for later
Yes, the 1911 is a great gun, but today there are many great handguns in various calibers. Bullet technology is light years improved from the days of Sgt. York and this makes many guns as good as or better than what York carried.
The 1911 has a flawless pedigree.
It was designed specifically to stop muslim terrorists after the standard officer’s sidearm, the .38, proved inadequate in the Philippines.
Mark IV, Series 70 Gold Cup, tricked out for competition.
It’s my fav....but a bit large for CCW.
The 1911 was is cited numerous times in narratives of CMOH recipients.
Here is a listing of all CMOH awards and the narratives behind them. Caution, prepare to spend days reading about these heroes.
http://www.history.army.mil/moh/index.html
1911
***Sgt. Alvin York and during World War I he used a M1911 .45-caliber pistol***
In the movie, Gary Cooper used a German Luger as the 1911 would not function with blanks.
You don’t have to shoot somebody to have your life saved by having a gun.
According to DOJ crime statistics, guns are used by US citizens 2.5 million times per year to prevent violent crimes like rape, robbery, home-invasion and carjacking, 99% of the time without a shot being fired. (Source: http://GunFacts.info)
In other words, 99 times out of 100 it doesn’t matter what caliber gun you have. The only thing that matters is that you have one.
I read that when York was asked how he was able to shoot six guys who were charging him, he replied that he knew if he shot the first guy, the rest would stop and shoot him. So . . . he started with the last guy and worked his way up the line to No. 1.
When I read that, my admiration for this man's cool thinking went through the roof. How many of us would have been calm enough to make that decision in the heat of battle?
I agree that the Colt m1911 is the greatest handgun devised by a true American, John Moses Browning, who hailed from Utah, by the way.
As a former junior NRA competition team member, I used the 1911 frame, although chambered in .38Super. I liked the pistol, but waas no way near the age, to own one for myself.
As a Vietnam veteran, I was introduced to the Smith and Wesson Model 15 Combat Masterpiece revolver, chambered in .38Special. I love this revolver design, and the cartridge does have performance that fits my needs.
I have looked at various 1911 frames, and just recently Colt has started manufacturing 1911’s for the U.S. military. The various models are far more costly than my present budget.
I do own the ‘other brainchild’ of JMB, the Browning Hi-Power, in two different versions, but in the 9mm Parabellum chambering.
Yes, the M1911 .45ACP was designed, and is proven as a man-stopper.
Yes, a very famous Lt.Col. is recorded to say that the 9mm has killed many Europeans, in European wars, and should stay there.
So, in my choosing to retain a .38Special revolver, know this: I can shoot a bunch of 9mm-filled magazines, while attempting to maintain round count. I can shoot SIX and only SIX, well, and then ‘break the gun’ before continuing. A 158-grain solid lead semi-wadcutter can do enough ‘work’, for what I demand, whether it be paper targets, small game, a miscreant feral critter, or self defense.
I do agree that the U.S. military should return to it’s M1911 roots.
Corporal York carried a Springfield even though is battalion was issued Enfields. He was their best rifle shot and they let him use what he wanted.
He didn’t draw his pistol When the Lt and five troops came at him since he had it hanging from a finger on his off hand while shooting the rifle and got worried they would charge him while reloading.