1911 -Why?
 

Let's hear why you have a 1911 and your opinion after living with it.

I could go to the fanboy sites and get all kinds of comments, but I want to hear what the Pelicans think...

Why SA? Why Kimber? Why Colt? Is 4" Barrel a compromise ove ra 5" barrel?

A century of great history, lots of tweaking to be done, tactile joy from shoving big pieces of lead slowly down the barrel...

Balance, point-ability, accuracy, feel, inherently accurate round.

They are a special design much like the 911 in the auto world.

The design was over looked looked for a long time in the effort to have more round capacity. People realized you don't need 18 rounds if you can connect with the target in 1 or 2 so 7-8 round mag capacity are fine. In short they feel great. I have many hand guns I like the big wheel guns, and the modern Sig's however if I could only have one, the Colt Gold Cup would be the only one.

I looked at some Kimber's this week, they are top notch. They have taken a great design and made improvements that make it better.

Here in Montana it is law enforcement's number one choice, bar nun.

My .02

Had several and loved them all for the reasons set forth in the post above, but I must say that the single action thing is a pain. Yes, I know, the gun is safe "cocked and locked", but the need to unchamber a round to unload is uncomfortable. A d/a 1911 with the same trigger feel would be ideal.

It fits my hand better than any other pistol I have ever held.

I had 3 of them over the years, i no longer have any. My favorite was my Springfield Champion.

I prefer my HK P7 to the 1911 design.

The 1911 feels "right" in my hand. The angle is perfect and the sights are right in line when I bring it up. The weight is "right". The caliber is "right". Personal preference, I know, but thank you John Moses.

Mine's a Parkerized Springfield that just put 50 rounds (handload and factory) into a 12 inch circle @ 25 yds offhand, this morning at the range.

Yup. When shopping for my first handgun I shot everything I could get my hands on, in a number of different calibers. The 1911 was simply the most natural gun to shoot, and I was the most accurate with it. Mine is a Springfield Mil-Spec, nothing at all fancy but it certainly works for me. Go shoot one Souk, either it will feel right or it won't.

Ergo appears to be the most critical factor. I like the idea of customizing my gear, but there is only so much you can do....so I may not be missing out on much if I don't go with a 1911, huh? That's if the ergo of a 1911 doesn't do anything for me.

Maybe a Sig .45?

Personally I also love the trigger. Despite mine being a stock gun, I really like the short and lower pressure pull of the single action. I don't concealed carry so the safety isn't a concern, though I personally think the actual safety of a 1911 is just as safe as a double action pistol without a physical safety.

Don't have, but want a Para G.I. Expert:

Para USA, High-Quality Handguns: Products

Why?

Because it's a "classic" design.

(The Para Expert has just the right amount of "minor" upgrades to make it a little more "practical" and still suit my tastes for the classic design.)

Edit: I almost forget, Magnum P.I. used to have one, so the "cool factor" of the 1911 is really high for me.

I think if Wilmer Cook carried a brace of 1911's so can you.

My shooter is a National Match Gold Cup circa 1960

On my list is an Ed Brown Custom Classic

It was my first handgun that I bought.

JMB designed it perfectly for me!

The grip angle feels like it was formed for me.

The barrel is very close to the height of the web of your hand reducing muzzle flip

The safety is in a place that make sense. Oh and it has TWO safety's not just the fact that some pistols safety is on the trigger WTH!

The magazine release if where it belongs.

The trigger moves in the right direction when you squeeze it.

Slide stop doesn't require thinking, it works.

Now add in that a .45 cal slug MIGHT expand (but will never shrink)

That a 9mm euro-pellet might expand to the size of a .45 (but most likely won't)

I will never not own a 1911, until the government's heavy boot is crushing my head to get me to release it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1258868322.jpg

I love my 1911 because it's safe (without both safeties in the appropriate position, it will not fire) the ergonomics are great, the round is accurate and powerful, and it's a breeze to conceal because of its width.

The 1911 GM is the aircooled Porsche of the handgun world. Is any further explanation needed here?
(NB I write in approval but I've never fully mastered it to MY satisfaction. viz I must fire two handed if I want to be fast AND accurate. Then again, I'm only little)

<- 6'1" 190# and still uses both hands!!!

What's Italy's gun laws like?

I have 2, a Full Size, Stainless Steel Springfield and a Colt Combat Officer (short grip, 3" barrel, alloy frame) for concealed carry.

The grip fits my hand. I've tried Glocks and the drip angle is wrong for my hand.

YouTube - the BEST colt .45 1911 animation collection ( with labeled parts )

this is a very cool vid of the 1911 and how it functions.

Great animation. Thanks for posting Jim. I have to admit that I'm more intrigued but the mechanics/operation of a gun than anything else about it. Blame my "knack" gene. I think that animation was the last bit of convincing I needed. Looks like there's a 1911 in my future.

I learned to shoot on my Dad's Colt Commander, a light-weight version he bought with his own money after a tour in Korea and before he went to Vietnam. This is around 1964.

"I tired of shooting used guns, especially if my...", was his rational. We still have it.

However, my first two pistols were a Ruger Mk II .22 and a Belgium Browning 9m Hi-Power. Both fit my hand well and were more in tune with my needs at the time. I still have them both. I keep the .22, my son gets the Hi-Power.

As many have said, shoot everything, more than once.

My current pistol is a Kimber .45...there is no right choice, only your choice.