Unimpressed with the 1911... Am I missing some critical part of the experience?

IMO the 1911 isn't that interesting unless you work on them a lot.


They are very much like American motorcycles...usually underwhelming from the factory, frequently almost ruined by liberal applications of an aftermarket parts catalogue, and a very well-put together one will still have all the limitations of a completely outmoded design, and will be totally outperformed in almost every way by a modern import. Most of the ones people think are really great, aren't...most of the people who think a particular brand is the be-all-end-all don't even use them enough to know the difference. Most opinions and most advice you get on them are 100% worthless.


If you build a few 1911s, you understand them very differently. In addition to the mechanical knowledge that you gain, there is something atavistic about the hand fitting of the parts that is a really aesthetic experience.


And of course there is a visceral appeal that has to do with the machine and its place in history. It's also got the best trigger ever put in a fighting handgun. I love the 1911 but I never push anyone towards it any more. To quote a guy who knows more about the 1911 than I ever will, no matter what I do with the next forty years of my life, "it's a hell of a lot of work for seven god damn rounds".





I love the 1911 and always will.

I mainly shoot Glocks.
 
Jam??? 1911? We're talking about the COLT 1911 design, right? Funny, I've had quite a few (and still do) and I've yet to experience a jam. Ever. Not even once. Not a single misfire, fail to extract, a fail to eject, nothing. Thousands of rounds, over 20 years, it's never happened yet. I never knew that meant that they're "far more prone to jams than other handgun designs".

Granted, the 8-shot magazine isn't much capacity (some would say that if your target doesn't go down after 8 rounds of .45ACP, you should have used a cannon), but then the doesn't have a grip that requires hands the size of catcher's mitts to hold. For the record, I also have a Glock 22 and several other auto pistols (and revolvers, too), but the 1911's are still stellar IMHO. They're one gun I can absolutely trust to fire, when I want 'em to, 100% of the time.

Just my humble opinion...
 
Dexter Morgan said:
The low capacity magazines sort of suck.

The grip-safety is the stupidest invention in firearms history.

They are far more prone to jams than other handgun designs.
Click to expand...


Standard capacity (7 rnd) mag works fine for me.

Grip safety fits well, right into my hand when I pick it up.

I've never had a jam. Period.

I've had many, all Colt except for one Kimber Custom. I've had 1911, 1911A1, 70 series, 80 series. I finally settled on an 80 series Stainless Commander with a few mods and an 80 series Government model stainless .380. I'm thinking of getting a GSG .22. I can't help but think if a 1911 does not fit your hand, you must be deformed. LOL.
 
just go my 1911...and...GASP...it a Remington!!! hmmmm....7 boxes of American Eagle through it...so that's....350 rounds, if my math is right. And no jams. 2 cleanings, but no jams.

Let's see, it shoots a bigass 230 gr bullet, super reliable, drop a mag for another with a quick push of a button, ram another one home, unlock the slide and repeat. Does life really get any better? I dunno, folks can dislike the platform, I could really care less because I know the thing is solid and reliable.
 
I have personally owned everywhere from norks (yuck) to Wilson Combat's in 1911 form.

I, for one, cannot state of any reliability difference between them.

They have ALL had failures of some sort, bar none. (sig, kimber, colt, ria, nork, gsg, wilson, NH.....)

I do really admire the triggers on most of them but when push comes to shove, I'll take a plastic wonder, every time, over a 1911.

(and yet my BHP has never had any type of failure...... really is the 1911i (Improved)

;)
 
I have had jams with mine, gun related, ammo related, and shooter related.... That said, I have over 35,000 rounds of 45ACP downrange, so those things are bound to happen eventually... law of averages. There have not been many, that is for sure.


Do not purchase guns based off looks or price, buy them based of the quality and knowledge of the machining of the company making them.


Some cheap 1911's will function amazingly, just the same as some expensive ones will function poorly. These are handguns of an era passed that need to be properly crafted by a knowledgeable armorer or smith to run well, not just your local handyman or faceless foreign import company.


Remember that a firearm will only function as well as the ammo you put through it... be honest, most of you guys are probably putting the cheapest ammo you can find through them, not quality ammunition designed for self-defence or match shooting...
 
Silly rabbit...

1911s are for fixing!!! And starring at/bragging about how big your second mortgage was you had to take out to afford an "almost" reliable one!!!

OR

How sharing with the CGN crowd how your $300-$350 out-of-spec Chinese made one is THE best gun in the world!!!

:stirthepot2:
 
WRH said:
I assumed that I would eventually own a 1911 of some type. That is, until I shot one. It was a Ruger and it left me feeling very blase about the platform. I've been otherwise impressed with the Rugers that I've shot (and own - a Single Ten), so I think it's just the 1911 style that didn't do it for me. I've since shot a GSG that left me unmoved. Am I completely off here? It seems like everyone owns one. Do I have to move up in price point before it clicks with me?

All opinions are welcome.
Click to expand...

I love the 1911. I recently bought my second. But during my search to replace my norinco 1911, I handled a bunch of different ones and many just didn't feel right. I didn't have to shoot it to know I didn't like what was going on. But there are a few that just feel as perfect as a 36DD in my hand. Maybe you need to try a more uptown lady.
 
I hated the 1911 for a good 25 years. Single action, goofy backstrap safety, I mean WTF is wrong with it and how exactly do you drop the hammer after you #### it, oh yeah, two hands. Every time I looked at one I hated it! I found Glocks much simpler, HK's they are really nice and not complicated! But the Govt 45, pure hate brother for 2 and a half decades! I used to chuckle as I left the LGS wondering why anyone would drop $1500.00 for a Kimber when you can get a glock for half that, under my breath "how stupid is that"!!!

Well, take a look at my CGN Nick! When I joined CGN I found a 1911 that changed my mind, It just felt right and that was a Remington R1 Enhanced! Not only did it feel great it shot wonderfully:D. 45ACP is a big round and well, made me look real good at the range with tight groups! The next few months and I found myself grabbing the 1911 more than any other gun! Yes it still has the goofy backstrap safety and low capacity magazines, oh and field stripping is really time consuming compared to my Glock or HK USP.....but there is something about it that I just plain like. And that liking took some time!

If you have not had the chance to put 450-500 rounds through the 1911, then you should just for the experience sake of it, if you still have hate for it, I for one will understand as I have been there!

Since my shortsightedness cost me 1/4th of my life without the 1911, I am now making up for lost time and shooting the 1911 as much as I can;) Plus the 1911 is just plain, BAD A$$!
 
Honestly they do nothing for me either.

They are hugely popular in North American due to the cult mystique of it having fought in so many wars for this continent.
 
I've only owned a few 1911's. They all performed well while I had them. I just prefer my G21 gen4 more. Easier to run in all respects IMO.
 
well if the 1911 is not your thing ,regroup and try another type of pistol.They are what they are!
Do not understand the purpose of this thead ?
 
Wow, I should have anticipated the onslaught of responses.

Icurrently shoot a GLOCK 17, an S&W 586 and a Ruger Single Ten. They all give me a different experience. I would expect the 1911 to do the same, but it just felt lackluster and unfulfilling. I will probably own one eventually, if I can find one that brings the Grin-Factor like my other guns.
 
Not all 1911's are alike. Unlike Glocks, M&P's etc., there is a vast number of manufacturers out there turning out their own versions of the 1911. Some are good, some are superb, and some are absolutely horrible. If you try some of the better makes you might feel differently, or you might not. I can say though that as a competition platform (I'm speaking of IPSC), the 1911 consistently proves out to be the most durable design out there. We routinely push these guns much farther than they were ever designed for and they keep on ticking.

In terms of reliability: In most cases that I see....assuming a decently made pistol....the fail gremlin culprit is usually in the operator, not the gun. If you never clean your magazines, don't know how to load your ammo correctly, never inspect for wear or replace parts that need replacing, etc.....you can't expect decent function out of anything. And I have seen every pistol platform out there jam when they are not properly taken care of. I've had to help competitors on match day get their gear back in the game more time than I can count, and it almost always comes down to something the operator did. I can't even tell you how many guns I've seen where the owner has been shooting it for years and has never taken it apart. It build-up of grime in there is unimaginable, but they still blame the malf on the gun.

Bottom line though; if the 1911 doesn't float your boat, there are plenty of other platforms out there to have fun with. You pays your money and you names your poison.
 
I hated glocks. Until I shot one.

I hated 44 magnums. Until I shot one.

I have and still dislike many guns I have never held or fired. Why? Because of what I have read.

I know. Stupid reason. When will I learn to stop reading what others write and believing their BS.

The 1911 takes some getting used to. I own Norcs and have owned a Colt 1991A1. I do like them. When you get used to the recoil they are great guns. I have only occasionally had issues with them. Usually because I haven't keep them clean. They need to be cleaned regularly.
 
In ~ 30 years of handgun ownership I've easily owned > 100 different 1911's. Still have a few. I like 'em. A lot.

The low capacity magazines sort of suck.
Click to expand...

....lol....

Let's see.... one up the pipe, standard 7 round mag = 8 rounds to begin with. Quick reload = 15 rounds. Another quick reload = 22 rounds. Another = 29 rounds.

If a GI type 1911A1 can keep 7 [or 8....lol...] rounds of 230 gr hardball into center mass from 10 yards on in, then it's doing exactly what it was designed for.

:canadaFlag:
----------
NAA.
 
I assumed that I would eventually own a 1911 of some type. That is, until I shot one. It was a Ruger and it left me feeling very blase about the platform. I've been otherwise impressed with the Rugers that I've shot (and own - a Single Ten), so I think it's just the 1911 style that didn't do it for me. I've since shot a GSG that left me unmoved. Am I completely off here? It seems like everyone owns one. Do I have to move up in price point before it clicks with me?

All opinions are welcome.
Click to expand...

Please turn in your RPAL and forfeit all firearms to your nearest CGN member!

Such dissent will not be tolerated! :ang3

JK. Maybe its just not your style. Always nice to have it the collection though, I bought mine because of the history:cool:
 
Darren.R said:
I have to agree with the original poster
I bought a GSG and have only put 300 rounds down range with it
I recently wanted a 1911 in 9mm so I bought a STI USPSA 9mm and have close to 400 rounds thru it, It works great no issues at all and very accurate But I'm on the fence whether I like the 1911 platform
Both of mine work flawlessly so it's not like I've had a bad experience with a 1911
Click to expand...
Me too. I find a Glock fits me better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom