My 1911 is my easiest to shoot pistol. 8+1 is adequate for most purposes. Isn't one of the priorities of defensive pistol use to be the quickest to get the first round ON the target? I've not shot any pistol that was faster from the holster to the first shot. A well maintained 1911 is as reliable as any modern pistol. My opinion. You are welcome to yours.
The 1911 pistol: Obsolete, irrelevant and immaterial
- Thread starter 200Apples
- Start date
- Status
Deaf Smith
Member
Cooper wrote about the three times he actually observed his fire taking out his opponents.
So I think he was in a bit of combat.
Deaf
I truly get a kick out of the idea that a 1911 isn't reliable. I own a Sig 1911 that I put over 11,000 rounds through before the stock external extractor failed (a known problem with the Sig 1911s). That was the first failure. None since.
The thought that a manual safety is too hard to use is moronic. I don't know of a long gun that doesn't have one.
It does have limited capacity compared to a double stack 9mm, but if you run one dry you may have bigger problems than you thought. And ammo magazine management is the one thing, along with mag changes, you need to practice with a 1911.
I find them easy to shoot, even though I resisted getting one for years. If I had to carry one, it wouldn't concern me at all.
The thought that a manual safety is too hard to use is moronic. I don't know of a long gun that doesn't have one.
It does have limited capacity compared to a double stack 9mm, but if you run one dry you may have bigger problems than you thought. And ammo magazine management is the one thing, along with mag changes, you need to practice with a 1911.
I find them easy to shoot, even though I resisted getting one for years. If I had to carry one, it wouldn't concern me at all.
Theohazard
Member
I have a friend who recently took a two-day advanced pistol course run by a nationally-known instructor. He used his Colt 1911, a previous-generation Rail Gun, and he had zero stoppages. The same can't be said for some of the other guns used by the other participants in the class, including some Glocks.
(DISCLAIMER: I'm not trying to claim that 1911s are more reliable than Glocks, but I'm simply pointing out that a well-made and properly-maintained 1911 can run with the best of them.)
(DISCLAIMER: I'm not trying to claim that 1911s are more reliable than Glocks, but I'm simply pointing out that a well-made and properly-maintained 1911 can run with the best of them.)
Bama Drifter
Member
^ Yep.
My first centerfire handgun was a GP-100, but my 1st semi-auto pistol was my Kimber Custom classic. I've acquired a stable-full of Colts plus a RemRand to round out the mix, so I consider it to be a very excellent design. Even used a pre-war Gov't Model in an 8hr 300 round defensive pistol course where guys w/ Berettas, Smith M&Ps and other plastic stuff had multiple stoppages. Myself and the instructors where the only 3 fellas with no FTF or other issues whatsoever. Utmost faith in the platform.
However, as MUCH as I LOVE my Colts and Kimber, the Glock 19 on my nightstand is the "easiest to shoot" pistol I own, and with 15 rounds of PDX1 +P ammo I feel a bit more confident w/ it. Colts and Glock are BOTH excellent... to have your head explode, read below link: Even the US Marines like both
http://www.military.com/daily-news/...perators-to-choose-glocks-over-marsoc-45.html
"The Marine Corps has authorized MARSOC operators to carry Glock pistols, since many of the elite outfit's members prefer the popular 9mm over the custom .45 pistols the service bought them in 2012."
To answer the OP: Nope. The 1911 IMHO will be around for at least another century. I have a Springfield Mil Spec, just because. It isn't my favorite pistol, but it isn't going anywhere. I like my Sig P220 DA/SA better and carry it often. The SA 1911 platform is acceptable to me, but for me it takes a more concious effort to operate. I know, I know, more practice.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
browningguy
Member
I like my 1911, and my old BHP's for that matter. But for shooting games I use high cap 9mm's, Springfield XDM's and Sig X6, too much mag changing costs a lot of time.
MICHAEL T
Member
A Colt Commander or Defender on my side 99% of time I own several and come to like the 1911 during my time in Military . Even the old rattle trap 1911 shot good enough for SD use. I have revolvers and other brand of semi auto's But My Colts fet the most carry time.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Heh! It just occurred to me how a typical conversation might turn out with someone who would tell me that the 1911 is "obsolete, irrelevant and immaterial".
THEM: The 1911 is obsolete, irrelevant, and immaterial today!
ME: Really, what are you carrying?
THEM: I don't have my gun with me.
ME: That kinda makes my 1911 pretty relevant right about now, wouldn't you say?
THEM: The 1911 is obsolete, irrelevant, and immaterial today!
ME: Really, what are you carrying?
THEM: I don't have my gun with me.
ME: That kinda makes my 1911 pretty relevant right about now, wouldn't you say?
MIL-DOT
member
1911's can be fantastic pistols, I like 1911's, in fact I love my (relatively) new Springfield Mil-Spec stainless, it's been dead-nuts accurate and 100% reliable through it's first 450-500 rounds. And, 1911's have a classic ''cool" factor that is undeniable.
But all that doesn't preclude me from acknowledging that more modern designs are ''better'' in several tangible, significant ways. Something like a Glock, for instance (which I don't currently own), trumps them on simplicity, economy, weight, ammo capacity, and arguably, longevity.
It IS the very definition a 'better mousetrap'.
After reading through countless pro/anti 1911 threads over the years, it looks to me like the majority of the pro-1911 arguments are based more on emotional attachment than anything else.
But all that doesn't preclude me from acknowledging that more modern designs are ''better'' in several tangible, significant ways. Something like a Glock, for instance (which I don't currently own), trumps them on simplicity, economy, weight, ammo capacity, and arguably, longevity.
It IS the very definition a 'better mousetrap'.
After reading through countless pro/anti 1911 threads over the years, it looks to me like the majority of the pro-1911 arguments are based more on emotional attachment than anything else.
Deanimator
Member
I have all sorts of semi-automatic handguns, including M1911s and Glocks.
One thing where the M1911 has it all over the Glocks (and other "high capacity" autos), is adaptability to different hand sizes, in the larger calibers.
The M1911 fits my hand just about perfectly. I can't name a double column auto in .45acp (or 10mm) which fits my hand AT ALL. That goes for Glock, SIG, S&W or anything else.
I can't palm a regulation basketball, nor can I comfortably and properly hold a Glock 21 one handed.
MIL-DOT
member
You're merely citing subjective,personal preference here, which isn't much different than basing it on emotion, as I metioned. The fact that it fits you better doesn't make the 1911 tangibly better than more modern pistols. If an old Ford Pinto fit you better than a 2015 Honda Accord, would you argue that the Pinto was an all-around "better" automobile? No, you wouldn't.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,211
I won't argue that the design is not an old one, almost as old as some of the first automobile designs but pistols certainly haven't gone as far as autos over the last 100 years.
I figure if it were such an inherent bad design manufactures like Remington, Sig, Ruger, Kimber, Smith and Wesson and many, many others would be making and selling pistols of their own design instead of one that is obsolete, irrelevant and immaterial.
I actually can't think of a more copied pistol, than the 1911.
I figure if it were such an inherent bad design manufactures like Remington, Sig, Ruger, Kimber, Smith and Wesson and many, many others would be making and selling pistols of their own design instead of one that is obsolete, irrelevant and immaterial.
I actually can't think of a more copied pistol, than the 1911.
Deanimator
Member
Needless to say, that's like arguing, "Just because this pain reliever causes potentially fatal increases in YOUR blood pressure, that doesn't mean it isn't superior to aspirin."
I don't buy guns for other people (especially people with hands like orangutans). I buy them for ME. If I can't effectively shoot it, it's NOT "superior" for ME, the one who matters in this context.
You MIGHT have an argument if I was the ONLY person for whom a double column .45 is inappropriate, but of course that's NOT the case.
chipcom
member
I love old Dodge trucks and still have one that I am constantly working on and playing with...but for trips and commuting I have a newer truck.
I love 1911s...still have some beauties that I love to tinker with and shoot...but my daily carry is now an XD.
I love 1911s...still have some beauties that I love to tinker with and shoot...but my daily carry is now an XD.
The Bushmaster
Member
guyfromohio...I take umberance to that. I carry (CCW) a Kimber UCC II that has several thousand round through it with out failure. True it took 300 rounds and a few trips to the loading bench to correct and break it in, but....
7.7 grains of WSF under a 185 grain Hornady XTP/HP at 850 fps +/- a few from a 3" barrel.
I also enjoy my [slightly customized] series 80 Colt.
7.7 grains of WSF under a 185 grain Hornady XTP/HP at 850 fps +/- a few from a 3" barrel.
I also enjoy my [slightly customized] series 80 Colt.
The Bushmaster
Member
RetiredUSNChief...I'm starting to like you. Don't know why, but...USN retired myself.
Chuck R.
Member
Have you tried either a Walther PPQ or HK P30/VP9??
Both (or all 3) come in .40 and the HK series are about as customizable as they come. Walther is coming (or came out) with the PPQ in .45ACP.
And I'm a died in the wool 1911 fan.
Chuck
- Status
