Great answer, the only difference I make is that revolvers work better for me so I carry a 4" N frame chambered in 45 ACP. I tried to like the1911 but never got the same warm fuzzy feeling that the N frame gives me so I sold the 1911.
Why choose 1911 over a revolver?
- Thread starter el Godfather
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TheReiver
Member
Given my horrific experiences with 1911s, I would be much more comfortable with a wheel gun if none of my own sidearms were available. This logic of "if x number of rounds won't do it then I'm screwed anyway" is worrisome to me. Considering the plethora of advantages to having extra mags/loaders, it makes less sense not to carry one IMO.
The chance that you'll be encountered by a gang of thugs rather than a lone one is increasing daily. I'll put up with being labeled "paranoid" or "mall ninja" for the sake of my own peace of mind
The chance that you'll be encountered by a gang of thugs rather than a lone one is increasing daily. I'll put up with being labeled "paranoid" or "mall ninja" for the sake of my own peace of mind
If capacity is really a worry ....all you have to do is put a 2 mag carrier on the other side of your belt....for any 1911...
most all of us practice with mag carriers every week ....I just don't feel like I need to carry one ...but if you do, that's ok too..../ again they're slim, so they're easy to slip onto a belt...
I prefer Kramer horsehide leather holsters...and their mag carriers...they're real secure - but hold their shape.
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But I also get the point that some folks have had really bad reliability issues with 1911's....and all I'm saying is not all 1911's are that way ...if you keep them clean and well lubed ...and they are well made and well tuned. My primary carry gun is a Wilson CQB that has run 100% right out of the box, when it was new over 10 yrs ago now...and I still have no issues with it (other than changing springs) and it has well over 25,000 rds thru it now easily....so they can be very good guns !
But everybody should carry what they like ...not what I like....
most all of us practice with mag carriers every week ....I just don't feel like I need to carry one ...but if you do, that's ok too..../ again they're slim, so they're easy to slip onto a belt...
I prefer Kramer horsehide leather holsters...and their mag carriers...they're real secure - but hold their shape.
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But I also get the point that some folks have had really bad reliability issues with 1911's....and all I'm saying is not all 1911's are that way ...if you keep them clean and well lubed ...and they are well made and well tuned. My primary carry gun is a Wilson CQB that has run 100% right out of the box, when it was new over 10 yrs ago now...and I still have no issues with it (other than changing springs) and it has well over 25,000 rds thru it now easily....so they can be very good guns !
But everybody should carry what they like ...not what I like....
Tcruse
Member
I think that you need to fit the gun to the task. For SD, a high round count in a simple package (no safety or external hammer) has some real advantages. Should you need to justify a SD shooting, a trigger under about 5# would be a talking point against you. Same goes for caliber, something that matches the FBI published guide line is easiest to justify. Using SD ammo, 9, .40, .45ACP, .357SIG, .45GAP all match the FBI specs. For putting holes in paper at the range, pick what ever you like best. There is no doubt that some find a revolver or 1911 as a more hansom gun than say a Glock. There are a few 1911 guns that I hold in high regard, but still not something for carry. In an emergency I want simple, point, pull trigger, hit target operation.
As far as DAO revolvers, just never found one that I want to own or shoot.
As far as DAO revolvers, just never found one that I want to own or shoot.
Kayaker 1960
Member
1911 or revolver
My carry gun for many years was a Ruger SP101 with 2-1/4" barrel. .357, 5 shots. With a descent holster it's so comfortable I sometimes forgot I had it on. I have a Colt Commander 1911, .45 It's a beautiful gun but it's a bit heavy to carry, I would never forget it was there. Two years ago I picked up a S&W M&P 40c, With 11 rounds of .40 it weighs the same as the SP101 with 5 rounds of .357 and just as comfortable to carry.
I'll keep the Ruger because my wife if comfortable with it, Lots of times I've left her in camp by a river while I've gone whitewater kayaking with friends. I always leave her with the Ruger. If I can get a fair price for the Colt, it's for sale.
My carry gun for many years was a Ruger SP101 with 2-1/4" barrel. .357, 5 shots. With a descent holster it's so comfortable I sometimes forgot I had it on. I have a Colt Commander 1911, .45 It's a beautiful gun but it's a bit heavy to carry, I would never forget it was there. Two years ago I picked up a S&W M&P 40c, With 11 rounds of .40 it weighs the same as the SP101 with 5 rounds of .357 and just as comfortable to carry.
I'll keep the Ruger because my wife if comfortable with it, Lots of times I've left her in camp by a river while I've gone whitewater kayaking with friends. I always leave her with the Ruger. If I can get a fair price for the Colt, it's for sale.
orionengnr
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As BigJim said, whichever handgun you shoot well and have confidence in...is a good choice to carry.
Round count < hit count.
Round count < hit count.
Personally I prefer simplicity. The fewer safeties to deal with the better. I could deal with a manual flip-switch safety but I don't care for the beaver-tang < is that what it's called > grip safety. So I don't care for 1911's for that one and only reason. If by chance under a stressful situation I don't get a firm grip and engage it then it wouldn't go boom?
So if I had to only choose between a wheely or 1911, I'd go with the wheely.
YMWV
So if I had to only choose between a wheely or 1911, I'd go with the wheely.
YMWV
Sergei Mosin
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- 1,918
RinkRat, if your grip on a 1911 doesn't disengage the grip safety, you haven't gripped it firmly enough to keep the thing from flying out of your hand if it did discharge. The grip safety is the last thing I'd worry about - draw the gun, the grip safety is off. It doesn't require any conscious thought or additional action on your part.
Now I don't like the big beavertails or ducktails myself - I prefer the short GI version - but that's a fit thing. The grip safety itself isn't a problem.
Now I don't like the big beavertails or ducktails myself - I prefer the short GI version - but that's a fit thing. The grip safety itself isn't a problem.
TimboKhan
Member
I like shooting autos, and I love the .45. But, if I had to choose one over the other, it would be a revolver. The simple reason for that is caliber. I love the .45, but I really love the .357. I don't have to choose, so I own and shoot both autos and wheelguns reasonably well.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
BlindJustice
Member
I have a S&W Model 60 .357 Mag 3" bbl.. adj. rear sight
I may or may not shoot a cylinder full of .357, usually just
38 Special at the range. Carry load is Double Tap
38Special +P 125 gr Gold Dots
I did have a S&W 686P 4" bbl. - lots of muzzleflash
I had the Milt Sparks #AW200 holster which compared
to the Milt Sparks #Axiom for my 1911, they both rode
about the same w/FBI Cant and the 686 had Guy Hogue
Medium profile/size checkerred // finger grooved Rosewood
Grips so it was marginally less apt to print with a vest or
untucked shirt Ended up selling it to a good friend because
he isn'tgetting any younger and wasn'tenjoying shooting his
S&W 29/44 magnum
I carry the 1911, .45 ACP - easier to shoot twice or more the
number of rounds compared to 357 mag loads. slimmer in profile
it's the with of the cylinder that'ssider than S&W L & N frames.
I also enjoy shooting a S&W 625 5" Bbl. .45 ACP w/moon cllips
but also have some heavy .45 Auto Rim and speedloaders for it.
Joy to shoot at the range, pre-load the moon clips at home
but it is 45 oz. empty ( compared to 38 oz for my full size
Stainless SW1911 Carrying concealed would be problematic
perhaps a vertical shoulder rig. with spare moon/speedloaders
under arm opposite the holster.
R-
I may or may not shoot a cylinder full of .357, usually just
38 Special at the range. Carry load is Double Tap
38Special +P 125 gr Gold Dots
I did have a S&W 686P 4" bbl. - lots of muzzleflash
I had the Milt Sparks #AW200 holster which compared
to the Milt Sparks #Axiom for my 1911, they both rode
about the same w/FBI Cant and the 686 had Guy Hogue
Medium profile/size checkerred // finger grooved Rosewood
Grips so it was marginally less apt to print with a vest or
untucked shirt Ended up selling it to a good friend because
he isn'tgetting any younger and wasn'tenjoying shooting his
S&W 29/44 magnum
I carry the 1911, .45 ACP - easier to shoot twice or more the
number of rounds compared to 357 mag loads. slimmer in profile
it's the with of the cylinder that'ssider than S&W L & N frames.
I also enjoy shooting a S&W 625 5" Bbl. .45 ACP w/moon cllips
but also have some heavy .45 Auto Rim and speedloaders for it.
Joy to shoot at the range, pre-load the moon clips at home
but it is 45 oz. empty ( compared to 38 oz for my full size
Stainless SW1911 Carrying concealed would be problematic
perhaps a vertical shoulder rig. with spare moon/speedloaders
under arm opposite the holster.
R-
bowserb
Member
I apologize for not remembering the source of this info. The guy who collected it was on Tom Gresham's radio show back in April. His findings were based on a couple thousand shootings by LEOs and civilians, good guys and bad guys. He reported on some of his stats. [BTW, if anyone remembers who this was, I'd sure like to look him up. I was in the car when I heard it and couldn't write down--or remember--the guy's name or website.] Here's what he reported:
1. Statistics say you're going to miss more times than you hit. They also say that on average 2-3 hits are necessary to stop a bad guy with a handgun, regardless of caliber. That says to me, I may have to shoot six or seven rounds in order to stop one attacker.
2. Larger calibers have a slight edge in that more--but still very, very few--cases of one shot stops were found in the study with big bullets--.45 and larger.
3. Smaller calibers had a disadvantage in that more cases of the party who was shot never being stopped were found with small rounds.
Given those statistics, my inclination is to avoid really small rounds and low capacities. For quite a while, I carried a full size Colt XSE with 8+1 rounds of .45acp, for the same reason some others here have expressed--I can shoot it better than other handguns. However, I have recently gone back to my Springfield Armory XDm-45 4.5" with 13+1 rounds of .45acp. Yes, it has a typical striker gun trigger. Yes, it has a large grip, even with the smallest backstrap. And yes, it's hard to find a good IWB holster for that gun.
But...that XDm deals pretty well with accomplishing what I think I need in a self defense handgun, statistically speaking: good capacity without reload and not too small a bullet. It also weighs 5 oz. less with 14 rds than the Colt with 9.
1. Statistics say you're going to miss more times than you hit. They also say that on average 2-3 hits are necessary to stop a bad guy with a handgun, regardless of caliber. That says to me, I may have to shoot six or seven rounds in order to stop one attacker.
2. Larger calibers have a slight edge in that more--but still very, very few--cases of one shot stops were found in the study with big bullets--.45 and larger.
3. Smaller calibers had a disadvantage in that more cases of the party who was shot never being stopped were found with small rounds.
Given those statistics, my inclination is to avoid really small rounds and low capacities. For quite a while, I carried a full size Colt XSE with 8+1 rounds of .45acp, for the same reason some others here have expressed--I can shoot it better than other handguns. However, I have recently gone back to my Springfield Armory XDm-45 4.5" with 13+1 rounds of .45acp. Yes, it has a typical striker gun trigger. Yes, it has a large grip, even with the smallest backstrap. And yes, it's hard to find a good IWB holster for that gun.
But...that XDm deals pretty well with accomplishing what I think I need in a self defense handgun, statistically speaking: good capacity without reload and not too small a bullet. It also weighs 5 oz. less with 14 rds than the Colt with 9.
OP
OP
el Godfather
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Grip safety is like butter. May be RinkR would like to explain further why is he not able to disengage it.
I must say "Good job" to everyone that replied to this thread, allot of good imformation, experiance and opinions. The one thing I can add is if you are really into .357 you must have a Coonan 1911. After breakin and a spring change to tune it to my reloads it fires flawlessly. But my headboard still has my revolver in it.
Sergei Mosin
I know what you are talking about what I meant was in a stressful situation if you do not have a good-grip on the handle or end up grappling for control then the safety might not engage. If that is the case then it will flop out of my hand anyways. Just one less thing to worry about.
I know what you are talking about what I meant was in a stressful situation if you do not have a good-grip on the handle or end up grappling for control then the safety might not engage. If that is the case then it will flop out of my hand anyways. Just one less thing to worry about.
g_one
Member
I have never cared at all for a DA revolver trigger - personally I find them incredibly annoying and so I only shoot SA at the range, which is precisely why I wouldn't trust myself with a revolver in a SD situation. But that says nothing about the revolver, only that I personally don't care for it. With enough practice dry firing and at the range, anyone can become proficient enough with even the worst triggers to the point that they don't notice anymore. It's just not for me.
At the gun range shooting SA, my Dan Wesson .357 is my favorite. In my home, in my truck, my 1911 is my favorite. In my pocket, out in the city, my Glock 26 is my favorite. It's all about personal preference and whatever you get yourself used to.
At the gun range shooting SA, my Dan Wesson .357 is my favorite. In my home, in my truck, my 1911 is my favorite. In my pocket, out in the city, my Glock 26 is my favorite. It's all about personal preference and whatever you get yourself used to.
g_one
Member
Sorry for the double post but +1 for this. I don't own one but if I had the money I'd own two. One to shoot and one to tuck away.
Interesting that a couple of posters have complaints about DA triggers on revolvers. I, and most other revolver competitors, shoot DA for score. It gives more control and a better sight picture.
I wonder what revolvers they are complaining about and waht practice they have done with them?
Also, some posters don't feel comfortable with the SA trigger on a revolver but can use a 1911. Just shows there is a handgun for everyone, just not the same one for everyone.
I wonder what revolvers they are complaining about and waht practice they have done with them?
Also, some posters don't feel comfortable with the SA trigger on a revolver but can use a 1911. Just shows there is a handgun for everyone, just not the same one for everyone.
1911 guy
Member
My reason for choosing a 1911 over anything else, including a revolver, is two-fold. First, it fits my hands like JMB measured me when he designed it. Feels comfortable in my hand and points intuitively. Secondly, between my personal preference and often having an option between an M9 and a 1911, I've got several decades of use under my belt and this just more firmly reinforces the first point.
1911 is much thinner, has a better trigger, higher capacity, can be fired faster, and has better ergos than a revolver. A .357 revolver with a 7-8 round cylinder is FAT like 2 inches or slightly more. A .357 arguably is maybe a more powerful cartridge but I can conceal a 1911 or any of my current polymer 45s much easier. For me ease of carry between the two is the big issue.
huntershooter
Member
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- 1,058
There is no handgun easier to shoot RAPIDLY and ACCURATELY than a 1911.
No revolver comes close.
There are gifted individuals that can shoot a revolver better than MOST can shoot a 1911-but you don't see them winning HOA in IPSC/IDPA and I don't see any revolvers carried by the "special teams" in the service.
No revolver comes close.
There are gifted individuals that can shoot a revolver better than MOST can shoot a 1911-but you don't see them winning HOA in IPSC/IDPA and I don't see any revolvers carried by the "special teams" in the service.
Zaydok Allen
Member
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- Feb 12, 2011
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- 13,274
I just don't understand posts like this. What kinds of revolvers have you shot?
Every Smith, or even broken in Ruger trigger I've ever squeezed has been super smooth. I haven't had the pleasure of shooting a Colt yet.
Are these Taurus, Rossi, or Charter Arms triggers that suck so bad? Not bashing, just asking.
In the CCW role I would choose a 1911 over a .357 revolver for 2 reasons.
1) The width of a revolver is more than the width of a 1911
2) Should it be needed a reload can be performed quicker with a magazine than with speed strips or speed loaders (this is from my experiance, of course with training this can be just as quick.)
1) The width of a revolver is more than the width of a 1911
2) Should it be needed a reload can be performed quicker with a magazine than with speed strips or speed loaders (this is from my experiance, of course with training this can be just as quick.)
Vern Humphrey
Member
The M1911 because thousands and thousands of Phillipinos, Hatians, Mexicans, Nicaraguans, Germans, Russians, Japanese, North Koreans and Viet Cong can't be wrong.
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