handgun differences
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CortJestir
New member
A standard .45 is a 1911. 
Do you mean what is the difference between a 1911 and other .45 caliber handguns on the market today?
Do you mean what is the difference between a 1911 and other .45 caliber handguns on the market today?
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
I don't know what you mean by "standard" but 45acp is chambered in many, many, many firearms.
Many people would consider the 1911 to be THE standard.
Here are some of the variations on the 1911:
Beyond that, this gun is 45acp:
and so is this one:
There are too many variants chambered in 45acp to even count.
Many people would consider the 1911 to be THE standard.
Here are some of the variations on the 1911:
Beyond that, this gun is 45acp:
and so is this one:
There are too many variants chambered in 45acp to even count.
Last edited:
Yep, the question is not really all too clear.
"1911" refers to a style of handgun, designed by John Browning for the the U.S. Govt sidearm trials for the armed forces. It became the standard Govt Issue sidearm and remained so until 1985. These days, "1911" pistols are made not only by dozens of different manufacturers, but it also comes in many different chamberings. Though .45 ACP (same as .45 Auto) is the standard and most common chambering, it's also been known to shoot 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm, .45 Super, .460 Rowland, .50GI and even .22LR with a conversion slide, barrel, spring and magazine. Are there any I forgot?
".45 ACP" is a chambering common to many different handguns... mostly semi-auto pistols, but also a few revolvers. Outside of the "1911" style, .45's can also be found by S&W, Ruger, HK, Glock, Springfield XD, and many, many more.
The reason the 1911-style pistol is so popular these days is due to many reasons. It's quite familiar to most folks, since it's been around for so long. The design gives it very good trigger, though it does vary from pistol to pistol. Because so many different companies make it, there is also a huge aftermarket support for parts and holsters and accessories. It's design is very much loved and the platform can be made to be quite accurate. They are splattered all over the magazine covers. Add all that up and toss in the fact that some of the most well-known and historic manufacturers in the world's history are making them and it a slam-dunk that it's going to be a very, very popular style of handgun.
"1911" refers to a style of handgun, designed by John Browning for the the U.S. Govt sidearm trials for the armed forces. It became the standard Govt Issue sidearm and remained so until 1985. These days, "1911" pistols are made not only by dozens of different manufacturers, but it also comes in many different chamberings. Though .45 ACP (same as .45 Auto) is the standard and most common chambering, it's also been known to shoot 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm, .45 Super, .460 Rowland, .50GI and even .22LR with a conversion slide, barrel, spring and magazine. Are there any I forgot?
".45 ACP" is a chambering common to many different handguns... mostly semi-auto pistols, but also a few revolvers. Outside of the "1911" style, .45's can also be found by S&W, Ruger, HK, Glock, Springfield XD, and many, many more.
The reason the 1911-style pistol is so popular these days is due to many reasons. It's quite familiar to most folks, since it's been around for so long. The design gives it very good trigger, though it does vary from pistol to pistol. Because so many different companies make it, there is also a huge aftermarket support for parts and holsters and accessories. It's design is very much loved and the platform can be made to be quite accurate. They are splattered all over the magazine covers. Add all that up and toss in the fact that some of the most well-known and historic manufacturers in the world's history are making them and it a slam-dunk that it's going to be a very, very popular style of handgun.
The Norwegians adopted the M1911 with a different slide stop, they called it the M1914. Then there's the Argentine Ballester-Molina. Llama made a close
copy of the M1911. In Mexico they had the Obregon, it looked like an M1911
but had a rotating barrel instead of the swinging link.
copy of the M1911. In Mexico they had the Obregon, it looked like an M1911
but had a rotating barrel instead of the swinging link.
deadcoyote
New member
Scat...
Your post left me more confused than the original post for this thread. You just scatted all over us.
Your post left me more confused than the original post for this thread. You just scatted all over us.
#18indycolts
Moderator
1911's are overpriced and you can find better less expensive .45's.
CortJestir
New member
Blasphemy, #18indycolts!! You must now say 10 Hail John Brownings as penance.
I agree, though, that you can find less expensive .45's... Rock Island Armory, comes to mind!!
#18indycolts
Moderator
Hey it didn't work...
Really I can't see spending thousands of dollars for one gun, 1911 or not. Maybe, ok I would probably do so when I hit the lotto and could park all my over priced european sports and luxury cars in one garage. Until then I'm happy with my gold dipped $5,000 Glock.
cougar gt-e
New member
Cheaper? You can get a cheap 1911 new in box for $350.
You can also get a custom piece of art that may never leave the safe for $5000.
You can also get a custom piece of art that may never leave the safe for $5000.
Kreyzhorse
New member
Is there any other .45 than a 1911?
In all seriousness, there are a ton of guns chambered in .45 acp, both revolvers and semi-autos. Each design usually has its own merits and detractions, including the 1911 design. A lot of people, and I'm one of them, do think that the 1911 is best designed, best looking, most functional .45 in the history of mankind.
In all seriousness, there are a ton of guns chambered in .45 acp, both revolvers and semi-autos. Each design usually has its own merits and detractions, including the 1911 design. A lot of people, and I'm one of them, do think that the 1911 is best designed, best looking, most functional .45 in the history of mankind.
Sorry about that DeadCoyote. I've just started taking an interest in guns. My father-in-law is the classic collector of all things guns. I thought 45 acp was "45 automatic colt pistol" and I keep hearing about 1911's. It was my understanding that they were the same. I'm just searching for clarification but I'm sure I'm using the wrong terminololgy. I've just now been able to get back online so I'll see how much confusion I've caused. Sorry for any in conveniences. Father-in-Law is not around to explain and probably wouldn't know some of the answers I've read so far.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
You're right.
The ACP is Automatic Colt Pistol, but just to add confusion, there is also more than one "ACP". 45acp, 380acp, 32acp, 25acp and probably several that I forget.
The 45acp is simply the cartridge that John Browning chose to use in the original 1911 design.
.45 acp (and yes, acp does stand for Automatic Colt Pistol, but there are other acp calibres, like .380 acp) is just a cartridge caliber. John Browning designed it in 1904 and used it as the cartridge for what ultimately became his 1911 design adopted by the US army. But almost right from the beginning, there were other pistols chambered in it, including a pair of Luger's for US army testing.
The cartridge's reputation earned on the battlefields of WWI and WWII basically ensured it, and the 1911 pistol, would remain popular.
1911 design pistols are also chambered in other calibers, such as .38 super, 9mm and 10mm. Purest's may argue that only a single stack .45acp 1911 is a "true" 1911. But either way, to clarify your question, the 1911 is a specific pistol design, first (and arguably most popularly) chambered in .45 acp, but the .45 acp cartridge is used in a wide variety of auto-loading pistols, DA, and SA revolvers, as well as fully automatic weapons such as the Thompson.
The cartridge's reputation earned on the battlefields of WWI and WWII basically ensured it, and the 1911 pistol, would remain popular.
1911 design pistols are also chambered in other calibers, such as .38 super, 9mm and 10mm. Purest's may argue that only a single stack .45acp 1911 is a "true" 1911. But either way, to clarify your question, the 1911 is a specific pistol design, first (and arguably most popularly) chambered in .45 acp, but the .45 acp cartridge is used in a wide variety of auto-loading pistols, DA, and SA revolvers, as well as fully automatic weapons such as the Thompson.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Now THAT will cause some infighting!
There are many manufacturers. Prices range from $350 new to probably $5000 or more and quality ranges from absolute garbage to flawless.
Probably Colt and Springfield are going to be good quality, budget friendly options, but even in just those two makers you will find several variants that are all "1911".
The 1911 might be expensive for some, (me included) but you get what you pay for.
You can get a cheap 45(non-1911) that is dependable and accurate. But after you empty the mag, the only thing left in your hand is a cheap gun.
When shooting a quality 1911, you have a weapon that is dependable and accurate. But after you empty the mag, what is left in your hand is a QUALITY weapon, a piece of art and a darn-fine family heirloom.
You can get a cheap 45(non-1911) that is dependable and accurate. But after you empty the mag, the only thing left in your hand is a cheap gun.
When shooting a quality 1911, you have a weapon that is dependable and accurate. But after you empty the mag, what is left in your hand is a QUALITY weapon, a piece of art and a darn-fine family heirloom.