Why Do People Say 1911's Suck?

[Country101]

Originally Posted by ignats

I think Glocks and similar pistols show up more on TV and movies. You don't see that many Government Models or M1911 types unless it's a war movie of that era. I have noticed that the cable TV series "Longmire" has the main character armed with a Gov't Model, his deputies all used modern wonder nines. The myths surrounding Government Models continues to astound me. When I hear someone spouting off about how in accurate or unreliable they are, I know they have little or no experience with and discount their comments accordingly.

Not from what I have noticed. If you watch closely, I have noticed a lot more 1911's than most other guns in movies. I think Mr. and Mrs. Smith is one of them. The Expendables, maybe and quite a few more. They are out there. Any time you are watching an action movie, you have a good chance to see one.

[ka64]

Originally Posted by CCHolderinMaine

Now I love Colt's and 1911's in particular, but let me play devil's advocate for just a moment here

The evidence for something being good is that the US government bought millions of them???????????????????????

Nope, The evidence of 100 years is good so the US Government bought Millions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Old Guy]

The 1911 is still the best handling gun that I have although my Sig P220 Carry is pretty darn close. 1911's do take more meticulous maintenance than the newer guns due to their greater sum of parts. 1911's don't field strip as easily as some other models (we have gotten lazy) but are not that difficult. JMB got the size of the cartridge, the grip angle, and many other things right on the 1911. Many have copied these things through the years and that is a testament to the fundamental soundness of the weapon. The Marines have always preferred the 1911, but the bean counters went with the 9mm. To disparage the 1911 is to not understand the 1911.

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by Double D

There will always be HATERS! Thats ok. Let them hate. In 100 years from now (if the world were to last that long) there would still be a bunch of perfectly good functioning 1911s from today and the glocks (and others) would have all been melted down to make childrens toys or something.

That crack's me up because it's the truth. Anyone that thinks negatively of a 1911 just ain't right IMO. I like my Springfield XD, but it's no where near the cadillac that any 1911 is.

Just think, one day my XD45 may end up being a G.I. Joe. Hopefully not a Barbie.

[Jim K]

In the 1911-1960 timeframe, the Model 1911/1911A1 was one of the most reliable military pistols in the world, perhaps THE most reliable. Certianly better than the Luger or the Nambu, better than the BHP or the P.38. Plus it had plenty of power.

But today, 1911 clones are not being made by government contractors watched over by Army inspectors; makers are not held to rigid specifications and standards in regard to materials and workmanship. And of course, modern guns are expected to function with an insane variety of ammunition and seventeen way expanding bullets designed not to function, but to look good in gunzine photos.

And then, too many makers don't care about specs or whether their guns work. They feel that a 1911 is a big boy's toy; the few makers who still sell to the police or military can give those guns special treatment. Other buyers will use their guns for fun, like an 1851 Colt repro.

And anything anyone makes that even resembles a 1911 will sell. And soft parts will fail, cheap springs will collapse, junk magazines will fail to feed, cheap cast extractors won't extract, soft sldes will peen, guns with full length guide rods will fire if dropped, etc., etc., etc. And people will complain on web sites and go right out and buy another junk gun from the same junk maker.

In brief, the "1911" of today isn't your father's M1911A1. In all too many cases, it is just a poor imitation that should be labelled "Not for serious purposes."

Jim

[Zane71464]

Very well put! ^
(interesting)

[cpttango30]

But today, 1911 clones are not being made by government contractors watched over by Army inspectors; makers are not held to rigid specifications and standards in regard to materials and workmanship.

Materials used today are as good or better than that of 50 or 60 years ago. My very first 1911 was a military issued 1911. That thing was as lose as a 50 year old $1 hooker. It functioned very well because it was lose.

Just because some people don't know how to shoot don't blame the gun. My Kimber Custom II has never had a single FTF or FTE that wasn't caused by a flub in my reloading as I was learning how much crimp. I have shoot tons of different ammo in it from cheap lead bullet to Ranger SXT, Hornady zombie max, to reloads. Not a single factory load has ever failed to function in my gun.

You can't judge a tight 1911 to a lose Glock or Sig or even a Smith M&P. They are just not the same.

[howlnmad]

Originally Posted by 76Highboy

[/B]

Just think, one day my XD45 may end up being a G.I. Joe. Hopefully not a Barbie.

Maybe her alternate lifestyle friend, Ken.

[Waldog]

For the same reason people vote Democrat. They're stupid!!!

[Model195Fan]

I think that JimK's explanation may be part of the story, but, at least in my generation, two other factors enter. One is that many folks' intro to the 1911 came in the Army, which had pretty old stuff, although probably well maintained. The newcomers didn't know how to shoot yet, and blamed their performance on the gun. Also, most military 1911s didn't have triggers conducive to good marksmanship.

The other factor, IMO, is that until about the eighties, most 1911s didn't come out of the box throated. That's fine, until you try using decent HP ammo. Some HP is designed to feed in anything. Some isn't.

Myself, I was not really aware of any widespread badmouthing of the 1911 by competent shooters. It is one of the simplest, or THE simplest, of all handguns to detail disassemble, and not too bad to field strip. Smaller hands and larger hands both usually fit it, and it is one of the easiest guns to carry, with or without a holster.

[Double D]

Of all the guns I own, plastic autos, revolvers, and 1911s, none are remotely as accurate as my 1911s are.

[glocknut]

Originally Posted by 76Highboy

[/B]

That crack's me up because it's the truth. Anyone that thinks negatively of a 1911 just ain't right IMO. I like my Springfield XD, but it's no where near the cadillac that any 1911 is.

Just think, one day my XD45 may end up being a G.I. Joe. Hopefully not a Barbie.

Well...it's black plastic...perhaps it will be formed into something nice...maybe for your wife perhaps?

Oh i can see it now...urgent moderators meeting...9pm central!!! LOL

GN

[berto64]

I prefer the 1911 because every time I pick it up it feels like an old has come home. This pistol fits my hand very comfortably and seems to naturally to fall on target when aimed.
First one I ever held was in Vietnam in '69. I was assigned to guard a young man who was waiting for a ride back to Leavenworth for becoming a drug addict in country.

I fell in love with it right then & there. As for Glocks, I've never held one much less shot one so I can't comment on them other than to get to Glocknut. Toodles.

[HAGEN442]

Lack of Experience with the Browning Design .
00

[Iron Eagle]

What do you guys thjink about the springfield xdm? Does anyone have one? I'm interested because of capacity. Yeah, I love the 1911, and when I start working, I'm gonna get me one.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by Iron Eagle

What do you guys thjink about the springfield xdm? Does anyone have one? I'm interested because of capacity. Yeah, I love the 1911, and when I start working, I'm gonna get me one.

I tried one at my local range. It was the 9mm XDm. I really liked it. If you want that type of a pistol I think it's a good buy.

[Double D]

Originally Posted by Iron Eagle

What do you guys thjink about the springfield xdm? Does anyone have one? I'm interested because of capacity. Yeah, I love the 1911, and when I start working, I'm gonna get me one.

I would buy one over any other poly gun out there, but thats just my opinion.

[Iron Eagle]

Thanks for the input. Taurus makes a 1911 high cap that I like. Yep, 12 +1.

[Country101]

Originally Posted by Jim K

guns with full length guide rods will fire if dropped, etc., etc., etc.

Cant say I ever heard of that.............. Mind explaining how the guide rod will make it fire?

[ozo]

"i no longer reply to such things .. too much hassle dealing with those who push such snake oil"--jack

Oh so true, and in oh so many categories in this
21st century age of intelligence......
WE SO SMAWT.........

[aa1911]

Originally Posted by Old Grump

[IMG] [/IMG]45's suck, you all better get yourself some 9MM or 40 calibers and send all of your 45 auto's and ammo to me for disposal.

yup! my sentiments exactly. Wanna hate? then give me your ammo (and your 1911 for that matter).

I will admit that my 1911's don't feed HP ammo quite as good as I would like but to be fair, I shoot mostly reloads with old tired brass. It does perform near perfect with most factory ammo. I'm a Glock lover also but 1911 will always be my near and dear. 100+ years and counting, hard to argue with that.

A true to spec 1911 mil or 1911 match pistol is one of the most reliable pistols out there; some manufacturers have changed the hardness or specs on some or all of their parts which is not always a good thing; not always bad either though. There are some very good improvements but Browning was a genius and will remain so forever for his designs. External extractor design is a tried (and failed IMO) attempt to improve it for example. Just about every manufacturer now has their own 1911 these days, something to be said for that also.

The movie 'The Way of the Gun' has a ton of 1911 action in it, not bad tactics either for Hollywood anyway.

[rcairflr]

.45 ACP

[Double D]

Answer this...as a dealer, every single one of my distributors are constantly out of the name brand 1911s yet you can always get a glock or most any other poly gun. Why? Because they are so wildly popular that they are in high demand and they sell like hotcakes. If you are an FFL you know what I mean. Try and find a colt or a springfield or a smith & wesson e series or a kimber from any of your distributors, it wont happen. But, I can buy plastic all day long.

[ozo]

Originally Posted by glocknut

Well...it's black plastic...perhaps it will be formed into something nice...maybe for your wife perhaps?

Oh i can see it now...urgent moderators meeting...9pm central!!! LOL

GN

Or a new gov't 'tool' for the men.....mandated and required....used from rear...

[ozo]

The question:
Why Do People Say 1911's Suck?
My answer:
The one's that do probably can't afford a decent 1911
Buy a cheap clone
Can't handle a pistol, especially in anything more than a .22lr
Don't have the aptitude to take one down and put her back
Try to run 'pretty' self defense shelf/homemade rounds thru it
that someone told them 'was the best' [instead of ball ammo]