1911 Design Preference

[Bushwack44]

After owning full size 1911s for some time, during the past few months (and most recently last week) I've bought 1911s in Commander size and I seem to prefer this size better. I like the balance and while recoil is a little heavier, I find my accuracy better. Question is which do most prefer out at the range AND...during competitions, are only government models used?

Side question is 1911s with front & rear serrations are more visually appealing (to me) but I don't use the front serrations to rack the slide. Of various 1911 videos I've seen, I can't recall anyone use the front serrations to rack the slide (not even to perform maintenance). Other than convenience or aesthetics, are there other benefits to having front serrations (i.e. weight or balance...although I can't see why)?

[keenkeen]

Single stack, 9mm, 5" (or 6"), full rail (or dust cover), no FCS (HP Cuts are OK), bull barrel.

[Kmai24]

People some times use front serrations for a quick chamber check..

[glock_this]

People some times use front serrations for a quick chamber check..

AKA a press check

That's what I use mine for. But I do prefer the look as well.

[Divehobo]

^^^^^ yup

[Griffdog]

Nice pair you got!! I too prefer the Commander size a little better. As for the front serrations I have them on a couple but prefer the clean look.....not a deal breaker either way. Welcome to the addiction.

[NOTABIKER]

I am a 5 inch man myself, that and 45 ACP . simple pleasures.

[tophatjones]

I am a 5 inch man myself, that and 45 ACP . simple pleasures.

Same. Especially if I was looking for reliability. It's not that I think other variations or caliber 1911s are unreliable, but they have less margin for error because the design has been altered. Some examples:

1) 9mm is shorter than 45 ACP, so 9mm mags need a spacer in the mag.
2) The shorter the slide, the less time the parts have to get the previous case out and the next round to the top of the mag.
3) Double stack mags need a long taper to single stack width, since the double stack 1911s use the same slide assembly as the single stacks.

[trigger945]

I prefer full size for range use. And since I don't carry, I just prefer full size. However, I have one commander - a CBOB - and it is a joy to shoot.

I don't like front cocking serrations. I prefer 1911's without them.

[alex45auto]

What are 1911s....

[Loubot10]

What are 1911s....

It's what glocks come back as after they die (if they were exceptional).

[heidad01]

Both modes are nice. Front serrations are unnecessary and for the Tacticool folks.

[Fatcat]

I personally never liked forward cocking serrations but like have adopted the commander sized 1911's as my favorite.
Yes - slightly more recoil but the cycle is faster (if you picture that). you get can recover your sight picture faster.

Same goes w/ the tupperware guns. Shoot a Glock 17, then switch to a 26. Observe the difference and then you'll see why the Baby Glocks are popular.

[MrOrange]

For handlin, shootin, concealin & lookin at, my first choice would be the CCO configuration, with a 4 or 4 1/4" barrel and an Officer's ACP sized frame. Not sure why, but the Officer's frame just feels better in my hand than the full-sized frame. For now I make do with the original Commander set up. Fun fact: The CCO ratio is what Bill Laughridge at Cylinder & Slide found to closely resemble the proportions of the 1903/8 Browning autos, when he was coming up with the idea for his Pocket Model .45 ACP version.

The lighter gun will recoil a bit more, and since the slide is lighter it also cycles a wee bit faster, not that it would make any difference in a shoot-out. I'm so used to the LW Cmdr that when I shoot a Govt. Model, it feels like the gun is going "ker-clunk" in slow motion.

The forward serrations are a result of competition optics mounts that limited access to the slide. On my 1911 with an old-school grip-type mount and Aimpoint, I just stuck some skateboard tape on the sides of the slide. Other than that, I don't see them as having any function other than a stress riser.

[El Trollo Mejor]

5 inch, stainless steel, front serrations optional, skeletonized hammer, rosewood diamond checkered grips, night sights.