You can thank Bill Clinton for your 1911

[Doc Safari]

I'd like to thank a certain intern in a blue dress for distracting Clinton from trying to get even worse legislation than the 1994 AWB passed.

[GunBugBit]

For sure the 1994 AWB affected what guns became more popular or less popular, and Dubya's sunsetting did, too.

I believe the 1911 is a strong enough, battle-tested design that it would be popular today whether the 1994 AWB had occurred or not. The whole array of guns we see today would be different if we'd never had that AWB, or if the sunsetting had not occurred.

Hard to see the hypothetical alternative universes are.

[SteyrAUG]

Maybe in the same breath you can thank Dubya for allowing the high capacity mag ban to sunset.

This allowed us to return to our "wondernines" and other high capacity guns. Those guns (hi cap 45s included) also gained in popularity after the 10rd mag ban was lifted. Suddenly, it was appealing to buy Glocks and other pistols that could hold more than 10 rounds, without the worry of tracking down hard to find expensive pre ban 15rd mags.

Yep...thank Dubya while you're at it! LOL

-brickboy240

Actually the person to thank is Larry Craig. In September of 2004 a Republican majority Congress successfully amended the renewal of the Clinton ban to his Industry Protection Act. At that point it goes to the President for signature and Bush (43) had previously stated he would "sign it if it got to his desk."

Rather than send it up for a signature, Larry Craig then killed his own bill to prevent the renewal of the Clinton Ban.

[one]

Actually the person to thank is Larry Craig. In September of 2004 a Republican majority Congress successfully amended the renewal of the Clinton ban to his Industry Protection Act. At that point it goes to the President for signature and Bush (43) had previously stated he would "sign it if it got to his desk."

Rather than send it up for a signature, Larry Craig then killed his own bill to prevent the renewal of the Clinton Ban.

Exactly.

[SteyrAUG]

Exactly.

And most ironically of all, when a recent NRA board of directors vote came up, everyone wanted him off the board due to his airport mens room activity. He probably did more for actual gun rights than any member of Congress in the last 20 years.

[hatt]

And most ironically of all, when a recent NRA board of directors vote came up, everyone wanted him off the board due to his airport mens room activity. He probably did more for actual gun rights than any member of Congress in the last 20 years.

Knowing the NRA they probably weren't concerned with the bathroom incident near as much as the bold text.

[Renegade]

Actually the person to thank is Larry Craig. In September of 2004 a Republican majority Congress successfully amended the renewal of the Clinton ban to his Industry Protection Act. At that point it goes to the President for signature and Bush (43) had previously stated he would "sign it if it got to his desk."

Rather than send it up for a signature, Larry Craig then killed his own bill to prevent the renewal of the Clinton Ban.

That is the silliest piece of nonsense you have ever posted. It never happened. One can go here:

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LI...menu_108_2.htm

and see no such amendment or bill was ever voted on.

ETA:

OK I think I found your error.

Not Industry Protection Act but the Lawful Arms in Commerce Act.

This was shot down not in September 2004, but March 2, 2004 when AWB renewal was added to it. It had not passed the house and was not on the way to the President's desk.

I think this is what you refer to.

[brickboy240]

So Mr. "Wide Stance" had nothing to do with it?

LOL

[MistWolf]

Yup.... you heard right. Now before you all stone me to death allow me to explain...

Since we are cutting and pasting across boards, here is my response as before-

While the AWB had a big impact on the handgun market, there are other, more important factors to consider. The majority of the "Wonder Nines" had the DA/SA trigger which was difficult for many shooters to master, the FBI set terminal performance standards which ammo makers spent a pile of R&D money on the 9mm to get it to meet consistently and the surplus 1911 market was very lively with prices still in reach of the average shooter.

The AWB did not have as large an impact of the popularity of the 40 S&W as you think- I went to buy a Sig 229 in 40 S&W the day the 10 round ban went into affect in California. Every pistol in 40 &W had flown off the shelf in all the LGSs but the 9mm lay languishing.

At the time the AWB had gone into affect, many of the custom features shooters were paying extra for had become regular items on factory offerings and being ramped to feed the "flying ashtrays" that were all the rage, was normal. The real problem with 1911s was the rattle- or lack thereof. It's a popular misconception that rattle in 1911 is bad. No so. It's designed to rattle so the slide will move freely and have space for lube and to keep running in harsh conditions. The slide rattle, as long as it's not excessive (out of tolerance) doesn't hurt accuracy. What's critical to accuracy is barrel to slide fit.

Slide rattle isn't found only with 1911s. The Wonder Nines have it too.

The problem with the military 1911s wasn't the fact the design was out-dated, it was the fact the military hadn't bought any replacements since WWII. The pistols had been carried a lot, shot a lot and still used the old worn out slides & frames. Strangely enough, though old and worn, the pistols still ran reliably.

If all the 1911s of the day sucked and were poorly made, neither of my Colts got the memo, or any of the Colts bought by several friends & family members. The day I picked up mine, I stopped at the local indoor range to test it out and ended up firing 500 rounds that afternoon. In all the thousands of rounds since, it's always been reliable no matter what ammo I used in it. That pistol would even feed an empty case.

Another plus for the 1911 was the patronage of Jeff Cooper. He did more to ensure the continued popularity and advance the evolution of the 1911 and the art of modern pistol craft than any other individual.

While the AWB did have an affect but it's role in the continued popularity of the 1911 is minor at best. The 1911 continues to give solid, reliable service and it's status as a classic handgun and an American icon is hard won and well deserved

The AWB plays only a minor role in the 1911 story

[justin_247]

Just so you guys know, the initial bill containing the AWB had broad Republican support. They only changed their tune after some serious lobbying...

For example, here's the vote on the original bill in the Senate. Please note that of the four who voted "Nay," two were Republicans and the other two were Democrats.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LI...n=1&vote=00384

Maybe in the same breath you can thank Dubya for allowing the high capacity mag ban to sunset... Yep...thank Dubya while you're at it! LOL

-brickboy240

He only allowed it to sunset because of pressure from the NRA and other lobbying groups. Initially, George W. Bush supported the AWB. It's important that we remember this lesson...

Actually the person to thank is Larry Craig. In September of 2004 a Republican majority Congress successfully amended the renewal of the Clinton ban to his Industry Protection Act. At that point it goes to the President for signature and Bush (43) had previously stated he would "sign it if it got to his desk."

Rather than send it up for a signature, Larry Craig then killed his own bill to prevent the renewal of the Clinton Ban.

Yep.