1911 vs ?the world? Why do you like it?

James Howlett

James Howlett

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I've been curious for a little while about the appeal the 1911 still has to many many owners.
Now, in the States I can see where the argument is a bit clearer why some choose other guns instead of the 1911, but here in Canada we:
A) can't conceal carry (so size is not an issue)
B) can't have full capacity mags
C) don't need to worry about reliability (I'm reluctant to mention this because it may be lesser quality 1911's not every single model that has this issue, if there is one) but because we can't carry the chances of needing any gun in a life or death situation isn't as high. Given a choice I would still like the most reliable firearm.

So my question, given we can only sport shoot or punch paper, why have/would you still choose a 1911 over anything else? Or Would you not buy a 1911 and stick with Glocks, Sig p226, CZ etc etc etc?
 
I will bite.

1911 are classic guns. The grandfather of most if not all semi autos. They are however less than ideal in both design and materials for the modern day. I enjoy them but won't and don't own any. My firearms are tools and I prefer the best too for the job and the 1911 isn't that tool.

Tdc
 
A) Moot point. Change the term size to ergonomics and you will have a thousand pistols that fit a thousand people differently. Handguns are like shoes, everyone will wear a different pair based on what they consider comfortable/appealing.
B) The other 90% of handguns that are double stack have this problem in Canada being limtied to 10 rounds. It is more a function of the law governing us than a function of chosing a single stack due to personal preference.
c) Explain what you consider unreliable?

Your question is like asking why anyone would ever buy a car that can go over 100km/h since we are only limited by law to go that fast.

But if you're asking what is the appeal of the 1911 to people, that can be answered more directly.
 
From the perspective of a bullseye competitor, there simply is NO competitive .45 (mandatory for one third -90 rounds of each match) other than the 1911. Nothing else measures up in the accuracy and ergonomics, though the Pardini comes the nearest. So in the end result, the 1911 is the accuracy king.

Dr. Jim
 
Chuck3436 said:
A) Moot point. Change the term size to ergonomics and you will have a thousand pistols that fit a thousand people differently. Handguns are like shoes, everyone will wear a different pair based on what they consider comfortable/appealing.
B) The other 90% of handguns that are double stack have this problem in Canada being limtied to 10 rounds. It is more a function of the law governing us than a function of chosing a single stack due to personal preference.
c) Explain what you consider unreliable?

Your question is like asking why anyone would ever buy a car that can go over 100km/h since we are only limited by law to go that fast.

But if you're asking what is the appeal of the 1911 to people, that can be answered more directly.
Click to expand...

I think you half got where I was going with the 100km car example.

A) If I said I want a 1911 or glock for concealed carry the answer is the glock is more concealable, but we can't do that so that's not the question.
I do realize the fit in hand will always be different but it's not going in a waist band under a jacket so concealing isn't a point for or against.
B) You nailed it, single vs double stack doesn't matter here we're limited by law, so again no points against
C) I've *heard* they can be less reliable than say a Glock or Sig P226, I don't know the truth, or if we're talking Kimber, Browning or just a Norinco though. So may or may not be true, and if true may be any one of a dozen manufactures.

I am asking more what is the appeal because here in Canada the 1911 has a rather fair fight against many other guns. Ie most people will pick a glock for it's high capacity double stack mags, here it's a non issue.

They are classic and I see that appeal. Some people seem to have one or many, but there are people with none. Firearms are not one size fits all but there does seem to be patterns people follow.
 
Fair enough.

I have owned a 1911, but sold it.

Main concern was I do not like SAO. I prefer hammer fired DA/SA over even the new "DAO" style polymers like glock, sr9 etc etc etc.

But I would go out and say in terms of why people like them...
There is the hurrah hurrah USA classic appeal, 1911's are usually considered very ergonomic to most users and the sheer variety of lengths, finishes, prices, quality etc are immense. Huge aftermarket support and variety of calibers.

I do think the "classic nostalgia gung-ho USA" is at least 55% of the appeal to casual shooters however.
 
I can see polymer vs steel being a factor, not only preference but bc they say the lighter polymer guns can be more difficult bc they have some more muzzle lift between shots.

I'm just considering handguns and I'm curious as to why people like them, but I didn't want a straight this vs that type thread. I'm just thinking for a roughly equal playing field why people lean one way or the other.
If I said a 45 1911 vs a Glock 21 I can see the answers being different than just asking why people like or don't like the 1911 based on itself.

Nothing wrong with liking it because of Magnum PI or any military movie (or military use), if there was Dirty Harry wouldn't have had S&W's jumping off the shelf.
 
1911's are hand fitted guns, unlike other guns like Glocks, Berettas, Sig Sauer, which all the parts are 100% drop in....

therefore, someone that doesn't know how to build a 1911 or thinks you can just drop in whatever parts and make it work is in for a big surprise.

all the moving parts are related to each other so if you replace one part, it affects the part related to it and so on down the line.

the majority of unreliable 1911's have been customised by someone that doesn't understand the relationship between all the working parts. and doesn't know how to fit them

when you go changing the original design, for example changing all the spring weights, stoning the hammer sear to almost nothing, adding ramped barrels, changing the controlled feed, you're changing a proven design to suit your purpose.

sometimes everything works out.....but usually it's trial and error before you get the right combination to make it run right

1911's are the most customized guns around and also the most butchered guns by people that don't know what they're doing. people just can't leave them alone......as soon as they get it home, even before shooting it some people are already changing all the parts to whatever looks cool

it's hard to butcher a Glock, Beretta, or Sig Sauer because there isn't a whole catalogue of aftermarket parts for them. by the way I think stippled Glocks are hideous

















bollox said:
Ok, I'll bite- 1911's
Laugh2
Click to expand...
 
1911's...

Love 'em.

I've owned lots of different ones in ~ 30 years of owning/shooting them.

That said, a Glock 22 .40 cal would still be my go to, though.

My .02

:canadaFlag:
----------------
NAA.
 
Have to say i still believe the 1911 is the coolist pistol out there, grew up watching every war movie, and bad a$s using one and still have one as my go to piece. Its flawed in modern terms, but still an awesome shoot......
Just my opinion...
Import
 
I like the 1911 because it's had 101 years to evolve ( not that it needed much) the availability of upgrades and factory parts .
The various calibers available 9mm 38 super 40 s&w 10mm and 45acp and the fact that every company has or does mark a 1911 also how it has allowed for other guns to come up some what based on Brownings original design all in all I love my 1911 and would not have it any other way
 
Love the 1911. Customizable, lots of factory options, big boot when you pull the sweet SA trigger, heavy as hell so doubles as a hammer when one of your plastic guns misfeeds, good for pistol-whipping, generally fairly accurate.
 
I have one 1911 type, it's very reliable and very acccurate and has a great trigger BUT, if someone told me something bad was going to happen, and I needed to get a gun, I'd grab my M&P. One thing struck me recently when I had the opportunity to watch a bunch of guys shooting - some with 1911's and some with other guns, the mag changes were only one round more frequent (most guys were shooting 8 rounders) but by the fourth mag change the 1911 guys seemed to be changing every 2 seconds. Also, without the aid of a proper mag funnel, the 1911 shooter is at a great disadvantage to the guy running an M&P with a wedge shaped mag and more than twice the funnel area to hit. That said, I do really like my 1911, I just wouldn't choose it first for anything serious.
 
1911s are some of the best handguns to shoot. Very ergonomic, resonably reliable (in general) incredible grip and the feel of a steel gun.

But if it was for self defence or conceal carry, I would go with Glock, M&P or Sig p226,229.
 
There are some pistols out there that just feel right, from the grip in your hands, to how they point, to how controllable you find them, to shot-to-shot consistency, to placement of the controls. For me there are some pistols that get parts of that equation right:

The S&W 686 is consistent, controllable, and accurate. With the right grips they point naturally for me. I don't find it very comfortable over a long shooting session but would certainly use one for the center-fire portion of a bulls eye match.

The P99 has a good fit to the grip and the weight is good in the hands. The first long trigger pull is a deal breaker.

Glocks are wonderfully simple to shoot, no external safeties, no external hammer to catch or to get in the way of an out-of-battery corrective smack. I find the grip a little angular and uncomfortable in the hand and the trigger just feels gross. (It felt like I was bending (deforming, not pivoting) the trigger back when I was shooting it).

The CZ-75/85 pistols feel just right in my hands. I've found them consistent, accurate, and controllable. They point instinctively for me.

The 1911 I've shot on a dozen or so occasions did not feel comfortable to hold, had a tendency to beat up my hand, and was neither accurate or consistent (even if the sights are off, the shot-to-shot consistency wasn't terribly impressive). This firearm is simply not a good fit for me.

A more expensive, well tuned, 1911 may persuade me to try again, but my stock CZ-75 Shadow will do until then.

Everyone's mileage obviously varies.

-DF
 
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