How many 1911's are too many?

If one had to give up eating to buy another 1911; I'd say that next one is too many. I think I had six, just sold three. So, I think, I now have three: 2 STI's-five and six inch target models and a SA RO. Sold the DW and a couple of SIG's. Also have a 2011 STI Match Master.

I did an inventory of my guns recently. So, for the first time I knew what I had at that time. But, I hadn't tracked platforms. Gave up shooting .45ACP because of my arthritis; that meant selling six guns, some 1911 models.

I'm a latecomer when it comes to the 1911. Shoot them in my younger years, more than 70 years ago. Qualified with them in the military, along with the S&W Combat Masterpiece, M16, M30 Carbine (?), etc. Started shooting 1911's regularly around late 2013.

Really like the platform. But, right now I can't think of one that's calling my name. I keep thinking of a high end one (high cost), but haven't been able to convince myself to buy one.

I may have enough. Maybe not.;)
 
I have 6 1911s, so far. But i also have 2 Star Model B, which is very similar.

I am at a point that i would want to sell one before adding another.

I think.

The only pure addition would be a pre-1960 C&R, and preferably a 1930s model.

The OP has some more to add before 'too many' is reached.
 
I have 8, so the number is 9.... Until I get 9, then I suspect the number will be 10. I'm positive it's something less than 20.
 
I have four:

45acp
40 S&W
9mm
380

But there are some calibers I am missing, along with many barrel lengths, double and single stack of each caliber...

I figure I am at least 20 short.

:)
 
Only two here. :( Both Colt. At one time I had three, all in .45acp. Seemed to be able to shoot them regularly. Wouldn't want one getting jealous now would I? Thinking about adding one in 9mm, probably Springfield.
 
Guessing I have about a dozen but I collect the 1911 guns with a focus on the Colt MK IV Series 70 guns. Looking for a nice Colt Series 70 chambered in 9mm to compliment a 38 Super I recently found.

Ron
 
I am currently at a dozen and am pretty content with the collection, I have quite a variety of styles but the majority are Colts.
 
If 1911s are impeccably reliable, I'm all for them. But I've seen expensive Kimbers and others jam on the firing line. I also had a Star BM 9mm I really liked and it would occasionally malfunction. I had a low opinion of 1911s because I never felt I could totally trust the dern things to go bang without a failure to feed or eject. It's one reason I wanted a Beretta 92 when it was developed.

The S&W 59 was the first DA auto and was essentially a DA 1911. Alas, it too had a spotty record, but not its successors. The 459 had a malfunction rate of one in 952 rounds, which is great. But the Beretta had a malfunction rate of one in 2,000 rounds. The Colt 1911 pistol did so poorly that its failure rate wasn't even recorded. But the 459 and subsequent versions showed the design could be made to work, and the 659 quickly became my favorite 9mm to this day.



The S&W 645 (top) and 659 are two DA 1911s I love.

The Beretta, S&W and the Sig Saur showed that ultra-reliable autos could be made, but I don't know how well today's 1911s do today. And though I don't have a zero tolerance for malfunctions, I'm the next worst thing.

So one 1911 that malfunctions is too many as far as I concerned.
 
I'll answer this they way I answer this question "How many guitars do you need?" My answer is always the same, "Just one more!"
 
Can't have 2 many Start with a good Colt Government and work your way. All the way down to a Defender in 45 acp Then start up in 9mm and pick up a 38 super or 2 along way. Don't forget to get the steel and LTW models also.

Then can move to Dan Wesson ,Bare ,Brown ,Wilson and so on.

Sorry forgot got to own at least 1 original USGI also.

Maybe a Washington state Detonics Combat master

They can be addictive.

I don't consider a DA/SA a 1911 :rolleyes: 1911 is a SA only

I like my old Colt Officer enhanced for carry After seeing movie. Heat ,just had to have one.
 
I am another "can't have too many". I have a Kimber Custom (pre series II), a stainless Colt Government Series 80, a Colt Commander, a Springfield Armory GI, and a Springfield Armory Ultra Compact, all in .45ACP.

They may all look similar to people who don't really care that much for them but to me they are each very different pistols and not five of the same gun. I enjoy shooting each of them.
 
As long as you don't excessively duplicate the exact same model, I wouldn't worry too much. But if you have several of the same thing, you may need to seek help.....especially if you never SHOOT any of them, but simply look at them, which I don't understand....

I suppose if you want to have one pristine safe queen/collector and one shooter, that is fine. But not one for every day of the week...:eek:
 
I've never had a set number of any guns that I was working towards. I have a number of 1911s, mostly Colts (several of those are customs), but also a Baer, a Turnbull, and a Springfield TRP. I'm not actively in the market for any guns right now but I'm a buyer if something catches my eye or the price is right. I carry 1911s so I buy and trade with that use in mind, though I have a soft spot for vintage customs from known 'smiths and shops.

I've had more in the past but sold off a bunch of safe queens several years ago.
 
I have three Colts....a 1974 Series 70 with a 5" barrel, an O4691 Combat Commander and an O1992 9mm. I would like to have two Colt LW Commanders in .45 acp and 9mm, a Combat Commander in 9mm and an O1991. Money is too tight to do that though. So, I guess three is enough for me even though I would like to have seven.
 
How many golfers use one club? Every different club has a unique use and every different 1911 has a...well, you see where I'm going. :)
 
This was covered some years back by the late author , Gene Hill . In response to the question , " how many guns are enough ? " , posed by the wife of one of his readers , he explained that men don't consider that question . Instead , they think , " what guns don't I have ? "
So I would suggest that if you share the fever , you are constantly thinking , " what 1911 don't I have ?" I believe I am up to 16 plus the three I should never have sold or traded .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top