Old technology argument

[Noonanda]

I have seen a few posts in the pistol forum where people state that the 1911 is obsolete and 100 year old technology when compared to X or Y pistol. When did a design age define wiether it is obsolete? Would anyone that claims the 1911 is obsolete say the same thing about the M-2 .50 cal? The M-2 design will be 100 years old in 7 years, yet noone is stating it should be replaced. Just seems kind of a shill argument, that this is obsolete because the design is X years old, but Y is perfectly fine.

Is it just me? I use the 1911 example but have also seen it with other firearms, heck I have seen members here say that the M-16 direct impingment platform is obsolete in the face of gas piston 416 designs. I guess some people havent heard the saying "if it isnt broke don't fix it".

Personally I like all guns regardless of the designs age ( Got my antique Mosin that shoots accurately every time I pull the trigger) LOL

[billybob_jcv]

Many people feel the need to justify their own purchasing choices, and one of the ways they do this is by talking down all other products.

[shooting4life]

The m2 is an old design as well and out dated.

Both it and the 1911 suffer from the same problems compared to modern designs, more parts than needed and requires more hand fitting.

[sealocan]

I heard some expert ( who was not speaking about guns.) talk about how there are people who follow the latest trends, they pay more for their items but get some kind of satisfaction from having the latest & greatest thing and are willing to pay the price if it's a failure or dead end (Betamax tapes/ laserdiscs)


and people who stay with the proven old school technology and items. who pay less but may be lacking some of the features or faster speeds of the newer items.

the main thing I gathered from it was that both trains of thought have pluses and minuses.
there's a price to pay no matter which way you go.


me, I'm old school even if I trailblazing into deep space or the future through a Time Machine...

I'd be packing something that has been proven reliable over time.

[Marquand]

Don't care about design age. What works, works. What doesn't, doesn't.

Are older designs more complex? Many are. I think there are more parts in a 1911A1's slide than there are in an entire Glock pistol. But with a century of proven reliability, it clearly doesn't matter.

For years, the three revolvers kept loaded in my home have been a 1928 vintage Colt Official Police, a 1950 Official Police, and a Smith & Wesson Model 10 from 1959. Every one of them is proven, accurate, and effective in their role. Could I replace them all with more modern designs? Certainly. But if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[as_rocketman]

Firearms in general tend to be effective for a very long time.

The Brown Bess musket used by His Majesty's Regular Army against us in the Revolution were essentially unchanged from their original design in 1722, and continued in primary service until 1838.

Similarly, on our side of the lines, the principal arm was the Charleville pattern musket, created in 1717 and only slightly modified until 1835.

Whether or not something is obsolete has little to do with its age.

[bulletblood]

Don't care about design age. What works, works. What doesn't, doesn't.

Are older designs more complex? Many are. I think there are more parts in a 1911A1's slide than there are in an entire Glock pistol.
t.

I never understood this argument. A 1911 is so simple to completely detail strip and maintain. Taking apart a modern striker fire pistol is a major pain in the *** with so many tiny springs and roll pins that need to be punched out. Maybe glock is the exception to the rule, but most modern striker fires are overly complex compared to a 1911 imho.

I think the major reason a 1911 is old tech is ammunition capacity. However in CA that really doesn't matter so for me it doesn't seem outdated.

[afteractionreport]

If it didnt work people would have let it become obsolete....the market chooses.

[dyson]

Many use 1911's in shooting competitions over other newer designs.

[pterrell]

I love my 1911. Works just fine. I like my DA/SA 9mms too, but there is nothing at all wrong with the 1911's 100 year old design.

[Noonanda]

The m2 is an old design as well and out dated.

Both it and the 1911 suffer from the same problems compared to modern designs, more parts than needed and requires more hand fitting.

So what would you replace it with? What design will do the same job better at a reasonable price? Name some replacements.

As far as hand fitting, what hand fitting does the end user need to do other than check headspace and timing when installing the barrel?

[pterrell]

I never understood this argument. A 1911 is so simple to completely detail strip and maintain. Taking apart a modern striker fire pistol is a major pain in the *** with so many tiny springs and roll pins that need to be punched out. Maybe glock is the exception to the rule, but most modern striker fires are overly complex compared to a 1911 imho.

I think the major reason a 1911 is old tech is ammunition capacity. However in CA that really doesn't matter so for me it doesn't seem outdated.

I think that's still the only downfall of the 1911 is that it is annoying to put back together. Any hammer fired SA/DA hanguns these days are crazy easy to field strip. I doubt I could get my 1911 back together if I came under fire while cleaning it, but I promise my P226 would be back together.

[Mitch]

I think the major reason a 1911 is old tech is ammunition capacity. However in CA that really doesn't matter so for me it doesn't seem outdated.

I think the reason the 1911 is obsolete is because its designer himself was dissatisfied with it and went on to design an improved version (the Browning Hi-Power).

[Gem1950]

As someone on this forum once said - The 1911 is not just a pistol, it's a hobby (if you work on it yourself that is).

[Noonanda]

I think the reason the 1911 is obsolete is because its designer himself was dissatisfied with it and went on to design an improved version (the Browning Hi-Power).