For me, durability..more so with the old skool 1911 as in those WW2 era.
I don't own one as I prefer 357, but if I went 45, it would be 1911

Not judging your choice, but if SHTF I dont want to rely on plastic to last forever either

 

I love the design and action of the 1911, ESPECIALLY the trigger.
But I agree, the Glock 21 and XD .45's are GREAT pistols, and better suited for modern times, with the 13rd magazine especially. I traded my Springfield 1911 for an XD and haven't regretted it at all.

Has anyone made a 1911 that can hold 13rds? I've tried finding one but haven't found one yet. Someone has to have come out with one by now though!

 

Para made their debut back in the '80s by selling a frame that you could retro-fit your Colt to hold 10 rounds with really thin wood grips. They still make higher capacity models holding up to 14+1 rounds. They are not the cheapest guns out there, but IMO one of the top 1911 manufacturers.

http://www.paraord.com/new/product.php

 

I haVE to ask what is everyone's obsession with the 1911? There are far better pistols thAn the 1911, with my favorite being the Glock 21. You also have the Springfield XDs. Don't get me wrong, I love 1911. I think they're amazing pistols, but when shtf I want a few more rounds thAn 8.

I fixed your typos. The 1911 design is rock solid. Some folks want lighter weight using polymers, a higher capacity, or higher accuracy. Some folks simply stay with what has proven reliable to them (and nothing wrong with that IMO). What matters most is your ability to use the weapon efficiently, and familiarity can be a huge factor in that.

 

Over 100 years old. Combat proven on every continent except Antarctica. Hard to argue with that sort of history.

But I hear those new Glock kid is a pretty good gun too.,

 

Over 100 years old. Combat proven on every continent except Antarctica. Hard to argue with that sort of history.

.,

The only reason it wasn't tested there is because there wasn't anyone to shoot.

 

It is more of a feeling of Class. Not speed. Not capacity.
A quality hand fit 1911 is a pleasure to operate.
You won't hear the twang, feel the snaps and pops, or the horrible slap of the trigger reset of the plastic guns. The loss of feeling in the trigger finger from shooting Glocks is 'Just not right'.
This in not to say they do not perform to a high level, because I shoot a G-34 in IDPA. It is just not as much fun. :xeye:

The main thing is what ever we choose to shoot, is have fun and do it safely.

 

The 1911 is a warhorse. It points much more naturally than a Glock, it's much slimmer than a Glock, and it's an easier pistol to shoot accurately than the Glock.

That being said, I carry a Glock 19. But I own a 1911 and I love it, wouldn't trade it for anything. The only reason I carry a Glock is because they are tougher than a 1911, and impervious to corrosion.

Also, if I ever did have to shoot someone in self defense, I'd hate to lose my Kimber for a year while they got their stuff sorted out. The Glock is expendable.

 

Also, if I ever did have to shoot someone in self defense, I'd hate to lose my Kimber for a year while they got their stuff sorted out. The Glock is expendable.

That says it all right there, the Glock is expendable as compared to a good quality warhorse like the 1911......

There are better guns out there but one thing about it, John Browning set the standard others are still trying to deal with

 

What's not to like about a 1911. The larger capacity versions are out there, if you really need them. They are steel, hammer fired, they last and last and last, they shoot a nice heavy bullet, and of course.....John Moses By-God Browning invented the thing. Everything else is a copy or modification to the concept.

 

it's accurate and it's very easy to detail strip.

 

I just had I've always believed in personal preference I just had to ask. So long as it's not 9mm then I don't really care.

 

Plenty of 1911's chambered in 9mm out there!!

 

I've shot one before (a Kimber of some sort, if I remember correctly), and it was a pleasure. However when it comes to a gun I may actually carry and have to fight with, well, if I wanted a weapon that only held 7 rounds, I'd carry a revolver. For a semi-automatic, 10 rounds is a BARE minimum, with 12 or 13 sounding more like it. I currently carry an XDm in 9mm (19 rounds), but I'm thinking of getting the .45 (13 rounds).

 

Well This I will say for the 1911. As far as a long term survival gun goes, they are just about impossible to beat. Why you say? This is the reason. If you buy/build a quality 1911 to start with the frame/ slide /barrel will last forever. Proof of this is that the Marines recently "refurbished" thousands of old stock 1911's for reissue to Marines in Iraq and Afganistan. Many of these guns were built duriing WWII and have been in service for years.

so if I was going to be thrown into a long term survival scenario, where support, parts and service for my weapons will be non-existant, what are my primary requirments?
1: the gun/guns must be very durable to start with. 1911's got ya covered.

2: The gun/guns must be easy for the layman to repair/maintain. Again the 1911.

3: Parts must be easily available at a good price so they can be stored for future use. Again the 1911.

So for me at least the 1911 has it in the long term survival role. I can't speak for others, but for me thats why the 1911 fits where it does.

 

Blackrock you forgot the caveat that you also need stones and a file and armorers book on the 1911 so you can properly fit the parts to the gun to ensure reliable function..

Repeat after me."There is no such thing as Drop in parts for the 1911"
As stated in the other 1911 thread, this is a concern any 1911 shooter or persons thinking about it must consider. Especially from a survivalist point of view..

 

1911 Para P-13, 13 Round's of 230gr Gold Dot JHP Cocked and Locked, with no trigger travel, now I would say that's a BIG deal.

 

There are far better pistols then the 1911 out there.

Says who?

Give me steel over plastic anyday. As a pleasant side effect there is also elegance, accuracy and combat proven :thumb:

44

 

the weight of the 1911 is actually a benefit. helps absorb recoil, and you can get back on target quicker

 

Call me old fashioned, but the only auto pistols I own are:
Four 1911's, all in 45 ACP
One Colt Model 1903 Pocket Automatic, 32 ACP
One Ruger MkIII
One Walther P1
That's it, no Glocks, no plastic other than grips.

 

You doubled me up in .45's. The only ones I can think of are:

2 1911's, both in 45 acp
4 Ruger MkIII
2 Colt Woodsmans
1 Colt Huntsman
1 HD Miltary Hi-Standard

44

 

Nostalgia, fanboys & still a decent pistol if properly made but design does not lend itself well to mass production. IMHO

 

It must be nostalgia that makes them so popular. I have one as a range toy and enjoy it, but IMHO it is not in the same league as more modern designs. When firearms newbs try out my pistols, they generally like the 1911 least.

 

And that makes sense. The 1911 is a gunmans gun, not one for the masses.

But like I said in my earlier post, it has nothing to do with nostalgia for me at all. It's just the one that I can keep working as long a I will ever care about guns.
And as far as it not being in the same league as " more modern designes", well some of the best in the game would humblely disagree.
For your research pleasure:
http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/03/handgun_reviews_st_0212_lapd/
http://www.wstoa.org/team_profile_yakima.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI_Special_Weapons_and_Tactics_Teams
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1911_pistol (USMC MEU-SOC)

So if it's nostalgia, these guys must be into it BIG TIME and according to your post willing to jeprodize their own lives by carrying an "inferior pistol" when "more modern designes" are available. Sometimes something was just done right the first time, and newer is not always better.

 

The 2lb SA trigger, you can't beat it. The slimness of 1911. The ease of working on it. The beauty of the 1911. The 1911 is safer than the Glock, et al.



Btw, if you need more than 8 rnds to fix your problem, you're in alot more trouble than a handgun( or 5 more rounds) can fix.

 

The 2lb SA trigger, you can't beat it. The slimness of 1911. The ease of working on it. The beauty of the 1911. The 1911 is safer than the Glock, et al.

Trigger IMHO 2lb is to light for ccw/combat pistol
Slimmer: granted but at cost of capacity
Beauty : i could careless
Safer? How safteies do not supplement training

IMHO I'd rather have 18 9mm vs 8 .45

I'm fine with whatever a person carries as long as they carry & its reliable & round is adequate

 

There are far better pistols then the 1911 out there. .

Disagree, I'll put the accuracy and reliability of my Ed Brown Special Forces up against ANY polymer. In polymers, the only gun I put anywhere close to the 1911 is the HK45, personally (but I am very biased)

Further, the trigger on the 1911 is worlds apart from the XD or the Glock. Personally, I DESPISE Glock triggers. At the highest levels of gun various competition (USPSA, IDPA, etc)at least in the US, I would estimate 95% of the field is variations of Glock or 1911 - and Glock sponsors a LOT of shooters.

Further, take a look at elite forces that use the 1911, you might be surprised. (Edit I see blackrock provided some links)

1911 isn't for everyone. Personally, I'm far more comfortable with my own accuracy and the reliability in the 1911. 5-7 more shots doesn't mean a hill of beans if they aren't hits or there is a failure. For me, there are other weapons systems, then there is the 1911. It's all very personal, and subjective.

 

Agreed but confidence comes from training & practice whatever make the pistol is as long as it's reliable & high quality.

 

Agreed but confidence comes from training & practice whatever make the pistol is as long as it's reliable & high quality.

And here is where I suspect the variance in opinions probably vary greatly from person to person.

I've owned glocks and own a polymer currently. I was inaccurate and really dislike glock triggers. Some people love them.

 

stupid simple. last forever. designed as a secoundary weapon to save your bacon when your rifle runs out or fails.ps 1 round takes it down

 

stupid simple. last forever. designed as a secoundary weapon to save your bacon when your rifle runs out or fails.

I'm down with "A pistol is what I use to get to a real weapon."

However, they won't let me walk around with a shot gun or rifle. :

 

Carried one in the jungles of a far off never never land and learned to respect it. Now build them for my own pleasure. I own other guns, lots of them, but I respect the 1911, this old vets choice of another veteran.

 

And comeback of the week goes to--------- LETSGETREAL

Don't care about the beauty of a gun? Hand in you man card!

I LOVE IT----- LMAO

 

Shoot one, you won't have to ask again.

 

I can tell you what I personally like about my 1911. First off, it is rugged and has proven itself over 100 years of combat. The 1911 has many different levels of quality and numbers of accessories you can purchase to get exactly what you pay for. For instance, I own a Springfield Operator which comes with a number of upgraded features such as a full-length guide rod, match grade stainless steel barrel, anodized stainless steel slide, anodized aluminum frame, and Trijicon tritium night sights.

Firing my 1911 is a dream. I never have to worry about hammer bite. Trigger pull is not too light, but short to give precise firing. The weight of the gun, 34oz empty, allows for minimal recoil between shots to allow me to stay on target much more easily during quick firing. And if all else fails, I can use the all-metal construction as a melee tool. Try that with your plastic Glock!

Teardown, however, on my specific model is a pain in the ass. It is almost a three-hand job to completely disassemble and reassemble the pistol. Fortunately this is a task that is rarely required.

My wife disagrees with me on this, but I think my 1911 feels good in my hand. I have big skinny hands so I prefer the narrow profile of the 1911 over some other double-stack design pistols. I had a Taurus 24/7 Pro and did not like the way it felt in my hand at all. Being slim also makes it more easily concealed if need be, even with its full-size design.
The first time I ever fired a 1911 was on a "cheaper" model and I didn't like the grip safety. The spring in it felt too heavy. This is not the case at all on my Operator. I can limp-wrist the pistol and still get it to fire.

I LOVE the way my 1911 looks! The overall flow of the lines on the pistol are very aesthetically pleasing to me. And it's a big intimidating looking gun. I don't want to ever have to actually shoot someone, so hopefully the sight of a full-size 1911 will be enough of a deterrent if the right...or wrong...time ever arises.

I know there are other guns out there that could potentially outperform my 1911, but it has been a rock-solid performer for me. It is a quality piece that will last a long time and be a reliable shooter whenever I may need it.