If you could change one thing about the 1911 design...

[Jacobus Rex]

If you could change one thing about the 1911 design, what would it be?

For me it would be the ability to operate the slide with the safety engaged. I never have liked having to load/unload the gun with the safety off. I know you cannot do it because of the design but it is my choice for something that I'd have done different.

 

[SgtGunner]

I would change absolutely nuthin...I think ole JMB knows a bit more about the design than I do.

Having said that I wish the milspecs didnt "bite" so hard, but someone else already fixed that.

 

[Black Majik]

Honestly, I cant think of ANYTHING to change on the design itself.

As for the original thread starter's idea of racking the slide with the safety on, I gotta disagree with that. I actually like the slide being locked with the thumb safety engaged. The smaller Colt .380s are rackable with the safety engaged... and that BUGS me!

Perfect the way it is.

Now, I think about what would be a perfect 1911, and whatever I dont like with the 1911 I can replace with aftermarket parts. If I wanted a lighter gun, I can get a 1911 in scandium, aluminum and even polymer. If I wanted longer controls, theres longer thumb safeties, grip safeties, slide stops etc...

Beveled magwell not good enough? Blend a S&A magwell or EB, LB magwell on it.

Want a new look? Easy.

NWIW 1911s....

 

[Mulliga]

Commander style hammer on the standard 1911. I see no benefit to the spur hammer (perhaps easier cocking and decocking, but you're not supposed to use a 1911 like that anyway).

 

[Dienekes]

A while back there was some custom work doing grip reductions "slim-lining" on 1911s. Something similar seems to be going on with SA's version in .45 GAP. I do ok with the standard gun but I have had 46 years of shooting them to get used to it.

 

[Kurush]

I'd make it a double action with a plastic frame.

 

[Solo]

 

[MICHAEL T]

Nothing needs changed. Its all this changing that is screwing it it. Go back to orginal specs as built for military and use ball ammo as designed. It was made as a fighting pistol not a target or race gun I never had a 45 while in Army jam in any way, in the 13 years I was in military . A 1911 was my main weapon most of those years.

 

[yorec]

I wouldn't change the gun itself... But I'd change the preconceived notion that it can not be improved from the original 95+/- year old design... Yep - let's get beyond that WWI stuff and go modern with a classic design that's still number one!

8 rds is OK, beveled magazine wells are actual improvements, adjustable sights really work not to mention tritium, stainless or pakarizing though not original finishes still work well, frames other than steel just might have advantages, etc, etc, etc...

 

[MachIVshooter]

I love the 1911 but I would like to see series 80 type firing pin safeties abolished, and more manufacturers need to offer models with squared trigger gaurds. Otherwise, it is simply the sexiest pistol out there.

 

[Rob96]

Fine the way it is.

 

[1911Tuner]

Change

Two things...

I'd use left-hand threads for the grip bushings and mill a shallow recess into the frame to add support the plunger tube. I think Caspian does that now.

Jacobus...The thumb safety was designed to lock the slide for a very good reason. Although Army regulations discouraged continuous Condition One carry, the cavalrymen were instructed to place it in Con-1 if action was iminent. Sometimes, action was anticipated, but the lads still had things to do that required both hands, and they had to reholster the weapon in the interim. The safety lock insured that the slide wouldn't be pushed out of battery...and due to the adverse and filthy conditions that often occur on the battlefield...possibly not snapping back INTO battery when the weapon was drawn. Last thing they wanted was a surprise non-functioning weapon
when the storm began...on the back of a scared horse.

Clearing a weapon off-safe isn't an issue if ya just mind the Finger/Trigger
and Safe Direction rules. Gotta clear it in the house? A two-foot thick stack of dry newspapers is a neat solution.

 

[ruger270man]

I'd make it look like this:

 

[Jubei]

The only thing I would change is that I would make them:

ALL MINE!​

But that's just me bein' greedy.

Jubei

 

[45auto]

Eliminate the grip safety.

Same design, just an "access" panel so to speak. Locks in with the mainspring housing...otherwise known as "pinning" the grip safety.

 

[LoadedDrum]

I would like to see some one come up with a way to simplify the way the barrel locks up. Perhaps a design with all fixed parts the way a Glock locks up.

 

[Zach S]

I'd use left-hand threads for the grip bushings

+1!

 

[The Drew]

I would like to see some one come up with a way to simplify the way the barrel locks up. Perhaps a design with all fixed parts the way a Glock locks up.

I think the simplified lockup would be closer to a cz 75 with the barrel lugs and all. Not sure but the BHP might have it as well...

 

[Shipwreck]

I think it would be nice if there was a decocker on the gun.

 

[JoeHatley]

I'd use left-hand threads for the grip bushings

Ditto!!!!!

Joe

 

[1911Tuner]

Ditto Joe

Joe, mah fren...You'd be surprised at the number of people who can't see the logic in that.

Wouldn't do away with the grip safety. As a practitioner of Cocked'n'Locked
carry, I like the idea of an extra stumblin' block between Murphy and my ol' skinny arse.

 

[waterhouse]

I got to handle a really old Colt that I was transfering to a customer the other day.

Man, those sights are tiny. I like the low profile, bigger sights that are on a lot of guns these days. I know the old sights can be used against your belt or whatever to rack the slide one handed, but I had no idea how hard it was to find that front sight until I picked up that old Colt.

What do you gain by having left handed threads for the grip bushings? (yep, I'm one of those people)

 

[pax]

See the quote in my sig du jour.

pax

The only thing wrong with the 1911 pistol is that it is just too big for some hands. The only thing it really needs is a smaller butt, as with some entertainers we could name. -- Jeff Cooper

 

[dxkj21]

Op

 

[1911Tuner]

Left-Handed Bushings

Waterhouse,

Ever gone to remove the grips on a 1911, and...due to neglect/rust or some gorilla overtightening the screws...had a bushing (or two) back out with the screw? Many, many times, me.:banghead:

If the bushings had left-hand threads, backing out on a stubborn screw would
tighten the bushing instead of tearing it loose from its moorings. Staking the bushing with left hand-threads, and being just a little careful about the torque one uses to tighten the screws would solve that problem neatly.