What Makes the 1911 So Popular?

[Icypu]

I'm looking at a .40 cal 1911 right now. I like it because its heavy but amazing.

[donnrcp]

Pistols I've owned over the years: 357 x2, 44mag x3, 380 x1, 357 Sig x1, 9mm x5, 40 x2 and 45 x 5. Pistols I currently own :Springfield 1911 45 that is 26 years old and a Springfield EMP in 9mm. What do I enjoy the most? That old 1911! Fit and function.
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[Artema]

I'm looking at a .40 cal 1911 right now. I like it because its heavy but amazing.

Get a real .40, like 10mm. Short & Weak isn't worth it!

[fred40]

1911s been around for 100yrs for a reason. They work.

[Rickrock1]

You can clobber someone with it when you run out of ammo and still be a stopper.
Trust me I know and it works, talk about stopping power.

[Icypu]

Get a real .40, like 10mm. Short & Weak isn't worth it!

So my wife opened my safe one day with me and I had a P226 .357 sig at the time, and all my other handguns were .40. She picked up a .40 cartridge and asked "how many of these can fit in the p226?" I said none, and decided for her benefit I'd consolidate all my calibers.

Since then my house is a .40 cal house, and most of my mags interchange. No mistaken caliber loading mistakes, and I can keep all my guns running the same diet for economy of scale benefits. That's why I prefer a 1911 in .40.

[Artema]

So my wife opened my safe one day with me and I had a P226 .357 sig at the time, and all my other handguns were .40. She picked up a .40 cartridge and asked "how many of these can fit in the p226?" I said none, and decided for her benefit I'd consolidate all my calibers.

Since then my house is a .40 cal house, and most of my mags interchange. No mistaken caliber loading mistakes, and I can keep all my guns running the same diet for economy of scale benefits. That's why I prefer a 1911 in .40.

Oh I know it is a fine round, but the rivalry is obligatory.

[stix213]

Only way to get a more American gun is if it was made out of bald eagles.

Slim, fitting most hands, effective round, and typically a much easier to shoot trigger than most modern polymer guns make it a favorite. Plus so many model choices, and customizations only beaten by an AR-15, make it fun to collect or make a project out of. Its also a pretty sexy looking gun.

Some cons are low round capacity, especially for such a large and heavy pistol, and old school safeties. Often what people get them for today, those aren't real problems.

10 round limits in CA though make the 1911 with 7-8 round typical capacity much more attractive for an HD pistol because we lack the 17'ish round options available in other states.

[Icypu]

Oh I know it is a fine round, but the rivalry is obligatory.

Plus I have girly hands, so the average 1911 with the GI grip requires too much hand shifting for my thumb to operate all the controls. Slim grips are okay.

[The Paper Pimp]

doesn't the HK P2000 or P7 have a similar grip angle of 11 degrees?

[Gem1950]

Like most things that are unique and intricate, you must immerse yourself before you fully appreciate it.

[GM4spd]

1911s been around for 100yrs for a reason. They work.

This! Pete

It's an American thing you know! Pete

[bigbearbear]

I don't own a 1911 myself but my colleague has a Kimber and let me shot it a couple of times. I would say, I like it. The single stage trigger is easy to shoot well with, in fact, when I tried my colleague's Kimber, it seems that I could shoot better with it than with my own Beretta Px4 9mm (2 stage trigger).

The gun is very nicely balanced, it is heavier than a typical polymer gun but the greater weight seems to let it absorb the recoil well.

I also like the grip on the gun, feels natural and because it is slimmer, it felt like you can grip it very easily in a very stable manner. Which translates into shooting it well.

There are people who don't like it though, especially when considered for heavy shooting and combat situation. For example, this guy:

[Gomphe]

Wow, looking at all the pictures of the various 1911 is intoxicating. Each one of them are beautiful in their own way. It's like looking at a sleek sports car or admiring a well crafted Japanese, carbon steel katana.

Still, aesthetics is only half of the equation to my question. In a way, I feel like Spock trying to rationalize an emotional response to a question. In my mind, using a 1911 over other a more modern gun is like turning down a fully automatic assault rifle in favor of a CA compliant .22 rifle with a 10 round limit magazine.

- Gomphe

[CK_32]

It's because of how elegant classy and how much craftsmanship goes into them.


Same as Rolex. Technically it's just a watch but everyone wants one cause it's a status symbol and some understand and like my self appreciate the craftsmanship and design of it.


But then like the lower end 1911 owners like RIAs are the guys who have the knock off Rolex's. They work both tell time/shoot. But that's their Rolex they can afford haha