Likes and dislikes about 1911 .45acp

G

gmz71

New member
Thought I would get some opinion's from you guys about your 1911. What are some of the advantage's and disadvantage's with model's you've palyed with?
 
I had a Colt and sold it,for other reasons,(not dislikes). The ONLY thing I didn't like was for the price, it didn't come with an adjustable rear sight. Other than that, I agree with ELJ, surely one the best designs ever, and as long as there is Steel to make them out of, the 1911 will be around.
 
its the most copied design there is so that should say something for the pistol,i have colts a bill wilson tune colt for the old days when he work on customers guns and i carry a kimber pro carry 1 everyday so you got to love the design its my fav woods gun/ self defense gun
 
Originally Posted By: ELJNothing but likes from me. Still think it is the best semi-auto EVER.


ELJ
+2 on the 1911 platform
and 0n the 45 acp im with the Texas ranger that a reporter asked why he carried a 45 and his reply was "because they dont make a 46"
I have a Kimber Custom target 45, A Para ordanace widebody 40, a SV widebody 38 supercomp,a Spring Field single stack 38 super, and a officers mdl in 9mm
Steve
 
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Love it. One of the greatest gun designs ever. Old John Mose hit this one out of the ballpark.

Pro: Powerful, for the most part reliable (many different makers of parts and magazines may cause some indigestion if certain things mismatch), very ergonomic controls for a right-hander, easily controllable with correct technique, easily field-stripped and detail-stripped, fairly compact for its caliber, sturdy, and with a huge aftermarket support.

Con: Not the best for a left-hander (though modifications help). Some old military examples have terrible trigger pulls and too-tiny issue sights (GI M1911/M1911A1). A bit big and heavy for all-day concealment wear if you're a little guy like me, but correct belt/holster combo makes a big difference. The super-shorties (3.5" barrels and under) can have some reliability issues. A casual shooter who is not mechanically inclined or interested is perhaps better off with a Glock or wheelgun.

And after owning and shooting several over 33 years, that's all the cons I can think of. This is a first-choice design that will still be in use in more than a few places when Scotty is charging hand phasers for Kirk and Spock.
 
I like them... but I've shot enough IDPA to realize they're pretty unreliable. I shot a slicked-up Colt Series 80 at our last match... and shot it very well. BUT, I had two malfuncions that cost me over 20 seconds. In about 10 other matches with my XDs I've had exactly ZERO malfunctions... repeat, ZERO. It's pretty simple to get one to work when you're standing in a bay running rounds at a target... but start moving, shooting from cover, strong hand, weak hand, etc... and you'll find out if your pistol works for you.

Don't think it's the design in and of itself... but I think it's tough for most guys to shoot them reliably. The .45ACP is a potent round... and requires a good amount of stability on the shooter's part to ensure propper function of the pistol. 9 out of 10 stovepipes and FTFs I see in IDPA are in 1911s. Sure... there are guys out there in the CDP class smoking most folks... but that's rare.

They're an American Icon... and I know it blashemous to speak of them in such terms... but I'd never trust my life to one... pass the XD please.
 
I own several 1911 frame handguns, while all of them are in the 10mm caliber, as opposed to the .45acp, the only down sides I've found to them is that they are not the most concealed carry friendly when matched against some of the newer designs in the market...

1)Heavier, and unless modified,
2) the butt can tend to hang up on loose clothing,
3) as well as 'printing' when under a light weight shirt..
4)Most are designed to be carried 'locked & cocked' and require a conscious action to release the safety...
Otherwise I have no problems with the design or reliability...

Before I start a war, let me say that
I've tried some very well made, and expensive, holsters and belts over the years,
I have yet to try one of the 'bobbed' grips,
my personal body design requires me to wear a handgun a little farther to the back than most people, and
having been a certified firearms instructor, I've witnessed numerous trained personnel engage non-stressful targets and forget to release the safety during a mild qualification...as the stress factor is increased...
 
Originally Posted By: quarterboredI like them... but I've shot enough IDPA to realize they're pretty unreliable. I shot a slicked-up Colt Series 80 at our last match... and shot it very well. BUT, I had two malfuncions that cost me over 20 seconds. In about 10 other matches with my XDs I've had exactly ZERO malfunctions... repeat, ZERO. It's pretty simple to get one to work when you're standing in a bay running rounds at a target... but start moving, shooting from cover, strong hand, weak hand, etc... and you'll find out if your pistol works for you.

Don't think it's the design in and of itself... but I think it's tough for most guys to shoot them reliably. The .45ACP is a potent round... and requires a good amount of stability on the shooter's part to ensure propper function of the pistol. 9 out of 10 stovepipes and FTFs I see in IDPA are in 1911s. Sure... there are guys out there in the CDP class smoking most folks... but that's rare.

They're an American Icon... and I know it blashemous to speak of them in such terms... but I'd never trust my life to one... pass the XD please.
Im a USPSA Master and have shot 10s of thousands of rounds thru 1911s and out of the guns i listed above i have had about 6 FTFs in the kimber and that was when it was brand new,and none since i my have had 2 in the Para which is my lmited gun prolly has 20,000rounds thru it and never had one in the SV and it has at least 20,000 thru it (Its my open gun) or the springfield.and i dont ever remember haveing one in the officers mdl.
 
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Like I said... experienced shooter. That doesn't quite relate to the average guy who buys a 1911 then tries to run it under stress. They're a great platform for a comp pistol...

Like I said... I like them... and I'm sure if you spent the time to get to know one it would work quite well. BUT, the newer polymer pistols are far more "user friendly"... particularly when stress is added to the equation.
 
Ive had quite a few over the years but I had two Sig 1911 in a row that failed miserably. I have had good luck wiht Colt and Kimber and currently have the SIS government model which is built 1970 series style with no spring guide rod so its easier to take apart and clean. I dont care for the series 80 style firing pin block either it also makes it more difficult to take the firing pin and extractor out to clean. I really like the commander size but dont have one any more. I carry glock's mostly now but have carried 1911 on and off duty and certainly never felt under gunned with it.
 
Preferences? Colt, Kimber, Para, seem to top most guys' list.
I won't be shooting any matches with it, just always wanted one. Gun show this weekend. Thanks again guys for the info.
 
Im with you on the seires 80 i hate em it was soultion to a non exsistant problem imo.
GMZ if you can find an older Kimber or a Springfield or 70 series Colt that you could afford they are all good. If your lookin for a double stack Para, STI, or SV are all good. Try and find one thats good and tight and if you stay with the major brands you will prolly be ok.
Steve
 
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I bought a Springfield Ultra Carry 5 yrs. ago. It is very compact compared to the Gov. model, but was just too heavy to carry comfortably. Very nice gun, but sold it and got a Springfield XD .45. I like it much better!!!
 
I have owned and carried a 1911 since 1969. They have served me well in combat, competition, and daily carry. I have owned and used numerous pistols and not one of them can compare to the 1911. It works everytime I pull the trigger and it just fits my hand.
It is an old friend.
to paraphrase an old saying-when it absolutely positively has to be killed, use a 1911 45ACP.
 
I just acquired a Taurus PT1911 AR in 45 ACP and I absolutely love it. Its my first 1911 and first 45. I love the pistol and cartridge. Its pretty potent round...

I haven't shot it much, only about 150 rounds, but I"ve had zero problems with it thus far. Its very accurate as well, to me anyways... I"m by no means a pistol shooter, but I put 24 rounds (3 clips) in about a 8" circle dead center at 25 yards offhand with the cheap Remington UMC 230g FMJ's.

I"m just waiting on dies and I'll be loading up some 200g Hornady XTP's for some serious fun!!
 


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