I learned to shoot on a 1911, and still have that first one, a first-gen AMT Hardballer, one of the good Harry Sanford ones. Now I have a couple Springfields, two Kimbers, and a custom-built CCO. Love ‘em all!
I learned to shoot on a 1911, and still have that first one, a first-gen AMT Hardballer, one of the good Harry Sanford ones. Now I have a couple Springfields, two Kimbers, and a custom-built CCO. Love ‘em all!
For most people there are better carry options than a 1911. El Presidente drills with a Glock 17 yield scores around the 5,500 - 5,800 mark. Sometimes I can hit 6,000, but not too often. A mediocre run with my 1911 and 230 grain ball runs 5,500 and frequently posted scores are at or over the 6,000 mark. You can't argue with the timer and I carry some form of a 1911 and leave the Glock 19 in the safe. Two of the old goats I meet for coffee during the week carry K Frames and they are incredibly proficient with them. They can't understand why I carry a semi-automatic.
I cut my teeth on the 1911 in the 1970's and I love them. It must be a generational thing.
Last edited by T2C; 10-05-18 at 20:46.
Train 2 Win
I'm millennial and carry a 1911 in a Milt Sparks VM2 or 1AT almost daily - once in a while, I'll carry a plastic wonder nine for a month or so, but I always come back to the 1911. But I grew up reading Cooper and Hackathorn and Clint Smith and got into real guns at the same time MARSOC was becoming a thing and buying I-CQBs and other, "MEUSOC,"-type pistols and my first handgun was a 1911 (a Kimber Desert Warrior, which I put black, original Simonich Gunner grips on, back when Hilton Yam still recommended the basic Kimber Warrior).
If I could only have one pistol, it would be a 1911.
" Nil desperandum - Never Despair. That is a motto for you and me. All are not dead; and where there is a spark of patriotic fire, we will rekindle it. "
- Samuel Adams -
I guess it depends on what you think practical is.
As a small framed guy who only carries concealed in very low risk areas, a doublestack pistol is very impractical.
I carry a lightweight Government 1911 in 9mm and it just marginally less comfortable and concealable than a Glock 43.
I picked up a pair of alloy frame, 9mm 1911's this Spring as carry guns. Have a 5" and "Commander" length.
Never owned a Glock or similar, but carried P-35's for years. I find the Alloy 1911's carry better for me.
Made some lightweight mods; arched/short, trigger work, springs FBFPS-done.
Both shoot 124+P HST <2" at 25 yds. I'm comfortable with either.
"Commander"
5"
25 yd./5 rds./"Commander"/benched-dial in.
I was shopping for another 1911 back in 2005 when I also heeded Hilton's recommendation and bought a Kimber Warrior which I put desert tan Simonich Gunner grips on. The only thing I wished it had was a checkered front strap like the newer model (hence the skateboard tape). I think Hilton didn't recommend it later on and wrote about issues with it. I haven't had any issues with mine.
kimber.jpg
U-Vibe carried a compact 1911 on the streets of Big City for 20 years. Now I'm carrying a Ruger SR9. You can't beat the increased capacity. But plastic and industrial-coated steel just can't compare to a good version of Browning's masterwork. The SR9 is a tool, no more. The 1911 is a work of genius.
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