Is the 1911 Still Relevant?

[SCMikeyP]

And I think that a weapon that is inferior in the main areas of concern for self-defense means it is irrelevant.

Well that's where we will have to agree to disagree. I don't believe the 1911 comes up short in any area of concern for modern day self defense. For carry, maybe for some. For a go to war, or shtf scenario, perhaps.

Are there lighter guns - Yes. Higher capacity guns - Yes. Easier to carry guns - Yes.

In the end if you are comfortable with the 1911 and have it with you for carry or home defense, will it stop a threat - Definitely

I'm not saying it's for everyone, or the BEST option, but relevant? It's far from irrelevant. A reliable, auto loading, .45 caliber with out of the box AND after market customization that can tweak it's fit and performance for any interested shooter... sounds pretty relevant to me.

 

[Trey Veston]

Well that's where we will have to agree to disagree. I don't believe the 1911 comes up short in any area of concern for modern day self defense. For carry, maybe for some. For a go to war, or shtf scenario, perhaps.

Are there lighter guns - Yes. Higher capacity guns - Yes. Easier to carry guns - Yes.

In the end if you are comfortable with the 1911 and have it with you for carry or home defense, will it stop a threat - Definitely

I'm not saying it's for everyone, or the BEST option, but relevant? It's far from irrelevant. A reliable, auto loading, .45 caliber with out of the box AND after market customization that can tweak it's fit and performance for any interested shooter... sounds pretty relevant to me.

I agree with everything you posted. I think we are just taking different views of the term "irrelevant".

For me, when choosing a carry pistol, the 1911 platform never entered the pool of possible choices due to the limited capacity, larger size, heavier weight, and spotty reliability. In my case, it is irrelevant for CCW.

irrelevant
adjective
ir·rel·e·vant | \ i-ˈre-lə-vənt \
Definition of irrelevant


: not relevant : INAPPLICABLE. That statement is irrelevant to your argument.

I think a better question would have been, "Is the 1911 still adequate for self-defense carry?".

In which case, I would say it is.

 

[FlSwampRat]

If I volunteer for the Sheriff's Posse do a qualify to check out an MP5?

No, you get the squirrel. LOL

 

[Mike J]

Interesting thread. Most of the time I carry a M&P 2.0 40 compact. Here lately though I have found myself strapping on the 1911 on Sunday mornings. I am on the security team at my church. I honestly doubt I will ever have to draw a weapon there but if I ever do I want it to be the pistol I shoot best. That is my SR 1911. It is full sized & is chambered for 45 acp. It is just easier to shoot well than anything else I own & with the pistol fully loaded & two spare magazines on my off side I consider myself well armed.

 

[jeepnik]

Does anyone still carry a 1911?

I have a Kimber Compact CDP II .45 (Aluminum Officers Frame with Kimpro, 4" Stainless Slide, Meprolight Night Sights, Carry Melt) that I picked up new at Cabela's for $611 which may have been a mismark ($1331 MSRP and $1,110 at S.O.S) but it's just set in the box since.

I've thought about getting it out, and carrying it as the first pistol I ever carried was a Colt LW Commander with a reliability package by a local Smith (Gil Terry).

What is the consensus on the old 1911?
Still relevant in today's world?

Current rotation - Ruger LCP Gen 2 .380, Ruger EC9S (Currently on hiatus due to mag release issue), .45 Shield and M&P .40 M2.0 Compact 4".

Whatever you are smoking can I get some?

 

[94045]

Whatever you are smoking can I get some?

That's what Cabela's Online had them listed for at the time. It was $88 dollars cheaper than a Custom II Two-Tone (Lowet MSRP Kimber) and several hundred cheaper than the other CDP at the time. I called and asked if the price and model were correct. They said yes so I had it shipped to my local Cabela's.

 

[94045]

Let's rephrase this discussion...

Is a Kimber CDP II Compact to pretty to be subjected to the indignities of everyday holster wear, scuffs, nicks and abrasions when an ugly Plastic Gun will work?

 

[Walkalong]

6+1 rounds of .45 ACP in a weapon I would be very comfortable defending my life with.



10+1 rounds of 9MM in a weapon I would be very comfortable defending my life with.


Sure, there are other fine choices, and I use some.

 

[Walkalong]

Is a Kimber CDP II Compact to pretty to be subjected to the indignities of everyday holster wear, scuffs, nicks and abrasions when an ugly Plastic Gun will work?

No, it's a weapon.

 

[94045]

No, it's a weapon.

I figured that wake someone up.

Well you at least convinced me to take out of the safe and take it to the Club.

Will it bump the 40c 2.0-4 or the 45 Shield in the carry rotation? Who knows.

PS Not one person mentioned the fact it's a Kimber (so can't be trusted). This site has mellowed over the years.

 

[Obturation]

I carried a sig gsr 1911 for a couple years but would never go back to 1911 carry. Just my personal preference. Still very relevant, just not for carry in my situation.

 

[HPCadm17]

I think a Commander or Defender sized 1911 is a perfectly relevant CCW especially in a state with magazine capacity limits. Not everyone likes polymer guns and not everyone is comfortable carrying striker-fired pistols. IMHO you can't beat the modern technology for cost, weight, ease of maintenance, simplicity and ease of use. If all you want is a tool, that makes the most sense. If you want to daily drive a Mercedes vs. a Toyota vs. a Ferrari, that's an individual choice. Personally, I like all types of pistols and have owned at least one of each. At this point in time we're fortunate to still have these choices, choose what you like.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

PS Not one person mentioned the fact it's a Kimber (so can't be trusted). This site has mellowed over the years.

I'm curious how someone who's only been here six months would know that this site has "mellowed over the years" .

 

[Old Dog]

PS Not one person mentioned the fact it's a Kimber (so can't be trusted). This site has mellowed over the years.

As to the first sentence, perhaps we have all become experienced enough to determine that Kimber puts out some really nice pistols that have proven reliable and accurate over the years. My TLE II is one of my favorite 1911s, and my Pro CDP (below) is a oft-carried pretty little pistola…As to the second sentence, perhaps we've weeded out at least a few of the haters … Oh, and uh … six months? " … over the years …?"

 

[Trunk Monkey]

…As to the second sentence, perhaps we've weeded out at least a few of the haters … Oh, and uh … six months? " … over the years …?"

Some weeds grow back?

 

[Old Dog]

Hmm … checking ZIP code directory ...

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Hmm … checking ZIP code directory ...

Not a zip code. It's an address on Marsh Bay Court in Fernandia Florida and on River Road in Junction Oregon.

 

[paulsj]

Does anyone still carry a 1911?

I have a Kimber Compact CDP II .45 (Aluminum Officers Frame with Kimpro, 4" Stainless Slide, Meprolight Night Sights, Carry Melt) that I picked up new at Cabela's for $611 which may have been a mismark ($1331 MSRP and $1,110 at S.O.S) but it's just set in the box since.

I've thought about getting it out, and carrying it as the first pistol I ever carried was a Colt LW Commander with a reliability package by a local Smith (Gil Terry).

What is the consensus on the old 1911?
Still relevant in today's world?

Current rotation - Ruger LCP Gen 2 .380, Ruger EC9S (Currently on hiatus due to mag release issue), .45 Shield and M&P .40 M2.0 Compact 4".

There are plenty of compact ones with light alloy frames one can consider. S&W might still be offering some with Sc alloy frames. They are obviosly still relevant. What is hard to believe is that Marine Corps ordered some full size ones for certain units to use. Some have already been de-commisioned. I hope the ones that have come up with the idea of ordering the thing have been let go.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I think 1911’s are certainly still adequate and relevant for CCW. I carry one sometimes. Other people I know carry them too. Some of these same friends gravitate to shields and 365’s on a regular basis, but they always have a spot open in their rotation for a 1911. I can’t help but think they remain a viable option and will remain so for some time.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Let's rephrase this discussion...

Is a Kimber CDP II Compact to pretty to be subjected to the indignities of everyday holster wear, scuffs, nicks and abrasions when an ugly Plastic Gun will work?

Naw, it's a Kimber, throw it in a holster and put some use on it. But being a Series II Kimber, I'd first run it hard to prove it works, and I'd have to see if it suffers from the timing issue where you can depress the grip safety enough to get the sear to let the hammer go, but not clear the firing pin block. Google and do some reading, you'll find references to it. You can start here. (Full disclosure, my brother had a 4" lightweight Series I Kimber that was a dog and I've considered Kimber an advertising company that makes guns ever since.)

As for whether or not the 1911 is still relevant, it's a semi-automatic pistol, so why shouldn't it still be relevant? People carry 5 and 6 shot revolvers on a regular basis. There is a plethora of mini 9mm and .380-ACP that hold 5-7 shots, which to me makes the capacity argument moot. The primary considerations against the 1911 for an individual in our current day are weight and cost. Both of which are valid concerns, as I can't argue that my Walther PPQ or any of the Glocks I've owned and used aren't great pistols at very reasonable prices with weights that make/made them very easy to carry. In point of fact, the PPQ is my most frequently carried pistol because it's compact and lightweight.

Yet when it comes time to go to the range to put rounds through the pistols, one of my full-size Colt 1911s (.38 Super and .45 ACP) or one of my 4" medium-frame S&W revolvers (586 .357 Magnum, 15 .38 Special) is more likely to get called up than the Walther. Why? Because they are much more pleasant and satisfying to shoot, and they all work better for me for putting lead on targets. Yes, my 5" .45 ACP 1911 throwing 230gr LRN reloads is more pleasant to shoot than a 4" polymer framed 9mm wonder pistol throwing 115gr FMJ Speer Lawman. The difference gets more pronounced if I switch to soft 200gr SWC target ammo in the .45 ACP. It's a combination of recoil impulse and muzzle blast, with the 9mm producing much more bark.

Now I think I'll throw the .45 on to carry around today. And debate if I should get a Lightweight Commander in 9mm or .45 ACP later.

 

[wanderinwalker]

There are plenty of compact ones with light alloy frames one can consider. S&W might still be offering some with Sc alloy frames. They are obviosly still relevant. What is hard to believe is that Marine Corps ordered some full size ones for certain units to use. Some have already been de-commisioned. I hope the ones that have come up with the idea of ordering the thing have been let go.

I believe you're correct the S&W still offers their Scandium frame 1911 variants.

As for the Marine Corps' Colt M45s, I was under the impression they've all been retired already. The 1911 is more mechanically complicated than more modern designs like the Glocks, SIG 320s and Walther P99/PPQ series guns. Keeping a fleet of 1911s up to snuff requires a lot more time and effort on the part of the armorers. Plus, I'm sure the Marines carrying the things around probably appreciate the lighter weight and higher capacity of the modern 9mm pistols when heading into harm's way. Big difference for them going somewhere when they're actively looking for a fight, versus us civilians carrying around a pistol where there's an incredibly small chance we'll ever need it in our lifetime.

 

[bannockburn]

TrunkMonkey

Old Dog said: ↑

Hmm … checking ZIP code directory ...​

Not a zip code. It's an address on Marsh Bay Court in Fernandia Florida and on River Road in Junction Oregon.

Or it could be something as simple as what caliber handguns he currently owns 9(mm.), 40 (S&W), 45 (ACP).

 

[FL-NC]

Sure, if one is willing to deal with the bulk and weight, why not?

 

[P5 Guy]

I have never owned or wished to own a 1911 style pistol.
Relevant or not doesn't matter. I'm sticking to G26/34 for handguns for defense, S&W revolvers range fun.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

What would those be? As it seems we have more companies producing 1911's, of some sort, than ever before.

That’s true we do but along with that we have a higher population than in the past and more shooters. The market has grown as a result, and since it is a good functional design I don’t see it going away.

The reasons I was thinking of are higher capacity guns, lighter construction, and smaller and easier to conceal guns. Those are totally legit reasons for folks to choose something other than a 1911, but it doesn’t diminish the relevance of the 1911 at all nor its fan base. It’s conjecture but I wonder what the youngest shooters are buying. It obviously is still very popular, but I wonder if we looked at the ratio of gun owners to 1911 owners what we’d see. Are 1911 fans buying a lot of them or do most American hand gunners own a 1911? Would be interesting.

I should have qualified my statement to include newer shooters and people looking for carry guns, or perhaps “for certain purposes”.