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Old December 24, 2012, 10:13 PM   #1
Rjeezie
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1911

Maybe this is stupid question, but why do people LOVE 1911's???
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Old December 24, 2012, 10:18 PM   #2
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Ah hahahhah....let it begin Um, because.... BEST PISTOL EVER (baring the 73 SAA of course)

Seriously though....the design, fit, function, robustness, reliability, safety and hell even a 10 + in the looks department. It's just an all around darn good gun....C'mon, how can you say no to a face like this

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Old December 24, 2012, 10:30 PM   #3
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Same reason some love Glocks, XD's or anything else.
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Old December 24, 2012, 10:32 PM   #4
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True... but lately on a bunch of boards, it seems like I'm seeing more and more talk about 1911's. Never have fired one or owned one, so was just wondering... Guess a preference thing like you said about glocks/xd's
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Old December 24, 2012, 10:53 PM   #5
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Many an argument can be made & has been made, but there are a few that will appear more often than others.

First...it's got 100 years of history built right in to it. Related to this are the fact that the world's most prolific firearms inventor/designer came up with it and the fact that it served the United States Armed Forces from the date of it's issuance until 1985. Compared to many other popular platforms, the 1911 has been around seemingly forever. This isn't lost on the movie industry either, and it's likely even more recognizable to non-gun folks than a Smith & Wesson revolver.

Second is the "feel." The grip angle is almost universally loved and all the controls feel like they were nearly perfectly designed. To many, and certainly to those who love it, no semi-auto handgun feels nearly as natural and "right" in the shooting hand as does a 1911 pistol. It's got a thin profile that is welcome in most hands.

A very close third, or perhaps it could have taken second is the extremely well designed trigger. It's a short, direct backward pull with no pivoting on any arc. If you only EVER shot 1911's from day one, there'd be a tremendously large percentage of handguns with triggers that you despise. Even some average or marginal 1911 triggers just "feel better" than so many other semi-auto handgun triggers.

Further down the list is the many years of competitive shooting and professional shooters that have made the pistol and the platform more popular than even the men & women that are the world's best shooters of it.

These are obviously subjective, but the subject matter demands it. There's also many, many other reasons and as long as someone truly believes it -- you'd have to say it's a valid reason.
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Old December 24, 2012, 10:56 PM   #6
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I really need to shoot one... And eventually pick one up. Can't drop the big bucks on one right now though
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Old December 24, 2012, 11:01 PM   #7
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The 1911 is my handgun of choice partly because I grew up watching John Wayne use one to save the civilized world in movie after movie. So perhaps I was pre-programmed to have an affinity for it.

Once I shot it, though, I couldn't be content with anything else. The 1911 fits my hand better than any other handgun, it points naturally for me, it's stupid easy to get phenomenal triggers with the 1911, and it's an all-steel pistol (although alloy versions are available) that I know will go through anything and still be functioning at the end.
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Old December 24, 2012, 11:58 PM   #8
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Another aspect...

R Jeezie, of the 1911's popularity is, that since it has been around for so long, and so many manufacturers make 1911's, and so many people use it for so many different things, that there are a TON of retro parts available for it, so people can adapt it to whatever their particular need may be.

I realize that's kind of circular reasoning, but now that it's going, it will continue to feed on itself for the forseeable future.

All of this besides the 1911's great functional design--it just plain works. Real good.

If it's done right the first time, there is no need ever, to re-invent the wheel....

(You might conclude from the above that I am a fan of the 1911. You'd be right.)
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Last edited by Smokey Joe; December 24, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Reason: The usual--had another thought.
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Old December 25, 2012, 12:16 AM   #9
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You don't have to spend big bucks on one unless you just want a Colt(and everybody does)A lot of the clones are very good guns at about half the price of a Colt and parts interchange.
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Old December 25, 2012, 12:17 AM   #10
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I've fired a few high end 1911's, doesn't do it for me. Just too tall.
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Old December 25, 2012, 12:18 AM   #11
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I like the nostalgic look and feel of the WW1 style 1911. Can't afford one now, but I'm saving my nickels and dimes for a Cimarron 1911 with the high polish blue for $549. Only $523 left to go....
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Old December 25, 2012, 08:26 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris in va View Post
I've fired a few high end 1911's, doesn't do it for me. Just too tall.
What do you mean by too tall? Are non custom 1911's just right?

The first time I held a 1911 I noticed that it naturally fit my hand with no adjusting. Shooting one for the first time was also very natural feeling, pointing with ease and making small groups seem easy.

When I got around to buying my first 1911's I did so with the intent of using them with for defensive purposes and that did not exactly work out so well for me. Aside from having lots of reliability issues with JHP's, I could never warm up to the manual safety for carry. I should add that the 1911's I had issues with were two Kimbers and a SA Micro.

Now that I've grown older and wiser, I'm able to actually buy fun guns strictly for the range, rather than only purchasing handguns that could be assigned a defensive roll. That being the case, my annual gun for 2013 is definitely going to be a 1911.

Last edited by Shadi Khalil; December 25, 2012 at 04:43 PM.
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Old December 25, 2012, 08:34 AM   #13
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For me it is the elegant design of the pistol which is prefectly sized for the .45 ACP round, like the Browning Hi Power is designed around the 9MM. It is slim, with round contours, not squared off blocks like the newer polymer guns. The grip fits me comfortably as does the grip angle. The pistol is the right balance of weight to absorb recoil, yet with the proper belt and holster is easily carried.

Once you get a few rounds downrange with it, the 1911 is easy to shoot accurately, and if you work up with softball loads, can be extremely accurate if you do your job.

It is also an aesthetically pleasing pistol that is easy to field strip without tools, and with a little education easy to work on yourself. Mine have been ultra reliable, accurate, and easy to maintain with the occassional recoil spring change and cleaning.
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Old December 25, 2012, 09:44 AM   #14
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defiantly don't need to spend big bucks to get one. Just pick up a used springfield mil-spec/GI, RIA or cimmeron. (there are about 5 other well made "knock offs" that are good solid guns too that don't cost more than any other middle of the road auto)

My first one was an old beat to hell rattle trap springfield 1911 that set me back $250 and change....and I loved it
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Old December 25, 2012, 10:32 AM   #15
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Because they work with a tried and true design that works. Speaking of design, there are lots of custom options out there for those who want it stock or love it tricked out. In an all steel version, the legendary .45 acp is also a joy to shoot.

The design is in public domain too so lots of people are making them at various
price points.

I also think the gun itself has so much American history behind it that it's hard not to like the 1911.
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Old December 25, 2012, 10:37 AM   #16
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They're the holy grail of handguns. A perfect creation. It should be a religion.
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Old December 25, 2012, 10:47 AM   #17
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I know its my favorite.





Last edited by bac1023; December 25, 2012 at 11:52 PM.
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Old December 25, 2012, 11:06 AM   #18
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Quote:
They're the holy grail of handguns. A perfect creation. It should be a religion.
You've never read the Gospel of John (Moses Browning)?

Quote:
1 In the beginning was the 1911, and the 1911 was THE pistol, and it was good. And behold the Lord said, "Thou shalt not muck with my disciple John's design for it is good and it workith. For John made the 1911, and lo all of his weapons, from the designs which I, the Lord, gave him upon the mountain."

2 "And shouldst thou muck with it, and hang all manner of foul implements upon it, and profane its internal parts, thou shalt surely have malfunctions, and in the midst of battle thou shalt surely come to harm."
Merry Christmas, everyone.
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Old December 25, 2012, 11:24 AM   #19
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Rjeezie

I too asked myself that question a couple of years ago.

I occasionally wore one when escorting the payroll officer, and it was just a tool to me. I couldn't understand people's fixation with it. Especially the irrational pricing, why pay $700+ for an enry level 1911 when for $550 you can get a Glock 21 that holds 14 rounds. Its silly stuff.

Then one day at the range I told that to a guy and he let me shoot his 1911. Well... bad move. Now I've got 3 and looking for a 4th. I look at BAC1023 picture and say "I'm OK, I'm haven't gone into the deep end of the pool yet..."

Merry Christmas and goodwill to all men (and women too).
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Old December 25, 2012, 11:39 AM   #20
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Simply because they are the classic auto and as such, they turn a blind eye to its failure prone features such as, extractor loosing its tension, springs becoming unreliable with use, staking of the safety spring tube coming loose, the end of recoil spring tube tendency to break and release the spring, etc. It is not perfect, it has its faults, but is loved like an ugly dog anyway.
Then there is the fact that it can be greatly modified by the interchange of more parts than any other hand-gun. It is a tinkerer's dream.
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Old December 25, 2012, 11:54 AM   #21
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Simply because they are the classic auto and as such, they turn a blind eye to its failure prone features such as, extractor loosing its tension, springs becoming unreliable with use, staking of the safety spring tube coming loose, the end of recoil spring tube tendency to break and release the spring, etc.
Good golly, Miss Molly! I've been shooting 1911s since 1967 and I haven't had ANY of those thing happen to me, nor have I seen any of them happen to anyone I know personally. I did have to replace a broker extractor for a range rental at the place where I shoot, but that was a Taurus so I don't count it toward genuine 1911s.

What am I doing wrong that I've missed out on all this excitement for over 40 years?

Quote:
It is not perfect,
Blasphemy, pure and simple ...

See post #18.
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Old December 25, 2012, 12:03 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by dahermit
the end of recoil spring tube tendency to break and release the spring,
I've seen a lot of things, but I've never seen nothing like that.
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Old December 25, 2012, 12:39 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca View Post
Good golly, Miss Molly! I've been shooting 1911s since 1967 and I haven't had ANY of those thing happen to me, nor have I seen any of them happen to anyone I know personally. I did have to replace a broker extractor for a range rental at the place where I shoot, but that was a Taurus so I don't count it toward genuine 1911s.

What am I doing wrong that I've missed out on all this excitement for over 40 years?


Blasphemy, pure and simple ...

See post #18.
Sounds like you have some experience. I bought my first handgun a month ago... a RIA 1911 .22 and I love it. My wife can't stand it because it doesn't fit her hands, which are awkwardly large.

What would you recommend for a reliable, lasting 1911 as far as brand goes? I've been looking at the beretta 92 and cz-75 but the 1911 just feels so nice to shoot. Maybe that's why so many others like it.

I've had my eyes on this for a while but know nothing about it.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_1171/products_id/78865/Bersa+AC45G2DT+1911+American+Classic+Government+45+ACP+5%22+8%2B

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Old December 25, 2012, 12:44 PM   #24
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Because even after 100+ its still a solid platform and battle proven to work. Not to mention the cartridge is a good anti personnel round with low moderate recoil. Also it doesnt take 17 rounds to do do mega damage. Not saying there is anything wrong with todays pistols but there isnt anything wrong with the 1911 either.
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Old December 25, 2012, 03:47 PM   #25
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It's been through 2 world wars and over 100 years.
The John Browning developed it.
It's nostalgic.
It's pretty.
It works beautifully.
It shoots .45
Did I mention they're pretty?

There is an unending list of reasons why people love them, and I am certainly one of those people.
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