The 1911 - is it because it's American?

[huntershooter]

There is NOTHING easier to shoot accurately and rapidly.
Evidenced by the fact that ALL the top IPSC/IDPA/Steel Challenge/Bianchi Cup shooters use 1911's (with rare exceptions).
It is the weapon of choice (handgun) with elite Military and LE units.
If the 1911 had been invented by a Frenchman and was produced in France I would still carry one.
THAT speaks volumns.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

Personally? It just feels "right" to me, but that could be a personal thing as the first pistol I ever fired was a 1911 in .38 Super. Same with cars -- I grew up driving a BMW and still prefer the feel of those vehicles in a way that most non-car people never understand.

The big things in the 1911's favor include:

• A crisp, consistent trigger pull. A good 1911 trigger isn't as good as you can get on a good S&W revolver, but it's better than you'll see on any other autoloader. You also don't need to worry with transitioning from double-action on the first round to single-action for the rest of the magazine. This, in my non expert opinion, is one of the key reasons it's so easy to learn to shoot this pistol well.
• Ergonomics. It just points well for a lot of folks. This is a contentious point though, as many people claim Glocks point better for them.
• Single-stack magazine. A thinner pistol is an easier pistol to conceal.

Most of all though, is that the ergonomics of the pistol (especially the trigger) make it something you can learn to shoot well faster than most other arms, and something that can be truly impressive if you put in the time to master it.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

Because that is the gun I shoot best and most consistently. Nothing about "fashion" (the current "fashion" are polymer pistols, not 1911s), not Americana (though I am proud that it is American). There really isn't any foriegn make tha I've been particularly impressed with except the BHP. And I've owned them all at one time or another.
And I like that other American invention - the revolver.

 

[jdc1244]

I am reminded of the frequent feedway stoppages…

Of the 4 Colts I’ve owned I’ve never experienced that problem. Two were bought used and two new; all four are unmodified and the two new ones were flawless out of the box. There was no ‘break-in’ with the new Colts – I frankly don’t believe in break-in, a pistol should work as well with round number 1 as number 1000. I own 1911s because I shoot them well, I like large, heavy steel pistols – can’t stand the plastic - and I like the way they look. It has nothing to do with hype or nationalism. I do like the historic aspect of the 1911, however. I respect the design, how long its lasted, and consider the 1911 to be as modern as any other auto loader.

 

[MT GUNNY]

Before I got mine I wouldn't even look at them. Then It happened, That pic in the Guns and Ammo mag the year S&W Introduced there S&W 1911.
Traded My berretta for one. after a year of owning it, is when I really learned of the history behind the 1911, (THR). I will never be without a 1911.......

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I think it's partly an aesthetic thing. It's a nice looking piece of art. Good proportions and interesting angles.

I also think it's partly an air jordan kind of thing. Lots of gunnies really worship the old guys- the ww2 generation. The 1911 is really one of those WW2 symbols, despite it being adopted in WW1.
It invokes an almost jingoistic following in its users, even if they have one made in Brazil by people who care.


They're not for me. I continually go to shoots and see 1911 after 1911 jam up and stovepipe and fail. Granted, there are some that don't, but I never did have any luck. So, I don't tempt fate.

 

[22lr]

Personally im in the same boat. 1911s feel good in my hand, shoot good (for the most part) but at the same time my S&W Sigma (ya the cheapo of cheapos) goes bang everytime I pull the trigger on a loaded chamber and (as long as you dont use wolf) it is dead reliable. It fits my hang like a decent glove, and I can fit 17 bullets in. I dont know maybe its just me but to me id rather spend $500 on a S&W M&P in .45 that has a bigger mag and will probably shoot just as good as a $500 1911. Maybe its just me though. I like guns with history, but ive never seen a $350 1911 that can hold a candle to my Sigma, but again, I haven't seen every $350 1911 out there.

 

[hoosier8]

My bedside gun is an 80s Springfield Milspec 1911. Great gun, feels great in the hand, eats everything, cycles smooth as glass. My most accurate pistol is a Bersa 9mm High Capacity, also a great gun and a great value for the price. I carry a couple of different 380s due to concealability. I own and greatly respect a Glock in 45acp. Can't beat a Glock for reliability and durability. I also own a Kimber CDP II Pro, great gun, actually a much better gun in many ways than the Springer, but it just does not have the appeal of the full size, all steel pistol.

That being said, I like the full size 1911 for the feel and heft. Looks good too.

Don't listen to anyone else. If you find you like the gun and it is reliable, enjoy it.

 

[tiger rag]

I supose it can't hurt being an american icon like an M1 or an m16 ,It does have a heck of a track record on the range and in combat.
I find it hard to accept that you own a Kimber and are unimpressed by it .

 

[rondog]

How could you not love a face like this?

 

[TylerDurden]

Grip, slim, trigger...

Because:

The grip is perfect.

They point perfectly without bending my wrist, like Glock.

The trigger is awesome.

ANd they look baddass.

When clean, the never look used.

-TD

 

[Beagle-zebub]

With their heft, power, pointability, slimness, and endless supply of aftermarket parts (such that you can build a pistol entirely from them), it's easy to see how they have retained their special status for so long.

 

[mr.trooper]

The 1911 is a solid reliable design, with some notable strong points.

But that doesn't change the FACT thats its a 100 year old design, derived long before many of the combative techniques we now use were ever devised.

In many instances, its a square peg for a round hole.

 

[Youngster]

I thank the 1911 for making me appreciate the newer designs.

 

[45auto]

derived long before many of the combative techniques we now use were ever devised.

In many instances, its a square peg for a round hole.

In what type of combative "technique" would the 1911 not be as good as a design that's "30 years" old...for example?

 

[1911 guy]

Why the 1911?

Because when it's rendered correctly (no tolerance stacking, no extra parts and no sawed off barrels) and given good (no weirdo new stuff) mags and ammo newer than World War One, it will work and work well. But my new KimberSpringerSig with the fancy stuff like Special Forces has doesn't work! Refer to the sentence above. And special forces doesn't have all the crap hanging on your gun, either. They usually prefer their firearms to work.

Quote:But that doesn't change the FACT thats its a 100 year old design, derived long before many of the combative techniques we now use were ever devised.

If your equipment determines your tactics, you're already behind the 8-ball.

 

[foghornl]

My humble 1/50th of $1.00

The 1911-style handgun "fits" my hand/wrist/arm/eye alignment better than the Glock or XD type.

Nothing wrong with Glock or the XD, those just do not fit me well. Have a Shooting Budd that is absolutely dynamite with a Glock, but would be better served by throwing a 1911 at the barn wall, rather than shooting at said wall with a 1911.

 

[doc2rn]

I want the EMP-9 in the 1911 model. I have small hands and prefer single stacks.