Video - Why 1911s

[AndyC]

The video is worth watching because of the elegantly-phrased reasons:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct8aJw-y_Qk

[Remiel]

Cause I like em, that's why.

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[VariableRecall]

l suppose I have to thank my oversized hands, but I really like my bro's 1911 GI's ergonomics. Fits well in my hands and putting .45 Auto through it is quite pleasant. The sights are tricky to get used to but I wouldn't have them any other way.

[downzero]

I love 1911s. I have one I've fired more rounds through than most reading this have fired in handguns in a lifetime. But if he thought those who are unpersuaded of its greatness would care about those points, he couldn't be more wrong. The 1911's ergonomics and shootability are timeless. The rest is details.

[RKJ]

They look great. I can appreciate a Glock and would want a handful of them in a EOTW situation but I love the looks of a 1911. That I can shoot them well helps a lot with the enjoyment too.

[Murphy]

I purchased my first 1911 (Colt Series 80) back in 1986. I shot it until the front sight took flight to never never land, then went looking for a custom pistol smith in one of the gun rags. I found one in Belle Fourche, S.D. I had decided I wanted a beavertail safety, good sights, extended thumb safety, a ramp polishing and barrel throating, a trigger job and one of those triggers with 3 holes in it. It seemed to be what all the big boy's were shooting at the time. During the wait for it's return, I ordered 5 Metalform magazines. I also owned a Master Caster & Star sizer. May as well cast a few thousand rounds of 200 grain semi-wadcutters and order some once fired brass. When I finally got it all together, I worked up a load and got busy shooting it. 10,000 rounds and 10 months later, I'd had one failure to feed and that was the only problem I encountered.

100+ years and still found in the winners circle when only the best will do. And that's why I keep a 1911 around.


Murphy

[frkelly74]

Why Not????

[Petrol & Powder]

Here comes the endless discussion on any thread that contains either "1911" or "Glock" in the title. :-D

[badguybuster]

"An elegant weapon for a more civilized time"- Obi Wan

[fivegunner]

Yes Sir; I love the 1911 .:smile:

[RJM52]

1911s shoot where I look...2011s not near so much. Also weight... My Commander weighs 32 ounces loaded...I doubt there are any 2011s even close.

[BigAlofPa.]

I love my 1911's too. Never shot a 2011.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Weight is the big factor.

[SSGOldfart]

Why Not????

Yep I guess that's a better question.
Thanks for posting that video

[johniv]

Love the 1911. Had one since I was in my early 20’s (75 now). Owned lots of new pistols, but my short fingers don’t let me shoot them well. Also I have fed the 1911 cast swc with no problems. I can’t say I have had good luck with the newer guns. Shot competition in the 80’s , trained, and carried one for many years. That is my experience so far.

[AndyC]

"An elegant weapon for a more civilized time"- Obi Wan
I have some art-work on my study wall by Lorin Michki (https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/9/3/with-guns-drawn-an-interview-with-firearm-artist-lorin-michki/) in that regard:

https://i.imgur.com/nEYbYuC.jpg

[Remiel]

I have some art-work on my study wall by Lorin Michki (https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/9/3/with-guns-drawn-an-interview-with-firearm-artist-lorin-michki/) in that regard:

https://i.imgur.com/nEYbYuC.jpgSir Alec Guinness would have loved the 1911 over the webly during the war.

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[rondog]

Gee, I only have five - I feel so inadequate.....

[Drm50]

I only had 2 new ones. A 9mm Commander and Goldcup, both bought in 1972. I had many GI 45s, I kept finding them in my duffle bag. Over years have had many on trades and had no interest in them since into S&W revolvers. If I was to pic something to depend on it would be a 1911. I carried one for 19 months and never shot it except screwing around. I did have to clean it daily to keep rust away. It never failed to fire and I don’t know of one that did except with magazine or ammo issues.

[Prairie Cowboy]

Why 1911s? If you have to ask, then you have no soul.

I bought my first in 1972, a Series 70 Colt. I swapped out the dreadful "driftwood" grips (what were they thinking?) for a set of brown plastic GI grips. Great pistol.

My second was a GI Remington that I never shot much but liked its' looks.

My third was a Springfield Armory basic GI model that I like a lot.
(notice a pattern here?)

The last one I had, a few years ago, was a Ruger SR1911 stainless. Also a great pistol once I dealt with a few stupid quality control issues. Very accurate and reliable. Great sights. Loved the burr hammer. Hated the looks of the grip safety. Loathed the extended slide release. I love stainless magazines.

SAM 1911A1 plain GI next, since the others are all gone.

[samari46]

Have to second the comments from Prairie Cowboy,I have had a sneaking admiration for 1911's for many years. From my 1911A1 Ithaca made in 1943 to my Springfield Armory one I bought to shoot steel plate matches. Never placed but sure had fun. All steel and no mystery metal. Once I had a load with the 230 grain RN hard cast bullet I never went any further with other loads. It's just a darn good gun platform. Frank

[Thumbcocker]

It's not just the high end ones. I have a few Rock Island ones that are surprisingly accurate. Totally no frills but still classic.

[AndyC]

I bought a Rock Island Armory in 2007 - polished it up (rails, etc), dropped in some better internals/sights and it's run like a Swiss watch for over 50k rounds. An EGW custom bushing tightened the grouping from 4" to 2" at 25 yds.

https://i.imgur.com/9RqH1n8.jpg

Only failures-to-feed that I've had were 1) testing the Lee 200gr SWC (nose too long - once I crammed the boolit deeper than an H&G 68 it fed just fine) and 2) some bulged loads (my fault for not checking) at a 400-round Active Shooter/Safe Schools course.

[45workhorse]

Heck, I got an Auto ordnance 1911, government model bought it new in 1993. Only the good Lord knows how many rounds have been put through the gun!
I also have a Colt combat target model, that I carry daily, for duty.

I like and shoot the 'other' guns, but, the feel of a 1911, in your hand...........

[Went2kck]

Just like the porsch "THEIR IS NO SUBSTITUTE" I have a sig the one with no rail on the bottom for a light or lazer. nothing to be traced back to eccept the muzzle flash.

[fatelk]

I love 1911s too, but couldn't get past the glaring grammatical error in the video title.

I'm no grammar nazi, but dangit people, apostrophes are for for possessive nouns, not plurals!

[Prairie Cowboy]

I have some art-work on my study wall by Lorin Michki (https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/9/3/with-guns-drawn-an-interview-with-firearm-artist-lorin-michki/) in that regard:

https://i.imgur.com/nEYbYuC.jpg

Ah yes. This is taken from a photo where Alec Guiness threatened George Lucas on the set of Star Wars. He hated the movie so much that he wanted out of his contract.

:kidding:

[JWFilips]

I loved That! Thank You for posting!

[Thumbcocker]

I bought a Rock Island Armory in 2007 - polished it up (rails, etc), dropped in some better internals/sights and it's run like a Swiss watch for over 50k rounds. An EGW custom bushing tightened the grouping from 4" to 2" at 25 yds.

https://i.imgur.com/9RqH1n8.jpg

Only failures-to-feed that I've had were 1) testing the Lee 200gr SWC (nose too long - once I crammed the boolit deeper than an H&G 68 it fed just fine) and 2) some bulged loads (my fault for not checking) at a 400-round Active Shooter/Safe Schools course.

What type of adjustable sights did you use? Do they fit the dovetail on the frame? My RI 9mm is accurate but I'm having trouble zeroing it at 25 yards.

[AndyC]

You hit the one sore point regarding RIAs - the non-standard sight-dovetails.

Those are not adjustable - that's a solid 10-8 rear sight. I had to do a little careful filing of the dovetail to get it in.

The front is a Novak - I had to get a friend to mill I believe it was a 5-thou' flat over the dovetail and then a small bit of work with a file again to get that one in. I chose the height of the front-sight by seeing where the pistol hit with the original sights and then using the old "error ∕ distance x sight radius = correction needed" formula to determine the height of the Novak I needed to buy.

[charlie b]

Why? Cause 45 years ago that was the pistol I got from my dad.

[C-dubb]

The Army taught me how to shoot one in 1982 and that's the only auto pistol I have owned since. I don't have to stop and think when the time comes to draw, it's just.......automatic.

[Rodfac]

I've owned more than a few...carried one in war long ago and even now dressed in mufti...have always trusted those that were mine...and doubt that there is a better weapon for close in fighting.

As a young, shave tail Lt., fresh from pilot training, I found the following verse in Stebbin's eminently readable, Pistols, A Modern Encyclopedia, published by Stackpole in 1960. (apologies to those who've seen it before). This little verse 'bout says it all to those of us who remain: Old School.

LINES TO MY LADY .45

For wide open spaces the rifle's all right,
Where there's time, space, and distance, and plenty of light,
But for work on the instant, when shooting is tight,
You can't get the slant with a rifle.

So, I'll say at times it is all very well,
But for deviltry, death, and the raising of hell,
The Colt .45 is unusually swell
And will go where you can't with a rifle.

You can splatter a dollar at seventy feet
With a stunning precision that's pleasing and neat;
So I'll still make the claim that the Colt can't be beat
And will do what you can't with a rifle.

So when something is crashing the alders ahead,
And it's death to the brute, or you in its stead,
Let the Colt automat, the fist-filling gat, the chunky blue cat,
Chuck its competent lead.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

He said it best....


Why 1911s? If you have to ask, then you have no soul

DG

[rondog]

277782

[GregLaROCHE]

First handgun I ever shot, my dad’s at age twelve. This video makes me think about getting one.
Maybe I will.

[dverna]

I have had 5 1911's. Two Clark's and three Kimbers. Used to carry two 1911's until I got over my snobby attitude.

Still have two Kimber 1911's but will be selling one for sure and likely both as I have no use for them. An excellent target gun if set up right. There are better guns for defensive needs, and that is the only use I have for a semi-auto CF pistol now. When I attended the FrontSight four day course, none of the handful in my group who achieved "Distinguished" rating used a 1911. (I qualified with a G22 running 9mm barrel and mags as we had to use factory ammo and 9mm was cheaper...it remains as one of my most trusted carry guns).

BTW stopped watching the video when the first reason used to justify using a 1911 is not needing more than 3 shots for most encounters...a poor reason to limit the capability to defend yourself. I always carried a spare magazine when I carried the 1911's.

For fun shooting, revolvers are my pick as I do not enjoy chasing brass.

[rbuck351]

I don't have a true 1911 but I bought a well used Ballister Molina (almost 1911) about 40 years ago and had a gunsmith tighten the slide a bit and touch up the trigger and I installed a set of target sights from a Ruger MKI target. It shoots very well ( right at 2" at 25yds) and more important when I point at something the sights are aligned on that something. And most important, it is reliable with whatever I have shot through it. I had a Glock 21 gen1 that was a good gun and was accurate and reliable but it just didn't point in where I was looking. Too fat a grip I think.
I also have a Springfield XDs in 45 that is a very nice gun but it is a little harder for me to make good hits than the 1911 style.