[bigsig]

See a lot of die hard 1911 fans on here, make your case.

 

[1985 4runner]

For me the draw is the History of the weapon itself, plus the fact that I do not yet own one.

I plan on getting a Rock Island Armory 1911 when funds allow.

It won't be a primary defense weapon, just a basic GI Issue type 1911 that I can put a set of USMC grips on.

 

[jbpmidas]

The 1911 is to semi automatic handguns what glock is to plastic handguns.

 

[jakeg823]

well since its going on 100 years i'd say the design is proven, obviously not w/o its flaws, but still my favorite type pistol. I own/have owned/will own other types for sure! but to me there is just nothing better looking than a 1911, of almost any variety. plus they fit my hand like no other gun.

i like the .45acp. I like having the grip and thumb safeties as well. i could keep going

 

[DBChaffin]

Tons of positive attributes, but for me personally the one thing that really sets it apart is the trigger. A true single action only/manual safety setup is rare, and even more rare when the rest of the attributes are included. Whether you like them heavy and crisp, or light and sweet, a 1911 trigger can do it and do it consistently.

Beyond the trigger, the ergonomics are awesome. Everyone may not agree, but many do. The safety is in the right place, the grip angle is "right", and if not, can be adjusted with mainspring housings and undercutting the triggerguard. Different trigger lengths are available to get the trigger finger in just the right place. Speaking of changing parts, there is the sheer variety available. From calibers to parts and accessories, they can truly be made to what an individual wants.

They are relatively simple. Most anyone can be taught to do most of the basic work on them or they can learn in on their own.

They are reliable. I understand there are stories of 1911's with issues or being unreliable, but a properly set up 1911 with good parts is very reliable. Unfortunately, there aren't many made today that truly have good parts, at least in my definition, throughout. However, it is typically the "little stuff" that can be replaced easily enough and without too much additional expense.

It's a classic. The history is undeniable. As mentioned above, next year marks 100 years after all.

Although some probably will, I won't say anything about .45 since you said 1911, and though they started in .45, "1911's" are now available in many different calibers.

I own and have owned a decent array of handguns and I am sure I will own some more in the future, but when it comes down to pure shooting fun with a handgun, I'd choose a 1911 or 1911 based design 9 times out of 10. They don't have to be for everyone, but I don't think they are going anywhere anytime soon...

 

[GunOneDown]

I am not drawn to them at all. I have owned a few in my time, but don't really care for them. They can be "pretty" and some are, while others are like looking at a boat anchor and function the same. I've seen lots with feeding problems, and others that ran near perfection. Best one I've shot would have been a Kimber US Olympic Shooting Team Model and it was superb. My opinion is they have there place in history, but more and more companies are surpassing the 1911 design. JMHO.

 

[slabsides45]

They see's me rollin, they be hatin':

 

[slabsides45]

Show me a Glock that ever looked like that? :bow:

 

[PhillipM]

After shooting the combat rifle course in Forrest I exercised my Mk IV ser 70 at the plate racks. I had a good run, cleaning them nicely. When I walked back to the shed, Clyde asked what I was shooting to clean the plates at 35 yards and I said, Alabama Ammo 230 FMJ, nothing special. It shoots whatever I load in the magazine. As was said above the single action trigger is the best and furthermore on a 1911 the parallel bows mean the trigger moves straight back.

I also have a 1918 mfg colt 1911. On Sgt. York's good day he was armed with an identical pistol and a bolt action rifle. He was wearing the Germans out with his rifle so they waited until he emptied his magazine and six of the Kaiser's best charged out of the trench to get York. York made six one shot kills with that 1911 starting at the man furthest away so the rest wouldn't know he was picking them off. Once again, six for six one shot kills with a plain GI issue pistol and 230gn FMJ ammo.

I also like John Holbrook's 1911 combat report. http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/legends/serious.htm

excerpted from the link

On July 13, 1967, while on one of these missions, we were attacked by a force of approximately 50 Viet Cong. As the attack developed my M16A1 jammed, which left me unarmed. I came across a wounded Marine officer, Captain Eldon M. Martin lying in a rice paddy. Captain Martin, although severely wounded was alert and indicated that he was lying on an M14, which was under water and that he had a fully loaded .45 pistol in his holster.

As I removed the Colt M1911A1 .45 automatic (serial # 23002XX) from the Captain, I observed three VC armed with AK-47s moving toward me in a crouched position through the thick grass which was about 2 meters high. I waited until they were within about 4 meters from me. I rose to a kneeling position using the grass as a shield. I put the front sight of the Colt on the man on the left and pulled the trigger. The man in the middle went down! I had jerked the trigger and was very lucky to have gotten a hit. I then moved back to the man on the left, held my breath and fired again. This round hit the man on the left in the chest and he went down. The last man realized what was happening and began firing his AK in my direction. I could see the bullets hitting the water in front of me as he brought the AK up. I fired my third round which hit the magazine of the AK, then glanced down striking him in the right leg. As he spun around from the impact of the 230 grain bullet, I fired two more rounds one of which hit him in the temple just above the left eye. The gunfight was over!

This action lasted not more that 4 seconds and I got four hits with five rounds of GI 230 grain hardball from a pistol that had mud and water in it. All of these hits were one shot stops against three men armed with automatic weapons. God bless the .45 ACP.

What else can one ask of a pistol?

 

[slabsides45]

Okay, semi-serious answer(s):

-The trigger. C'mon, everyone compares their guns' trigger to the 1911. "Well, it's very reliable, and with proper tweaking, has an almost-1911ish trigger..."
-Ergonomics. The gun is comfortable to hold, great grip angle, great feel in the hand, not too wide (see below) or to squared off on the grips. The sights come up more naturally for me.
-Carryability. (Is that a word? It is now.) It's very narrow for it's caliber and capacity based on comparison to almost any other design. Glock, XD, Sig, Ruger, etc, all might have a few more rounds, but are more wide as well. Glock does have the 36 going for it, and it's great-I have one-but it's 6 + 1 capacity is less than my Kimber 1911 Ultra Carry's 7 + 1, and the 1911 is shorter and just as narrow.
-Looks. Never was a Glock born that could hold a 1911's jock when it comes to looks.
-Customizing options. The 1911 is the AR15 of the handgun world. Or, more appropriately, the AR15 is the 1911 of the rifle world....

 

[Xd357]

It's all been said^^^ so I'll just say it's the sexiest pistol on the face of the earth.

 

[jakeg823]

It's all been said^^^ so I'll just say it's the sexiest pistol on the face of the earth.

+1000000

 

[crossedcannons45]

It's all been said^^^ so I'll just say it's the sexiest pistol on the face of the earth.

+1000000

+1

This thread made me hug my 1911

Have you hugged your 1911 today?

 

[quigleysharps4570]

Nothing I can had that hasn't been said.

 

[DEADEYE 1]

1911

Look who designed the 1911. John Moses Browning was a genius. They function well and have good knock down power without excessive recoil. I don,t carry mine a lot now but I sure do feel safe when I do. Just one of the greatest gun designs of all time. :hi:

 

[mike_eubank]

Although I know own a Glock, I started out wanting a 1911. And I still would like to have one.

The 1911 is a tried, tested and trustworthy design. Many a Nazi, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and other enemy were cursed by having the barrel of a 1911 the last thing they ever saw.

The power of the 1911 comes from the .45 ACP cartridge, not the gun. Theyre are many .45 semi-auto pistols out there, but none have the place in history as the 1911.

In short, the 1911 inspires the feelings all firearms should; respect and fear.

 

[SubGunFan]

I can't top or add to what DBC said, so.......... DITTO.

.

 

[Will_M]

See a lot of die hard 1911 fans on here, make your case.

 

[Methos]

I think its mostly two things:

1. slim design for the grip and frame is very comfortable for all hands.

2. nostalgia.

 

[TomBomb]

It's all been said^^^ so I'll just say it's the sexiest pistol on the face of the earth.

+1000000

+1

This thread made me hug my 1911

Have you hugged your 1911 today?

DITTO......
Yes....I hugged my Para yesterday with 200 rounds...... and took it for a ride to town today....and have already tucked it in beside my bed for the night........ :thumbup:

I only have 2, a Para hi-cap, and a Kimber Stainless II..... the Kimber is everything you've all said above.... the Para's trigger is not near as smooth or crisp, and has problems feeding the last round in the mag...I attribute this to the double stack 14 round capacity mag in conjunction with a very heavy recoil spring.....and with a little "smithin" the trigger can be made much better.... and tell me those girls are not sexy - even if one is a little heavier and wider than the original slimmer version.....