Doesn’t go boom Does go boom.
I recall reading an article about Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who owned a fancy 12 cylinder Jaguar. The article mentioned a truism that went something like if you own 5 Jaguars you will also own a mechanic. They were, and are, fine cars but required constant love to keep running.
That is how I feel about 1911 pistols now. I love them. They feel right in my hand. And they hit where I aim. But, for me, they don’t go boom all the time. Instead they don’t go to battery, or the magazine falls out, or the rounds feed oddly, or… shall I keep listing the maladies?
Today, in our squad of 10 or so shooters we had four 1911 shooters. One of us did not finish on the 5th of 6 stages because for some reason when he pulled the trigger, the hammer didn’t drop. My 1911 dropped a magazine on the 1st stage, this is after I did my customary tug on it to make sure it was seated. I figured, well, maybe I didn’t check right. But on the 5th stage, it happened again – twice. And on the 6th stage my gun wasn’t going to battery and I had to do emergency tap bang drills on the final 10 shots.
I know people that CLAIM to keep their 1911’s running. But, frankly, I think they are also fisherman and are used to telling tall tales.
My 1911, a Smith and Wesson 1911PD, is a fine gun. I will sell it confidently that is is a quality 1911. And it will make somebody, that can keep it happy, a fine gun.
As to me… I’ll go back to Glocks. They aren’t quite the pinnacle of a perfectly running 1911, but they go boom every time – even if you haven’t cleaned them in a 1000 rounds. And they can shoot better than me, which really is the test.
I may hunt for a more powerful carry gun that is thinner than a Glock but as simple and reliable. But til then I’ll carry my LCP comfortably knowing that it too goes BOOM.
Afterthought…. don’t email me with tips on keeping the 1911 happy. I know them all. I run Wilson Combat magazines. I clean it religiously. No, I didn’t hit the mag release button. Yes, the recoil spring is the correct weight and new. No I wasn’t limp wristing it…. (-:
1911’s are fine guns for those mechanically inclined to keep them running. And I may keep this one for carry, I’m sure it will run for 20 rounds. But in competition, where I’m doing 150+ rounds rapidly and without cleaning it, it just isn’t working for me.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Not too many .45′s out there that are thin that aren’t 1911′s. The Glock 36 is slightly thinner than a standard glock, but only holds 7. Kahr makes some pretty small .45′s, but I’m not big fan of them. I think they are overpriced and hard to shoot.
I think a 9mm with the right ammo is a good defensive round. The Walther PPS is nice, but not too many accesssories are available. I guess I’m used to carrying my 26 so the width doesnt really bother me. Weight is more of a concern.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
I may just stick with the LCP. +P .380 hurts pretty bad too.
And if I do get another gun it will be .40, so I don’t have to get another reloader. Right now I can crank out a couple hundred top quality .40 in 15 minutes or so.
The Walther is interesting, if I decide to get a bigger carry gun.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:29 am
The HK P30L looks like a winner. Slender, 100% reliability, and 1″ accuracy at 25 yards. http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=900931
February 15th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Frankly, what I see failing are the race 1911s. Perhaps if you used one that wasn’t tricked out?
February 15th, 2010 at 11:34 am
My race gun, now Brian’s, runs fine. It has lots of enhancements to make it run.
It is the single stack 1911s that give me problems. So maybe I’ll get a double stack for carry, but they are pricey and stocky.
I’m still sorting it out. but I feel liberated, not having to wonder each IDPA match “will it work”.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
That is one of the things that pushed me to Sig, and why I love my Sig so dearly. If I have a malfunction it is usually due to gross user error. It could have pushed me to Glock, but every Glock I have ever held just felt *wrong.*
I agree on the “will it work” sentiment. That is what I have with that f’ing Walther.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:45 am
which sig do you have? I’ll have to give it a try next time at the range.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:55 am
P226, modern model. Good solid gun. My cross-section is limited due to lack of experience, but I have had a fantastic experience with the gun.
I’ll be there for the match on the 6th, feel free to take it for a spin.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
just got back from the gunshop. They had a variety of Sigs, and HK USPs there. I compared them all and walked out with a new Glock 22. It felt lightest/smallest. It fit in my pants best and it had the nicest trigger. That will be my new carry gun when I have comfortable attire and I’ll also compete with it in IDPA.
July 11th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
I’ve shot all the popular semi autos and frequent IDPA style meets where duty guns are previlent, I’ve litteraly seen MORE problems with Glocks than quality built 1911s.
Especialy in the .40 & .45 cal models…..
My 1911s are trouble free, but I’ve tuned them like a quality performance car.
1911s are to Glocks what performance cars are to econo boxes, if you don’t know how to opperate one, you’re destined to own the other.
Basically you need to be smarter than the gun, it’s hard to be simpler than a Glock.
Thats why 1911 haters gravitate to Glocks.