harmon rabb
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- Mar 14, 2009
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- 2,699
freakin lawyers
oh wait. i'm a lawyer
M1911 for a self defense pistol?
- Thread starter Slamfire
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freakin lawyers
oh wait. i'm a lawyer
LibertySympathizer
Member
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- Sep 9, 2009
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- 74
Now someone is using their noggin!
rswartsell
Member
thank God!
orionengnr
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- 5,713
Well, it's my choice...
ShadyScott999
Member
What was the grip safety doing during this fabulous magic act? I assume it was disengaging on the elf in the stall. :banghead:
420Stainless
Member
Most of the year these days I carry a PM45. I like to dress light and its easy to conceal. But when the temperatures allow comfortable wearing of a cover shirt I put on my combat commander. No issues with a 1911 single stack for me, I like them better than anything else.
SharpsDressedMan
member
Make mine a "Model of 1929"! (Colt's Super .38, introduced in 1929)
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While not specifically about the 1911, the following article regarding terminal ballistics as viewed in a morgue may influence your choosing a 1911 in 45ACP as a carry gun.
http://www.gunthorp.com/Terminal Ballistics as viewed in a morgue.htm
JB
http://www.gunthorp.com/Terminal Ballistics as viewed in a morgue.htm
JB
I hear ya. Everyone forgets about the greedy plaintiffs. No plaintiff, no frivolous law suit.
The 1911 is an excellent SD pistol. If you want to carry it, a lightweight Commander model is an excellent choice, like a Colt LW Commander XSE for instance.
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
Most self defense shootings involve 3 rounds or less if shots are fired at all. So a 1911 fits the bill for that quite nicely. I personally insist on carrying the same weapon off duty for SD as I do on duty, so it's a G19 for me. But I won't scoff at someone choosing a 1911 if it's just for civilian self defense.
Sapper771
Member
To the OP,
The 1911 is still a very viable weapon. If you don't feel comfortable in carrying the 1911 in condition 1 , then it is not for you! You need to find a system that you are comfortable with and use it. If you still find that you have an interest in the 1911, then you can buy a cheap base model and get use to it at your own pace.
Most police departments don't choose a SA pistol due to liability. A 10 lb trigger pull looks more intentional to a jury when a lawyer is trying to make the shooting look like it was unintentional, or negligent on a Law Enforcement Officer's part. Most departments only do firearms training twice a year, and even then, they only will fire around 200-400 rounds a year. It is hard to teach solid firearms skills two days a year.
It is true that most cops are not firearms afficianados. Some could care less if they even had a gun or not. When looking at what the police carry, there are a lot of other variables that come into play. For example: Budget(can only afford a certain make/model, or best bidder)and user compatability(women usually have smaller hands, so weapon must be user friendly to all officers). So what the police carry is not always what's best for you to carry.
Personally, I love the 1911 design and have four of them currently.With that being said, I have also had more problems out of the 1911s than I have out of any other handgun. If I were to give advice on buying a 1911, I would advise to buy a good quality model from a reputable maker that offers a good warranty. I prefer Springfield.
I still carry a 1911 every now and then. I find that its slim design is very comfortable and concealable. When I do carry a 1911 , I carry my Springfield TRP which weighs more than a standard 1911, but the weight is not an issue to me. Like others have said, get a good belt and holster.
I prefer to carry my Glock 21. It has worked for me when the 1911 has not.
The 1911 is still a very viable weapon. If you don't feel comfortable in carrying the 1911 in condition 1 , then it is not for you! You need to find a system that you are comfortable with and use it. If you still find that you have an interest in the 1911, then you can buy a cheap base model and get use to it at your own pace.
Most police departments don't choose a SA pistol due to liability. A 10 lb trigger pull looks more intentional to a jury when a lawyer is trying to make the shooting look like it was unintentional, or negligent on a Law Enforcement Officer's part. Most departments only do firearms training twice a year, and even then, they only will fire around 200-400 rounds a year. It is hard to teach solid firearms skills two days a year.
It is true that most cops are not firearms afficianados. Some could care less if they even had a gun or not. When looking at what the police carry, there are a lot of other variables that come into play. For example: Budget(can only afford a certain make/model, or best bidder)and user compatability(women usually have smaller hands, so weapon must be user friendly to all officers). So what the police carry is not always what's best for you to carry.
Personally, I love the 1911 design and have four of them currently.With that being said, I have also had more problems out of the 1911s than I have out of any other handgun. If I were to give advice on buying a 1911, I would advise to buy a good quality model from a reputable maker that offers a good warranty. I prefer Springfield.
I still carry a 1911 every now and then. I find that its slim design is very comfortable and concealable. When I do carry a 1911 , I carry my Springfield TRP which weighs more than a standard 1911, but the weight is not an issue to me. Like others have said, get a good belt and holster.
I prefer to carry my Glock 21. It has worked for me when the 1911 has not.
Vern Humphrey
Member
The very question that popped up in my mind. Now with a different design that might happen, but not with an M1911.
leadcounsel
member
Are they even made anymore?
Seriously, they are great guns that stood the test of time. A 100 year old design that is VERY relevant and practical and an outstanding gun shooting an outstanding round.
Not MY personal first choice, but it would be in my top 5 for certain.
One caution - they are more high-end and high-maintenance. For a beginner it may not be the best choice. For a beginner I would recommend a revovler, probably a .38 or .357 magnum.
Seriously, they are great guns that stood the test of time. A 100 year old design that is VERY relevant and practical and an outstanding gun shooting an outstanding round.
Not MY personal first choice, but it would be in my top 5 for certain.
One caution - they are more high-end and high-maintenance. For a beginner it may not be the best choice. For a beginner I would recommend a revovler, probably a .38 or .357 magnum.
joe_security
Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2007
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- 490
I find that a 1911 fits my hand better than any other pistol, period. I have no problem with C&L, provided a good holster is used. Do i use other types of pistols ? Yes. The only 1911 issue for me is to find one that works well and stick with it.
doubleh
Member
I have to agree with you, Joe that the 1911 fits my hand better than any other semi-auto I've ever picked up.
This had been a great topic to read over. Lots of great sarcasm. All I have to say about the OP is: That's what the thing was designed for, self defense, to kill the enemy before he could kill you. Cocked and locked was the way it was designed to be carried. The short hammer spur isn't hard to let down or cock either if you'll use your head. I also have to say that I prefer the original design but the beavertail and nubbed hammer spur look cool.
This had been a great topic to read over. Lots of great sarcasm. All I have to say about the OP is: That's what the thing was designed for, self defense, to kill the enemy before he could kill you. Cocked and locked was the way it was designed to be carried. The short hammer spur isn't hard to let down or cock either if you'll use your head. I also have to say that I prefer the original design but the beavertail and nubbed hammer spur look cool.
before I decide whether or not it's worth starting a new topic on...
are there any idiots' guides to picking your first 1911? I'm not in the market yet, but I definitely want one. Are there any threads to look around in? Search function has failed me, as it always seems to do.
are there any idiots' guides to picking your first 1911? I'm not in the market yet, but I definitely want one. Are there any threads to look around in? Search function has failed me, as it always seems to do.
DELTAJOHN
Member
H'mm 1911's unreliable? Check this out, 97 years old, 22cal, started life as a military WWII trainer, $300. Would I trust IT to save my life, YEP!
John
OF COURSE, WHY BOTHER WITH 22CAL WHEN YOU HAVE 10mm? Here are two of my Deltas, reliable to the end, with lead TCFP's or XTP's, they eat them all. My stainless Deltas are my preferred carry. When hiking I take a stainless Delta on my hip, with my Marlin 1895GS 45-70 AS BACKUP. BRING IT ON!
John
OF COURSE, WHY BOTHER WITH 22CAL WHEN YOU HAVE 10mm? Here are two of my Deltas, reliable to the end, with lead TCFP's or XTP's, they eat them all. My stainless Deltas are my preferred carry. When hiking I take a stainless Delta on my hip, with my Marlin 1895GS 45-70 AS BACKUP. BRING IT ON!
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joe_security
Member
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- Apr 22, 2007
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JOHN, Nice Colts !
easyg
Member
The 1911....
IMO, it's too heavy to justify the meager magazine-capacity.
And I don't like a manual safety on my handguns.
IMO, it's too heavy to justify the meager magazine-capacity.
And I don't like a manual safety on my handguns.
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