Should I get a 1911?

[Idaho Ron]

I have a 44 mag I use for hunting, and it is big and heavy. I have been thinking about a new gun for when I go camping and also to carry while I am bird hunting. It might be used for a coyote, Bob cat, and Maybe mountain lion, but for lion it would only be for protection. Our lions are less than 180 pounds. With the average at about 100 to 125 pounds.
Also when I am out in the desert I would like a pistol that is easier to carry. Again it would be personal protection. I have been thinking about a Kimber Desert warrier. I have been reading about the Taurus 1911 and I am thinking about that a lot. What do you guys think? I have shot a 1911 a little but not much.   Ron

[BloomGrad]

Before I answer I would recommend you check with your state's Game laws.  My state of PA, and some others, do not allow a semi-auto handgun, like the 1911, to harvest ANY game or wild animal.  So my 1911 MUST stay home.

I think the 1911 is a fine sidearm for protection from pests, but of the 2 legged kind.  It has been protecting man from men for over 90 years and I hope it will continue.  If this is the basis for your choice it is a fine one.  If the Desert Warrior is truely designed with defeating desert dust conditions then it would do well on your camp trips.  The Taurus, or a Sprinfield Armory GI model, would be inexpensive enough if it were dropped over the trail or gotten wet in a stream then no big finacial loss.

Now to answer your wildlife protection question.  It is true that it very well could keep smaller pests, bobcats and snakes away from camp but I think it would fall short on your larger pests.  As for a mountain lion up close and personal I think it would be underpowered and for a coyote it may lack the range and down range energy for any distance shot.  If there is any possibility of black bears stopping by, then I think many would agree that the .45 ACP would be below other caliber choices.  For these objectives I think a medium frame .357 Mag might be a better pick as you say you already have a .44 Mag.  It would be just about the same weight as the 1911 but could be more energy versatile.  Small critters could be taken out with .38 specials and the bigger stuff, including 2 legged varmints,  could be done in by full house .357 magnums.  One chamber could be loaded with a shot cartridge ready for a snake or small rodent to wander by.

The nice part of a mid frame revolver is there are many available 'used' for LOWER prices than a new 1911.

But as this post is in the 1911 forum lets highlight it.  If you are concerned of harm from people and the smaller pests then the 1911 is a great bet.  No reason why it couldn't work.  But for bigger stuff I have doubts. 

On a side note, I'm not a tree hugger but if you go out to the desert for the fun of private gun practice with your 1911, please don't forget to pick up as many spent cases as you can.  When non-shooters come along to camp later and find your cases it makes the rest of us shooters look bad.  We all have to do our part.  A famous author once wrote that "Man, by his very presence, destroys the beauty he seeks in wilderness."  Or something like that. 

Plus I think we should all refuse to give Hillary, Diane Finestein, or Sara Brady anymore proverbial sticks to throw on any public relations bonfire at or feet. 

Shoot well and carry a compass.
 

[Questor]

The 1911 would be one of my last choices as a field carry gun. If I wanted something relatively light and effective I'd get a used Smith and Wesson model 14 revolver with adjustable sights and chambered for 38 special. In fact I did just that. It's light, carrys well, costs less than $300, is very accurate, and is as effective as the 45ACP on small game.   The 1911 is a hard gun to learn to shoot well enough to hit small targets with, so plan on practicing a lot if you do get one.

[Mikey]

Ron - I love my 45s but their purpose is limited.  Whenever I go afield I will pack a magnum wheelgun that will serve a double purpose - dealing with predatory animals and dealing with predatory humans.  The 45 is a great gun but not the firearm of choice for field use.  The closest you can come to that is the 10mm cartridge in a 1911 and that's about minimal for dealing with the type of predatory animals that would seek you out for a dinner invitation. 

If your current wheelgun is too big and heavy, get a shorter one.  I lugged a M29 with a 6.5" bbl around for years until it wore a hole in my hip and then I sent it back to S&W for a re-barrel to the tapered barrel of the Mountain Gun, a tune-up and, a re-blue.  I consider this wheelgun to be very lightweight - the heaviest part of it is the 300 gn slugs I carry, but it is easy to carry along.  You hardly know it is there. 

I once had a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 Mag that carried a 7.5" bbl and was even more difficult to carry becuase of the longer barrel - I finally sold it to a fella who sent it out to ahve the barrel shortened and he wound up with a fabulous carry piece for field work.  HTH.  Mikey.