What makes a 1911 good?

[Demitrios]

There are probably more 1911's on the market these days than I have hair on my chest (I'm Greek so that's a lot). There are so many applications for 1911's so there really is no universal "good" 1911 that stands above all others. So rather than look for an impossible answer I'd rather hear your opinions as to why you like a curved mainspring housing to a flat one, why you'd like target sights over novak sights, why you like a full length guide rod over a GI length guide rod. You guys catch my drift? I know this is still a broad question, but let's just say, for the sake of conversation, I'm talking about a target 1911 or a carry 1911(from what little I know about the weapon itself a match bushing and a tight barrel lockup make it far more accurate, and no I don't know what any of that means). Feel free to build your own custom 1911 from the ground up.

 

[Confederate]

It's really hard to gauge your question due to its premise.

Pros: 1911s are flat, well balanced, have an extremely safe and effective means of carrying ammo and deploying it. The shooter jacks one round up the snoot, cocks the safety and is good to go. Once fired, snapping the safety on restores the gun to its original safe condition. The guns also tend to be strong and many of them use interchangeable parts. Finally, the guns are just plain easy on the eyes, many of 'em. Kimbers are some of the most beautiful, but there are plenty of Colts and others that have deep blue luxurious finishes.

Cons: There are many, many, many 1911 designs of guns out there, and almost all of them are way overpriced. Also, very few 1911s out of the box have the inherent reliability of newer designed autos. Thus, newer guns like the Sigs, Glocks and Smith & Wessons are notably better from a functional standpoint and less expensive. 1911s are a bit finicky about the ammunition they'll take, and you may have to exchange springs before some ammunition will work. Compact 1911s are problematic, while newer designs are just better.

 

[GoodKat]

He was talking about what features you prefer on your 1911. For instance, I see a 1911 as desirable for its artistic value, not its combat effectiveness. I like nice presentation grips and tasteful color combinations. From a utilitarian standpoint, the 1911 design is outdated and there is generally a more functional gun for any role it may fill, but almost nothing has the intrinsic happiness value of a good 1911.

 

[EHL]

I gather that you'd like to know the difference between different 1911 designs. Well if you are looking to get a 1911, you wanna ask yourself what you are going to want it for: target shooting or defense/concealed carry. Depending on your answer, you'll want to customize it differently. All of mine are combat guns so I stick to things that will make my gun more reliable.

 

[Zerodefect]

The 1911 is probally the best combat fullsize pistol ever. The only gun that has threatened to dethrone it is the Glock.

Its slim, uses a great round (.45acp), best trigger, extremely safe to carry, shoots well, adjustable grips for thickness and length (backstap & grip panels), low bore height and softish recoil.

Downside: It was desighned in a time where labor was cheap in the US and there were plenty of majic gun smiths, so its a tad complex. Needs its springs replaced regularly. Needs good mags. Some are just plain faulty when they leave the factory. Some are perfect. Thin but heavy.

Good features to have: Extended beavertail so the hammer deosn't bite your hand, thin alumagrips for concealment and comfort, Wilson 47d mags, Ambisafety if your a lefty.

I prefere novak combat sights cause they are smaller and simpler than target sights. I don't like the feel of the larger mainspring housing like the GI models. I like my grip smaller and thinner. Thats just a fell choice, you'll have to hold a few to decide for yourself. I like the full length guide rods and the GI spec ones but I do not like 2 piece guide rods. My Kimbers rod is 1 piece and thats plenty.


My perfect build: Kimber TLE 5", Olive drab gray thin alumagrips, Stronger Wilson slide stop lever, safety, ejector, Wilson mags, Remington Goldensabre ammo, Flat mainspring housing (backstrap) with lanyard, 18lb Wilson or Wolf recoil spring, MTAC or Milt Sparks VMII holsters. Shwartz safety removal.

Then when its had thousands of rounds to break in and prove its reliability I'll send it in for a Melonite refinish.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

So rather than look for an impossible answer I'd rather hear your opinions as to why you like a curved mainspring housing to a flat one,

Personally, I prefer a flat mainspring housing to an arched housing. Long before other designers caught on, you could adjust the M1911 to your personal preferences by mixing and matching long/short triggers, flat/arched mainspring housings, and different width grip panels.

why you'd like target sights over novak sights,

I prefer the Novak sights. My M1911s are carry guns, or for combat-style competition. Fixed sights are sturdier. If I competed in Bullseye Competition, I'd have a gun with admustable sights.

why you like a full length guide rod over a GI length guide rod.

I don't like a full length guide rod. A standard short guide rod makes stripping easier and is not likely to come unscrewed in action (as some full length rods can.)

Other likes and dislikes:

Like:

Lowered and beveled ejection port. I like 'em, and they add something to reliability.

Eight round magazines -- I favor Chip McCormac Shooting Stars and they are dead relialble.

Beavertail safety -- standard grip safeties always leave me with a bloody spot on the web of my hand.

"Bump" on the grip safety for positive disengagement.

Lanyard loop. I was an infantryman for a long time, have made many parachute jumps, and do a lot of horseback riding.

Don't Like:

Ambidextrerous safeties: They make stripping a pain, and they can catch on clothing when you draw.

Front cocking serrations: No real need for them, and they drag on your holster.

 

[COSteve]

The first thing that came to mind when I read the title is slide to frame fit... but you are asking about features.

I guess I'll start with my Springfield TRP and tell you what I'm looking for in my next 1911... don't take this as a knock on TRP's - they are great production guns!

The fixed Novak sights will stay.

I don't think I'll go for a full length guide rod on my next. I'm really indifferent to it on my TRP. It's an extra step in disassembly, but so what. My next one is going to be a little more true to Saint Browning's original design (beavertail and extended safety aside).

I'll skip the magwell on my next 1911. They are handy for reloads, but add length to the part of the gun hardest to carry concealed.

I'll skip the front cocking serrations. On some 1911's they look cool, but I'll never use them. I tend to like operating the gun from the non-booming end.

On my next 1911, I will be looking for less "billboarding" - I don't want "tactical" written on it, or big logos or someone's name. Dan Wessons and several semi-custom manufacturers have the right idea here. Cleanliness is next to godliness...

Flat mainspring housings fit my hand better. Personal preference.

Ambi-safety - I'm indifferent to this on the TRP as well. I like that it's there, but it's not a must have... hasn't gotten in my way yet.

Frontstrap checkering - I originally thought the 20 line per inch checkering on the TRP was just short of a cheese grater, but I've become used to it. If I had a choice, it would have 25lpi checkering.

Since everything I'm talking about is adding up to a semi-custom money wise, I won't get into MIM parts.

Hope this is what you were looking for... here's my TRP. Some of you may know me from GT as Zombie Steve...

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

All it really needs is a good trigger and sights you can. A beavertail grip safety improves shooting comfort, and an extended thumb safety is a little easier to operate.

 

[sohcgt2]

I like flared ejection ports, skeletonized triggers and hammers, I like beavertail grip safeties and overmolded Hogue grips, I dont't like Novak sights unless they have tritium inserts. I like curved trigger faces and bright stainless finishes. I do not like checkering.

 

[tipoc]

Well personal preferences...

Defensive gun: Stock Colt safety or minimal safety. I have no need for an ambi safety. Stock slide release. Standard GI recoil spring retainer (no FLGR). Minimal grip safety, I don't need the extended beavertails. Sights that can be seen (I have no preferences as to brand). I don't care for the Novack ski ramp type rear sights (Kimber's version are useless to me) as they make it harder to rack the slide one handed, the standard Colt rear sight or the Yost retro type are more useful for me. The low mount Bo-Mars also fill this role as they are very sturdy and allow for one handed slide racking. Forward sights that can be seen well and do not snag. About a 4 pd trigger pull. Solid trigger rather than skeletonized. Flat or arched MSH makes no difference to me as my hand works with both. I prefer a short trigger in a defensive piece, easier if I'm wearing gloves. No forward cocking serrations. Standard hammer (which I usually bob a bit) or a Commander type hammer. Overall the gun should be as smooth to the touch as possible. I prefer 45 and 38 Super though I really oughta get a 10 MM as well to play with.

Range gun: Bo Mar sights. A FLGR can go in but it don't make enough difference to me that it's necessary. Patridge front.

There is nothing antiquated or weak about the 1911 and they are quite useful for defensive purposes.

tipoc

 

[earlthegoat2]

Full length guide rod: Solution to a problem that never existed.

They still work fine though so if you have it good and if you dont have it good.

 

[earlthegoat2]

....

 

[mljdeckard]

I dropped my FLGR for a G.I. one. I just like to be able to strip more easily, and I have absolutely no perception at all of the difference in shooting.

On my list of things of getting around to is an arched MSH with a lanyard loop. I shoot a little better with the arched, and I still have the army OCD habit of keeping it tied to me when I'm outdoors. I added Hogue wrap-around finger grips.

All carry guns should have either night sights, some kind of fiber-optic sights, or a flashlight in your pocket.

For a carry gun, THINK REALLY HARD before you add stuff to it. Everything you need, NOTHING YOU DON'T. If you have a good trigger, don't mess with it. If you shoot it well, don't mess with it. If you want a gun to tinker, mess with, and accessorize, build another one for the range.

 

[dat2]

you can do so many different things with a 1911, some guns all you can do is change the trigger/ sear or spring, a 1911 it is almost unlimited

 

[KyJim]

What do I like in a 1911?

• Standard length guide rod because it's easier to strip down and the FLGR adds nothing,
• Flat mainspring housing - fits my hand better,
• Thinner grips and standard length triggers because my hands are small,
• I generally prefer Novak style fixed night sights over target sights and especially over the GI sights,
• 25/30 LPI checkering on front and backstrap or a nice stiplling like the chainlink on my Ed Brown Special Forces,
• For carry guns, flush fit mags which don't cram an extra round in the mag but extended length mags are okay as a spare mag or for range,
• Lowered and flared ejection port and polished feed ramp,
• Beveled mag well but no extended magwell,
• Trigger weight of about 4 pounds,
• Black or blue slide, matte type finish on the top to cut glare,
• Beavertail grip with grip safety with a memory bump,
• Prefer single safety, though I do have a pistol with an ambi-safety,
• Prefer no front cocking serrations but can get past that,
• Series 70, though a Series 80 is okay,
• For concealed carry, I prefer 4 or 4.25 inch barrel and with a bobtail grip frame or a grip frame shortened by one round. For range and other use, full government size.1911.
• No MIM parts. I also prefer a forged frame but good quality cast frame is acceptable,
• Good slide to frame fit, thought a little "slop" is okay.

That's all I can think of for now. Of course, not every 1911 I own is set up as described above.

 

[rondog]

What makes a 1911 good?

J.M. Browning made 'em good, and God approved them.

 

[model of 1905]

Every gun owner should have at least one full size 1911. Until you have experienced the 1911 you have not known what handguns are all about. JMO.

 

[CapnMac]

Well, count me firmly in the arched MS camp--learned that way, and my muscle memory is a bit 'set' (shoot low otherwise).

FLGR is something that gets paired with tuned springs, shok-bufs, and collette bushings for range-scoring, not carry, at least for me.

I like a flare and a lower on the ejection port. Either/or on ambi controls; although I tend to prefer standard size, even when doubled.

Finsh tends to personal preference. Blued, matte black, parkerized, stainless--never much noticed (other than that AMY hardballer was pretty much grey-on-grey-on-grey for a sight picture).

But, that's just my 2¢; that, & $3 might get you coffee.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

For carry guns, flush fit mags which don't cram an extra round in the mag

Eight round mags -- like my Chip McCormic mags are flush fit. And I have fed more than 50,000 rounds through them.

 

[REDEYE]

A genius designer and extensive time testing made it good.