Thoughts on the 1911

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Well, just WOW!!!
Never had a 1911, never fired or handled one.
Used to snicker at Jeff Cooper and the thunder ranch guy talking about the 1911 at THE untimate.
Not no more.
I have NEVER fired a weapon that fit in my hand so well with the safety flick so natural.
Never had one I could shoot so easily the first time it (although I am bound to get better the more I use it) I'm left handed and right eye dominate. For this pistol, I decided to start off shooting right handed to see if I could train myself to go righty (like I have with my long guns)and although it's gonna take a good bit of practice, this is the first gun I have been able to shoot with any kind of confidence right handed. The manual or arms is totally natural (I guess all the reading I have done has helped). But again....WOW
For now, I'm keeping the 220, but it is been moved from the must keep to the trading fodder side of the safe.
I can't believe I waited so long to get one of these.
Don't worry-I ain't getting rid of my revolvers-they still hold a place of honor-but I got to tell you the 1911 is gonna be getting a lot of quality time.

 

[XAVMECH]

1911s rule!

I've been fortunate to have owned many pistols in my day. Several 1911s of different manufacture. Guess the military got me started off on the right foot, too. My all time favorite has been the 1911. I've got a pair of Kimber 45s that I plan on keeping. Oh, I like my Sig 229, and I'm enjoying 3rd gen S&W pistols, but picking up a 1911 - just feels "right". Pretty hard to improve on this design!
Bill

 

[robctwo]

I resisted the 1911 for years. Now I own a few. S&W1911PD Commander with CT grips is great carry/bedside gun. An Ed Brown Executive Target and a couple Les Baer PIIs, one .45, one 9mm and a SA Black Stainless Target.

The S&W 9mm Pro Series has me intrigued.

 

[max]

Makes you realize what a genius Browning was. He designed the gun over a hundred years ago and it is still first rate.

 

[Dragonfly]

Makes you realize what a genius Browning was. He designed the gun over a hundred years ago and it is still first rate.

Very true. I was out shooting last weekend with my Dad -- I had my Nighthawk GRP and he had his STI Trojan and Commander-length Para Ordnance -- and I commented to him that in 99 years it was surprising that no one (in my opinion) had been able to top the 1911 as the best pure-shooting pistol. Newer designs might be more durable, more reliable, or have higher capacity, but for pure shooting I don't think there's anything better than good-quality 1911.

 

[mxbob]

I have been a 1911 guy all my life but recently had a problem. I got to shoot a 945 PC gun. I now have two of them so watch out.
Bob Ray

 

[kewpie]

1911

1911 handgun assembly animation - AthlonNews.com

IMO, the 1911 is amazingly simple. Work of art and genius combined. To me, there is only one true 1911. Just as the N frame Smith is the .357 the 1911 is the Colt 1911 and 1911A1. Innards of both these Colts and Smiths were made to last and be relied upon.

Copies of either are not originals (tho the 70 Colt series was quite good.)

Everyone who appreciates guns should have at least one of each

 

[deanodog]

I have one(colt) but there is a S&W 1911 on my want list.

 

[old tanker]

What else would an old tanker carry?

Makes you realize what a genius Browning was. He designed the gun over a hundred years ago and it is still first rate.

Here's mine, left Hartford in 1913 and was shipped to a cavalry troop in Arizona. Rebuilt by the Army at Rock Island before it was shipped to me by the DCM. I'd still stake my life on it!

 

[firearmsunlimited]

"The 1911 was the design given by God to us through John M. Browning that represents the epitome of what a killing tool needs to be. It was true in 1911 and is true now." Colonel Robert J. Coates, USMC

 

[kewpie]

Here's mine, left Hartford in 1913 and was shipped to a cavalry troop in Arizona. Rebuilt by the Army at Rock Island before it was shipped to me by the DCM. I'd still stake my life on it!

http://i2.bebo.com/050b/8/large/2010/03/14/06/8741721356a12310601357l.jpg

Great no frills original; prototype for all ensuing copies. (Looks kind of quiet and possessed of stature no other semi-automatic has: just don't get it riled up

 

[GKC]

I have owned a number of 1911s, made by Colt, Springfield, SIG, Magnum Research, Taurus, Kimber, and of course S&W. I now have three, all S&W. Why? A lot of people think the external extractor is a travesty on a 1911, and Kimber wasn't able to make theirs work right and went back to an internal extractor...but S&W has perfected it, and I think S&W is the best of the production (i.e. not custom made) pistols.

Another question for the critics of external extractors...why is it used on all other semi-autos?

 

[WC145]

It's definitely an intriguing handgun and a platform that works like no other. My SW1911 9mm Pro Series is absolutely the fastest shooting gun I've ever owned, and by that I mean it is incredibly easy to shoot quickly and accurately. And the ergonomics of the 1911 are second to none, wen I pick one up the sights are always lined up, it's just the way it sits in the hand. And, of course, a 1911 with a good trigger absolutely spoils you for anything else. I used to carry DA/SA and DAO guns exclusively, never again.

 

[oldman45]

Cajun, I either own or have owned a 1911 from every manufacturer. While there have been a couple that I hated and which is the reason I no longer own those makes, the 1911 style is the easiest to handle, shoot and be competent with of any gun style. I also find them to be easiest to shoot rapid fire.

Being it is the way things go, the two new S&W 1911 models I have are way more accurate than my older model custom 1911 handguns. From out of the box, I was shooting 2 inch groups at 50 feet within 5 shots.

I am happy you finally found true love with the 1911 and I bet you will soon be a 1911 collector as so many of us are now. Like you, I am not going to abandon my revolvers and will continue to buy all the handguns I can afford but the gun I will shoot the most and regularly will be the S&W 1911 and it is the only gun I will carry.

Since you are a lawyer, I am sure you already know the story of how F. Lee Bailey carried his 1911 and why. Now that story can be yours.

 

[oldman45]

This should be read by everyone.

1911: The classic homeland security pistol by Massad Ayoob Issue #83

The man knows his guns.

 

[cp1969]

I've got a Series 70 with .22 conversion and a Series 80 that has been doctored up with Millet sights and my own trigger work.

They've fallen into disuse except to shoot the .22 conversion. I suppose it's because I reload and I don't like chasing down brass.

Like Cajun Lawyer, when I got the Series 80, I was really amazed at how easy it was to hit with it, even with the poor factory sights. With Federal match ammo, a gallon milk jug at 50 yards was not that hard to do, offhand.

 

[Harrison]

In my humble opinion, the U.S. military would be better served if they went back to the 1911A1, in 45acp, as a general duty sidearm. Forget the 9mm except in a few small semi-autos for concealed carry by CID and the Navy/AF equivilent.

The 1911 served us well for over 70 years and many wars. It is accurate, easy to shoot, rugged and reliable. With few exceptions one or two hits center of mass tends to stop further action.

 

[ElToro]

"The 1911 was the design given by God to us through John M. Browning that represents the epitome of what a killing tool needs to be. It was true in 1911 and is true now." Colonel Robert J. Coates, USMC

Amen !


Caje, your spoiled now. I have 6 colts including a delta and a liteweight and steel commander. The genius of JMB can not be understated. The gun just feels so right. I. JUST missed out on a colt in 40 for 800 by like an hour. Dang

 

[kscardsfan]

How old were you before you handled a 1911!?!? Just kidding , glad you finally made it into the fold. It was the first handgun I ever bought, and I've never let my safe be without once since.

 

[Nanook 450]

Just got my Springfield TRP back from Robar - its a fine pistol. Also have a Kimber PRO CDP. Here's how good Springfield's warranty is, I had a Trophy Match and had problems with the target sights. After two years and several different attempts to fix the sights I told Springfield that I was not confident in the gun for personal defense, that had I know then what I know now, would have gotten a TRP, spent the extra 3-4 hundred dollars and wanted fixed sights. The sent me a new TRP and took the Trophy Match back, even exchange - a chunk of change in my favor.