4 Things Why I Wouldn't Trust the 1911 with my Life

AShooting Journal ^ | 11/3/2015 | D Shaw

[w1n1]

Daniel Shaw, retired US Marine Infantryman and Combat Weapons Master Instructor, explains why the 1911 is not the defensive gun he chooses to carry.

Shaw gives us four reasons why he opts to go with something aside from John Browning's classic handgun:

• limited magazine capacity
• safety lever
• reliability
• magazine compatibility

The former Marine is careful to note that this is his opinion, based on his experience, and acknowledges that everyone is free to pick the platform that’s right for them. With that in mind, what are your thoughts on the 1911? Do you trust your 1911 with your life? Do you have four reasons to back up your stance? Watch the video here.

[Vermont Lt]

1. I find it incredibly easy and accurate to shoot.
2. While I haven’t shot a person with it, the size of the bullet makes me feel comfortable that if I hit someone, they will stay hit.
3. If you practice enough, the safety issue is not an issue.

Oh well. Its just an opinion.

[Don Hernando de Las Casas]

Exactly which model is that in the photo?

I also do not carry the 1911, though I love it so.
Why? I really like DA/SA, decocking levers, and 9mm magazine capacity. I carry the CZ-75B. Sometimes the S&W 4506, even though I only get the 8 round mage.

[Don Hernando de Las Casas]

Oh, yeah, I realize the CZ does NOT have a decock.

[rjsimmon]

Shaw gives us four reasons why he opts to go with something aside from John Browning's classic handgun:

• limited magazine capacity
• safety lever
• reliability
• magazine compatibility

• Every weapon has a limited magazine capacity. It simply depends upon where your idea of limited stops.
• All weapons have safeties. The 1911's is comfortable to me as is the Baretta. Don't much care for the Glock.
• 1911 is EXTREMELY reliable
• Get magazines for your weapon and there is no problem. Glock mag's don't fit in the 1911 and vice-versa.

[showme_the_Glory]

Colt Commander XSE is my daily choice. I like it because it is a single stack and easy to carry. If I need more capacity, I’ll go for a battle rifle.

[grobdriver]

I carry a full size 1911 every day and would, obviously, trust it with my life.

My carry gun has shot innumerable matches without failure attributable to the gun. I've weak-wristed some rounds and I have had bad magazines, but if I do my part I'm confident the gun will go bang, every time.

I use exclusively Wilson Combat magazines, having tried a bunch of others. I've had trouble with examples of nearly every other brand, including Colt factory and Chip McCormick mags. The mags I carry have been tested time and time again, and I trust them.

Part and parcel with competition is muscle memory. My swiping off the safety is unconscious and uncommanded - it goes with the draw.

The author's aversion to the 1911 safety system is the very reason I carry it - in condition 1 - as does my wife and everyone I train.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

When you care enough to send the very best 'knockdown power'
A 1911 does the job quite well.(..so I have heard)
I would trust a 1911 more than 95% of Congress critters when it comes time to defend my life !!

[LoneStar42]

He must be talking about a GI 1911, which are notoriously inaccurate.

Get a Kimber.

[usual suspect]

I love my 45 cal 1911. It is what I shoot at the range. However, I find it too large to conceal. I have a single stack Kahr 9 mm for cc.

[Don Hernando de Las Casas]

You carry with the hammer back and safety on?

Just curious what you mean by his aversion is what you find compelling.

Do you know what model is in the illustration?

Thanks...

[Resolute Conservative]

I need a side scan sonar to find my 1911.

[Verbosus]

I have a Kimber 1911, as does my daughter.
I love it dearly, and have never had a jam.
It is very reliable.
However, and I realize I will be thrashed for this, I think the size of my .380 better suits CCW for me.

[JoeProBono]

Me too

[MCF]

The 1911 was the first pistol I learned to shoot. The safety was just automatic and I really never noticed it being a problem. Safety was on and finger off the trigger until the pistol was brought to action.

[Mastador1]

He must be talking about a GI 1911, which are notoriously inaccurate.

I remember when in my youth I thought that hot loads were the way to be, I was at a Sheriff's range having fun with my Browning Hi Power when I realized that I seemed to be able to track the rounds being fired by a neighboring shooter. I stopped entirely to watch a Marine Marksman firing his competition 1911 with his target loads put the round in the X Ring with every trigger pull.

[spincaster]

I have two 1911’s. A full size and i carry a Defender and if kept clean and use the best defensive ammo you can buy or reload, yes i would trust my life with these guns. Double stack mags may have the advantage over the single stack but nothing feels like a 1911 in your hands.

[grobdriver]

You carry with the hammer back and safety on?
I do.

Just curious what you mean by his aversion is what you find compelling.
He doesn't like the external safety, has seen many shooters try and fire with it on. In my opinion, those shooters are inadequately trained and use a poor grip. There's no way I could be ready to fire and have the safety on because my thumb rests on the safety.
I believe in safeties.

Do you know what model is in the illustration?
I do not.

[Arm_Bears]

I carry a Walther PPK/S chambered in .380—Fits my hand, and my pocket, perfectly.

I’ve noticed that the snide remarks stop whenever I invite a commenter to stand down-range with a catcher’s mitt while I fire off a few rounds in their direction.

[Don Hernando de Las Casas]

Another thing I LOVE about the 1911 is the grip.

I have small hands and the 1911 feels like a child’s toy in my grasp. All the double-stacks obviously do not feel that way, and are not 100% comfortable in my hands. My accuracy is marginally better with the 1911 in quick-draw, rapid fire.