Ok kids, way back in the 1980s high capacity semi automatic pistols in 9x19 were making inroads with military and police forces across the globe. The civilian market soon followed with the introduction of the plastic fantastic Glock. Heck, the US Army even went with an aluminum framed Italian pistol holding 15 rounds in the magazine.
The 1911 is dead, right? The new pistols of the future are firmly displacing John Moses Browning's service pistol for good. Hollowpoint bullets are on the market, it looks like the europellet is going to replace the 45.
For a while it looked that way, and then came the 1994 AWB, which limited new pistols sold to a 10 round magazine ("Clinton Clips" as they were called....) and suddenly having 8 rounds of 45 ACP in a semi auto pistol looked a lot more sensible. After all, if you have to choose between 10+1 of 9x19 and 8+1 of 45 ACP the old warhorse doesn't seem so bad.
So the 1911 enjoyed a bit of a popularity lift due to artificially constrained market forces, and next thing you know there are a whole bunch of crap manufacturers cranking out 1911s that jam like crazy. So the plastic guns get a reputation for "teh ultim8" in reliability (when in truth all guns fail, some just more spectacularly than others).
As a result of all thise, the 1911 market is still saturated because no one holds the patent on the design. You and I could start cranking out 1911s in any machine shop that had a CNC milling machine, bench vise, file and stone set. This is not a complicated gun to manufacture, but like any JMB design, requires some hand fitting to run perfectly.
Eventually the AWB sunsets like all crappy legislation should, and 1911s coast on popularity for a bit longer (being the worlds longest serving Service Pistol does mean something after all, what that is exactly I couldn't tell you). Now those who got into shooting in the AWB are ditching the 1911 and going back to plastic guns. There is nothing wrong with that.
Nor is there anything wrong with the 1911 design, it is a big steel pistol that handles 45 ACP better recoil wise than many of those plastic guns handle 9x19. The 1911 is a great beginners gun since is really is a pussycat and as Tam said "stupid easy to shoot well." Tam went back to a plastic pistol, nothing wrong with that. My next pistol will not be a 1911, likely it will be a compact 9x19 of some sort.
Will the 1911 enjoy a second resurgence some time in the future? Who knows, nobody I knew back then would have predicted the rise from the ashes of the 45-70. Of course old tech is proven tech. The Garand is a mechanical monstrosity that still puts serious lead downrange, the same can be said for the 1911. In the end a flying chunk of copper and lead doesn't care one whit about the launching platform.
About Me
- AM
- Raised by conservative Christian parents, enlisted in the Army at 18, used the GI Bill to finish college, and I'm back in the Army. Along the way I've encountered a huge cast of characters, some I got into trouble with, some that passed on skills that have helped me on my life journey.
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9 comments:
I've noticed an up-tick in the 1911 is done mantra lately. IMO the 1911's perceived re-coil is at-least equal to a 9x19 if not less, I own both. I think the .45 is a smoother shooting weapon.
A little prone to malfunction, I do contend that factory loaded ammo is a factor. Wherever the debate leads, the 1911 will be one of my favorite guns to shoot.
As to recoil there is always a relationship between cartridge and weight. A big steel .357 magnum like an S&W model 19 or a Colt trooper with a 4-6 inch barrel is pleasant to shoot with hot .357 ammo while a 16 ounce super ultra light revolver with a 2 inch barrel is about nuts. It is just like engines and cars. Put a 454 into a school bus and you have a normal school bus, put it into a tiny corvette and you have a crazy package.
IMO one of the biggest issues with the 1911 for practical use (asssuming the specific gun in question functions) is that most people don't actually carry them. They are big and heavy and by the nature of people gravitate to glove boxes and night stands.
I've got a old Llama 1A that I carry daily. I did a little tune up work on it and it will eat anything I feed it. IMO still the best. Maybe someday I will buy a plastic gun just to have one around.
1911: God's Pistol.
Kerodin
III
There's one group of folks for whom the 1911 will always be tops. That's people like me who have the misfortune to have very small hands and short fingers
When I pick up up a Glock my trigger finger barely hits the back of the trigger, but with a 1911 and a short trigger I can hold the gun comfortably with the proper grip and still get the first pad of my finger on the trigger.
My daughter who is 5'1" carries a lightweight Commander, it's the most comfortable handgun for her to shoot. She tried shooting a Kahr PM9 but with self defense ammo the recoil was actually much worse than with a 1911, although they are nice for summer carry.
The HiPower is almost as good, JMB was the savior for those of us born challenged in the hand department.
Good point Ryan,
With regard to the 454 analogy, the less mass behind the energy the less control of the overall action of the weapon.
When I hear capacity as an overall decisive factor in a weapon choice, I pause, unless you are in the midst of an epic firefight capacity is the least of your worries.
Eye on target and the ability to control the weapon is most important.
At the age of 14 I got my first pistol, and it was a 1911 mfg. in 1918. My oldest son still shoots it and all I've ever done is throat the barrel and replace the springs. My issued duty pistol is a G22, and I took the Glock Armorer course, so I have a pretty good idea what I'm working with. The 1911 is still King. Even a dummy like me can slick one up with basic hand tools and the .45ACP round is just plain hard to beat. Learn to shoot and put the rounds on target and 8 rounds will get the job done with some left over.
The first firearm I ever purchased was a M1911A1. I've had since 1971 and I will never sell it. I'm constantly amazed at how pleasant it shoots in comparison to my HK 45C, my XD .45ACP (Service), and my Glock 19.
I carry the HK or the Glock for concealed carry, but the M1911A1 remains my first love.
MAJ Mike
Gods pistol is correct. K.... anyone who wants to dump there 1911' s let me know .........love that. 45
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