Is it just my imagination

[CZ223]

or are 1911's more popular than ever? THIS IS NOT A MINE IS BETTER THAN YOURS THREAD. It just seems to me that 1911's, in their various configurations, are getting a lot more attention these days. I really don't understand it, yet I just ordered my seventh 1911. Fifteen years ago I swore I'd never own another, go figure. I think the main draw for me, despite the fact that I love my Glocks, is that they are pretty and they are made of steel. Anybody got any other ideas on the matter?

 

[LiveLife]

One theory.

- Many who served in the service used or was familiar with the 1911 told stories of 1911 achieving amazing feats saving their lives and how good the 45ACP was in knocking down enemy combatants
- Many growing up seeing the 1911/45ACP in the movies and the dramatic effects it had on the targets (bodies being lifted and thrown back several feet or through the wall/windows, etc.)
- Many during impressionable teenage/young adult years reading various gun magazines showing high-end custom 1911s considered them to be the "epitome" of semi-autos to be had as many gun writers wrote in the articles

Now, these kids are grown up and working to make enough money to support their hobbies. As their shooting hobby and passion grows, they are slowly fulfilling their childhood dreams and fantasies. Some may started to consider match shooting. What do they see at the top of the local/regional/national matches? Yes, 1911 platforms. As many military/police elite units add 1911 to their operations (i.e. Kimber SIS), the storied heard become more ingrained as to the virtues of the 1911 and 45ACP. "They must be true - I must have the 1911 to fulfill my destiny as a shooter."

So the legacy of the 1911 perpetuates amongst them and they tell their kids the same stories they heard. 1911 and 45ACP combo is awesome. When you are starting out in life, buy a cheap but reliable semi-auto for protection, but when your finances improve, buy yourself a 1911 in 45ACP.

Maybe.

I maintained 1911s in the service for our unit as Beretta 92FS was being considered to become M9. I fell in love with my first 1911 I bought and did all the work (it was original only of the frame and slide - all the rest was Wilson Combat). Even though I have gone over to the dark polymer side of Glocks and M&P, I long to be one with the right 1911 again ... some day.

 

[ScratchnDent]

There certainly seems to be more manufacturers making them than ever before. They must be selling! I think a big part of the appeal is the huge aftermarket for them. Not many other hand guns can be so readily customized.

 

[jackpinesavages]

The build quality has sky-rocketed in the last 10 years. It has been great.

 

[skoro]

are 1911's more popular than ever?

They're certainly more prominent in the firearms press, that's undeniable. Seems like there are more manufacturers than ever before. I don't know about sales figures in comparison to the past, though.

I can say this w/o reservation: the young guys (20s and 30s) who I've introduced to the 1911 have unanimously had the "I want one!" reaction.

 

[dovedescending]

When I was just a lad (I reckon about 6 or 7) I saw a picture of a 1911, and I wanted one badly. I still haven't bought one, but every time I hold one in a store or at a show... there's something about the way it feels in my hands. I don't care if it's a subcompact or a 10" competition pistol. I love 1911's.

 

[CZ223]

I did forget to mention

how good they feel in the hand. When you hold one of these they just feel "right". It is true that there are a lot more manufacturers out there, certainly many more than there used to be. This has lead to increased competition between the brands resulting in a lot of high end guns with a lot of bells and and whistles. On the other end of the scale it has also lead to several very affordable options, like Rock Island and Taurus. This may be the main reason that they are more popular right now.

 

[dovedescending]

When you hold one of these they just feel "right".

The genius of John Browning. I understand the Hi-Power is the same way, although I've never had the pleasure to hold one.

 

[Ankeny]

It's not your imagination, 1911's have increased in popularity over the past 10 years. I would imagine marketing has helped a lot, most notably Kimber. There was a time I that I wouldn't handicap myself by shooting anything other than a revolver (1970's). Now I don't even own a revolver. How times change.

 

[KW]

I went from being a "wunder-nine" guy to a 1911 guy in the past year. Ultimately it came down to which I shot better, and I found I could shoot a 1911 faster and more accurately than a Sig 228 (my own gun), Glock 19, 17, 22 (borrowed), or Beretta 92 (rented). So now the Sig is gone and I have a Kimber Custom II and a GSG 1911. I'll probably end up with some of those guns again down the road when I have more disposable income. But right now funds and time are limited so I decided to focus on what I shoot best and have the most fun with.

It also helps that the 1911's controls are basically the same as the ARs I shoot a lot.

 

[2GunsWest]

I know that I couldn't be happier with all the 1911 pistols and variants available today.

Thank the good Lord for choices.

 

[MADDOG]

The 100 year anniversary is right around the corner. The same thing happened leading up to 2003 with Harley Davidson. I think everyone should own at least one Harley and one 1911. In some cases more is better.

 

[benzuncle]

Well, here's my response to the popularity of the 1911: I won't own one. Because I can't afford 4 or 5. None of my friends that own a 1911 have just one! That says something...

 

[Sky]

Out of all my guns the 1911 is fondled and cared for more than any. I honestly do not know why?

When it is fired it has it's own sound and those who are at the range always want to touch it. I don't get jealous but I do watch them.

Yes it fits my hand perfectly and with the Crimsontrace laser I can shoot and double tap targets while bent like a pretzel. It is black and does not have any other name but 1911 which is rather cold, but, of all the weapons I have ever owned I like it most of all.

 

[KodiakBeer]

In my opinion it has nothing to do with the history or mythology of the gun. It's much simpler than that - the 1911 has a single action trigger. Period.

It's easier to shoot a single action trigger well. Once you start, you don't want to go back to the mushy triggers on modern handguns.

I suspect if a dozen good companies were making good $500 High Power clones with various updates, they'd be just as popular and again, because of the single action trigger.

 

[CZ223]

I wouldn't rule out nostalgia altogether

It is probably a little of that along with the way gun looks and feels. About the only other guns that give me the warm and fuzzies like the 1911 does are the Colt Single action Army and a '73 Winchester. The trigger has a lot to do with the way the gun shoots and feels so Kodiak Bear is definitely onto something. Scratchndent mentioned earlier about all the aftermarket parts available for the 1911. It is easier than ever to make a 1911 your own with everything from custom finishes to parts that almost anyone can install with a few simple tools. I am dying to try customizing either my Rock Island Comp Tac or my new Tactical 9. I just haven't got up the courage yet.

 

[Drail]

While working as a gun salesman one thing I noticed over and over - when a customer holds a 1911 in their hand for the first time invariably they would say "that feels really good, like it was made for my hand." The balance, the grip angle, the placement of the controls were all very well thought out by Mr. Browning. The only other gun I had folks react to this way was the High Power - another Browning design.

 

[HisSoldier]

It is probably different reasons for every buyer. I've loved 1911's since I was too young to buy one, back in the sixties, I like a lot of different designs but to me they all fall short of the 1911.

JMB, the genius, just plain got it right, everyone else has been trying to better it to no avail.

They might fool others, but not me.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Yes, its your imagination. I doubt market share is any higher than it was. When I look on the shelves of gun stores there are normally only a few 1911s on the shelf and a lot of other things. What I see a lot of is Glocks and pocket guns. Pocket guns are like 40% of the hand gun market right now. Its been over twenty years since the 1911 was replaced in the military no one under 40 carried one in the military.

 

[LiveLife]

I know that I couldn't be happier with all the 1911 pistols and variants available today.

Thank the good Lord for choices.

Amen to that!

The 100 year anniversary is right around the corner.

You know, you just gave me (and probably many others) a great reason to pick one up for that celebration!

What better way to celebrate John Browning and the American classic 1911 ... now I just need to decide blue or stainless ...

 

[76shuvlinoff]

For me when it comes to triggers, romance, and reputation it's all about the 1911s and good single action revolvers. I own tupperware and now an itty bitty .380 pocket rocket too but that .45 is right on the nightstand every night.

 

[skimbell]

Yes, its your imagination...Its been over twenty years since the 1911 was replaced in the military no one under 40 carried one in the military.

From Wikipedia ....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...._Armed_Forces

In active service

* M9 (Beretta 92FS, 9x19mm)
* M11 (SIG P228, 9x19mm)

In active service (some branches limited roles)

* Mk 24 Mod 0 (SIG P226 Navy, 9x19mm) (Naval Special Warfare)
* M9A1 (9x19mm) (USMC)
* MEU(SOC) pistol (.45 ACP) (MEU(SOC))
* SIG P229R DAK (.40 S&W) (USCG)
* M1911A1 (.45 ACP) (Army)