Talk me out of getting a 1911.

OK, it’s winter, but with the amount of snow out there I can see it’s going to be a long one. Firearms boredom is setting in.

I made the mistake of casually looking at handguns the other day and now I’m in love. With a Ruger 1911 .45 ACP.

I was never much of a fan of the old-school mil-spec 1911 platforms. Mainly because you couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with them and that would be even if you were standing inside of said barn. The old standard mill spec Colt’s had a reputation and even though I’ve only shot 2 of them, I consider that rep well-deserved.

Obviously a lot has changed now that the designs have become sporterized with match-grade barrels, high-end triggers, etc. Both the Ruger and the Kimber 1911 platforms had terrific features and everyone is telling me that they are as accurate as any other autoloader caliber on the market.

Now I’m ASSUMING all this translates into a gun that you can hit something with. To be clear, I’m used to being able to plink away at a tennis-ball sized steel target with my Browning Buckmark and make it ring 8 shots or more out of 10 at 10 meters. So anything other than that level of accuracy is going to be a letdown to me.

I don’t care about carrying or CC. Ammo cost is not really that big of a deal because I will reload and I’m not planning on shooting thousands of rounds a year. I’m not really put off by the lower (compared to 9 MM or .40 S&W) mag capacity.

Go on, play devil’s advocate. Why shouldn’t I get a 1911?

Grouse

I am and will always be a die hard Glock man. My little bro on the other hand is a 1911 man. And works on them for a living. HE let me shoot his standard Gi model Springfield and I liked it. Then HE customized his Springfield Standard GI’s trigger and ejector port to start off with and had me shoot it again. Then I loved it. Now I want one pretty bad too. With some work done of course.

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Why shouldn’t I get a 1911?

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You came to the wrong place if you’re looking to be talked out of a gun purchase.

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I am and will always be a die hard Glock man. My little bro on the other hand is a 1911 man. And works on them for a living. HE let me shoot his standard Gi model Springfield and I liked it. Then HE customized his Springfield Standard GI’s trigger and ejector port to start off with and had me shoot it again. Then I loved it. Now I want one pretty bad too. With some work done of course.

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Yes, nothing against Glocks or Glockesque handguns out there. The attaction to me is that the 1911 is iconic.

Also, on an asthetic level, I love the slim lines and thin feel of the 1911.

As it was once put to me, the Glock is the SUV of the handgun world. Surpremely functional in a wide variey of conditions. The 1911 is the Corvette. It doesn’t win any contest based on function. It’s all about form and feel and history and all those other things that you can’t buy or design for.

Grouse

Now…. how in the world are we supposed to talk you out of something when you keep defending it? You’ve put us in an impossible position!

I have a weak spot for the Kimbers myself. I’m in no hurry but I’m quite certain I’ll have one someday.

If your looking for a flat out accurate 45 ACP. Armscor Rock Island Armory for accuracy and cost are tough to beat. It does get some down talk because it is not one of the high end name brands but I have yet to have any body say they are not accurate and the company stands behind there product.

If you were closer you could take and shoot mine I think you would be impressed with the accuracy. One reason I keep 1,000 45 ACP rounds around the thing flat out shoots.

Once you get the 1911 bug it is hard not to buy more.

I have a essex frame built 1911 that shoots 50 in 5 shots at 50′ indoors slow fire target they are accurate when built for accuracy! I can’t say anything bad about them!
Stan

Grouse, you strike me as a Mauser type of guy

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Grouse, you strike me as a Mauser type of guy

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Ummmm, say what?

Grouse

Suzuki is the only guy I know who doesn’t care for this platform. I personally don’t have enough experience with them to have an educated opinion yet. I’m hoping he will elaborate bit because I can’t remember the details for his reasoning. I do know he had a very negative experience that I suspect is fueling his decision.

Why not to buy a Ruger 101

Huh….can’t think of a reason…..disregard.

Class dismissed.

They say everyone should have one. I probably never will unless it is given to me. I don’t like the firing and safety mechanisms on that design. To load means de-cocking or leaving it cocked and locked unless you are shooting it right there. Both feel dangerous to me. Similar to loading an old lever Winchester. I once sat next to a guy in his beautiful new home as he discharged one trying to load and de-cock.

They only hold 7 rounds. wow. I suppose as a range gun they are nice but I would never carry one.

Did that help?

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Grouse, you strike me as a Mauser type of guy

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Ummmm, say what?

You wanted a reason…..I’m not much of a handgun guy. I just enjoy checking out and occasionally shooting old antiques

Grouse

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They say everyone should have one. I probably never will unless it is given to me. I don’t like the firing and safety mechanisms on that design. To load means de-cocking or leaving it cocked and locked unless you are shooting it right there. Both feel dangerous to me. Similar to loading an old lever Winchester. I once sat next to a guy in his beautiful new home as he discharged one trying to load and de-cock.
They only hold 7 rounds. wow. I suppose as a range gun they are nice but I would never carry one.
Did that help?

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FYI… They do make 1911 with a hammer block like on some of the Revolvers. So that when you Decock the firearm a little plate thing comes up and blocks the firing pin. I can’t remeber what model 1911 I saw this on but they have one at the range when I was there. I’ll have to check into that and let you know who made it.

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You wanted a reason…..I’m not much of a handgun guy. I just enjoy checking out and occasionally shooting old antiques

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While no doubt the Mauser is an interesting piece, I guess it’s a little too obscure for my handgun tastes. To be honest, the Mauser has always impressed me as being built from a kit by someone who couldn’t follow directions.

Now to Suzuki, I’d say that while you are correct in those well-known characteristics of the 1911, they are also just that–well known.

To me, the “practical” choice would be something like an M&P in .40. I’m just kind of bored by black guns these days. Adding a stainless steel slide doesn’t do it for me either.

Grouse

Do you have a SIG yet? I have one and cant shoot it worth a dam but it is a fine piece of machinery. Maybe I just need to spend more time with it.

WELL TFG DID YOU GET ONE???????????? They are addicting once you own one.

Did you see the new Marine Core 1911 featured in the latest NRA Rifleman magazine? It’s sweet!! You guys are passing your sickness on to me now!!!!

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WELL TFG DID YOU GET ONE???????????? They are addicting once you own one.

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In the interests of marital harmony and self-preservation, I did not buy a 1911. Yet. One has to be careful these days, with ammo becoming more and more available, there is the now the real possibility that Mrs. Grouse could show her disapproval by running a few rounds through an unapproved purchase.

Also, I have to actually find one in stock and not at a big box chain store.

But when I do, well…

Grouse

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Also, I have to actually find one in stock and not at a big box chain store.

But when I do, well…

Grouse

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Check out Element arms in Becker.