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.
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.With today's high grip beavertails, lowering the hammer without dropping it, is chancey.
The M1911 was designed to be carried cocked-and-locked.Which means you have to carry the thing cocked and locked. Something I don't like.
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.
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?
If not, carry a double action revolver or a Glock...squeeze and shoot without having doodads to fumble with.