The 1911 Slippery Slope

[ditto1958]

Not long ago I decided it was time I ventured into the world of 1911’s. After some searching, I found exactly what I wanted- and older Colt Series 70 with adjustable target sights. The gun came, and I was happy as a pig in mud. In fact, here it is in happier times:

325E9495-7E63-43A3-B9B9-BD7AFEEB5DDD.jpeg

[ditto1958]

Alas, one day at the range, my front sight fell off. It was off to the gunsmith, who said he can fix it. How long will it take? That is one of life’s great mysteries. The only rational thing to do? Well, buy another 1911. That was obvious. So I did. A nice shiny Ruger SR1911 Target Model. It’s a really nice shooter:

CB7890F1-94DE-4D55-A852-1B7F7F5AC612.jpeg

[RanchRoper]

That is a slippery slope. I better not try one out.

[ditto1958]

By this time, I’m heading down the slope, and quickly picking up speed. I was innocently browsing on GunBroker when a nice Colt Gold Cup caught my eye. I submitted a lowball bid on it. A few days later... I am the proud owner of another 1911:

13C4A405-0590-4D89-A7A4-02878CF0067C.jpeg

This last one hasn’t been to the range yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing how it shoots.

Meanwhile, I need more. It’s truly an addiction. I’m thinking about a Dan Wesson. Maybe the A2 like North Country Gal has, or perhaps a Valkyrie Commander...

[ditto1958]

That is a slippery slope. I better not try one out.

No, you need one.

[RanchRoper]

That recent one is a gorgeous pistol.

[ditto1958]

That recent one is a gorgeous pistol.

Thanks. Sure hope it shoots as good as it looks!

[dave77]

I've been wanting to get a 1911 for a while now, but getting my BBB .357 and then the .357 Blackhawk to go with it pretty much blew my new gun budget for the year (or two).

[ditto1958]

I've been wanting to get a 1911 for a while now, but getting my BBB .357 and then the .357 Blackhawk to go with it pretty much blew my new gun budget for the year (or two).

Well... you could always just stop eating and use the money you save to purchase firearms.

[dave77]

Not sure I want a 1911 that bad although I could stand to lose 30-40 lbs (OK, 50 lbs )

[clovishound]

I always scoffed at .45 ACP. Earlier this year I got the bug and picked up the Springfield Range Officer. I'm a 1911 lover now. Clovispup and I have nearly 3000 rounds through it since March.

[North Country Gal]

Oh, you're addicted. Takes one to know one. We've cut back on our 1911s, more than once to try and quit, but it's always temporary and we go right back to adding more. Welcome to the club.

1911s are fun, easy and cheap to shoot, even if you no longer reload like us. In fact, our 1911s in 9mm are the cheapest to shoot centerfires we own, but our 1911s in 45 auto are in second place, thanks to aluminum cased factory ammo, which actually shoots very well in our 45 auto 1911s. Even brass case 45 auto is cheaper to shoot than factory 38s and much cheaper than factory 357s.

The other thing I love about 1911s is that you don't have to spend big bucks to get one that shoots well. My trusty SA Mil-spec 45 has survived all our purges and even after thousands of rounds down the pipe, it still prints some nice targets for me. Don't have to worry about babying it or scratching it, either. About as basic as it gets, but that's my preferred style for a 1911.

[tarbe]

I've been trying to get away from 1911s since 1975, after I bought my first - a Colt Gold Cup.

Currently shooting a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special.

A good 1911 is hard to leave behind! I've tried several times to "modernize". Turns out Mr. Browning was on to something!

[clovishound]

I've been trying to get away from 1911s since 1975, after I bought my first - a Colt Gold Cup.

Currently shooting a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special.

A good 1911 is hard to leave behind! I've tried several times to "modernize". Turns out Mr. Browning was on to something!

Well, I do believe polymer frame guns have their place. I do own one and it is very good for what it was made for. Traditional forms are usually traditional for a reason. If I had to get down to just one handgun, it would be my 1911 without a doubt.

[Joezilla]

I have never shot a 1911, but they look like fun!

Joe

[North Country Gal]

I've been trying to get away from 1911s since 1975, after I bought my first - a Colt Gold Cup.

Currently shooting a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special.

A good 1911 is hard to leave behind! I've tried several times to "modernize". Turns out Mr. Browning was on to something!

Well, I do believe polymer frame guns have their place. I do own one and it is very good for what it was made for. Traditional forms are usually traditional for a reason. If I had to get down to just one handgun, it would be my 1911 without a doubt.

Not that I'd EVER be down to one kind of gun, but of all our conventional handguns, the 1911 is my favorite, too. Love our Contenders, but those are specialty guns and a whole different world of shooting.

[ditto1958]

I have never shot a 1911, but they look like fun!

Joe

You, sir, are missing out.

[tx gunrunner]

I've own and love this Randall since 1983 and was my combat and CCW for many years and worked perfect . I think my Glock for CCW carry gun is far better gun in my opinion .

[North Country Gal]

For self-defense purposes, I agree, a Glock or similar is the more practical platform to carry. As one who shoots purely target, though, the 1911 is an easy winner for me. It's also the winner in the action sports, thanks to it's excellent trigger and the new double stack versions (the so-called 2011s). Our club range hosts several regional USPSA/IDPA shoots, every year, and it's rare to see any of the competitors using anything but a souped up 1911/2011. Even some talk, locally, of starting a Wild Bunch chapter and for that sport, it's 1911s, only.

If any of you get a chance to watch one of these competitions, check it out. You'll see some amazing work with that old warhorse of a gun. Still alive and kicking after all these years.

[CT_Shooter]

If any of you get a chance to watch one of these competitions (USPSA/IDPA), check it out. You'll see some amazing work with that old warhorse of a gun. Still alive and kicking after all these years.

I've watched a few of these competitions on the Outdoor Channel (maybe the Sportsman's Channel) and have to agree that the shooters are very skilled marksmen and women in some difficult and exciting competition.