Archived Posts » 59,789,155
GOOD READ
4/22/2012 2:55:50 PM
4/22/2012 3:17:38 PM
Thanks for posting this. Very good read, makes me feel even better about my 1911's.
I have a SA Mil Spec that has been modified through the years with lots of aftermarket Ed Brown parts and has gone close to 2500 rounds with zero malfunctions. At the same time I have an Ithaca 1911 made in 1943 carried by my grandpa in Korea and it has never failed either, I don't shoot it much but it has been 100%
I find it so funny that the same people that are die hard Glock or M&P fans are the same ones that will argue why the AR15 platform requires lube in order to run well but they will dismiss a 1911 like they are all the same and won't put up with the pistol needing any attention what so ever. To me the AR15 and 1911 go together perfectly. Both have single action triggers that require the safety being taken off just before firing, both are excellent fighting firearms, and both will run 100% if the shooter takes a little time to do his/her part.
I love 1911's I just wish I could afford more of them
I have a SA Mil Spec that has been modified through the years with lots of aftermarket Ed Brown parts and has gone close to 2500 rounds with zero malfunctions. At the same time I have an Ithaca 1911 made in 1943 carried by my grandpa in Korea and it has never failed either, I don't shoot it much but it has been 100%
I find it so funny that the same people that are die hard Glock or M&P fans are the same ones that will argue why the AR15 platform requires lube in order to run well but they will dismiss a 1911 like they are all the same and won't put up with the pistol needing any attention what so ever. To me the AR15 and 1911 go together perfectly. Both have single action triggers that require the safety being taken off just before firing, both are excellent fighting firearms, and both will run 100% if the shooter takes a little time to do his/her part.
I love 1911's I just wish I could afford more of them
4/22/2012 4:55:05 PM
I see two main problems with the 1911 today.
1. People demand all the bells and whistles, many of which really have no place on a defense gun.
In order to add all the "cool" accessories the manufacturers have to cut costs in a very competitive market, and that means cutting quality and using MIM parts where they might not be at their best.
I've seen a good many 1911's that weren't properly fitted and adjusted at the factory because they can't spend the cost for human labor and stay in the market.
2. The owners don't know what they really want.
Most tell themselves that they want a combat or defense gun, but what they really wind up with is a range toy.
THE only critical function of a real world defense gun is that it shoot reliably. Accuracy doesn't matter that much since in a fight you won't get to pick which button of his shirt you put the bullet through at 50 yards.
People buy a new "defense gun" and rush to the range to see how accurate it is. If it doesn't have target gun accuracy they're disappointed. They demand the company make a more accurate gun, and reliability suffers.
Even Jeff Cooper said that all a defense gun needs to do is hit a man somewhere in the chest at 50 yards. Another real man-killer expert, when asked about how accurate a defense gun needs to be answered "Six inches at six feet".
The old military 1911 got it's unequaled reputation because it always fired even in mud and dirt. It wasn't all that accurate by todays standards, but when you pulled the trigger someone was going to get a 230 grain surprise.
The standard that "simple is better" holds with a true defense 1911, or any pistol.
It needs to WORK each time, every time. Things like target accuracy, really fancy grips, and all the latest "Gotta have 'em" accessories only complicate things and that lowers reliability.
Owners tell themselves they want a defense gun, but what they buy is more suited to a formal pistol match instead of a dark alley.
Bottom line is, if you want a range toy to play with and look nice, buy that. If you want a defense gun to save your life, simpler is better. If you want to make it "yours" and make it look nice with fancy grips and parts, that's okay as long as they don't compromise simplicity and reliability.
My defense 1911 is an early stainless Colt Government Model. It's basically in box-stock condition.
Unsurprisingly, it's NEVER failed to function.
1. People demand all the bells and whistles, many of which really have no place on a defense gun.
In order to add all the "cool" accessories the manufacturers have to cut costs in a very competitive market, and that means cutting quality and using MIM parts where they might not be at their best.
I've seen a good many 1911's that weren't properly fitted and adjusted at the factory because they can't spend the cost for human labor and stay in the market.
2. The owners don't know what they really want.
Most tell themselves that they want a combat or defense gun, but what they really wind up with is a range toy.
THE only critical function of a real world defense gun is that it shoot reliably. Accuracy doesn't matter that much since in a fight you won't get to pick which button of his shirt you put the bullet through at 50 yards.
People buy a new "defense gun" and rush to the range to see how accurate it is. If it doesn't have target gun accuracy they're disappointed. They demand the company make a more accurate gun, and reliability suffers.
Even Jeff Cooper said that all a defense gun needs to do is hit a man somewhere in the chest at 50 yards. Another real man-killer expert, when asked about how accurate a defense gun needs to be answered "Six inches at six feet".
The old military 1911 got it's unequaled reputation because it always fired even in mud and dirt. It wasn't all that accurate by todays standards, but when you pulled the trigger someone was going to get a 230 grain surprise.
The standard that "simple is better" holds with a true defense 1911, or any pistol.
It needs to WORK each time, every time. Things like target accuracy, really fancy grips, and all the latest "Gotta have 'em" accessories only complicate things and that lowers reliability.
Owners tell themselves they want a defense gun, but what they buy is more suited to a formal pistol match instead of a dark alley.
Bottom line is, if you want a range toy to play with and look nice, buy that. If you want a defense gun to save your life, simpler is better. If you want to make it "yours" and make it look nice with fancy grips and parts, that's okay as long as they don't compromise simplicity and reliability.
My defense 1911 is an early stainless Colt Government Model. It's basically in box-stock condition.
Unsurprisingly, it's NEVER failed to function.
4/22/2012 6:15:08 PM
i've owned several 1911s from a few manufacturers- Taurus, MetroArms, RIA, Colt, SA for starters. the only issues i've had with reliability were easy solved:
1) the Taurus was slightly picky on JHPs. Turned out she loved Gold Dots. Problem solved. Ate all FMJ I fed her.
2) My MetroArms commander needed a stronger recoil spring than what came from the factory. Problem solved.
3) My Colt 1918 will stovepipe if not lubed before use. Not a defensive gun, so a quick spray of CLP and problem solved,
I guess I've gotten lucky? Seems funny that even lower quality 1911s I've owned have run just fine.
And in terms of accuracy, I am not a precision/competition shooter and I know I never will be. As long as my guns are combat accurate, I'm happy.
1) the Taurus was slightly picky on JHPs. Turned out she loved Gold Dots. Problem solved. Ate all FMJ I fed her.
2) My MetroArms commander needed a stronger recoil spring than what came from the factory. Problem solved.
3) My Colt 1918 will stovepipe if not lubed before use. Not a defensive gun, so a quick spray of CLP and problem solved,
I guess I've gotten lucky? Seems funny that even lower quality 1911s I've owned have run just fine.
And in terms of accuracy, I am not a precision/competition shooter and I know I never will be. As long as my guns are combat accurate, I'm happy.
4/22/2012 7:28:14 PM
Originally Posted By SGB:
The 1911: Fact, Myth, and Legend
Thanks SGB! Very good read, especially since I'm about to step in to the world of 1911's. Cool site too
