The truth about 1911 45ACPs.

Bill Douglas · 03-26-2009, 07:32 PM

I've fired one or two 1911s recently and think I prefer them to a 9mm. When.... I'm alowed to purchase a handgun (here in New Zealand there are LOTS of rules and regulations to get through to be able to buy a handgun) I'm thinking I'd like a 1911. 9mm handguns seem to have too much muzzle velocity and make too much noise, whereas a 45 seems a bigger softer round.

But, if 1911 45ACPs are so good why are people always modifying them, when people don't seem to modify a 9mm or any other gun that much.

And, if they can be modified and parts swapped, are all the bits much the same fit such as barrrel, slide, magazine etc?

mjshira · 03-26-2009, 07:40 PM

people mod them to get a trigger action they want. its a matter of preference. sorry about your socialist rules, we will soon have them here I am afraid. good thing I have my guns already.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

They also make 1911's in .38 super, 9mm and 10mm, AFAIK, maybe more calibers. They have real tiny ones in .380 and most can take a .22 conversion kit. They are still super popular guns and the mods seem to be neverending....like 911's. ParaOrdnance makes them with wider frames to take double-stacked mags. Otherwise, the three main sizes are full size, Commander size and Officer's size. Commander size actually has a full size frame and a shorter barrel and slide by 1". A lot of the parts are interchangeable, but there are so many hotrodded guns out there nowadays, even from the factory, that the aftermarket parts often have to be massaged to fit.

I got a stainless Springfield Mil-Spec that was missing only the barrel......for $275 delivered. I wanted a guide rod, beavertail, polished ramp barrel, custom hammer and trigger. I got them all on ebay pretty cheap and had them fit and installed when I sent the gun out for refinishing. You gotta have all your mods done before refinishing. It's a super, super nice gun now and I have about as much into it as a new, stock one would have cost.

Bill Douglas · 03-26-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjshira

sorry about your socialist rules.

Ha, we voted that political party out, and their leader has a new job high up in United Nations. Gawd, they won't know what's struck 'em.

Thanks Rick. What are Para Ordinance guns like? they seem to have good "mods" installed at the factory.

tabs · 03-26-2009, 08:25 PM

The mods for a 1911 are basically to make the gun shoot more accurately. Better trigger, barrel, ergonomics, tighter slide etc.

The 1911 has been used in competition matches since the 1930's. It has come in 45 Acp, 38 Mid range, 38 super, 38 AMU, 10MM, 9 MM, 22LR, 451 mag (Detonics) and what have I missed...380 acp was the Colt Pony..Ohh well lots of calibers.

9mm isn't used much for target shooting...thats why there are not as many mods.

DasBoot · 03-26-2009, 08:39 PM

Rick pretty much said it all. 1911's are the "hot rods" of the gun world. And no coincidence there's also a "911" connection. Aren't you allowed to own .22's over there? A .22 conversion for the 1911 frame is about $200 (barrel/slide/magazine).

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

ParaOrdnance makes excellent guns, but they aren't for everyone, especially if you have small hands. Trouble is that anything you want that goes on the frame will not be a standard 1911 part. Magazines, wrap-around grips, magwells, mainsprings, mag release, etc. will have to be especially made for ParaOrdnance - on other words, not cheap. Not so on normal size 1911 frames. Para also makes a double-action 1911, so of course, that's a whole new ballgame wrt trigger mechanisms. I had a P-12 for a while it was nice. But after lots of tuning, it still wasn't as accurate as any of my SIG's, so I traded it for a SIG P245. And believe me, a 12 rd. mag of .45ACP and an all steel gun is kinda heavy for carry duty.

DasBoot · 03-26-2009, 08:42 PM

My next two purchases:

Kimber RCP II, full melt:

Colt New Agent:

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I won't go smaller than a Commander size frame anymore. I traded a SIG 1911 officer's size a while back for a Lightweight Commander. But it was an impulse thing and probably not the best decision. LWC's have aluminum frames and I like all my guns to be range duty shooters. Mine is very accurate for an aluminum frame, but I don't want to stress it with lots of rounds. I just couldn't wait to inherit my dad's steel frame Commander.

DasBoot · 03-26-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I won't go smaller than a Commander size frame anymore.

I'm not a big guy, and carrying concealed in FL is tricky, due to light clothing/t-shirts, etc. I want to carry a .45, but my full-size 1911 is like carrying around a brick. I wouldn't take the micros to the range on a regular basis, other than to sight & familiarize myself with them.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I think my full size 1911 is the thinnest gun I own. I don't carry it concealed, only openly. But certainly would fit in my waistband comfortably.

DasBoot · 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I think my full size 1911 is the thinnest gun I own. I don't carry it concealed, only openly. But certainly would fit in my waistband comfortably.

Ugh. Don't want to think about wearing an IWB holster in the heat/humidity of FLA. That would leave a big rusty, gun-shaped sweat stain on my back!( No open carry in FL...)

I think one of the micros above, carried in a hi-rise belt holster, wouldn't be too bad.

tabs · 03-26-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DasBoot

Boy that sure has been Optimaed up...

Bill Douglas · 03-26-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DasBoot

Aren't you allowed to own .22's over there? A .22 conversion for the 1911 frame is about $200 (barrel/slide/magazine).

We are allowed any rifle we like. I was admiring a .50BMG the other day

But the goverment is a bit funny about handguns. Since talking with you guys I think handguns are lots of fun and are working my way through the licence process. The guys at the pistol club have been excellent and I spend most (every) Sunday with a pistol club owned Russian made .22 pistol. Lots of guys offer me a shoot with their guns. I've often used a Peter Stahl 45 that a German guy owns and find it reall nice to shoot with.

Thanks for the facts Rick and other guys. I'll make sure it's a standard size and build. A few guys have Kimbers around here.

pwd72s · 03-26-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DasBoot

I'm not a big guy, and carrying concealed in FL is tricky, due to light clothing/t-shirts, etc. I want to carry a .45, but my full-size 1911 is like carrying around a brick. I wouldn't take the micros to the range on a regular basis, other than to sight & familiarize myself with them.

Precisely why I think that for concealed carry, an old style snubby wheelgun in .38 special is a good choice. Leaving the 1911 home because it's a hassle to carry happens to often...better to have a smaller gun than no gun, yes?

DasBoot · 03-26-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Precisely why I think that for concealed carry, an old style snubby wheelgun in .38 special is a good choice.

I already carry the Smith 442. I want to carry a .45 on days when I'm in the mood to make a bigger hole.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I've been shooting my .45's quite a bit recently and I have really taken a liking to them. Less "felt" recoil in the full-frame models than a similar 9mm and I prefer to reload .45ACP

onewhippedpuppy · 03-27-2009, 04:12 AM

Bill, I bought a 1911 as my first handgun for exactly the same reasons you site. It was simply the gun I enjoyed shooting the most. If you're a basic shooter don't get too caught up in the incredible quantity of mods available for the gun, just buy a good name brand one and shoot it. A lot.

I bought a basic Springfield Mil-Spec 1911 and I'm pretty certain that the gun is more accurate than I am.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Precisely why I think that for concealed carry, an old style snubby wheelgun in .38 special is a good choice. Leaving the 1911 home because it's a hassle to carry happens to often...better to have a smaller gun than no gun, yes?

My "always" carry is a Keltec P3AT. They come with a flat case. If you put a spare mag under the trigger in the case, the whole thing feels like a large wallet.

I am working on designing some "hide in plain site" holsters. These are flat, square holsters that fool no one who knows guns, but hide the pistol from the "sheeple". With something like this, I should be able to easily side holster my Colt Combat Officer, and with the right one, I should be able to carry my full size 1911.

My other favorite carry is also a 1911 style: Browning High Power. 13+1 9mm is plenty.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by DasBoot

I already carry the Smith 442. I want to carry a .45 on days when I'm in the mood to make a bigger hole.

A 357 snubby. That hole is surely big enough.