TimboKhan
Member
So, today I read the article in Guns and Ammo by Garry James in which he stated that personal bias aside, he would choose the M9 over the 1911. I found it interesting to read, because even though I now own a 1911, and even though I really like it, I just don't buy that it is the be-all end-all of pistols. Additionally, I recently responded in a thread on the P90 about this subject and decided that some of my comments there might make a good thread on their own. Here are my reasons:
1. The 1911 as it is commonly viewed today is NOT the same 1911 that John Browning designed. In short, I do not buy this whole "100 years of history" nonsense. Now, you can argue that the evolution of the 1911 has resulted in an improvement over the original design, and depending on the specific thing your talking about, I can buy that. However, a Nighthawk Custom 1911 (for example) is about as similar to a "real" 1911 as an F150 is to a Model T.
2. Going with that argument, there are plenty of pistols that have enough years behind them to be proven, tested designs. The CZ-75 immediately comes to mind. Rugers P-series. Sig 220. The Beretta 92 (M9). Glocks. These are just the ones that I can think of off the top of my head, but each of them has been around at least 20 years now, and if that isn't enough time to figure out that they work, I don't know what is.
3. Custom shop pistols are nice. No doubt about it, a Wilson or a Baer is a great thing. However, from a value standpoint, they don't add up. Why spend $2500.00 on something when you can spend a third that on a different gun that will work just as well, be just as accurate, and will very likely have most, if not all, the same attributes that made 1911's popular to begin with (grip angle, cocked and locked carry). For the shortcomings (factory triggers being a good example), a gunsmith can work out the kinks and you will still be money ahead. Pride of ownership is an acceptable argument, and I am certainly not telling anyone how to spend their money. Still, from just a basic economic point of view, most custom pistols are over-priced to one degree or another.
4. Sights. Again, taking custom pistols out of the equation, most modern pistols are better than the 1911 on several fronts, with decent sights being the most major factor I can think of. Custom guns obviously negate this argument. But, going off the original design, the sights, the fit and finish, the trigger, and out of box accuracy are all sub-par compared with most pistols today.
5. Grip angle. I mentioned it above, but I think that we can agree that there are plenty of pistols available today that have the same grip angle as the 1911.
6. Capacity and caliber. I will not say that the 1911's capacity is an issue. If your comfortable with it, then what do I care? My carry pistol is a 5-shot revolver, so I obviously am not going to argue that 7 rounds isn't enough. What I will say is that from a logical standpoint, more rounds are better, at least in my opinion. The first one may do the job, but it just makes sense to me that having 14 more tries is superior to 6 more tries. There is a limit, in my mind, as to the usefulness of hi-cap mags. I think that those 50 round .45 mags are kind of dumb, and I think they throw things off. A 14 round mag seems about right. As far as caliber goes, I am a big believer in the .45acp round. Some of the pistols I mentioned above are not .45's, and that is not in their favor in my view. Then again, I enjoy shooting 9mm, and I own several. In the end, I guess I am saying that caliber aside, those pistols are as good if not superior to the 1911. If you want to factor in caliber, then that is only true of some of them.
7. Accessories. There are tons of holsters, mags, lights, grips and other assorted doodads around for pistols that are not 1911's. This is not necessarily always true, and if you don't believe me, try tacticalizing your .22 rifle that isn't a 10-22. It's hard to do. In the case of the 1911 and it's competitors, there is no shortage of customization opportunities.
8. Accuracy. Even including custom guns, there are plenty of 1911 competitors around that can equal or exceed the accuracy of the average 1911. That is not even up for argument, in my opinion.
To conclude, I will say that the 1911 is a good gun, and if you want one, then go for it. I like mine just fine, and I have no plans to get rid of it. I will say that I no longer believe (if I ever did) that it is the finest pistol ever made. For it's day, yes. Hands down, the 1911 was the best combat pistol in the world from it's conception up until about 1975 or so. No argument that it is still a great choice as a combat pistol. I am just simply saying that I don't buy that it is the BEST choice anymore. It very well may be that it is the best choice for you, but don't try to convince me that it is the the equivalent of the holy grail, because I just don't think thats true anymore.
1. The 1911 as it is commonly viewed today is NOT the same 1911 that John Browning designed. In short, I do not buy this whole "100 years of history" nonsense. Now, you can argue that the evolution of the 1911 has resulted in an improvement over the original design, and depending on the specific thing your talking about, I can buy that. However, a Nighthawk Custom 1911 (for example) is about as similar to a "real" 1911 as an F150 is to a Model T.
2. Going with that argument, there are plenty of pistols that have enough years behind them to be proven, tested designs. The CZ-75 immediately comes to mind. Rugers P-series. Sig 220. The Beretta 92 (M9). Glocks. These are just the ones that I can think of off the top of my head, but each of them has been around at least 20 years now, and if that isn't enough time to figure out that they work, I don't know what is.
3. Custom shop pistols are nice. No doubt about it, a Wilson or a Baer is a great thing. However, from a value standpoint, they don't add up. Why spend $2500.00 on something when you can spend a third that on a different gun that will work just as well, be just as accurate, and will very likely have most, if not all, the same attributes that made 1911's popular to begin with (grip angle, cocked and locked carry). For the shortcomings (factory triggers being a good example), a gunsmith can work out the kinks and you will still be money ahead. Pride of ownership is an acceptable argument, and I am certainly not telling anyone how to spend their money. Still, from just a basic economic point of view, most custom pistols are over-priced to one degree or another.
4. Sights. Again, taking custom pistols out of the equation, most modern pistols are better than the 1911 on several fronts, with decent sights being the most major factor I can think of. Custom guns obviously negate this argument. But, going off the original design, the sights, the fit and finish, the trigger, and out of box accuracy are all sub-par compared with most pistols today.
5. Grip angle. I mentioned it above, but I think that we can agree that there are plenty of pistols available today that have the same grip angle as the 1911.
6. Capacity and caliber. I will not say that the 1911's capacity is an issue. If your comfortable with it, then what do I care? My carry pistol is a 5-shot revolver, so I obviously am not going to argue that 7 rounds isn't enough. What I will say is that from a logical standpoint, more rounds are better, at least in my opinion. The first one may do the job, but it just makes sense to me that having 14 more tries is superior to 6 more tries. There is a limit, in my mind, as to the usefulness of hi-cap mags. I think that those 50 round .45 mags are kind of dumb, and I think they throw things off. A 14 round mag seems about right. As far as caliber goes, I am a big believer in the .45acp round. Some of the pistols I mentioned above are not .45's, and that is not in their favor in my view. Then again, I enjoy shooting 9mm, and I own several. In the end, I guess I am saying that caliber aside, those pistols are as good if not superior to the 1911. If you want to factor in caliber, then that is only true of some of them.
7. Accessories. There are tons of holsters, mags, lights, grips and other assorted doodads around for pistols that are not 1911's. This is not necessarily always true, and if you don't believe me, try tacticalizing your .22 rifle that isn't a 10-22. It's hard to do. In the case of the 1911 and it's competitors, there is no shortage of customization opportunities.
8. Accuracy. Even including custom guns, there are plenty of 1911 competitors around that can equal or exceed the accuracy of the average 1911. That is not even up for argument, in my opinion.
To conclude, I will say that the 1911 is a good gun, and if you want one, then go for it. I like mine just fine, and I have no plans to get rid of it. I will say that I no longer believe (if I ever did) that it is the finest pistol ever made. For it's day, yes. Hands down, the 1911 was the best combat pistol in the world from it's conception up until about 1975 or so. No argument that it is still a great choice as a combat pistol. I am just simply saying that I don't buy that it is the BEST choice anymore. It very well may be that it is the best choice for you, but don't try to convince me that it is the the equivalent of the holy grail, because I just don't think thats true anymore.
