What features do you not like about "loaded" 1911s?

[1911 guy]

My preferences.

Front cocking serrations I can take or leave. I don't use them.
Ambi safeties I like because I shoot left handed sometimes. I'm leanring to snap it off on the draw with my right, though, and stick with single side safeties.
A beavertail is a must for me. I get hammer bite after less than 100 rounds. That little bloody spot gets bigger and more annoying the more I shoot.
I don't care for light rails on any handgun. Most people have two hands and one is capable of holding a light and offering support to the gun hand at the same time.
I've come to dislike oversize controls. I went so far as to blend the extended safeties back to G.I. dimensions on my pistols and re-blue them.
I like flat MSHs. The pistol seems to fit my hand better with one. I also like checkering on the MSH and frontstrap. I use smooth grips to minimize wear on my clothing, the checkering allows me a firm grip.


I hate to say "I told you so", but I sent a pistol to a 'smith last month for some upgrades and replacement parts. The end result is looking a lot like the new Sheriff Jim Wilson model from Ed Brown, down to the FS checkering, ivory grips and lack of night sights. I guess I've got good taste after all.

 

[kirby]

I like the front serrations. What is the problem with them? I, too, use them for a press check. They are also nice for the "unload and show clear" drill during competition.

Seriously? I can't imagine putting my hand that close to the muzzle to check if it was loaded (or for any reason). Always move the slide from the rear. Now that I think about it, how does a "press check" work using the front? To me a press check is moving the slide back slightly (using rear serrations) while putting my forefinger in the chamber to see if ther's a round in it. I thought the idea is being able to check without looking. How do you manipulate your hand to do that from the front?

(full disclosure: I don't own a 1911, but I wouldn't use the front of the slide to move it on any handgun).

 

[45auto]

Ambi's, front serrations and Novak sights.

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with the "package".

 

[tegemu]

Ambi safeties 'cuz they increase the probability of inadvertantly swiping the safety to the FIRE position.

 

[DMK]

I don't like big things poking out from the sides; extended safeties, ambi safeties, extended slide lock levers, extended mag releases, or wide mag wells. The 1911 is a nice thin gun that conceals nicely. I like to keep it that way. Heck, I put slim grip panels on all my 1911s.

The only improvements the original 1911A1 design needs are maybe a tighter barrel fit if you need better accuracy, some throating for reliability with HPs and better sights.

 

[Rinspeed]

I don't like ambi safeties nor do have any use for a light rail. I'm surprised a couple of you have mentioned triggers with holes.

 

[Caimlas]

I'm of the opinion that, for the most part, "simple is better". Unless it provides an integral and non-trivial improvement to the firearm, I don't want it on there if it's going to potentially cause problems. So:

- Front slide serations
- light rail
- extended beavertail (I don't have fat hands)
- ambi safety

Those are the things which irritate me. The first two are deal breakers, for the most part, partially because not only do they add nonthing for me - they're ugly as sin. The other two are complaints about things which just get in the way for me; I've got long fingers, and I can un-safety a 1911's left-side safety with my left-side thumb with no problem at all.

 

[atblis]

I don't

I don't like the automatic random malfunction drill feature.

 

[SIRVEYR666]

Sirveyr666 wrote:

I like the front serrations. What is the problem with them? I, too, use them for a press check. They are also nice for the "unload and show clear" drill during competition.

kbyrd asked:

Seriously? I can't imagine putting my hand that close to the muzzle to check if it was loaded (or for any reason). Always move the slide from the rear. Now that I think about it, how does a "press check" work using the front? To me a press check is moving the slide back slightly (using rear serrations) while putting my forefinger in the chamber to see if ther's a round in it. I thought the idea is being able to check without looking. How do you manipulate your hand to do that from the front?

Using your support hand from under the slide, behind the muzzle, with your thumb and index finger.

Some of the training I've had uses this method. Unholster, check the magwell, press check, insert mag, rip the slide, drop mag and check round count, re-insert mag, press check, holster, rock and roll. I don't know if it's weird or not, nor do I care, but it's what I do. It's become a habit. Like I stated before, it's also one last check for the SO after I've cleared my firearm.


Maybe we could get this tread back on topic now, huh?