Home defense with a 1911
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M2 Carbine
member
I have a number of 45ACP 1911s but I don't use any of them for HD.
The primary reason is the guns do not have rails for mounting Streamlight TLR-2 laser lights.
So, instead of the 1911 my nightstand gun is the 9mm PX4 with a couple 17 round magazines.
The primary reason is the guns do not have rails for mounting Streamlight TLR-2 laser lights.
So, instead of the 1911 my nightstand gun is the 9mm PX4 with a couple 17 round magazines.
shiftyer1
Member
I have 2 1911's and yes one is by the bed, the other is next to me on the floor. I do have extra mags now but didn't for years and I didn't think twice.
Now I have extra mags and extra guns scattered around. I really don't anticipate more than a round or three. I just never put anything back
Now I have extra mags and extra guns scattered around. I really don't anticipate more than a round or three. I just never put anything back
xxjumbojimboxx
Member
I keep trying to justify keeping my ak pistol out for self defense... Im pretty good with it.. and can actually shoot one handed with it if I had to...
Ive been sticking with my 18.5 in Mossberg 500 and my glock17 with 5 extra mags full...Thatll have to do. I wouldn't use the AK for fear that it would penetrate my brick exterior walls.
Ive been sticking with my 18.5 in Mossberg 500 and my glock17 with 5 extra mags full...Thatll have to do. I wouldn't use the AK for fear that it would penetrate my brick exterior walls.
If you feel undergunned with handgun, upgrade to a shotgun.
When you really NEED a gun, you want the biggest scariest gun known in all existence and a company of friends to back you up. I retired a 380 because of this. I know a cop that switched from a hi-cap 9mm to a 45 after the first time he had to draw down on someone. These psychological factors that affect how we 'feel' are probably NOT as important as shot placement and safe handling.
I have never felt undergunned with a 1911 with 7 or 8 or a 357 with only 6. I always had spares for either. I have never felt undergunned with a hicap 9mm, but I shoot it a LOT more than my 357 or 45's and I feel pretty comfortable with it. Any of these choices get a premium hollowpoint ammunition.
When you really NEED a gun, you want the biggest scariest gun known in all existence and a company of friends to back you up. I retired a 380 because of this. I know a cop that switched from a hi-cap 9mm to a 45 after the first time he had to draw down on someone. These psychological factors that affect how we 'feel' are probably NOT as important as shot placement and safe handling.
I have never felt undergunned with a 1911 with 7 or 8 or a 357 with only 6. I always had spares for either. I have never felt undergunned with a hicap 9mm, but I shoot it a LOT more than my 357 or 45's and I feel pretty comfortable with it. Any of these choices get a premium hollowpoint ammunition.
Phaedrus/69
Member
I don't necessarily think you're "undergunned" with a 1911 for HD but I don't consider it ideal, either. Any firearm I plan to use for HD has to have rails to mount a light. If something goes bump here it will probably be at night; you can't shoot what you can't see and being able to ID your target is critical.
I can see why one might CCW a 1911. Despite the weight it's reasonably thin, especially through the slide/frame area. But since concealability is irrelevant at home I would rather having something that holds more rounds and has a rail (although obviously some 1911s do). My primary HD sidearm is an HK USP45 Tactical. Mine wears a rail adapter and a Surefire X300Ultra. It holds 13 rounds of 185gr Gold Dot's, about 50% more than most 1911s. I'd rate the accuracy and shootability of the HK on par with all but the nicest 1911s.
I can see why one might CCW a 1911. Despite the weight it's reasonably thin, especially through the slide/frame area. But since concealability is irrelevant at home I would rather having something that holds more rounds and has a rail (although obviously some 1911s do). My primary HD sidearm is an HK USP45 Tactical. Mine wears a rail adapter and a Surefire X300Ultra. It holds 13 rounds of 185gr Gold Dot's, about 50% more than most 1911s. I'd rate the accuracy and shootability of the HK on par with all but the nicest 1911s.
40-82
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One of the minor advantages of the 1911 is the ease with which you can execute a quick magazine change. No stories come to mind where a homeowner woke from a deep sleep, went to an ancient single-action, loaded with five, made five telling hits, and subsequently lost the fight.
A twenty plus capacity 9mm might serve, but you need to make some hits.
A twenty plus capacity 9mm might serve, but you need to make some hits.
Way back in the '60s I kept a revolver on my bedside table. A Ruger .357 Magnum Blackhawk. Being it was, and still is, one of the "Old Model" single actions it had no transfer bar so it was wise to keep the chamber under the hammer empty. In essence, it was a "five shooter". I was good with the gun, still am, and I felt very well covered in the gun-protection arena.
Then I bought a 1911 and could carry it cocked and locked with EIGHT rounds at the ready. I mean I felt downright giddy in the self protection arena.
I've always believed the old saying "Beware the man who has only one gun, he likely knows how to use it". Recently I read a slight variation on that, maybe on this forum, "Beware the man who has only eight rounds, he may be able to make every one count". Or words to that effect.
It's always rather humorous to me that as new technology comes along (and I've seen a lot of that in my life) there is the usual espousal of how the old technology is no longer adequate. That simply is not always true. In fact I think it's seldom true being an example of very personal human "old technology" myself.
Then I bought a 1911 and could carry it cocked and locked with EIGHT rounds at the ready. I mean I felt downright giddy in the self protection arena.
I've always believed the old saying "Beware the man who has only one gun, he likely knows how to use it". Recently I read a slight variation on that, maybe on this forum, "Beware the man who has only eight rounds, he may be able to make every one count". Or words to that effect.
It's always rather humorous to me that as new technology comes along (and I've seen a lot of that in my life) there is the usual espousal of how the old technology is no longer adequate. That simply is not always true. In fact I think it's seldom true being an example of very personal human "old technology" myself.
I sleep the same weather there's a 8 round 1911, a 18 round 9mm, a 6 round DA 357 or a 5 round SA 45 Colt in the nightstand. It just has to get me to the closet in the unlikely event some BG manages to get in my room without waking the dogs.
tipoc
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- Mar 9, 2006
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- 3,563
I do different.
I got a quart jar of spaghetti sauce. A large vibrating massager. A machete. A fork.
The marinara sauce is poured over my head and you can guess the rest. I run through the house singing "Oh Susana, oh don't you cry for me..." at the top of my lungs. It's worked every time.
tipoc
I got a quart jar of spaghetti sauce. A large vibrating massager. A machete. A fork.
The marinara sauce is poured over my head and you can guess the rest. I run through the house singing "Oh Susana, oh don't you cry for me..." at the top of my lungs. It's worked every time.
tipoc
hariph creek
Member
Kept a 6-shot .357, for HD, for years.
A few years ago, I switched to my 10mm Kimber.
Compared to 6 round of .357, 9 rounds of 10mm seems like "high capacity" to me.
I have every bit of confidence in myself and the gun. I seriously doubt I'll find myself in a protracted "gun battle."
I do keep a spare mag and a flashlight on hand as my 9mm CC close by, too.
I can see the argument for a higher count double stack. I just have no interest in owning one. So, I use what I have. I also, know how to use what I have.
I am really starting to consider a weapon mounted light.
A few years ago, I switched to my 10mm Kimber.
Compared to 6 round of .357, 9 rounds of 10mm seems like "high capacity" to me.
I have every bit of confidence in myself and the gun. I seriously doubt I'll find myself in a protracted "gun battle."
I do keep a spare mag and a flashlight on hand as my 9mm CC close by, too.
I can see the argument for a higher count double stack. I just have no interest in owning one. So, I use what I have. I also, know how to use what I have.
I am really starting to consider a weapon mounted light.
.357 magnum
Member
Thank you for All the replies Gentlemen!
To the people that replied in a Negative Manner real gun fights are NOT as easy as they may look on Television. For one example I have had to use a shot or two just to keep a person Pinned in a location so you do NOT lose track of them. I was undercover ATF for almost 9 years until being shot. I do NOT panic in a Firefight.
The Best to All!
Frank
To the people that replied in a Negative Manner real gun fights are NOT as easy as they may look on Television. For one example I have had to use a shot or two just to keep a person Pinned in a location so you do NOT lose track of them. I was undercover ATF for almost 9 years until being shot. I do NOT panic in a Firefight.
The Best to All!
Frank
Hariph beat me to it.
I keep a Security Six next to the bed. 8 round capacity would be an upgrade in capacity compared to the SS. I feel very confident that should I need it, that old Ruger will put 6 rounds wherever I tell it to put them, so long as I do my part. I am the limiting factor, not the gun. And that's only with 6. So yeah, a 1911, is not gonna be a problem.
I keep a Security Six next to the bed. 8 round capacity would be an upgrade in capacity compared to the SS. I feel very confident that should I need it, that old Ruger will put 6 rounds wherever I tell it to put them, so long as I do my part. I am the limiting factor, not the gun. And that's only with 6. So yeah, a 1911, is not gonna be a problem.
Yes I do. The 1911 I carry everyday with 8+1 Corbon. The spare 10 rd mag is in my pants pocket on the bedroom doorknob along with the other key items I might require in a late night emergency, keys (house, car), wallet (w/money, CC, IDs), cell phone (charged), bandana (tourniquet). Loaded long gun is next to the same door.
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CmdrSlander
Member
Clint Eastwood can't be wrong!
But seriously though, its a tried and proven personal and home defender. If you have to deal with multiple home invaders your odds might be the highest but they're still pretty good.
But seriously though, its a tried and proven personal and home defender. If you have to deal with multiple home invaders your odds might be the highest but they're still pretty good.
critter
Member
Para Ord P-14 AND a spare mag. Backup is a Rem 870 12 ga with a 20" slug barrel (unrifled, IC choke with adjustable sights) full of buckshot.
All good points, we've "been there; done that" twice in admittedly a less spectacular fashion than any LEO shootout. But our experiences, and what I've read in generally known competent sources, reinforce the idea that situations faced by LEOs are far different from what happens in the typical home invasion. I know ours were.
And the thing is, the whole idea of self defense is basically a threat assessment leading to a plan. The very best you can do is pick that plan of action that most likely fits your individual case. And unless you live in Cartel Central, your likely threat is not going to be like that faced by an agent.
Trunk Monkey
member
As a couple of others have mentioned my nightstand gun is just my normal carry gun that I put on my nightstand at bedtime. It’s a S&W 4006 and it has night sights on it but that wasn’t a consideration when I bought it.
I’ve noticed a lot of ‘If you can’t do it in 8 shots, you’re probably not gonna get it done.” Responses in this thread and I’d like to point out that you are very likely to face multiple attackers in a home defense scenario. It’s not scientific by any means but I picked up my American Rifleman that just came in the mail and flipped through the Armed Citizen page and 3 of the five stories involved 2 or more attackers.
Against two or more attackers I’d feel very under armed with only 8 shots more so if one or both were armed themselves
I have no objection to the 1911 platform pre se but I'd want more than 8 rounds
I’ve noticed a lot of ‘If you can’t do it in 8 shots, you’re probably not gonna get it done.” Responses in this thread and I’d like to point out that you are very likely to face multiple attackers in a home defense scenario. It’s not scientific by any means but I picked up my American Rifleman that just came in the mail and flipped through the Armed Citizen page and 3 of the five stories involved 2 or more attackers.
Against two or more attackers I’d feel very under armed with only 8 shots more so if one or both were armed themselves
I have no objection to the 1911 platform pre se but I'd want more than 8 rounds
I keep 2 guns with in reach, and my jewelry box has a dozen loaded mags in it along with one next to each loaded, chambered gun. I also have a knife and lights as well as one 200 lumen on my main 45 caliber gun. I only have 8 rounds in my bedside guns, but plenty of "1/2" second mag changes available to me. I don't worry about how many rounds my gun has in it, only how many are available.
I also keep an ammo wallet in my car, it holds 30 or more rounds of 9mm, in a flat wallet sized plastic container. Just in case you break down some ware in the sticks, and bad things happen. Better to have too much.
I also keep an ammo wallet in my car, it holds 30 or more rounds of 9mm, in a flat wallet sized plastic container. Just in case you break down some ware in the sticks, and bad things happen. Better to have too much.
rskent
Member
I use a 1911 for my home defense gun. My old colt. It rattles a bit but it always runs.
I also shoot it better than anything else I own. 7 +1 capacity is a little low so I do
keep a few extra mags with it. A flashlight as well.
I also shoot it better than anything else I own. 7 +1 capacity is a little low so I do
keep a few extra mags with it. A flashlight as well.
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