Posted on 03/23/2017 7:24:15 AM PDT by w1n1
There have been many people talking about the good stuff about owning a 1911. In this segment we want to narrow down certain attributes among all brands that manufactures 1911's that correlates as to why 1911's are good to have, its more than saying 1911's are cool and that they are for EDC, personal protection, etc.
Here's what it narrows down to why 1911's are good:
I don’t remember 1911, but I do remember 2011, and it sucked pretty bad..................
That’s nice, but I’d rather have a revolver that does not throw shell casings all over the place.
I won’t say they suck, but I’ve disliked them ever since I had to qualify with one in the Marine Corps. The only thing I own in .45 is an XD-45.
All quals for my tenure were with the M9 and although it was a reliable weapon, I favor my 1911 as I am able to maintain a closer group. I have blown out the 10 ring on numerous targets during quals with the M9 but with the 1911 I have threaded the same hole.
While I love my 1911-pattern firearms (Kimber compact pistol and Springfield TRP Operator with the full rail), neither is anywhere near as reliable as my XD 45 (which always goes bang when I pull the trigger).
There is a big difference between modern commercial 1911s and the M1911A1s the Army had. The 1911s my unit had sucked, they had lousy sights and were very loose. I think they were pretty much worn out. The number of people failing to qualify dropped and the qualification scores for my unit improved greatly when we were issued the M9s.
The 1911 was a collaboration between Browning and the Army. Browning had completed the design originally with a parallel ruler locking system. He later deleted the front swing link.
The Army specified caliber .45, external hammer and grip safety. Browning added those features and the result was a pretty good gun.
In my Army Basic Training (way, way back in the early Ronaldus Magnus era), a drill sergeant demonstrated the durability of the 1911 at the range by field-stripping it, reassembling it, and then throwing it on the ground. He then popped a magazine into it and parked 4 rounds into the 10-meter target.
And THAT is why the 1911 is still my sidearm of choice.
How does the Sig compare to the Kimber? I’m guessing the link you posted has suggested retail which typically means they can be had for a little less. Either way a little less costly than the Kimbers.
The 1911 as designed had a lot of variability in it for the reliability requirement the military specified.
While the modern 1911 has tolerances that are the epitome of computer controlled mass production, zero tolerance machining, the requirements of 1909 for the .45 caliber would have been sloppy in comparison.
The original 1911 was absolutely reliable no matter the conditions. Super accurate? Not even close, but the 1911 wasn't developed for precision, it was developed to stop a fight. NOW.
It still performs that function pretty reliably. While the polymer, striker fired guns have taken over the market a good 1911 is nice to have available.
Dear BuffaloJack,
re: “That’s nice, but I’d rather have a revolver that does not throw shell casings all over the place.”
HERE YA GO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYbfVGK-vRs
(yes, I do, and maybe I am!)
Junior NRA-qual’d .38Super on 1911 frame. No more.
If 1911’s were so good why did Napoleon Solo pose with a German Lugar?
Back in the early 90’s, my issued M9 had multiple issues with springs. I never felt confident about that particular weapon.
In one of the most famous James Bond photos, Sean Connery is actually holding a Walther air pistol. It does look exotic and that is probably what they were going for.
I have a nice selection of weapons. Over the years, the polymer striker fired weapons replaced my bedside and carry weapons.
A nice SW 625 has become my favorite range gun.
I still own 1911s and they are fine accurate weapons that don’t get fired much anymore.
Not ready to sell them yet. I may convert one of them to 460 and make it my hiking gun, but it would be heavy!
The main spring on one of my qual weapons was iffy but it had an issue with the spring that activated the hold-back lever and cause two mis-fires. But after 23 years of qualifying, I still enjoyed the M9. Personally own the .40 cal variant as well as by beloved 1911 Combat Elite.
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