It's not just the age, but the magazine that is often at fault. Back in my younger days, new to the world of handguns and 1911's, I bought a couple of very shiny, high polished stainless 1911 magazines that featured a neat, round top follower. Best of all, they were really, really cheap! Yes, I hit the jackpot! That's what I thought until I actually tried to use them. They would not reliably feed 230 grain ball ammo. The springs were weak and the magazine body metal was so soft that I could bend the feed lips with bare hands. Lesson learned, magazine quality can make or break a 1911's reliability.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Current 45 population in the Liberty.

Para 1911 with 14 round capacity and has been a good shooter over the decades.
S&W 1911 E series, very elegant and the best 45 I've ever owned.
Glock 21 big brut go a gun.
Glock 30S, it is a nice shooting 45. Kinda looks like a G19 slide on a G27 frame.

Now that I am retired I qualify annually for LEOSA, but I also get the state CC permit. I went through the Idaho “enhanced” class recently (9 hours of pure joy).

I was using my Wilson CQB for the live fire portion of the class. Course of fire was 100 rounds at 10 yards into an 8” circle, with NO TIME LIMIT. The "instructor" used this course of fire because that was what they used as a test for their security guard qualifications. I kept all 100 in a group that I could cover with my fist. Most of the other shooters' targets looked like they had used buckshot at 50 yards. After the shooting we went back into class.

The instructor then proceeded to tell the class that 1911s, and all other firearms with external safeties, are dangerous to the user because you will forget to take the safety off if you get in a gun fight. Then he says that's why all PD's don’t allow them any more...too many cops screwing up and getting shot. He also told the class, while looking at me, that even if you can make really small groups it doesn’t mean you can shoot tactically.

His background was "many years" as a casino “SWAT” security guard in Las Vegas.

I personally like 1911's because they are an ergonomic miracle, and for me, are easy to shoot.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

jeeeeezz, and to think I spent all that time in Nam with an unreliable firearm that I'd forget to release the safety on when the air was screaming with lead. I'd sure like to meet this "instructor" and have him teach me where I went wrong.

As a LE firearms instructor and rangemaster for nearly 30 years, and a civilian instructor for the past 3, it pains me to see how many really poor "instructors" exist, peddling their certificates while spewing nonsense.

There are many good firearms available (sadly also a lot of junk these days). Confidence and ability with one's personal choice of weapon trumps all the hair splitting over this or that feature. This has been true since the dawn of fighting implements.

A correct 1911 is as sound a choice today as it was when invented, for those who prefer it. You can also spend $3,500 on an incorrect one.

Actually Laughable

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Is that a gun No a lifesaver

Wow DR505! That guy sounds like an ignoranus. Pure waste of 100 rounds too. Wouldn't 25 have accomplished the same thing?

When he learned that I had been an LE firearms instructor for a couple of decades he stayed at the other side of the room and never looked at me again for the rest of the class.

The USMC weapons instructor sitting next to me rolled his eyes many times during the class, especially when the instructor spent the last hour of class trying to sell his tactical pen!

The targets were not even scored...10 rounds would have sufficed.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

A rattly, rusty, worn 1911 ( with proper magazines, as stated above) will send 230 grains down-range any time day or night.... I wouldn't want to be there...!

I am die hard 1911 person. I own 8 1911s in both 45acp and 9mm. My everyday carry is a Springfield Armory sub compact in 45 acp. and for a change up I can carry my EMP in 9mm. I have back issues so I will carry in a shoulder holster or a good stiff belt and suspenders.

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Carpriver.