popularity of 1911's.

The High Road is a cross section of people who are truly involved in the shooting sports.
Trying to judge the effectiveness of anything by how many are produced means little. They produce alot more Honda's than BMW's, but I would still rather have the BMW.

 

[PT1911]

I own 2 of them... love em both.. I dont think they are going anywhere...

 

[bp78]

Yes, not under 27 for the last 3 years, but at least 4 1911s were had by that age.

Here's a few of the favorites now:

 

[UKJ]

weisse52,

I'm just quoting facts when it comes to handgun supply and demand. I personally don't like Glocks, but I have to admit that they've been nothing less then a sales phenomenon in the firearms market since they were introduced.

I'm not dissing the 1911, I have two (Colt Gold Cup and Commander) but it's difficult not to be seduced by brand new, lighter pistols with larger capacities, out of the box dependability and greater standard options included, that have a more 'modern' look and feel.

Though I disagree with your Honda vs BMW analogy - it's more like Honda vs Cadillac. And just like with the car market, people traded luxury and brand status for reliability and economy. What good is your expensive car if it's in the garage half the time or eating high priced gas?

For years, when you bought a 1911, the first thing you had to do was send it to a gunsmith just so it could fire hollowpoints without jamming. The Glocks digested everything straight out of the box and never suffered from this stigma.

Thankfully, modern 1911's are like modern Cadillacs and are clawing back their reputations as fine working machines. Smith and Wesson, Springfield and even Sig are offering 1911's as part of their line up, but you can't deny that their top sellers are of the modern double stack variety.

In the old days, you could argue that price was the deciding factor, but I think the consumer has moved on and would purposely choose a Glock or an XD over a similarly priced 1911.

As we've both pointed out, people under 27 who post on The High Road find 1911's desireable. People under 27 across America who purchase firearms, not so much.

Please excuse my lengthy reply.

 

[greyling22]

I've got the agree with the OP. they're ok, I own one, but they are not the most prefect gun ever made or can ever be made. (I like the cz-75 style guns and the BHP better, but they too are not without flaws) as far as I can tell, the 1911 stays popular because it is one of the few auto's you can get a decent trigger on. if somebody would come out with a modern single action pistol with a good trigger instead of jumping on the 1911 me-too bandwagon we might see 1911 popularity begin to fade. but until then, companies will just keep reinventing the wheel and producing a gun that is proven to sell (from a sales point I can't blame them)

{I hate to say it, but the next great thing may have to come from taurus, or perhaps ruger, beretta or keltec. they seem to be the only people actually trying to build something new. (granted the execution may be sub-par, but they ARE trying) I mean how many companies product line extends beyond one or more of the following: 1911 style gun, glock style gun, bolt action rifle, AR style rifle? but that is a different soap box all together}

 

[Jon_Snow]

I'm 25 and the handgun I shoot the most is a Springfield TRP. I love it.

 

[dscottw88]

Under 27, and very much in love with the 1911. I'll probably get one in the next year or so, but have to wait while other projects are funded.

 

[BhmBill]

does anyone under the age of 27 have this strange affinity for 1911's?

Probably. I for one don't.

The ones i've shot were decent, but not exactly the HOLY GRAIL of guns to me. Strongly prefer revolvers, especially DAO and SA/DA.

 

[theboondocksaints22]

i am 23 and have several 1911 from rockisland to kimber . i have other handguns but i always go back to my roots .

 

[chieftain]

I am 61 years old, and have fought both a 1911 and S&W revolver in real firefights, several times with each, successfully. The last revolver I carried for CCW was a S&W 3" model 66 (357mag) with night sights. I then carried a SIG 228 (9mm). I now vasilate between on of my 1911s (45) or one of my Highpowers (9mm).

My 21 year old daughter chose a Colt 45. Not a Kimber, not one of my Glocks, SIGS, Highpowers, Rugers, Springfields, Kahrs, S&W etc........ Shecould have had any of my many, many sidearms, but she chose that Colt 45.

She wanted a 1911 specifically a Colt 45. So I got her a Combat Elite, and proceeded to put thin grips, a flat Ed Brown Mainspring housing and a short trigger on it. She stands 4'11" weights 100 nothing pounds, and roars with that pistol.

I will not go into the EBR I gave her. All I can say is don't mess with Daddy's little girl, she does know how to use them. (her much older sister preferred the Glock 30.

As to why? Many folks have mentioned the excellent trigger most 1911's have or can be given.

The other major issue, is the 1911 can be made to fit almost anyones hand, PROPERLY. Short, medium, and long triggers, flat/arched mainsprings (some are flater than others), some are modified even more. Thin width grips, medium, and thick. Not a strip of rubber inspired by an inner tube that is no longer functional. Fit to the shooter.

No other gun has these qualities to the extent of a 1911.

Some of the newer guns are starting to offer a small number of modifications to help the shooter fit the gun to his hand.

SIG was the modern leader in this, with the ability to get a 'short' factory trigger for most models.

Now we have, the XD, M&P, SR9, SIGPRO etc...... but not Glock, allowing the shooter help fitting the gun to his/her hand. Not perfect but a very substantial improvement.

One of my criteria for a personally selected fighting handgun, is that it fit the shooters hand, not the shooter adjust to the gun. The 1911 offers that adaptability in spades.

Many of today's young and inexperienced shooters and fighters simply have no comparison or knowledge of this.

Sad but true. No one size fit's all. Even if it is a Glock.

Go figure.

Fred