If some of the You Tube experts were involved in military conflict, especially in subprime environmental conditions, their opinion of the 1911 and AK might be significantly higher...

 

You can’t teach experience it has to be lived and earned.

 

If I could have only one handgun, naturally it would be a 1911. I bought a $300.00 Turkish 1911. I Replaced the slide, and install a match grade barrel with some Wilson parts. The gun is wonderful.

 

Those who have been over the hill and seen the elephant generally go quietly about their way taking care of business. Then there is those who have never approached the hill who tell those who have how to do it.

It's kinda like my Mom used to say, sarcastically, about raising children. "If you want to know how to raise kids, ask an old bachelor".

 

1911's definately NOT overrated. AK's definately ARE overrated. I'd step over an AK to pick up an AR which are far superior to the AK.

 

I shot 1911's when I first entered the military and have shot them in Bullseye Pistol matches and they do very well. Bullseye Pistol for those who never done it is all shot one handed starting at 50 yards. Shooting Bullseye proves that a 50 yard shot with a pistol is very doable, especially when it's done one handed. Sure not all 1911's are that accurate without some work but I have shot issued 1911's off the rack and never had a bad one. I like the 1911 in 45ACP because I know that when the big slug tears into any part of the agressors body he's gonna take notice that something ain't right. An dif your in a gun fight with a handgun and you need more than 8 or 9 rounds with less then 3 aggressors your in deep trouble anyway. I sometimes carry a FNX-45, 15 round mags. Yes. it's big and it's heavy, but it's a man stopper.

 

You only need 15+ rounds of 9mm because it lacks the efficiency of the .45 acp! I’ll take one of my .45 or .357 rounds over a cop / gang a banger 9mm any day ☠

 

You only need 15+ rounds of 9mm because it lacks the efficiency of the .45 acp! I’ll take one of my .45 or .357 rounds over a cop / gang a banger 9mm any day ☠

45 Anti-Cow Projectile according to the Fat Electrician, haha. Also called 45 automatic by Hornady and Winchester. Hornady says the 45 Automatic Colt Pistol is the pistol itself, but I've not seen anything about that when looking closer. Got into the habit of calling it 45 auto anyway though, haha.

 

My #1 requirement is functional reliability. I was issued a rattly, worn, 1911A1 pistol in RVN a very long time ago. I had an unlimited supply of government .45 ACP ball ammunition, and the opportunity to shoot the pistol a fair amount during my year there. I was in Monsoon rain, mud (Lots of mud), dust, about everything except snow I think. The old pistol never failed to feed, fire, extract and eject. True, those old pistols did not have match grade accuracy, high capacity and other features many take for granted now days. But they always worked. I later carried a Colt S80 Govt. for several years in police work. Same reliable service the old 1911A1 had given...

 

1911 overrated? Not hardly. Didn't you know that the design was inscribed on stone blocks and given to John Moses Browning by the Lord himself on the summit of Mt. Nebo?

 

45 ACP is God's caliber

 

No. The 1911 in a .45acp is not overrated. First, the machine itself works. Second, how many .45-230 or .45-200 or even .45-185gr bullets does it take to stop someone with a center of mass pointed shot? A properly cast .45-200 hollow point lead bullet will expand to the size of a quarter and displace pulverized paper the size of a baseball. It will stop a drugged assailant and Indian ponies. That's better than a 9mm. I've read comments by coroners where assailants shot by a 9mm will live but not a those shot by a .45. That's a good reason too. Unfortunately I don't have my .45 out for home defense. That's left for my .357 magnum. And, that's another story.

 

I carry a 1911 on my side everywhere I go. With 4 extra mags in mag pouches on my side.
I have used it in combat and know what it will do.
If anybody thinks that it is not any good just ask the ones that died by one in WW1, WW2 and so on.
And for those that say "But you have too reload every 8 rounds" that to me says "We need body bags for 8 dead"

 

Better to hit what you're aiming at with 7+1 from a steel-framed American icon than miss every time because Austrian plastic leads to more recoil, heh?

 

Over rated? I think it depends on the subject.
For competing with hopes of winning in a current 'run fast and shoot a lot' gun game, it is a poor choice.
For concealed carry when wearing only swim trunks and shower shoes, not so good.
For serious defense against an assailant - none better. Perhaps a couple 'just as good' but none better.

 

Over rated? I think it depends on the subject.
For competing with hopes of winning in a current 'run fast and shoot a lot' gun game, it is a poor choice.

Really ?????
I'm glad you told me because I did it for many years along with thousands of others.
IPSC, IDPA, etc.

 

I cant wait till I grow up and save enough money so I can buy one of those 1911 things.

 

I never intended to own a 1911. I did so because I reload and picked up so much brass. And, CA was changing its gun buying laws the next day and this was my way of showing my "finger" to the government.

In support of the platform, my Commander 1911 fits well in my hand, is well balanced, and is not too big.

In support of the round, I support it with three photos: my group at 25 yards, the bullet, and the (receiving end) the target.

 

I hate to think of all the 1911s I passed up in the Pawn Shops in AK. All because my gun collecting buddy imparted his opinion that all slide guns were finicky and unreliable for self defense. Fast forward 20 years later…. While I have a bunch of cherished revolvers (S&W is my favs) I was reacquainted with 1911s by a prior US Army armorer and got my first custom build in 38 Super. Just call me “1911 addicted” Tee Hee.

 

I don’t know how you can ask how the best pistol ever invented could be considered over rated?

 

Not everybody realizes that the 1911 platform is the greatest pistol ever. Which to be fair, the SAA is right up there with it.

 

For those that think or believe that the 1911 is overrated and or outdated because it is not shiny and new. Have never trusted their lives to this frame. Have most likely never carried it and very most likely never had to present it in an incident/event or action.
Most likely these same individuals could not tell the difference as to which end of a flathead screwdrive to use, Never changed the oil in their car (if they have one) and never put air in the tires.
(except those that have a bicycle. (credit given) Most likely sit at a computer and play a fair amount on any given day to play COD in any version. They most likely can not tell the difference in the dark is it water or blood coming from your partners wound.
So I support their position to speak and offer opinions and defend it, but I disagree with their statement. The 1911 frame (in any caliber) has a history of proved performance for well over 100+ years. It has been one of the most modified firearm. All one has to do is read and listen to others. JMB was a prolific producer of firearms, M1919, M1911, the M2 and partial to the Hi Power and so many others. It is a testiment to JMB and to the 1911 platform in its many forms still today, provide a high level of service reliability and functionality in many operational areas.

 

Indeed, I use a GI-spec 1911A1 for 2-gun events, and it works pretty good.

 

I must have put a thousand rounds of military ball ammo through my service 1911 with never so much as a hiccup. Was it well taken care of? No better or worse than any military firearm. When you shook it, it rattled and clacked but when called upon it always answered the bell. If I had to pick one weapon to defend my life with the 1911 would be the one.

 

Every gun is overated by somebody. I have talked about my choice of a CCW gun (on a different type of forum) and every gun guy on there overates their gun and poo-poos all other guns. I want a 9mm (maybe 10mm) 1911DS the ones i've fondled and got a chance to shoot felt great in my hand/s.

I mean 1911s have been used by the military since 1911s were invented and somehow now they are being made by several companies and in different calibers and very little differences in their designs nearly any piece can be used in any 1911 and still work.

Only overrating i read or hear about is mostly bragging by 1911 owners/users. Like "i only need 8 rounds to dispatch my targets" and "i have enough money to afford one". And people should overate 1911s as they want, they are awesome guns. And aren't 1911s one of the only style gun still being made today and since when the 30's? I know Glock gen3s are being reproduced but any others? I know barely anything of guns and histories of them though.

 

I'm a little confused by your sentence. I'm not being critical, do you mean some semi-auto designs from the 1930's and the 1911 are the only older styles still being manufactured?

And aren't 1911s one of the only style gun still being made today and since when the 30's?

 

Welp, what I kinda took from it is that the 1911 is the only pistol still in production....and after that is where I get confused. What you wrote could be understood that even since the 30's it's the only one still in production or, some designs FROM the 30's AND the 1911 are still in production. It sorta has to be one or the other.

IF what you meant is the former, that of the early pistols the 1911 is the only design still in production, that is patently false. Without much thought there is two I know of, the Walther PP series and the Mauser Hsc are still in production, both of which were introduced in the 1930's.

IF what you meant is that one has to go forward from the 1911, to the 1930's to find a pistol still in production, that might be true. I say might simply because I don't know if there is any earlier designed pistols, say from the 19-teens or 1920's, still in production. I can't think of any and that's telling on my lack of knowledge of that period of firearms history.

Now, if a fella was to get off in the weeds and include all pistols and revolvers....of necessity that must delve into the entire Italian reproduction of revolvers...which is hardly pertinent.

 

The 1911 does seem to be the only handgun platform dating back anywhere near that old to be mass produced to anywhere near the extent it is. The SAA is still in production by Colt, but in limited numbers. The Walther and Mauser you've mentioned are, I'm guessing, kinda niche like the new production Thompsons from Auto-Ordnance. There's decent numbers of the reproductions of old revolvers from Italy like you mentioned, but again, kinda niche. The 1911 might be called niche to some as it's not a plastic 9x19, but even if you count only the examples chambered in 45 auto and only the examples that at least kinda resemble GI-spec, it still seems to have a rather decent representation compared to all the other make/model/chambering combinations out there for carry and competition.

 

A lot of folks love the 1911. I'm not one. I sure do like em though.

The Glock on the other hand I have disdain for. Their chief attraction is they're so fugly you don't care when the cops take it after you shoot the crackhead intruder. Besides you can just buy parts off the internet and 3D print another one. 😉

 

A lot of folks love the 1911. I'm not one. I sure do like em though.

The Glock on the other hand I have disdain for. Their chief attraction is they're so fugly you don't care when the cops take it after you shoot the crackhead intruder. Besides you can just buy parts off the internet and 3D print another one. 😉

Not as ugly as the Hi-Point though, I'll give them that. But still from the same country as one of the world's greatest automotive designers, and, well, a small man with a small moustache and a large complex of some sort.

 

Some of you here know me. I once had a collection of 1911s made of all makes and models. I think at one time I had 22 or 23 1911s. I have thinned that collection down to about 6-7. Some came better built with tighter tolerances and some loved hollow points and some not so much. Some were as pretty as a picture and some just plain jane. What I love about a 1911 is the availability of parts and accessories to modify them. Shooter has a great thread on reliability tricks and mods you can do to make them run flawlessly. I have often heard people complain about them not liking certain ammos and this can be true but also can be easily rectified.

Just learning the basics like polishing the feed ramp or going to a better quality magazine will improve your function issues and make it more enjoyable to shoot. I have had colts and sigs and S&Ws and springfields as well as taurus and rock islands and others. I have found that they are all good firearms, some made a little better than others but still considered a tool I would trust my life to. I dont really knock plastic guns but I dont buy many of them either. The 1911 is my go to firearm for everyday carry as well as my nightstand gun for home protection. The platform was design ahead of its time and will continue to be one of the worlds most popular guns made and sold. If you dont own at least one you should.

I have a 450.00 rock island that I have done everything I know to do to make it misfire or jam and have never seen it do either. You dont have to spend alot to have a good dependable gun that you can count on for many years to come. No, they are not overrated. Personally I will take one over most any plastic gun made.

 

Some of you here know me. I once had a collection of 1911s made of all makes and models. I think at one time I had 22 or 23 1911s. I have thinned that collection down to about 6-7. Some came better built with tighter tolerances and some loved hollow points and some not so much. Some were as pretty as a picture and some just plain jane. What I love about a 1911 is the availability of parts and accessories to modify them. Shooter has a great thread on reliability tricks and mods you can do to make them run flawlessly. I have often heard people complain about them not liking certain ammos and this can be true but also can be easily rectified.

Just learning the basics like polishing the feed ramp or going to a better quality magazine will improve your function issues and make it more enjoyable to shoot. I have had colts and sigs and S&Ws and springfields as well as taurus and rock islands and others. I have found that they are all good firearms, some made a little better than others but still considered a tool I would trust my life to. I dont really knock plastic guns but I dont buy many of them either. The 1911 is my go to firearm for everyday carry as well as my nightstand gun for home protection. The platform was design ahead of its time and will continue to be one of the worlds most popular guns made and sold. If you dont own at least one you should.

I have a 450.00 rock island that I have done everything I know to do to make it misfire or jam and have never seen it do either. You dont have to spend alot to have a good dependable gun that you can count on for many years to come. No, they are not overrated. Personally I will take one over most any plastic gun made.

Was your nose itching? A couple fellas were wondering about your absence just the other day. Good to see you on here.

 

When the RIA 1911's first came out, they were crap and needed work to run well.
Then the company got serious. I'm sure most of you know that the RIA's are now made
on CNC machines and the tolerances are almost as tight as hand fit. So, with a good trigger
job and good sights and a handful of Metalform mags and good match ammo, the RIA's are very accurate.

 

I've got two RIA 1911s that I'll put up against any high dollar 1911 out there for fit and performance, but not finish. I don't want one that I have to worry about holster wear or scratching.

 

The 1911 is not for amateurs.

 

I agree in one sense and disagree in another.

A Government Model pistol is not for amateurs in that anyone freshly acquiring one cannot instantly Carry and shoot it as well as one might. It does require knowledge and familiarity and practice.

On the other hand, the Government Model is an excellent choice for someone seeking to find the ultimate defender and willing to learn - and willing to work at learning it.

Is it over-rated? Again, it is and it's not. It is quite unqualified for sniping or cutting a hangman's noose at 200 yards or more. It is totally unsuited for current gun games requiring many rounds fired in a certain time limit.

It is not over-rated for personal defense in most places where human beings travel. Exceptions would include fending off attacks of more than five armed adversaries at close (less than twenty feet) range, large, dangerous game attacks, or thermo-nuclear weapons.

I must confess that in my middle 70s, the recoil does bother my hand and wrist somewhat. But then, that is from a Lightweight Commander, not a Govt Model.

 

Overrated I dont think so every maker of semi auto handguns is based somehow on the John Browning design it is timeless.

 

Name me one other pistol that has a confirmed shoot down of an airplane, air to air. Ww2, us bomber was shot up by a Japanese plane, crew bailed out and played dead hanging by their parachutes, plane came too close and 1 guy pulled his 1911 in 45 aco, fired about 4 rounds and the plane went down. Just watched a video of this by The Fat Electrician. I won't link to it because of some of the language.

 

Some say the 9x19 has shot down a plane too, but I never heard of it.