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.
(Excerpt) Read more at gundigest.com ...
I’ve got a nice ParaOrdnance Big Hawg double stack.... Goes with me quite often.
My dad has the Springfield version. I was able to fire a full magazine with no problems.
“When properly tuned, with a light pull weight, no creep, and minimal overtravel, the 1911’s single-action operation and straight in-line trigger movement makes it the best pistol trigger ever fashioned.”
I have owned a few, cannot say a bad word. I will say, my all time favorite hand gun is a very smooth, 1872 model SAA that left the colt factory in 1919. Chambered in .45. It is very accurate to 25 yards. With a hair trigger, 7.5 barrel. It is a joy to shoot.
I have a Remington R1. Simple, effective, very easy to break down and clean.
I have more than I need. They always go bang when I do my job.
Hard to beat back to back world War champ.
I have a M1911 not an M1911A.
The gun was issued to my step Grandfather who was a pilot in WWI.
Almost zero use.
I’m sure that is the kind of gun when fighting a war.
For day to day conceal carry I chose this,
https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/33100-erma-excam-model-rx22-22-lr.html.
Mine was a blued version but It was so accurate I could put a shot inbetween your eyes at 20 feet without fail.
I marvel at the brilliance of American innovation every time I take my Ed Brown and Dan Wesson to the range. I enjoy CZ, but nothing compares to natural feel of the 1911s.
Wow! That’s impressive!
I have a Springfield 1911 too. The slide is really strong as i approach 80. But reliable.
What replaced the BAR?
Because they are combat pistols with real triggers, not the junk on plastic frames
Because a Desert Eagle is just too damn heavy, and sometimes you don’t need to kill a man with just the gun.
I don't know about "never" - it might be made completely obsolete by a phased plasma pistol in the 25 watt range...
;^)
I have a first generation Delta Elite. It’s my choice of sidearm when backpacking where the threat from four legged critters is more likely than two legged critters and open carry is a non-issue. Yeah there are higher capacity 10mms out there, but I’m partial to the Colt ergonomics.
Most plastic guns look the same, like boring cars that all look alike. Sneakermobiles.
The 1911 is the muscle car of yesterday; handsome, rugged, and capable.
Too bad they all fail to feed 3 times per mag unless you wanna spend $4000 on one.
I wanna like it. Ruger SR1911, rock island, Springfield armory, Kimber, Taurus, all we’re jam-o-matics inside of 250 rounds, some were that way out of the box.
Believe I’ll stick with my P10-C. 9mm’s cheaper and modern defense loads perform WAY better than 230 grain .45 ball. I’d take a 147 grain +p that opens up to .73” (ish) 6” deep in flesh at 1200 feet per second over a not quite half inch semi circle at 850 fps and doesn’t really expand.
.45 ACP is obsolete.
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