Re-evaluating the 1911

[boogalou]

I picked up a used Colt Series 70 last autumn but because of the wintry Michigan weather and spending more time at the range with my CZ's, haven't shot the Colt at all except to test for function. Yesterday I put 150 rounds of assorted reloads (230 LRN, 200 LSWC, 185 LSWC) through the gun at 15 yards at a silhouette target. Slow fire, rapid fire, testing reliability more then anything else. When I was done I had a nice 5" ragged hole in the center of the target (with a few flyers). I had one FTF with the LRN, but a tap on the slide put her into battery. I was pleasantly surprised with the gun & my performance. I also brought my CZ40B to shoot but I just wasn't as accurate with it and after 50 rounds went back to the Colt because it was more fun.

As much as I like my CZ's I may have to admit to myself that I shoot the 1911 better. I also have a Springfield Mil-Spec and its performance mirrors what I'm seeing with the Colt.

Has anyone else on THR experienced this? Is it possible that a plain jane 1911 can make me feel that after a couple years of shooting handguns I may be starting to get it right?

I think I want to join the "cult". Where do I sign up?

 

[1911Tuner]

Zen 1911

boogaloo asked:

Has anyone else on THR experienced this?

OH! Yeesssss...
---------------------------

And:

I think I want to join the "cult". Where do I sign up?

Ya signed on when ya bought that Colt. Ain't no turnin' back now.

Next on the list is learnin' to maintain it and keep it clean. Detail strip
required from time to time. Not a problem. If you can put a model car
together, you're over-qualified.

Welcome aboard, lad! It just gets better from here.

Tuner

 

[tcdrennen]

I think I want to join the "cult". Where do I sign up?

you just did, but can get it certified at 1911 Forum

 

[McNutt]

People warned me that once I bought one 1911 I'd buy more. I knew that I had more self control than that. I bought a Dan Wesson Patriot in November (my first 1911). I put a CZ-75 on layaway two months ago. Tomorrow I'm switching that order to a Springfield GI. As much as I want that CZ-75 the call of the 1911 is stronger. The best advice is to stay away from message boards like these. They have the same effect on me as shoe catalogs on my wife.

PLEASE, PEOPLE. STOP POSTING REPORTS OF YOUR GUNS. I CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE!

 

[boogalou]

Detail Strip

Tuner - Yeah, I've done that already. Also polished the trigger group. Found out that the 1911 isn't any harder to completely dis-assemble then any of the other pistols I've done this to.

Old JMB knew what the hell he was doing.......

 

[Ktulu]

Old JMB knew what the hell he was doing.......

Amen!

 

[gunbot]

I've owned and fired many semi autos, including Beretta and CZ. As accurate, ergonomic and reliable as they are, the 1911 A1 is still the one that I would choose for both sheer fun and for the serious business of self defense. ' The zen of 1911', I kinda' like that.

 

[Sean Smith]

I spent a couple of years trying just about every handgun BUT a 1911. Now 1911s are a favorite of mine by a wide margin.

 

[Majic]

Seems strange that after 90+ years of prosperous service a design has to be re-evaluated. Maybe one day in the future people will just accept the fact that the 1911 design does actually work.

 

[jercamp45]

Definately!!!

Got my first Gov't Model 28 years ago, carried it alot, but kept trying other handguns to find something 'better' for me.
After having tried all the major styles and brands, I still carry a 1911 of sometype because I shoot it better, it feel's 'right' in my hand...a familiar friend.
Now, I pretty much buy only 1911's cause they are what I like, what I arry and what I shoot. Starting my collection late in life..........better late than never!
Welcome to the Cult of the 1911!!
Jercamp45

 

[longtom4570]

I used to own a Glock 36, it never felt right,went and bought a WWII Mil-spec and oh how good it felt and shot I now have on order a mil-spec Champion. I will not go back to any thing else, i know there is no resisting and i'm not going to fight it .

 

[rich2u]

I know when I shoot my CZ100 its nowhere as accurate as my Delta Goldcup. With my current skill at the range either guns more accurate than I am . But I shoot much better with the delta it just seems to point so much better.

 

[Heraclitus]

Although not my primary carry piece (given my build, my job, and my geographic location), I will be the first one to admit that my 1911 shoots better than any of my other guns. It still amazes me how a design so... well... "primitive", frankly... can hold its own against a more modern one, including the -- gulp! -- sporty SIG P220 and beefy CZ-97. It is a time-tested weapon than will surely go down in history as THE original tack driver.

 

[twbredw]

ive had a combat commander for a ccw weapon for awhile now and i love the gun , ive carried it much more than any other gun i own ive also got a used auto ordanance general model that has never malfunctioned and is a tack driver

 

[boogalou]

I will have to say that in defense of my other guns, I shoot my CZ75B very well. But it has an exceptional trigger and the grip is more comfortable to me then the CZ40B.

I like to think of the CZ75B as being one of the best 9mm pistols right now, the 1911 as the absolutely best platform for the .45ACP, and the CZ40 as a fusion of 9mm CZ & .45ACP Colt, on a alloy frame for excellent use as a CCW weapon.

I won't give up on it, I think it has to much potential.

 

[michiganfan]

Sold a Charles Daly that had been nicely worked over by a gunsmith on a Tuesday. Realized that a collection without a 1911 aint a collection and bought a SA WWII on the next Saturday.

 

[BluesBear]

I just can't imagine living without a 1911 pattern pistol, a S&W N-frame revolver, a 12 gauge shotgun, a .22 rifle, a good 35mm camera, a Fender or Gibson Guitar and a home stereo system that still plays vinyl.

A man just HAS to have some standards in his life!

 

[stans]

I own seven centerfire semi-automatic pistols. Out of the seven, three are 1911's. I don't have a CZ, but I do have a TZ-75 Series 88 (at the time this was the closest to a CZ in the USA). As nice as this pistol feels in my hands, the 1911's just feel a little better. I find the 1911 to be a simple, yet robust design, aftermaket parts abound, and it is so easy to detail strip and modify.

 

[Abominable No-Man]

I've tried lots of different pistols, too. At this moment, I only have two.

One is the S&W 5906 that was the very first pistol I bought when I became of age.

The second is a RIA 1911.

I had intended to find a 10mm sometime this year.......oh well.

ANM

 

[BigG]

I prefer the Colt 45 Automatic and the S&W revo, myself. YMMV

 

[Mute]

I think I want to join the "cult". Where do I sign up?

Drop your pants. Grab your ankles. Spin around the room 3 times while yelling the name of John Moses Browning. While still holding your ankle, jump up and down 5 times while yelling, "I'm cocked, locked and ready to rock!"

There. You are now an official member of the tribe.

 

[Trebor]

I still haven't tried the Kool-aid myself, but it's looking tastier and tastier....

 

[SnWnMe]

1911s are like Smith revovlers. You can't have just one!

I have 6 centerfire pistols. 5 are 1911s. My odd man, a Makarov, has a safety that operates the "correct" way. So I'm keeping it consistent.

 

[wally]

I've lots of guns that I enjoy shooting, but it always ends up at the end of the day I shoot the 1911 best. Second best is always a 1911-like ccoked'n'locked SA like HiPower, CZ75B, Star BM, etc.

--wally.

 

[Scooter .45]

Is it possible that a plain jane 1911 can make me feel that after a couple years of shooting handguns I may be starting to get it right?

Not only possible, it would be darn strange if it didn't! Welcome to the Righteous Kindred Brotherhood of Browning (comes right after RKBA in the alphabet).