1911, why?

[Daniel]

OH! Slap me I'm stoopid:stick:

He was showing me that the Firing pin hits the primer, only by inertia. With the hammer down, the firing pin does not protrude beyond the slide. I dunno if this the way every 1911 works, but his did.

He locked the pistol open, used the flat edge of his knife to push the firing pin down and it didn't come out the other end. The "slap" of the hammer is enough to drive it forward and strike the primer.

Does that make sense, or should I just shut up and move on?

thats perfect sense and maybe its me but i already figured that seeing as it had a spring that made it bounce back in.

[Daniel]

One thing I like about the 1911 is that I think it's pretty user friendly even though it has quite a few parts. It's no problem to take one completely apart and put it back together again. I wouldn't even think about doing that to an XD or pretty much any other modern auto pistol. I like being my own gunsmith on my 1911s. Tweaking them to my liking.

i pretty much take every gun i own completely apart periodically. then again i was an armorer.

[Mark@Sea]

Astra, if the glockenspiel or some other plastic fantastic suits your fancy, good!

Why the 1911 - May be one of those questions where "If you have to ask, you'll never know". It just suits some folks to a T.

The 1911 Retrovirus is addictive, though, I'll warn you.

[Mike.357]

the 1911 helped whip the Axis powers arse. For me that is the fascination and what draws me to them. I only own one but it is enough for now.

Someone mentioned the original not having a thumb safety. I believe JMB saw no need for that. It has a grip safety along with keeping you finger off the trigger being a safety. I believe the gov't insisted on the thumb safety. Cocked and locked is the way to carry now.

[Punisher84]

To me the 1911 is just a fine fighting pistol. It was good enough for Granddad and Dad, it's good enough for some on the most elite fighting forces in the United States military, and for some of the finest LE Departments.

I like Glocks and I own an XD. It is truly personal preference, but the 1911 is the Granddaddy of semi-autos.

[Guest 04heritage]

XD45 all the way

[towerclimber37]

I carry a 1911.

It's what I like and I can operate it comfortably (i.e, my piece of mind).

I don't go cocked and locked, either. I'm no quick draw.

Maybe, I'm just old school when it comes to carrying semi-autos.

I wouldn't argue that the 1911 is superior to the XD.

After all the 1911 is 100 year old tech. and the XD is as modern as they come.

It all comes down to opinion.

I don't argue about what everybody else carries.

You got what you got, and I got what I got.

I'm not going to stir the pot on Glocks because we all know where that will send this thread. All I'll say is I own one (G21) and choose not to use it as a carry pistol.

I'm open minded about carrying an XD. I have nothing against them.

I don't own one...yet.

I've yet to study them for ownership or as a carry pistol, though.

Maybe I can be persuaded...

I will say that different firearms require different manual of arms and training practices.

I carry an EMP..which is basically a 9mm 1911. yes, I carry cocked and locked. why? because a. that is the way the pistol was designed to be carried and b. that's how I've trained.

I'm not a quick draw..I'm fairly fast but by no means a speed demon. I WILL stand fast, draw, aim and shoot what I'm aiming at...much like John Wayne in "the shootist"..I will take that extra millisecond that it'll take to put someone down with a good shot.

as for the accuracy of the 1911....I know folks who can take an off the rack Rock Island Arms .45 and shoot better than a Kimber.

its not that the pistol doesn't shoot..the problem is the shooter doesn't know HOW to shoot it.

that old saw about "don't worry about the guy with 20 guns...beware the man with just ONE"..because he'll know it in and out..and will more than likely be a dead shot with it.

I can also say that the 1911 has 5 safeties on it. the xd? umm no.

still, folks train with what they intend to carry..sadly some don't train the way they need to. some do.

If you carry an XD, well and good! it's just as good as a .45 if you can hit with it, and your manual of arms makes it safe.

Enjoy your XD and don't worry about the 1911 if you don't care to carry it.

me? I worship at the altar of the prophet....after all..his middle name wasn't MOSES for nothin!

[Guest HexHead]

I'm sorry, I just don't get it. We were talking about handguns for combat and defense. I asked him how he could fathom that any 1911 would be better for fighting than an XD or a Glock. I'm not a Glock fan, but they have the features a man in a lifethreating situation wants, as do the XD's.

The 1911 has limited magazine capacity, and you have the hammer to contend with. You either have to cock the hammer on the draw or carry cocked and locked (NO THANKS).

First of all, how many wars have those XDs or Glocks been through, before you question the 1911's legitimacy as a fighting gun? The 1911 performed admirably through WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam and is the choice now for spec ops teams. FBI field agents may use Glocks, but their HRT and SWAT teams use 1911s. You still questioning it's legitimacy as a fighting gun?

btw, don't you carry your XD cocked and locked or is it cocked and unlocked?

[Daniel]

First of all, how many wars have those XDs or Glocks been through, before you question the 1911's legitimacy as a fighting gun? The 1911 performed admirably through WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam and is the choice now for some spec ops teams. FBI field agents may use Glocks, but their HRT and SWAT teams use 1911s. You still questioning it's legitimacy as a fighting gun?

btw, don't you carry your XD cocked and locked or is it cocked and unlocked?

fixed*

[deerslayer]

that old saw about "don't worry about the guy with 20 guns...beware the man with just ONE

+1000

[Guest Astra900]

First of all, how many wars have those XDs or Glocks been through, before you question the 1911's legitimacy as a fighting gun? The 1911 performed admirably through WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam and is the choice now for spec ops teams. FBI field agents may use Glocks, but their HRT and SWAT teams use 1911s. You still questioning it's legitimacy as a fighting gun?

btw, don't you carry your XD cocked and locked or is it cocked and unlocked?

I never questioned it's legitimacy. I wanted to know why some people find them superior. I understand they can be a tad more accurate {on a paper target atleast} Some people really love the trigger, short and crisp, thats something I didn't care for myself, I prefer a little more travel, but that's personal preference. The grips were mentioned, I will admit, plastic has no warmth to it at all.

I think the thing I disliked the most other than capacity, was dealing with the hammer. There's no decocker, it's all manual. And the safety. I'm sure some of the higher end models have a much more positive safety than the 4 that I had, but I have carried all 4 of those cocked and locked, and I had to be mindful of what I was doing, I have checked the safety while I was out only to find they had worked their way off. Those 2 Colts were the worst! I replaced the spring and plunger, and on the Colt Commander I had, I even had a new tube staked in. Only helped a little:rolleyes:

JD asked if I carry an XD as well. I don't carry my XD regularly. My everyday carry for the last 7 yrs was a Taurus PT145 and even though I retired it to the safe, I still think it is one of the best concealed carry guns out there. BY far one of the safest.

Right now I carry a Ruger SP101 3 1/16 barrel .357 mag. I rarely leave home except to shoot, but when I do, I usually do carry my XD in a Blackhawk holster.

[Mark@Sea]

It is thinner, more easily carried and concealed. It is steel and wood, not last months' milk jugs. It feels better in the hand, unless you like holding bricks.

As for the thumb safety - remember, in order to discharge the firearm the grip safety must be firmly depressed, and the trigger pulled. Leaving out the thumb safety entirely, under what circumstance do you see this happening unintentionally?

As for the manual hammer - I personally prefer it. Especially with the original (wide and short) hammer. Lots of folks prefer revolvers, don't recall any made with a decocker. Don't recall them being touted as especially unsafe for the lack of it, either.

Edited November 20, 2008 by Mark@Sea

[Guest Rugerman]

I also prefer a manual hammer. I don't carry a 1911, but I carry a CZ 2075 Rami in 9mm. I carry it cocked and locked. Why? Because that is how the thing was designed. I don't like plastic too much, although I own a plastic gun, it just doesn't feel right.

I cannot stand striker fired triggers. I hate having to rack the slide every time I dry-fire to reset the triggers. I hate the travel. The lack of weight and grip designs are a bad fit for my hand. I find XD's and Glocks, etc to be top heavy and off balance in my hand.....

That being said, I don't like dejon mustard on my sandwiches, but I don't care if you put it on yours.

[Guest VolGrad]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my 1911s. They are my go to gun in the home.

I split carry time between 1911s and Glocks.

If I were going into battle I would take a Glock. This is based on the amount (less) of maintenance required and the higher capacity.

[molonlabetn]

The only real advantages the 1911 has are the slimness (for carry), the awesome trigger, and the excellent ergonomics. Other than that, it's pretty old tech (which still works just fine though) and there are higher capacity pistols on the market which are at least lighter to carry, just as accurate, and are arguably more reliable for the money.

Thing is, some folks still carry revolvers, too... there's a niche for everything, depending on your preference and purpose.

[Guest Astra900]

All good points of view.

It's basically chocolate and vanilla, whatever you like the best.

I just hate the guys always telling me that Strawberry is the only flavor.

Lots of folks prefer revolvers, don't recall any made with a decocker. Don't recall them being touted as especially unsafe for the lack of it, either.

Well, I like a revolver. A decocker isn't needed on a revolver because you don't have to cock it if you don't want to. {excluding SA's} Also, you don't have a cocked hammer AFTER you fire. Anyway, that apples to oranges.

It really does boil down to what you're good with. Would you rather; Have some punk dumba22 shooting at you with a $5000 Wilson or Jerry Miculek shooting at you with a junky .22LR???

[The Average Joe]

So do you carry half cock or hammer down?

I carry hammer down....and I'll tell you why.

I don't feel comfortable drawing with the hammer cocked.

Like the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea always says, "A man's got to know his limitations".

I'm aware enough to know that under the wrong conditions, I MIGHT draw and accidentally fire before I could get a good aim. In the time it takes to get the pistol out of the holster and up to target, I can cock the hammer, with the ounce of emotion evaporating and my focus concentrated in that action.

Worked for all the cowboys in the 1800's...good enough for me.

Alot of you XD/Glock/cocked'n'locked guys will argue this.

And you'll probably have a good arguement.

I know my gun and I can hit a target.

BUT, what it all comes down to is this: What do I know I'm capable of.

Same as my first post: It's what I'm comfortable with.

I'm sure with training and practice, practice, practice...I'd become cocked and locked with confidence, BUT until then, do you really want a guy legally walking the streets with a hand cannon ready to go off and also know he's not comfortable with the way he's got it leathered because some guy on a gun forum to him to?

The thread is pirated.

The pot is stirred.

Talk among yourselves.

[molonlabetn]

One thing to consider, and you may already know this, is that by carrying a 1911 with the hammer down, the gun has a chance of being able to discharge if it is dropped since the hammer is not held away from the pin and the safeties are disengaged.

Just something to consider.

[Guest Mugster]

Well, thats not true for all 1911's. Most modern designs have a firing pin block that blocks the pin unless the trigger is pulled.

[Guest Mugster]

I carry hammer down....and I'll tell you why.

I don't feel comfortable drawing with the hammer cocked.

Like the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea always says, "A man's got to know his limitations".

I'm aware enough to know that under the wrong conditions, I MIGHT draw and accidentally fire before I could get a good aim. In the time it takes to get the pistol out of the holster and up to target, I can cock the hammer, with the ounce of emotion evaporating and my focus concentrated in that action.

Worked for all the cowboys in the 1800's...good enough for me.

Alot of you XD/Glock/cocked'n'locked guys will argue this.

And you'll probably have a good arguement.

I know my gun and I can hit a target.

BUT, what it all comes down to is this: What do I know I'm capable of.

Same as my first post: It's what I'm comfortable with.

I'm sure with training and practice, practice, practice...I'd become cocked and locked with confidence, BUT until then, do you really want a guy legally walking the streets with a hand cannon ready to go off and also know he's not comfortable with the way he's got it leathered because some guy on a gun forum to him to?

The thread is pirated.

The pot is stirred.

Talk among yourselves.

I think you'd be better off carrying pipe unloaded or cocked and locked with one in the pipe. The reason is, its possible to go into a false half cock type of condition by mistake, and its easy to do with a .45.

If you carry this way, I'd at least have a real broad hammer mounted. My revolvers, designed to be used this way, have really massive and friendly to cock hammers on them.

[Kano]

http://www.smartcarry.com/cocklock.htm Condition One And Only

I carry a Goverment size 1911 (5" Barrel) all the time and have no problems Concealing it. I like the fact that if I had to hit some thing at 7 feet or 100 yards I could. The 1911 for me is a dream shooter that just feels good in my hands. To each his own and what ever you shoot well with and goes Bang every time you squeeze the trigger USE IT....

[Guest Mugster]

Well, that smart carry article is pretty stupid. I also doubt that any US soldier, ever, traded an M9 for a 1911. The M9 is a good piece. Plus, you'd be facing UCMJ for losing a weapon.

If your carrying a handgun, you should know that particular gun pretty well and also be familiar with firearms and shooting in general. Lowering a hammer on a live round with your thumb is just something else to be learned. I've done it 1000 times, and I'll do it a 1000 more. I've never had one go off. A discharge bucket makes some sense...more for autoloaders with free floating firing pins.

There's no particular safety issue with condition 2 carry imo...its just not the best way to carry a .45.

[Guest Mugster]

WOW you are just a real Bad A##.

Dude, I'm just trying to get by. There's so much disinformation in the gun world its tough. I try to beat back the BS whenever I can. Articles like that don't help. Some decent info and then some crap about trading M9's for .45's? Does the guy think our soldiers are horsetrading US weapons in a back alley in bora bora for communist made crap? Sheesh.

[Oh Shoot]

... Does the guy think our soldiers are horsetrading US weapons in a back alley in bora bora for communist made crap?...

Have we invaded Tahiti?

- OS

[Guest Mugster]

WOW you are just a real Bad A##. Mr. Boatman writes a column for Concealed Carry Magazine but I know you are a world class shooter and all around gun Expert...

You know what? You're right. I give up.

It must be a figment of my imagination that the firing pin blocker ever existed nor did 1980 ever happen. I think I'll roll down to Ft. Benning. I bet I can pick up some M9's in every pawn shop and sell them for scrap.

I don't think I'll post here anymore, either. I'm sure boatman can provide much more amusement than I ever did, and he's an expert after all.