What makes a 1911 "the gun"?

[mikec]

Hell, I'll even offer that the 1911 may not be Browning's best design. His BEST design is in my opinion the M-2 heavy machine gun.

I want to see you carry that on your duty belt.

 

[TheGibster]

Just look at it... Would you look at it?

Yep. IMVHO a 1911 is a Playboy centerfold. A Glock is, um, not.

 

[joppaj]

I want to see you carry that on your duty belt.

Meh, I like the Glock on my duty belt. Now if you'd offer me one for a patrol "rifle", it would make felony vehicle stops a very different environment.

(Sorry OP, I'll stop the threadjack now)

 

[ma_deuce]

Love me some Ma Deuce.

+1.

 

[HardHatMan]

1911's are beautiful guns and great shooters. I think the reason they are so popular is because of the history behind them. I own one, but I have never shot it. It's a Colt from WW1 that my great grandfather carried. It's 99 years old. I have shot a few of my friends 1911's and it made me want to buy one that I can shoot.

Now as far as a defensive pistol, I would not want to carry one. They are heavy and have low capacity. All of the stories about unreliable 1911's is another reason I wouldn't want to carry one. I wouldn't mind having a malfunction while I'm plinking away at the range, but in a SD situation, a malfunction could get me killed.

 

[montoya32]

1911's are like the Harley Davidson of guns. They are not the most modern design, don't out perform other guns and need lots of attention, but they have a nostalgic draw and have a cult following.

 

[Indiana Jones]

forgot to mention that it has the best sounding rack of any handgun ever made. very distinct. you know when somone is using a 1911.


if its not x39 nemesis doesnt like it haha i kid i kid

 

[squirrels]

The 1911 is the pattern on which most modern self-loading semi-automatic pistols are based.

I don't believe it is "the best" of them, but it was the first. And very few modern semi-autos have a true single-action trigger like the 1911 does, making it an excellent choice for range/match shooting.

Most of the rest is rabid fanboi-ism.

 

[smores]

God spoke to John Moses Browning, and He instructed him to build the perfect hand gun. So he did, and it was very good.

Among 40-odd others he designed. John Moses Browning was a true freaking genius. Kalashnikov made a decent assault rifle... while ole JMB developed every thing from lever actions, to belt-fed machineguns, semi-auto and shotguns to handguns. He developed several weapons and calibers that have been in use around the world for the last 100 years or so...



ETA: I have 3 1911s myself, and will probably acquire more as the years go on. They were the AR-15 of handguns before the AR-15 ever came around. You can really build these for about any purpose. While they take some work to get running like a sewing machine, a well-tuned one is truly a beautiful thing. My favorites are the nice customs of today (WC, Rogers Precision, Doug Turnbull) and the original pre-WWII 1911s. They command a respect that only someone who knows these guns inside and out can appreciate. Honestly I've never been impressed with a 1911 that retailed for $1200 or less (not counting the originals because they used to be under $50 IIRC).

 

[nomo613]

i got a million of em

 

[nomo613]

 

[nomo613]

 

[Lou45]

OP, don't fall for all this 1911 made up hype, it's just a bunch of guys trying to make up for the lack of other personal shortcomings. If you want to shoot 45acp, buy a Highpoint and save yourself a thousand dollars.

 

[Cai]

45 ACP is for the members of the 50 lb bench press club. Real men shoot a 44 magnum.

A 1911 IN 44 magnum.

/thread

 

[clandestine]

Everyone should have one. I will make another one for my small armory.

The 1911 is not unreliable when the proper compenents are tolerances are used to build them. The G.I. MILITARY 1911 is a perfect machine, yes perfect. The problem is people tightening them up and not fitting parts properly, using cheap base components, and not knowing how to make a tightened gun run reliably. It CAN be done but a tard-yokel wont pull it off, nor will a book or the internet. It takes years of skill to truly master a MODIFIED 1911 to give respect to the Designer, History, and Legendary Reputation.



Mine will be be a Colt G.I. Type with:
C&S Classis FCG (Bobbed Hammer)
Lowered and Flared Ejection Port
10-8 Rear FIXED Sight
Gold Bead Dovetailed Front
Wilson MSH with Lanyard
EGW Extractor
Full External Blend Job/Internal Reliability Job
Micarta Simulated Rosewood Grips
Flush Barrel/Bushing
Additional Threaded Barrel for Suppressor Use
Wilson Bulletproof Ambi Safety (Bobbed to look like a Retro Safety)
Wilson Mags

Black Chrome Finish

 

[krashmania]

Shoot one before you decide to buy, cause I love the look, but most single stack ones feel too small in my hands. I know that can be remedied with grips, but it's just something to consider.

 

[BlackBart]

I def love the looks of the 1911, what makes it "the unequivocal gun to own". It seems that if you're a gun fan, you must own a 1911 but what makes them more special than any other pistol or revolver? Then there's the problem of how do you pick one to own with every gun maker in the world making their copy and then each gun maker has 14 different models within its line as well?

Not so sure, ask any Luger owner. BOTH high want collector pistol BUT the Luger has more mystique about it. Sorry but the P08 is THE sexiest son of a bitch around.....just MY opinion.

 

[Rattlesnake46319]

OP, don't fall for all this 1911 made up hype, it's just a bunch of guys trying to make up for the lack of other personal shortcomings. If you want to shoot 45acp, buy a Highpoint and save yourself a thousand dollars.

Make sure you buy some yellow paint so you can say you have a DeWalt chambered in .45 ACP.

 

[hairba111]

The Gospel According to John (Moses Browning)

This explains it.

http://www.frfrogspad.com/jmb.htm

 

[Lou45]

Make sure you buy some yellow paint so you can say you have a DeWalt chambered in .45 ACP.

RS, you know what I'm doing. Will the others figure it out???