Tack Driver 1911s

[MadMex]

[bobfried]

Not sure what you mean by much more money.

My HK's cost as much as my TRP and anything else as accurate will be as expensive. Maybe you wanted to say why spend money on accurate pistols at all?

For defensive uses within 7 yards your right, fist sized double taps is more than what you'll need. It'll suffice out to 25 yards.

But I don't just shoot guns for their practical purpose, I shoot them for the pure pleasure of doing so. In the semi-auto world of handguns, there's nothing that can match the trigger feel and slide to frame fit of a 1911. I have shot many different types of handguns and nothing feels quite as good as a properly done 1911. I can double tap into a fist size hole with many a pistol, using a 1911 will only help a bit more. But because I like the 1911 I'll pick it above all others.

It's the same reason I buy Lexus and BMW's. Whilst I do own Toyota's, Honda's and Mazda's; if you ask me which I'll pick to drive the former two is my preference. Why buy a fast car? Why buy an expensive car? Why buy a car at all? A donkey and wagon will get the job done.

Guns = Cars

Both decision are irrational, financially irresponsible and utterly defenseless in the face of common sense.

[CalNRA]

Why use this platform for a tack driver? No dis intended. Is it kind of like Mt. Everest, ie, “because I can”? Help me understand. Can't get my mind wrapped around spending the extra $ for such accuracy in 45 acp. I’m content with fist sized double taps.
Thanks in advance.

why not?

what do you shoot? why do you what you shoot? a 800 dollar Springfield can often out shoot all the Sigs and USPs out there, you have been looking at the wrong pile of 1911s I'm afraid. Or are you relying on the old anecdote of "well, those old slab sides are pain in the rear and my Sig Sauer is much better".

[koiloco]

.... In the semi-auto world of handguns, there's nothing that can match the trigger feel and slide to frame fit of a 1911. I have shot many different types of handguns and nothing feels quite as good as a properly done 1911. ...

I think that's an unfair and over statement regarding trigger and slide to frame fit for 1911 in comparison to other auto handguns.
A good example will be CZ 75 TS, the trigger on this handgun is not only as good but better than many production 1911's. It's really on the par with my Wilson Combat in regard to trigger and accuracy (disregard the difference is caliber .40 vs .45)
Another example will be Sig X5, one of the best trigger and most accurate 9mm I've shot to date.
My last example will be S&W 952 in 9mm, unbelievable.

All these are high price pistols thus explaining their quality. I paid a lot more for my wilson combat 1911 compared to the fore-mentioned guns, but did not see any big differrence. I own all of them except for the Sig X5 which I only had a chance to shoot about 50 rounds.

So Bobfried, I respectfully beg to differ your opinion.

[slick_711]

I think that's an unfair and over statement regarding trigger and slide to frame fit for 1911 in comparison to other auto handguns.
A good example will be CZ 75 TS, the trigger on this handgun is not only as good but better than many production 1911's. It's really on the par with my Wilson Combat in regard to trigger and accuracy (disregard the difference is caliber .40 vs .45)
Another example will be Sig X5, one of the best trigger and most accurate 9mm I've shot to date.
My last example will be S&W 952 in 9mm, unbelievable.

All these are high price pistols thus explaining their quality. I paid a lot more for my wilson combat 1911 compared to the fore-mentioned guns, but did not see any big differrence. I own all of them except for the Sig X5 which I only had a chance to shoot about 50 rounds.

So Bobfried, I respectfully beg to differ your opinion.

The X-Five was supposed to be Sig's hybrid combining Sig 226 traits with the traits of a competition single action 1911... Want to make the 1911 crew's argument for them?

Edit: Come to think of it, while not necessarily based on the 1911, go look at a S&W 952 and try to honestly tell me the 952 was not heavily influenced by ol' JMB's 1911.

[bwiese]

If I want to shoot 45ACP with pinpoint precision, I use a revolver - an S&W 625.

Loads about as quickly, too, with full-moon clips.

[koiloco]

Edit: Come to think of it, while not necessarily based on the 1911, go look at a S&W 952 and try to honestly tell me the 952 was not heavily influenced by ol' JMB's 1911.

don't all auto handgun operate on the same principle? one can always argue that most hand guns share some similarities.

I am no gunsmith but I too recognize similarity but regardless of similar designs, suggesting that 1911 has the best SA trigger and slide to frame fit compared to all other handguns just seems a little overstated.

[NwG]

don't all auto handgun operate on the same principle? Nope one can always argue that most hand guns share some similarities.

I am no gunsmith but I too recognize similarity but regardless of similar designs, suggesting that 1911 has the best SA trigger and slide to frame fit compared to all other handguns just seems a little overstated.

Maybe not in the slide to frame fit area.. (A question that can never be answered.. Far too may guns out there, each one different)

Bet, the trigger pull of a 1911 is second to none in a handgun.. A stright pull of a few millimeters that when done right can NOT be beat.. IMO.. IMO the key is in the stright pull...

[DrjonesUSA]

Clearly you've never shot a 1911.

The answer to your question lies in the trigger of a 1911 pistol.

A superb trigger is the single greatest contributor to accuracy on a firearm.

Jeff Cooper wrote quite a bit about this, and said that he'd much rather have a mediocre rifle with a superb trigger than the other way around.

[madjack956]

Dr.Jones is right on... a good trigger will make you a shining star. I have a Tikka T3 Tactical with a trigger to die for...(no pun intended)

[koiloco]

Maybe not in the slide to frame fit area.. (A question that can never be answered.. Far too may guns out there, each one different)

Bet, the trigger pull of a 1911 is second to none in a handgun.. A stright pull of a few millimeters that when done right can NOT be beat.. IMO.. IMO the key is in the stright pull...

Now, this is a more reasonable statement

I totally agree that 1911 SA trigger is ONE of the best, but triggers on others non 1911 handguns such as the ones mentioned earlier are clearly in the same arena.

[M. Sage]

I always thought people built race 1911s because there is so much aftermarket support for the pistol...

The only 1911 I've shot is un-modified, and it's already a good tack driver. It's VERY easy to shoot the center out of targets at 15 yards.

[Black Majik]

I always thought people built race 1911s because there is so much aftermarket support for the pistol...

The only 1911 I've shot is un-modified, and it's already a good tack driver. It's VERY easy to shoot the center out of targets at 15 yards.

I think it's a combination of aftermarket support and the platform itself. The 1911 trigger has short take up and reset. In my opinion, no other autoloader matches a well tuned 1911's trigger.

[MadMex]

I think it's a combination of aftermarket support and the platform itself. The 1911 trigger has short take up and reset. In my opinion, no other autoloader matches a well tuned 1911's trigger.

Black Majik,
Your explanation makes sense and is most credible. Thanks for avoiding accusations, hostility, insinuations, etc.

Follow up Q for everyone. If money was no object, what semi-auto handgun platform would you select for a tack driver?

[Jon]

For me, it would have to be the 1911 (at this point). You can go from run-of-the-mill to exotic-OMFG builds. You can spend as little or as much money as you see fit.

There are so many 'smiths, parts and services available for the platform, that it's hard to ignore.


ETA: It really does come down to the ol', "Buy what you shoot best!"