Author Topic: No wonder they're so popular (Read 2801 times)

Questor · « **on:** October 17, 2006, 05:51:59 AM »

I did a spot check on a few mainstream gun magazines and counted that about half the advertisements featuring handguns show the 1911. Most of the others show some kind of polymer/steel Glock-like auto. Revolvers are hardly advertised.

Bridger · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2006, 10:23:33 AM »

Some time ago I read a statement in the editorial section of one of the magazines that their newstand sales always were greater when they featured a 1911 on the cover. If they pictured a rifle or shotgun sales were less. Like them or not its hard to deny that a fancy 1911 is an attention grabber.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2006, 11:10:32 AM »

Maybe they need to change the magazine names to "1911s and Ammo", "1911 Shooting Times", "American 1911 Handgunner", and "1911 and Rifle".

It's like the Harley Davidson of the gun world.

Heavy C · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2006, 12:55:45 PM »

I think you'd have a lot of people canceling subscriptions. Every month it seems someone is writing to complain about too many 1911 articles and too many expensive 1911's. I don't believe those folks have experienced the joy a 1911 can bring. As far as the expensive one's go, well they sure are nice to look at and read about. I own two and saving for a third!

44 Man · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2006, 05:40:35 AM »

Well, I own other guns besides 1911's, but I do understand their popularity. JMB designed the gun to work with the human hand. The safety works naturaly and is in the right place. The trigger is pretty managable right from the factory. It fits most hands and feels good in the hands. You can't say that for most of the D.A. autos! Either the safety works the wrong, unnatural way, or the trigger is very heavy or long, and many feel blocky and awkward in the hand. With a 1911 it is often a thing of grace and beauty not just a tool. Yep! I'm a believer and have been for most of my adult life. 1911's and single action revolvers rule!

44 Man · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2006, 08:35:17 AM »

Maybe on that note, we could get a publishing company to come out with a 'Playgun' magazine! It would feature naked 1911's and have snappy jokes about 'plastic guns' and an occasional interview with industry leaders or an article about fast cars? Oh, I think that idea has already been taken by Hugh. 44 man

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2006, 12:31:01 PM »

Haven't owned a 1911 of any type in over 30 years and haven't had any type of .45acp in well over 20. I tore out the last page with that now dead guy's article in it and tossed it in the trash as soon as the mag got to me each time.

If I were to see a mag at the newstand with one on it I'd not even pick it up to see what was inside.

ShadowMover · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2006, 02:28:27 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on October 21, 2006, 12:31:01 PM

Haven't owned a 1911 of any type in over 30 years and haven't had any type of .45acp in well over 20. I tore out the last page with that now dead guy's article in it and tossed it in the trash as soon as the mag got to me each time.

If I were to see a mag at the newstand with one on it I'd not even pick it up to see what was inside.

Well don't holdback GB, tell us how you really feel :-)
I feel the same way about 9mm and .223, never owned one and don't plan to.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2006, 06:40:27 PM »

Quote

Well don't holdback GB, tell us how you really feel :-)

I would but I'm shy and bashful around crowds.

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:26:58 AM »

It is an emotional subject to be sure. I use the 1911 a lot, but that's because it has won the hearts and minds of gunsmiths who now know how to make them good competition guns. For other purposes, I simply cannot understand the popularity of the 1911 when I look at all of the fine modern designs we have today that have improved on it. I truly believe that to consider a 1911 technically, ergonomically, and functionally superior to a 40 caliber Glock, HK, or SIG is to be blind to something. To each his own.

OK, now I'm waiting for somebody to cut out the previous long sentence and start flaming me for it.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:58:28 AM »

GB, I feel the same way about the 380 Auto when its considered a self-defense weapon. I always ask, defense against WHAT? However, I know there's no sense in trying to influence people's thinking once they've made up their minds.

wolfsong · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:18:22 PM »

I guess I'll never really understand this topic of discussion - autos vs. revolvers. I own both. I enjoy shooting all of them. They are all capable of doing different things, or shoulkd I say giving me different options of shooting styles, loads, accuracy, etc. My big magnums go BANG! in a big way. My autos make mincemeat out of targets PDQ! I love 'em all. And through lots of practice, I can shoot them all with the same relative degree of accuracy (except for that damn S&W Sigma .40). Let others debate the issue, I'll just keep on shooting all of them. Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:37:54 AM »

Well, this is certainly interesting.........................my own Boss.......................Mikey.

jro45 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 23, 2006, 10:40:41 AM »

I have fun with mine shooting pins at the range. 20 yds. That 1911 is real accurate.

fatercat · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2006, 04:54:22 AM »

Graybeard like me you are a old fat man. you must have lost your taste for beautiful young girls. i hear that happened when you lose your taste for a good old colt 45.

Max Owner · « **Reply #15 on:** November 11, 2006, 06:34:12 PM »

Just picked up a Kimber Raptor II. My first single stack 1911. Points well and has a great feel to the hands. Single hand or Weaver grip.

kyote · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2006, 12:33:51 PM »

Quote from: wolfsong on October 22, 2006, 07:18:22 PM

I guess I'll never really understand this topic of discussion - autos vs. revolvers. I own both. I enjoy shooting all of them. They are all capable of doing different things, or shoulkd I say giving me different options of shooting styles, loads, accuracy, etc. My big magnums go BANG! in a big way. My autos make mincemeat out of targets PDQ! I love 'em all. And through lots of practice, I can shoot them all with the same relative degree of accuracy (except for that damn S&W Sigma .40). Let others debate the issue, I'll just keep on shooting all of them. Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

well said,,I to own them all,big and small, wheel gun and all.I just love shooting,I do not practice to shoot people that want to do me are my family harm,I shoot because I love to.I love reloading and get bored with my most accurate of loads and bullets and move onto something else.mix it all up and start over so to speak.and I shoot at everything that I can just for the fun of it(stuff that is at the range and stuff I set up and remove from the range)even pine cones when I find a bunch on the ground.when they are dry they blow up sweet.don't have ta pick em up either.I walk the beagle and the choc lab by the golf course and pick up stray balls.when i have a 2 1/2 gallon bucket full I take them to the range and throw em out in front of me and blast with hand guns till they are out of range then shoot em with the ARs and fals ect.till the are gone.(I still hate cleanin them all though)..I have 6 1911s one in 10mm one in .40 and 4 in .45acp..they are just a hoot ta shoot..all but one are tricked out.the other is stock 1911.and very unreliable.smoke stacks,failure to feed ect..one day I might work on her.but shooting it always reminds me why I pay a little more to have reliability and and enhancements done on my firearms.

g8r · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2006, 12:50:49 PM »

It's almost a forgotten fact that the popularity of the 1911's really went off the charts as a result of the Clinton magazine capacity (10) bans. Up til then it was Glocks and other hi-cap guns getting most all the attention....

Reloder28 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2006, 11:48:39 AM »

I am not opposed to 1911's but they are like Remington's. Everybody and their brother has one but that does not bestow a more redemptive quality than any other firearms. I carry my Browning P-35 40 S&W and will never own another 1911. I bow my knee to the expertise and sheer genius of John Browning. Weatherby Mark V's are head and shoulders above a 700 in workmanship and strength. Ruger MK II 77's are about the best rifle action on the market today for the average shooter.

Whatever is popular doesn't make it the best/wisest choice.

slave · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2007, 01:01:02 AM »

A 1911 is like a Harley. Its the sound and vibration. Nothing on earth the same but the real artical.

IF I NEED TO EXPLAIN IT YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!!!!

toysoldier · « **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:36:58 PM »

John Moses Browning designed a pretty good gun---for a right-hander. Us lefties feel a little left out. I picked up a Llama .380 that's a "miniature" 1911 (blowback) with all the same controls. I'm fairly ambidextrous, it was cheap, and Kansas passed a CCW law. But for a .45, I bought a Ruger P90DC. It works just fine in either hand, and is reliable and accurate. When that fat lady sings, it's over!

barnett · « **Reply #21 on:** January 22, 2007, 02:21:58 AM »

i'm a leftie and my Kimber Eclipse is fantastic. ambi saftey is a welcome feature.
ymmv

1911crazy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 23, 2007, 08:05:58 AM »

First if this was about two years ago i would of agreed with GB for sure!!!!! About the 1911. I never had one that functioned properly until i got my chinese norinco 1911a1. I purchased 3 before i got the norinco. Yup I'm dumb for hanging in there for so long but i did and i'm glad i tried it one more time with the norinco. It made me try another one the new Auto-Ordnance Army WW2 copy 1911a1 and its as good as the norinco is in cycling and dependability too.

Ok back to the orginal post about the hoopla about the 1911 and other 45acp auto's. Since I like revolvers too with the gun rags not leaninmg towards revolvers lately have you ever tried to find a used ruger security six in 357mag or a S&W 19, 27 or 28 in 357mag? The older 357 mag handguns are harder to find used. Has anyone noticed that in your area?
My local dealer had a ruger security six w/6"bbl in 357mg in blue used for $199 and i grabbed it quicker than stink on a skunk too. There are only the newer used 357's in the case the older ones are really scarce. The case also seems to be full of auto's too and there not too affordable in 40cal or 45acp too. The 380's and the 9mm's seem to be very affodable and i guess there in less demand too. (just my thoughts)

You don't need to spend big dollars to have a good 1911a1. The people at Auto-Ordnance proved this. Even the Chinese proved it too and the norinco is one of the best build platforms because of its forged frame and better quality steels. With my well used norinco i installed a new SPG $59 barrel and full length guide rod kit w/18# recoil spring and a IAI national match barreel bushing from CDNN for $8 and I put it all together fitting the parts the way i thought they should be fitted(plus i have the armorers video too) and my norinco using wolf 45acp ammo shot 3 clover leafs at 25 yds the first day out. I was surprised she shot that good. The norinco was well under $300 used too. I haven't swaged the frame yet too but the slide is pretty loose. My new auto-ordnance shoots/cycles just as good but its new and tighter plus its not broken in yet too.

Now for the smaller caliber handguns I like the CZ's plus there very affordable too. The CZ85DB in 9mm luger, CZ83 in 9mm mak and the CZ83 in 380acp are very good quality auto's too.

sweet45 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2007, 05:17:18 AM »

A colt and a harley..If I have to explain, you would'nt understand.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2007, 07:21:17 AM »

a 1911 is like a small block chevy , every one who is someone makes something for it ! the first real challenge ( auto ) has been the Glock ! Its replacement the hi-power didn't really hurt the 1911 . If you realize there are few self loading handguns that are not modified 1911 actions its easy to see the draw , why have a modified action when you can still get the original ?
examples - Beretta , Sig. , Glock . all draw the slide bbl lock-up from a 1911 .
My feeling is the bad wrap the 1911 gets comes from first people trying to make it do things it was not made to do an example the insistence that it shoot 9mm , yes it can be done but why ? i owned one , mighty healthy gun for such a puny round . Guess J.M.B. figured that out with the HP . then trying to add so many after market parts and doing butcher jobs on kitchen tables by untrained parts changers .
the reason that they grace so many rags is they sell them just like sexy women on every other rag .
my favorite gun to shoot is a revolver , i hate picking up brass ! so its no love affair with me just facts !

Castaway · « **Reply #25 on:** October 05, 2007, 07:49:10 AM »

I gave up lite beer, decaffeinated coffee and jockey shorts when I got my first 1911 and haven't looked back. I've owned three, have two now and wished I'd kept the other but lost it in a trade for a Kimber. Between the Kimber and my Norinco, the Norinco beats it hands down for accuracy with any load I've put through them.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:02:15 AM »

i have a colt that came thru. the colt custom shop , set up for carry . Its a great gun , i just hate picking up cases !