1911 -Why?

[HHI944]

One more reason to buy a 1911: They are ridiculously easy and simple to work on. I just COMPLETELY disassembled mine in about 20 minutes, for the first time ever, without instructions. Getting Dura-coated tomorrow.

[Jim Bremner]

My colt 1911a1 has taught several people how to shoot.

I bought it back in 1994. The barrel is getting kinda smooth inside.

[m21sniper]

I've owned 3 "full house custom carry" 1911s, all in .45 acp

A safari arms/colt hybrid 5" gov't model
A Springfield Armory Champion 4.25" commander model
And a Para Ordnance P10 double column 3.5" officers model

Of the three the Springfield Champion was by far my favorite (soooo accurate), while the Para Ordnance was by far my least favorite. It felt like holding a 2x4 in my hand with it's gigantic grip, and at least in the case of mine- it was possessed of sub-par accuracy.

Properly modified 1911s are generally considered to be the ultimate "combat" handgun, whatever that is. If i know i'm going into combat, i want a freaking rifle or shotgun. Or even better yet, a SINCGARS radio.

I prefer my HK P7 to any of the 1911s i owned. It takes the legendary 1911 ergonomics, and actually takes them to the next level. It's more compact, more ergonomic, more safety oriented, much easier to strip and maintain, and lighter than most 1911s to boot. IMO modern high pressure "+P+" 9mm loaded with 2nd generation hollowpoints is just as capable as .45 ACP is. So that's why i prefer it.

If i wasn't left handed, my opinion would be that the Sig Sauer semi automatics are the best autos on earth. Sadly, they're not ambidextrous. If i was right handed i'd be on one like stink on scat.

I wish HK would have updated the P7 with a composite frame and a dustcover picatinny rail, but they discontinued it. Shame, that pistol never did get to achieve it's true potential. Even still, if there is a more accurate "duty" aka "combat" handgun on earth, i have yet to shoot it. Oh well. For now, my P7 is as close to the ideal gun for me as anything out there.

I really like the soon to hit the shelves Kel Tec PMR-30, but don't trust it's rimfire ammo. The FN Five Seven is another gun that i find interesting, but the ammo is way too much money. Some have questioned it's stopping power, but the one that the terrorist at Fort Hood used sure seemed to perform extremely well.

So for now, for me, i rely on this (got some upgrades coming in the mail as i type, hehehe):

Plus, a classic top end German pistol is a really nice compliment to my classic top end German GT.

Originally Posted by HHI944

One more reason to buy a 1911: They are ridiculously easy and simple to work on. I just COMPLETELY disassembled mine in about 20 minutes, for the first time ever, without instructions. Getting Dura-coated tomorrow.

The 1911 is actually an overly complicated gun by today's standards, and is far more involved to field strip than almost any modern sidearm. (In all fairness, though it's very easy to strip, the P7's squeeze cocker is a very complex mechanism as well)

Originally Posted by azasadny

I have 3 full-size 1911's and I really enjoy shooting them. Reloading .45ACP is very easy, too. Anyone who says they "kick" hasn't fired one...

When people say they kick it is all relative.

Compared to a 9mm in an equally sized gun, they do kick hard. Even full power 500ft-lb 9mm +P+ kicks about the same as the classic sub 400 ft-lb 230gr "hardball" load.

Compared to a .38spl, again, it kicks hard, but not when compared to a .38spl in a snubbie.

It's all relative.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Soukus

I just couldn't resist. I don't like posting my gear but this one is to dang pretty not to show you guys. I just committed to buy it. Local shop wanted more than I could find online and those online that were slightly lower in price were back ordered. So I probably paid $50 more to not have to wait.

I LOVED my Springfield Champion. One of the guns i really, truly regret selling.

Originally Posted by stogie25

That being said, if I had to have only one handgun (god forbid) I would choose my Glock 21. It uses the same ammunition. It is every bit as accurate, lighter, not as picky about ammunition, and has a higher capacity.

http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=glock+leg&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I don't want any gun that has such a high AD rate that a term has been coined to describe shooting yourself with one!

1911's also have a high AD rate, many consider them to be "guns for experts." I think they're fine though. They have several safeties including a manual safety. Glocks and guns that have stolen the mechanism of glocks (springfield XD IIRC?) are probably the only modern handguns on earth that i consider to be unfit for CCW.

Of course, opinions vary...but there are an awful lot of mofo's out there walking around with a limp now because they let their guard down for just a second and that ugly plastic black bugger bit them.

[berettafan]

Why 1911 vs. other models?

trigger.


Happen to own a Wilson KZ45 but really can't compare it with other 1911's as i don't have the experience to do so.


Had a Glock that was reliable as the sunrise and super easy to strip/clean but hated the trigger.

[berettafan]

Here's a pic of the kz (not mine but same)

[HHI944]

That is one sweet weapon! I've fired a few wilsons and they are nicer than most 1911s, but most of it is lost on the average shooter.

[stogie25]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

1911's also have a high AD rate, many consider them to be "guns for experts." I think they're fine though. They have several safeties including a manual safety. Glocks and guns that have stolen the mechanism of glocks (springfield XD IIRC?) are probably the only modern handguns on earth that i consider to be unfit for CCW.

Of course, opinions vary...but there are an awful lot of mofo's out there walking around with a limp now because they let their guard down for just a second and that ugly plastic black bugger bit them.

I don't entirely disagree. If I carry side holstered, or shoulder holstered I am not worried. The only trick to keeping a Glock safe is to keep your finger off the trigger.

If I pocket carry (with a pocket holster) I don't carry my Glock (it is too big anyway) or my Kahr K9 with a round in the pipe. I spent some time practicing racking a round in as part of drawing the weapon. I ended up buying a little Beretta 9000S 9mm that I bought for pocket carry because it has a decocker and a manual safety.

[Shuie]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Even still, if there is a more accurate "duty" aka "combat" handgun on earth, i have yet to shoot it.

edit: I meant to ask if you had ever shot a Sig P210?

I liked my P7, but never could put use it for any extended length of time at the range. Nice low bore axis in the hand, but the recoil is still relatively sharp for a 9mm pistol and it just got too hot to handle after ~100rds. Cool blaster. I'd always rather have a good 1911 at the range, tho. JMO. I'm sure the entire gun market has changed since I last bought anything, but here are the last few of my Colts that I still have photos of.

[911boost]

Kimber fixed the FTF and FTE problem when they ditched the external extractor. Their customer service is excellent as well.

I have carried this for years with the Wilson Combat mags..

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Here's a pic of the kz (not mine but same)

Is that plastic? A plastic 1911...ugh.

Still though, i am sure it's a fine weapon. The plastic frame is just a culture shock to me. I've never seen a plastic 1911 before. It somehow seems wrong. The rounds you have pictured are the same rounds i carry in my 9mm.(Corbon Powrballs)

Originally Posted by stogie25

I don't entirely disagree. If I carry side holstered, or shoulder holstered I am not worried. The only trick to keeping a Glock safe is to keep your finger off the trigger.

This is true.

What i was told by a detective here in Philly is that a lot of cops, after a high stress situation, re-holster the weapon and keep their finger on the trigger, causing an immediate AD.

Originally Posted by BSiple

Their customer service is excellent as well.

I have no idea how good HK customer service is, i've never had an HK break.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Shuie

edit: I meant to ask if you had ever shot a Sig P210?

I liked my P7, but never could put use it for any extended length of time at the range. Nice low bore axis in the hand, but the recoil is still relatively sharp for a 9mm pistol and it just got too hot to handle after ~100rds. Cool blaster. I'd always rather have a good 1911 at the range, tho. JMO. I'm sure the entire gun market has changed since I last bought anything, but here are the last few of my Colts that I still have photos of.

Yes, i've shot a Sig P210. EXQUISITE! I would own one, if they weren't about $2000 bucks used!


My P7 is just as accurate though (10yd group with Corbon 115gr JHP +P+)

I only have 3 mags for my P7. So even if i rapid fire all 3, reload the mags as fast as i can and then rapid fire all 3 again (i've done this with a whole 50rd box of +P++ Doubletap max pressure ammo), it stays reasonably cool. In some sort of extended firefight the heating of the triggerguard area of P7's could be problematic if you didn't have a glove, but you'd have to be rapid firing the snot out of it. For regular CCW or cop duty, the heating is in reality a non-issue. I want to pick up a couple more mags for my P7, 3 isn't enough for zombie duty, which is the gun's main use in my arsenal.

I find my P7 to recoil considerably less than a 1911 .45ACP, but i guess it's in the eye of the beholder. It definitely kicks less than a .38 snubbie with hot +P or any .40 cal.

I'm probably going to get mine mag-na-ported anyway, just because it's so damn cool looking.

My 6906 was mag-na-ported, and with +P+ ammo, especially 147gr rounds, it really made a big difference. I have convinced myself that mag-na-porting is a good weapon retention aid too, though some people seem to debate the point.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

1) Trigger
2) Ergos
3) History
4) Customizability
5) Trigger

[berettafan]

I prefer to call it 'composite'

Purpose is to hold 10 rds .45.
MY purpose in buying was it is wilson quality at $1200 vs quite a bit more for the steel frame.

Gun is stupid accurate and has a suhwheet trigger. If you do an ax w/ me well have to plan a range visit as well and ill bring it and the .357 SW.

[m21sniper]

Sounds awesome.

I wish i had a pic of my Springfield Champion (commander), it was an absolute thing of beauty. Stainless frame and hi swept beavertail, custom short trigger(i looove the short trigger option on 1911's), and super high polish blued slide with a Les Bauer integral feed ramp barrel. Sights were 3 dot Trijicon tritiums.

I only got rid of it cause like an ass i screwed the bluing up carrying it every day, and a friend offered me a good deal on the Para P10, which was in perfect condition. Terrible trade by me.

[Rot 911]

As you can see, my favorite frame is the 1911. It just feels right.

[Rick Lee]

I had one of those blackened stainless Springfields and loved it. But I traded it for my M4 and found another Mil-Spec for a song, which I've since had Robar redo for me. I need to get another one of the blackened stainless ones, but I just paid for a 993 tranny rebuild and that's eaten up the gun budget for a long time.

[m21sniper]

I have all kinds of gun toys on my agenda for the near future.

I want a Walther PK-380 with factory laser, a Kel Tec 30rd PMR-30 .22 mag pistol, and i still want to spend some more money on my P7.

This freakin' hobby is an expensive one.

[MotoSook]

I was really torn between the black stainless model (full size loaded target) and the Champion model like the below. I am kiddig myself into thinking I can only own one 1911, so I figured a full size one with target sights was the way to go. And who could resist the polished stainless and black combo

Perhaps a Champion or Compact Springer is in the future...

[m21sniper]

Champions are much easier to conceal and carry. A Gov't model is -for me at least- way too big to conceal.