The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 1911

hammie · January 2, 2011, 01:14 PM

This may be nit-picky or I may be mistaken, but I thought the basic 1911 platform was not developed for the .45 acp but instead the .38 acp, and designated as the models of 1902 and 1903. Two years later, that platform was modified to accpept the .45 acp and designated the model 1905. A gip safety and loaded chamber indicator was added for army trials in 1907. With some other changes that model became the 1911. So it seems to me that if you want to be true to the original design and chambering, then you would purchase a 1911 chambered for the .38 super. If you insist on being more nostalgic, then change the recoil spring to use the lighter 38 acp's. Just don't forget to change it back if you use .38 supers again.

I have a colt gold cup, a springer 1911 in .45 acp, and a springer in .38 super with a ramped wilson barrel. All three function flawlessly. When people mention the unreliability of the 1911 (or the wrist numbing recoil), I always wonder if they're talking about a different pistol than I've known and used.

January 2, 2011, 01:14 PM	#14
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	This may be nit-picky or I may be mistaken, but I thought the basic 1911 platform was not developed for the .45 acp but instead the .38 acp, and designated as the models of 1902 and 1903. Two years later, that platform was modified to accpept the .45 acp and designated the model 1905. A gip safety and loaded chamber indicator was added for army trials in 1907. With some other changes that model became the 1911. So it seems to me that if you want to be true to the original design and chambering, then you would purchase a 1911 chambered for the .38 super. If you insist on being more nostalgic, then change the recoil spring to use the lighter 38 acp's. Just don't forget to change it back if you use .38 supers again. I have a colt gold cup, a springer 1911 in .45 acp, and a springer in .38 super with a ramped wilson barrel. All three function flawlessly. When people mention the unreliability of the 1911 (or the wrist numbing recoil), I always wonder if they're talking about a different pistol than I've known and used. Last edited by hammie; January 2, 2011 at 01:38 PM.