.45 ACP 1911 still the King

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T

The Observer

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My observation in all Target Ranges in my country is that, the .45in ACP still dominates the gun circle and I believe it is the same to many countries in the world. Would this mean that shooters (Military, Police, Civilian Alike) still trust the long use and historical pistol. There might be something special in it, be it mystical, or they just depend much on its proven fire power, mild blast, easily handled when correctly learned to hold on and many special traits on it. For if this 45 acp 1911 is an obsolete model as many claimed already compared to the new breed of pistols why does it is still the major option of real pistolero for self defense and target shooting. I had 9mm but most of the time I fondle my 45 acp and very much charmed by its big bore, it is like giving me more assurance if being used for its intented purpose compared to my smaller bores pistols.

Appreciate to hear the positive and negative reactions from any one- for me to learn more.

Thanks
 
Of course after 90+ years, there are still nay sayers that claim the 1911 design is an "antique" and modern guns are better :rolleyes:

It's fortunate AND unfortunate that the design was so heavily replicated by various companies. Some have done a great job in building custom 1911's while others have butchered the name. In doing so, those that have butchered it gave the 1911 a bad rep in terms of reliability.

Unfortunately, many in the general shooting community recognizes the 1911 as a whole and not as a design. In other words, when you say "X brand pistol is a jam-o-matic", the majority group all 1911's together when they think of your particular problem instead of X brand made by X company.

The original design withstood the tests of several major wars. In itself, the original US GI 1911's were very reliable with ball ammo. Though most rattled worse than a baby's toy, they still went bang.

The 1911 has also become the basis for many of today's "modern" handgun designs. H&K credit a lot of their pistols to John Moses Browning's ingenious 'antiques'.

From H&K's page:

HK USP Pistols
The HK USP (Universal Self-loading Pistol) is the first HK pistol designed especially for American shooters. Features favored by US law enforcement and military users provided the design criteria for the USP and its controls are uniquely American, influenced by such famous designs as the Government Model 1911 pistol.
Click to expand...
Now those modern polymer handguns (fine guns too btw) are a far cry from the original metal and wood of the Colt 1911A1 but the influence is still apparent!

Some things get better with age like fine wine and cheese :)
 
45ACP is a nice time proven cartridge. Others can get the job done though. I carry a little of each. :)
 
I am very happy to hear a voise of reason in this far-to-P.C. world.

In my opinion the 1911 .45 is the best pistol ever made, bar none.

I own a CZ75 Compact in 9mm just because it was the best pistol in my price-range when I turned 21. I really wanted a Kimber Carry Pro...That's life.

For many years now, since the 80's, law enforcement thinking has centered around politically corect policies, including the caliber and model of department sidearms. They wanted a cartridge that didn't look as "mean" and the .45 and .357 rounds. Thus the 9mm. Just recently some more progressive (if that is a good word to discribe it) deparments have decided to go back to the .45 round and thus offer the new 1911 models to their beat cops. Also offered (I am thinging of the specific case of Tacoma, WA PD) are Glocks and other models chambered in .45ACP.

As a future cop (hopefully) I am pleased to hear that there are some departments out there arming their officers with guns that are accurate, hard hitting, and durable pistols. After all, if I got to carry any gun I wanted, and wasn't worried about concealability, I would choose the venerable Colt 1911 in .45ACP.
 
the 1911A1 design is a fine design. The king? ho ho ho... NO!

Americans are influnenced in two ways to believe the 1911 is king. ISPC and the fawning coverage of both IPSC and the custom pistolworkers who made thier fortunes on the 1911 design by the Gun Rags. In fact thier are many pistols with superior designs that are smaller, more powerful, more comfortable in the hand, etc... though none is all things at once ;)

In fact americans always buy what the US army likes... witness the ridiculous acceptance of the Berretta by the public as a self defense gun despite it's huge (relatively ) size, what grandpa had, and what the media tells them to buy. The media, influnced by the huge cash cow of IPSC pistols said 1911 or you are a goober and Americans bought it big time.

Lets face it the american gun buying public is extremely conservative and new is 'scary'

shiro
 
I am of the belief the Baretta is popular because of Mel Gibson in "Lethal Weapon 1-4" rather than the US Army.
 
I started my gun owning experience with an open mind, alot of research, and ultimately a SIG 229 40S.&W.

This purchase was followed by two more SIGs, several revolvers, and eventually two 1911A1s.

Of the semi-autos, the SIGS have come to sit on the shelf more and more. That's because I can shoot the 1911s better. Range time is a lot more satisfactory when you are hitting the target.

The SIGs are well engineered and very acurate, but for me the 1911s that I own shoot better. I suppose it is the way they fit my hand. All I know is they shoot better. And feel better. And look better.
 
The King?

I dunno about all that. I don't believe the community of handguns has a "king"; a 'ruling council', perhaps, of which the 1911 is definitely the senior member. But modern DA *&* wheelguns, HP1935's, HK's, Glocks, SIGs and Beretta 92's all sit at the same table.
 
I don't know that it is a "progressive" police department that issues .45 ACP to its officers.
I think it is a publicity move to influence both the officers and public. The rank and file may feel more bad a$$ with it, and the public may think the officers are more effective.
A better move may be to improve training for officers. The old training and qualification training had officers shoot at 50 yards and 25 yards. Now training is very liability influenced.
Don't get me wrong, I think that new training with tactics in mind is great. I just don't feel that police officers on average get the intensive training as they need.
The .45 ACP does not change this. Tactics and accuracy first, caliber second.

The 9*19 mm is an even more venerable round. Looking around various ranges this is the most common round.
 
Of course after 90+ years, there are still nay sayers that claim the 1911 design is an "antique" and modern guns are better

This is true. Modern guns are better and it is an antique that is better used on the target range than in a ccw or police holster in my oppinion. Many disagree however.
PAT
 
croyance

THis is not true many progressive agencys issue 45 acp's its just that their smart enought not to issue them that caliber in 1911's. About 5 state agencies issue 45's. Several city departments issue 45's. Here in Alaska the largest police agency Anchorage PD issues Glock 45's. Fairbanks also uses that same weapon as does my department Bethel. I am moving to a new department and will be able to carry my Glock 31 with much delight. The 45 is still a popular round and its a good round. Its not the only round however and its not the very best in my oppinion.
PAT
 
witness the ridiculous acceptance of the Berretta by the public as a self defense gun despite it's huge (relatively ) size,

ITs no bigger than a 1911 and it offers greater reliability. I don't like it as much as Glocks but its still a very good accurate reliable design.
PAT
 
weldon,

Respectfully, I think the main reason people buy Berettas is because they are reliable and inexpensive. Good looking is your opinion. They are also big and clunky feeling to me. If you like em, that's cool.

Mr. sigfan, however is suffering from some kind of newer is better misconception. It wouldn't bother me so much if he said IMHO or somesuch, instead of stating it as though anyone who doesn't agree is a feeble old geezer.
 
355 sigfan: the beretta 92 is a good bit thicker than a 1911.

And while you are at it, please enlighten me on how a "modern" auto is better than a 1911, I would really like to know.

Are you talking about any 1911 brand in particular? Which ones do you have experience with?
 
I like 'em all. Currently own a Kimber Custom Eclipse II, HK USP 45, Glock 21C and thinking about a Sig to add to the fam, but currently making a budget to purchase another 1911.

I must say my 1911 wins hands down on grip feel and comfort (love that front 30LPI checkering), accuracy and consistency, and definetely looks - I guess I just like it better, and so do hundreds of thousands of other people...
 
1911? just a fad;)

Seriously, This gun was issued when the airforce was still using Bi-planes and pilots trying to drop bricks on one another was an accepted combat technique. The fact it is even in the running is a tribute to it. The Glock is better for most things though :)
 
Just an observation, but most shooters will gravitate to the 1911 and the 45acp round if you take the sport seriously. There has to be something to it if it attracts so many people. :):rolleyes:
 
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