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What's so great about 1911's???

niklasalniklasal Member Posts: 776 ✭✭✭✭
edited April 2002 in General Discussion
I see so many clones of the 1911 and a whole bunch of parts for it too. I've never shot one, but am curious, why is it so popular? Is it looks, the way they shoot, what?
NIKLASAL@hotmail.com
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Comments

  • R WallerR Waller Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    .45 cal.trigger,.45 cal.action,.45 cal.smoothest safety in the biz....45 cal.good concealed carry weapon,.45 cal.cause clint smith said so did i mention its a .45 cal ??
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  • Jody CommanderJody Commander Member Posts: 855 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The early models were military induced so they were Spartan in design, but the models being produced today are much more user friendly, beaver tail safetys, good match grade triggers, extended and ambidextrous thumb safetys, quality adjustable sights all combine to make a super comfortable-accurate easy to carry pistol, and yes, it comes in.45 Cal. but also .40S&W,.400 Corbon, .357Sig. ,38Super, 9MMP,9x21,And I have heard some were made in .30 Mauser. This versatility and history of performance make it a very popular firearm even though the design is almost a century old.[This message has been edited by Jody Commander (edited 04-08-2002).]
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  • royc38royc38 Member Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you shoot one you will understand. No amount of facts or stories can do it justice. They were,are and will always be the best and the yardstick by which the other auto pistols are judged.
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  • PelicanPelican Member Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Simply because it is.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Reliability, effectiveness, pointability, balance, durability, historic significance.
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  • R WallerR Waller Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    colt delta elite in 10mm one of the finest handguns ever made...makes glock look like the cheap tupperware it is :p
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The "venerable" 1911, as the gun mags love to describe it, is a piece of American military history. Probably the best overall military handgun ever carried by our troops, certainly the best handgun caliber. It is also beautiful. People love the 1911 for its function and they also love it because it is so "tinker-able." Early versions had a tendency to bite the web of the hand, occasionally the ejection port would allow a stovepipe, that sort of thing. People have loved enhancing this gun with engineering improvements small and large from commander hammers to enlarged ejection ports--the list is nearly endless for this gun. Nowadays most of the important improvements have become permanent on all but the most authentic "old" versions of the gun. A lot of folks, like me, don't particularly care for a grip safety. And because the slide rides a little higher from the hand they recoil a bit more than a design like the Glock. But they are undeniably a classic "venerable" American tradition, and a great gun. Not to mention that the .45 caliber is a proven stopper and some have always detested the idea of "downgrading" to a 9mm. I'm stunned that it took so long for someone like Para Ordnance to do the obvious thing, and double-stack the mag. But conventional wisdom had it that a double-stack .45 would have "too fat" a grip. I'm not sure who broke the double-stack .45 barrier first, maybe Glock, but in any case if you want a double-stack you no longer have to give up the 1911-style weapon to have it. But the single stack 1911 is still enough gun for many of us. Also, the 1911 has in common with that other early work of genius the Browning Hi-Power the capacity for cocked and locked carry with a mere 3-5 lb. trigger pull, making them fast into action for the experienced carrier. But cocked and locked carry (with safety on, of course) is not recommended for many if not most owners, because it is too liable for user error. Since an empty chamber cannot accidentally discharge, I prefer to recommend "condition two" carry, which I believe (if I've got the lingo right) is mag loaded, chamber empty. In fact, many if not most 1911 holsters are designed for hammer down carry. In other words, no "plus one." To fire, draw and rack the slide, point and pull the trigger. Far safer for the occasional user. The 1911, old slab sides, the hardballer, is mated to American military history, fondly remembered by veterans, will eventually become a genuine antique, and is as good a gun as it ever was, which is why so many are still made and used by various services. Rack the slide on a good one and the authority with which it snaps into place, ready for action, is undeniably impressive. As much as I enjoy my Glocks, and they are good defensive tools for all the ribbing they take, the 1911 is a special gun for a man's man -- not for show or machismo, but for a whole lot of good reasons. Own at least one when you can and the rest will become clear (as others have already said).
    "The 2nd Amendment is about security, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    niklasal,You've yet to hear someone bad mouth it so let me help.Yes, it's accurate, beautiful, customizable and legendary. What wasn't said was how heavy and bulky it is. There are several variations but I consider my 1911 too large and too weighty for me to carry. I'm not a giant by any means, but I'm certainly not small (6'2, 240). Secondly, I don't agree with 'condition two' (I hope that's right, empty chamber) carry. Its always good to have a free hand to hold off an incoming attack, which can give you the precious seconds you need to step back and draw your weapon. The less safeties on your weapon the better. I know a lot of people badmouth it but the Glock is a great carry weapon. You keep your finger out of the guard until you are ready to take your shot. If you can't learn to safely handle a loaded weapon, you shouldn't carry. Then again, this is coming from somebody without a CCL, so take any and all advice (including mine) with a grain of salt. Before you go out and buy a 1911 for carry, try borrowing a friend's and carrying it around the house for a day. Just because I wouldn't carry one, doesn't mean I wouldn't own one. They're great weapons, just not (IMO) suited to concealed carry.Munkey
    Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
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  • simonbssimonbs Member Posts: 994 ✭
    edited November -1
    You're a big Munkey . You and I could be twins if I had some hair or you had a flat-top.
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do have a flat top... A3 20" Bushy
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