why do so many people love 1911's

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If you get one that WORKS,...

I don't think you'll wonder any more. I got a Smith & Wesson 1911 which has so far been absolutely reliable with any ammo I've run through it. However, I have owned several 1911's before this which caused lots of frustration.
 
Gunhandling. It is the easiest platform to manipulate in loading, malfunction drills, one handed drills (loading, malfunction, etc.) and has can have a fine trigger. It's magazines are thin and thus easier to manipulate.

Once you begin training, the advantages make themselves apparent. However, like all firearms, the gun does not matter, you do.
 
For the same reason I still stop and eat at any 'true' roadside diner when I pass one of the few left. It works, it's right and it's good for the soul.
 
The 1911 is kinda like an old favorite sweater or pair of wool lined slippers on a cold night.. It just feels right to me..

That don't mean others are less worthy, they just don't fit me as well.
 
If the 1911 was available perfectly machined and fitted, from the factory, completely reliable and with a Tenifer finish I would buy one. In a heart beat.
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Soft steel with a painted coating, and poorly fitted MIM parts just don't do it for me.
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I believe the question that was asked was "Why do so many people love 1911s?", not "Hey can you guys point out all the flaws with some current production pistols that claim to be 1911s and tell me what pistol you wish Glock would make to try to compete with the old war horse?"

Back to your question Vince 24L
I started out with a S&W Sigma and a Glock 22. I kept the Glock. I shot it frequently, and was a closed minded Glock-o-phile.

Then I started shooting friends' guns again at the range. I discovered that the 1911 fits my hand incredibly well, points naturally, has an incredible trigger (inherent to the way the gun works) and I shoot it well. I discovered that the Browning Hi-Power fits my hand almost as well, has a pretty good trigger, and that I also shoot it well.

I bought a Hi-Power, thinking that I'd save money over trying to track down a 9mm 1911 so I could also save more money shooting 9mm. I was wrong. I bought a used Springfield Armory GI in 45 ACP a couple months later. I've really enjoyed that basic 1911. Everything about shooting it is just right. You really need to go shoot one and try it for yourself.
 
why do so many people love 1911's
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In order of importance to me:

Shootability

Accuracy

Nostalgia

Just picked up a new Colt Government in .38 Super. What a fantastic pistol, real nice blueing, no extended levers, 100% reliable so far with cheap ammo and a good trigger with a fast, positive reset.
The .38 Super makes it more shootable for me, and so far more reliable than a 9mm 1911 I had.
 
1911's and glocks are two diffrent things, you cannot compare them. Its like trying to compare a honda civic to a cadillac deville. The honda will do everything more efficiently, but the cadillac will look better while doing the same thing faster and with more style.:)
 
It was good enough for World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and is still in use by special ops/forces and SWAT teams and the 1911 platform is still preferred by competitive shooters. It's military replacement (Berretta) was chosen mainly for political reasons.

You can't beat that type of track record!

Not being proficient with a 1911 is like saying you're a great auto driver, but never having driven a stick shift.
 
Not being proficient with a 1911 is like saying you're a great auto driver, but never having driven a stick shift.


Now I like that!!!:D
 
The 1911 will simply not let you down and has been around. For a new owner I do not know of any model that better sums up what an automatic pistol is.
 
It's the whole package - the SA trigger, the slim profile, the feel in my hand, the cartridge, the accuracy, the history, the asethetics, the after market parts... :D
 
1911's are just perfection. Simplistically complicated, just like a good women. :) and interesting parts, just like a women. :what: and some of them will test your patience, just like a women. :banghead:
Shhh.....my wifes coming over. :uhoh:
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What sold me on the 1911 was:
1. excellent ergonomics
2. gun is relatively thin, making it wasy to conceal
3. fires an effective cartridge
4. very good single-action trigger
5. there's no denying the role it has in our nation's history

Incidentally, I started out with a Glock 30, and sold it to get a Springfield 1911, as the 1911 has far better ergonomics and concealability for me. I guess I just switched from one flavor of Kool-aid to another!:D
 
Last time I was at the range shooting pistols with a group of guys there was a new shooter present. He had a very nice Sig 226. I had my Springfield Armory loaded along and we were shooting each other's guns. The new guy had been having some trouble with the steel plates until he got a chance at the SA. He kept saying "I can't believe how easy this is to shoot".

We had my Sig 220ST there as well. I shoot it about as good as the SA, and better on some days. It just seems that when there is a good working 1911 around it gets everyone's attention.

I avoided getting a 1911 until this year. Now I have 2 and am planning a third.
 
Shooting a Series 70 Gold Cup is like being alone with your wife.
Shooting any other semi-auto is like being alone with a copy of Playboy.
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Not being proficient with a 1911 is like saying you're a great auto driver, but never having driven a stick shift.
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Its like trying to compare a honda civic to a cadillac deville. The honda will do everything more efficiently, but the cadillac will look better while doing the same thing faster and with more style.
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Another great thing about 1911's is that its really easy to make great analogies about them.
 
ya i shot a friend of a friends at my range. put only 6 rounds through it but i got a feel for it. i mean it felt good in my hand i agree. but its look is horribly ugly i think. but thats all opinion. It fit in my hand good and was pretty accurate. but it wasnt as accurate as my p99 nor does it feel as comfortable. hmmm i guess to each his own. :confused:
 
It fit in my hand good and was pretty accurate. but it wasnt as accurate as my p99 nor does it feel as comfortable. hmmm i guess to each his own
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I think you've hit on the head Vince. To each his own. There a few things that can tweak a 1911's feel; smooth, grooved, stippled or checkered front strap, chaning out the grip safety; flat, arched or wedge main spring housings - grooved or checkered option on those. It's not as easy as a backstrap swap on a P99 or some of the other autos, nor is it (MSH & grip safety swap) difficult or time consuming either, and it does let you tweak it in a few different ways. 1911s may not fit all hands great, but they do fit many hands well. They aren't for everyone, but I think it's very noble of you to ask why so many folks love a particular firearm, even when you personally just like it.

Of course the P99 was also hailed from it's introduction for great ergonomics. I'm a 1911 convert, but it still think the P99 has a very good feel. You heard us out when a bunch of folks here talked at length about gun fit when you were looking for your first handgun. Your P99 fits you well, and you shoot it well - that's what's important. It sounds like you've been shooting your P99 quite a bit and enjoying it.

Keep with it, keep practicing, you've got hardware that fits you. Sm talks about the software alot, and I agree with him - after you get a gun that fits it's all about practice and mindset.
 
Reasons I love 1911s:

-I like a gun that has to be at least $1000 just for basic reliability.
-I like a gun that has tons of parts to break and wear out.
-I like a gun that requires tons of mainainence to function.
-I like a gun that everyone else has.
-I like a gun......

Alright sorry I'm being sarcastic. I just can't get myself to trust a 1911. A good one costs way too much. I've seen too many friends return their 1911s to manufacturers and gunsmiths because it did not work. When I carry a gun for defense it will be a Sig, Glock, S&W revover, something like that. I can get a S&W K-frame for $200 and it works every time, or a new Glock for $450 and know that it will never break. A reliable 1911 is going to cost almost $1000 from a reputable manufacturer.

I just can't make believe that the 1911 is all that great. Maybe it was a good gun 100 years ago but there are so many better designs out there now I can't bring myself to spend all that money on one. I'd rather have 5 old K-frames or 2 new glocks....
 
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