M1911 for a self defense pistol?

[Iggy]

Been carryin' one for nearly 40 years. So far, so good!

 

[OldCavSoldier]

If you have a 1911 that functions reliably with the load you have selected, there is nothing wrong with it as a self-defense load. Then again, we only have seventy-odd years, four wars, and lots more lesser skirmishes, worth of experience with the design and cartridge to look at reference effectiveness. Add to that, lots of old Texas Rangers, deputy sheriffs, other LEOs and civilians owe their lives to carrying M1911s in Condition One carry.

The most important part of the equation, though, is what is between your ears. If you have practiced with the pistol, and have faith in your abilities and faith in the load, then by all means, 1911 is most acceptable.

Of course, there are lots of younger and more modern pistoleros who have tons of experience shooting their high-capacity black guns at paper and steel who will poo-poo practical living-antagonists experience. Never forget: Advice is free and you get what you pay for.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

Iggy: I first started carrying a 1911 in the very early 1970's when starting out in the Army. Same here with the so far, so good. Although in recent years I have opted for lighter, smaller pieces.

 

[mljdeckard]

^^EXACTLY what OCS said. Good heavens, what must a handgun do in it's lifespan to prove it is a good platform that a 1911 hasn't done?

If carrying C&L gives you the willies, don't carry it. On the other hand, understand that iis YOUR willies and has nothing to do with the gun. You need to train how to use the gun correctly, no matter what gun it is.

As far as big and heavy goes, remember, comfort is relative. If you take a non-gun person and give them a sub-compact in ANY holster anywhere on their body, they will say it feels like a tumor. If you take a redneck kid who turned 21 61 days ago and just got his permit in the mail, and has been waiting ten years for this day, you can hang a Desert Eagle under his left arm, and he will swear he doesn't feel anything. The smaller a gun is, the harder it is to shoot accurately.

I have carried Sig, Beretta, Glock, etc extensively, I came back to a 1911, it's what I shoot best, it's what has a better track record than any of the others for saving your life when it REALLY counts. FOR ME, there is no other choice. After shooting my Kimber, all of my friends and family have switched to 1911s too.

 

[TonyDedo]

I never trust a design that's more than 100 years old.

It'll work for another 11 months...

 

[EddieNFL]

Cops and the military have done to double stack. Law enforcement has gone double action only in a lot of departments. Must be problems with the single action.

No offense to cops, but most firearm choices are based on price and simplicity. Departments know most cops aren't going to train anymore than they have to.

Also, some of the better trained military units have reverted to the 1911.

If you're not comfortable with condition one, you're better off with a different firearm.

 

[Oro]

I love dry humor and irony. This post has to be the funniest I've seen in years.

 

[ShadyScott999]

Oh heavens no! Get the latest greatest super quad stack photon pistol.

 

[mnhntr]

this has to be a joke. I mean it is one of the most carried firearms in the country. My personal choice for carry and my favorite of the bottom feeders.

 

[Ed Ames]

Does it have a light rail?

 

[earlthegoat2]

Though I am less than enamored with 1911s in general as I am also not so keen on Glocks, 1911s are both relevant and definitely not obsolete defensive options.

There is a lot of 1911 fanboyism on this site and I think it is for good reason. Posting a question like this makes me wonder if you have been reading any threads for the last 3+ years of your membership here. Im not flaming but I am wondering what kind of response you expected from a question like this?

Posting a thread like this is like reverse trolling.

Are you trying to justify something here or just asking opinions of things you already know the opinions of?

 

[Nasty]

Big bore, accurate, reliable...naw...it's a passing fad.

 

[jad0110]

Maybe I'm just weird, but I find a 5" all steel 1911 ridiculously easy to conceal and carry. Assuming you spend money on a really high quality belt and holster and you don't have any back or hip problems, the 1911's weight is not an issue at all. For me anyway. And the gun is only a smidge wider than a single stack Kahr. Certainly less girth than the double stack autos many pack these days.

I carry a 1911 because it is the semi auto I shoot best.

But I shoot revolvers better, so I usually carry a 2" S&W Model 15, a 4" Model 15 or a 4" Ruger Police Service Six.

In the end, if the 1911 works for you and you are confident with it, by all means go for it. If not, carry something else.

Simple!

 

[essayons21]

Its funny, but I find the 3, 4, and 5 inch 1911s lighter, narrower, and easier to carry and conceal than most comparable models of other modern handguns.

They aren't all 5" all-steel behemoths.

Some are even made with *gasp* polymer grips and magwells!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

With today's high grip beavertails, lowering the hammer without dropping it, is chancey.

Lowing the hammer is always "chancy." Which is why knowledgeable shooters refer to "Condition 2" (hammer down on a loaded chamber) as "two chances to have an ND" --first when you lower the hammer, and second when attempting to thumb-cock the gun in action.

Which means you have to carry the thing cocked and locked. Something I don't like.

The M1911 was designed to be carried cocked-and-locked.

From an original copy of Description of the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, Model of 1911 dated April 1, 1912 with a February 14, 1914 revision date.

If it is desired to make the pistol ready for instant use and for firing with the least possible delay the maximum number of shots, draw back the slide, insert a cartridge by hand into the chamber of the barrel, allow the slide to close, then lock the slide and the cocked hammer by pressing the safety lock upward, and insert a loaded magazine. The slide and hammer being thus positively locked, the pistol may be carried safely at full cock, and it is only necessary to press down the safety lock (which is located within easy reach of the thumb) when raising the pistol to the firing position.

FM 23-35
BASIC FIELD MANUAL

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CALIBER .45
M1911 AND M1911A1

Prepared under direction of the
Chief of Cavalry

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, April 30, 1940.


SECTION VII
INDIVIDUAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• 25. RULES FOR SAFETY.-

. . .

i. On the range, do not load the pistol with a cartridge in
the chamber until immediate use is anticipated. If there is
any delay, lock the pistol and only unlock it while extending
the arm to fire. Do not lower the hammer on a loaded
cartridge; the pistol is much safer cocked and locked.

j. In reducing a jam first remove the magazine.

k. To remove a cartridge not fired first remove the maga-
zine and then extract the cartridge from the chamber by
drawing back the slide.

l. In campaign, when early use of the pistol is not fore-
seen, it should be carried with a fully loaded magazine in
the socket, chamber empty, hammer down. When early use
of the pistol is probable, It should be carried loaded and
locked in the holster or hand. In campaign, extra maga-
zines should be carried fully loaded.

 

[Autolycus]

Glock. Get one.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I gave up my 1911 I went with a 54cal Flintlock pistol If I miss theirs a smoke screen to cover my get away That's tactical . Can trust a pistol only a 100 yrs old Need a proven pistol.

 

[gearjammer711]

slamfire1, if you dont like C&L then give the para LDA a try, the one that I gave a try had a sweet double pull and I have not heard anything bad about the system. and yes I carry a 5" kimber if I have to use it I want the best thing I shoot. who cares if it only holds 7 or 8 you can always carry spare mags.

 

[lexjj]

No, I was interested in what others think of the M1911 as a self defense weapon given the choices on the market.

A single stack 45 carries seven rounds with a standard magazine.

With today's high grip beavertails, lowering the hammer without dropping it, is chancey.

Which means you have to carry the thing cocked and locked. Something I don't like.

Cops and the military have done to double stack. Law enforcement has gone double action only in a lot of departments. Must be problems with the single action.

A fullsized steel M1911 is heavy.

And yet the M1911 is very popular in the civilian market.

Are that many people carrying the thing?

A 1911 carrying standard magazines holds 8 (7 +1), but I think many (most) use the 8 round mags making 9 shots total.

Btw, I've seen how the cops shoot...
I'll keep my 1911.

 

[REAPER4206969]

This thread makes the baby Browning cry.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Like anyone and any pistol, folks carry what they shoot best, feel most comfortable with, and have the most faith in.

The 1911 is a naturally pointing pistol, more than accurate to 25 yds. Mine shoot better than I can shoot them, most days.

For a model that's 100 yrs old, with more models popping up, there must be something to it.........

I wouldn't hesitate to carry a proven 1911 at all, anywhere.

 

[surjimmy]

100's of 1,000's and countless dead Bad Guys can't be wrong.......It is my first choice for CC and home defense.

 

[rswartsell]

I don't believe that any experienced gun maven would deny that the 1911 has earned its place in history and been proven effective in combat. It just isn't rational to do so.

What we might discuss is whether a single action semi auto has become obsolete as SA revolvers have for personal combat. The distinction for semi autos is less pronounced as we are referring only to how you get the mag started and not each shot. Increased double stack mag capacity (while comforting) has never been established as truly necessary for PD.

After many years of high quality revolver experience (DA, .357 mag). I have arrived at the conclusion that a Kimber .45 is for me, superior. I don't object to condition 1 and the accuracy and reliability I have achieved with it (the factors that undeniably matter) can no longer be denied.

ANY design can be screwed up, how well can you do with a good one and mastery of it's manual of arms is the question. I find at this late stage that the 1911 is the best I can do and that is very well indeed.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

for sure

Self Defense...that just might work. But only if you carry C&L and your motor senses in a high stress situation are automatically programmed to take the safety off.

If not, carry a double action revolver or a Glock...squeeze and shoot without having doodads to fumble with.

 

[Slamfire]

Take a look at the Feb 2010 American Rifleman. In this issue they review nine 380 autos. One, and only one, is a single action auto. Admittedly these are 380’s, but in their review of the Sig single action auto, which American Rifleman calls a “mini 1911”, they also call it an “old fashioned single action”.

The 1911 configuration is getting long in the tooth when the American Rifleman calls it "old fashioned".

If not, carry a double action revolver or a Glock...squeeze and shoot without having doodads to fumble with.

Exactly. I prefer a double action revolver for something that might turn into a stressful sitituation. Dead nuts reliable, simple without flippers and levers to activate. One of these days I might buy a DAO auto, just because of the simplicity of operation, and large magazine capacity.