Posted on 02/14/2025 2:16:04 PM PST by T.B. Yoits
Here we discuss why the legendary 1911 pistol is still going strong over 100 years later with no sign of slowing down.
“To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, John M. Browning, a citizen of the United States, residing in Ogden, in the county of Weber and State of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Firearms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.” Those are the first words on a patent application submitted on February 17, 1910. Patent #985,519 was subsequently issued on February 14, 1911, for what would become known as the 1911 pistol. That was 114 years ago, and manufacturers are still making, and shooters are still buying, pistols based on that patent.
A Brief History Of The 1911
Browning designed the 1911 for military consideration, complying with the stipulation that it fire a bullet of not less than 0.45-caliber and that it must utilize the semi-automatic mode of operation. Based partly on a 6,000-round failure free test, in March of 1911 the Army adopted it as the “Model of 1911,” and it saw service in World War I. The Army, however, requested some changes they incorporated in 1924. This updated version was known as the 1911A1, and it served the Army throughout World War II and beyond.
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Well, it is simply a GREAT PISTOL! Only gripe I have is the Rock Island version will not fit my .22 Ace conversion kit. The hole is just a hair off...and I am not willing to run a drill bit through it as it might mess something else up.
I should mention that the Rock Island version I have was made in the Philippines. Works great except for the ACE conversion kit.
About ten years ago, I was invited to try a full-size 9mm 1911 at a range, and I was hooked. It was the pistol equivalent of an old-school luxury car: big, smooth, comfortable. I no longer enjoy .45 ACP recoil, but 9x19 out of a steel 1911 is easy as pie. I also think I now know the reason that some of John Moses Browning's details were put there; he really was one smart - and practical - cookie.
Why we make weapons that wound people.
I’ve got a Commander, new in box, I inherited from my dad. One of these days I’ll pull it out and play with. For the last 30 years I have only had time for my benchrest shooting. Season starts in March...back to the grind. Gonna fireform 200 pieces of brass tomorrow.
Sounds like hollow point ammunition or something underpowered.
Never had it jam with full metal jacket at 230 grains.
https://www.challisgrips.com/
The M60 machine gun.
Nope. All 230 grain hard ball. I know way better than to run hollows in a 1911.
Only thing I ever ran hollow points in was...
Wait for it...
A hi-point. And it even WORKED.
Got a 1911, made in 1918. Never had a failure of any kind and it is accurate.
I have had a bunch of 1911s/1911A1s, mostly Colts, and carried a Remington Rand in combat in Vietnam. Never let me down then - and I won a couple of Marine Corps matches with my government-issued .45 match pistol (one hand, 50 meters).
You guys can have the plastic stuff!
Me too! I love it, but it has gotten hard for me to handle due to peripheral neuropathy. Do you carry yours concealed?(It seems awfully bulky.)
I do not, for that very reason. Got a nice holster for it if I ever live in an open carry state 😊
For many decades,
It fits my hand.
Bullets hit where I point it.
It works every time without “gunsmithing”.
I have more rifles & shotguns than I could readily list.
But I only have one functioning pistol.
That probably says something.
“it might be made completely obsolete by a phased plasma pistol in the 25 watt range...”
As long as it does not have the trigger feel of a Glock.
Sounds like a Colt Frontier
Best semiautomatic platform ever made.
Colts, Kimbers, Nighthawks, carry them, love them.
Had a nice kick to it but I survived. I’ll stick to my .40 S&W though.
Pretty sure a 200 round break-in is recommended with all 1911s. A slight polish on the feed-ramp might be in order, and I’d stay away from anything flat-nosed, for self defense.
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