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Twelve plus years ago, I asked people to state what they liked or disliked about the 1911 and why.
I specifically said they were allowed to tell anyone else they were wrong.
Nobody stepped up.
Is it because I took away the power to condemn someone for liking what they did not?
What I like: make a 1911 to spec as JMB intended, and it's dead-nuts reliable.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't like: for some reason, very few seem capable of making a 1911 to spec..ie, they try "improving" the design at wind up making lemons.
I'd gladly take a 1911 made to spec but with better sights. but honestly, the Hi-Power is more my jam
-JKing
I don't think I was reading your blog 12 years ago...
ReplyDeleteBUT- I have a cheap Rock Island Armory 1911. I've never had a problem with it.
It feels right in my hand and shoots where I aim it- even with the GI sights.
And .45 APC are a LOT less expensive than .45 Long Colt.
Looks better than other pistols. Fits my hand. Grip angle on Glocks is just wrong for me. Full size govt is a joy to shoot. And I like my High Power to. Always wanted a 1911 in 38 super. Only thing I don't like is people ragging on it. I try to keep an open mind. Would like to shoot a CZ SA in 9 or .45.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm not a real fan of the grip safety. But The 1911 despite being heavy and having limited capacity feels good in the hand and will definitely get the job done. My first 1911 (an A1 clone) is a Springfield GI. I replaced the wood grips with a set of GI surplus plastic ones, and I have a GI style mainspring housing without the goofy little key hole Springfield ads (I think maybe for some stupid California compliance issue or something), but I have never gotten around to installing it. It's a good shooter, albeit there are some other visible parts differences between authentic GI 1911s. I also have a WWII made Remington Rand. It was obviously arsenal refinished at least once over the years. It's an even better shooter than the Springfield. However, the 1911-ish pistol I actually shoot most is a Ballester-Molina which is an Argentine made pistol actually more closely derived from the Spanish Star pistols. It does away with the grip safety. The one I have was the cheapest grade from SARCO. The finish is pretty much completely worn off. SARCO had put a set of (ugly) new grips on it and a set of Wolfe springs. It shot reliably when I got it, but it had the typical old GI rattle and the inside of the barrel looked like a sewer pipe. I ordered a new match barrel, link and bushing from MidwayUSA and peened the slide and hand fitted the barrel and bushing. It's tight and actually a more accurate shooter than either the Springfield or Remington Rand. It does have a few drawbacks... The feed ramp on it does not like my favorite .45 ACP ammo... the Speer Gold Dot. It does, however seem to love Hornady Zombie Max. Of course round ball feeds in all three. The Remington Rand doesn't really feed Gold Dots 100% either, but the Springfield does. Another oddity of the B-M is it doesn't seem to like 8 round mags like the Chip McCormick which work in either of the other two.
ReplyDeleteAnyway... hero worship aside... There's a reason the 1911 design has survived 112 years and will probably be around as long as freedom endures. It's damned good and it has been a huge influence on a lot of what has followed it.