Posted on 12/05/2018 5:37:09 AM PST by PROCON
Pretty much anyone on the planet who studies firearms or military history has heard of the pistol known as the 1911.
In continual service and production for over 100 years, it is the longest serving handgun in US military history and one of the longest serving weapons in world history.
With such longevity, there are naturally many myths, legends, and stories attached to the 1911.
The pistol was designed in the early 1900s for a US Army contract. It was a product of the fertile mind of John M. Browning, a man considered to be one of the most important and prodigious inventors of firearms in history.
He also designed other famous weapons from the Winchester 1894 rifle to the M2 .50 caliber machine gun which is also still in service to this day.
M1911 designer, John Browning.
The 1911 was designed in response to an Army request for a new semi-automatic pistol to replace the various revolvers then in service. The Army was just coming to the tail end of a guerrilla war in the Philippines that had made them re-evaluate their choice of weapons.
Tough Moro enemies had frequently required multiple shots to reliably put them down. So when the Army was selecting a new handgun, the specification was for a .45 inch caliber in order to give it more punch. The Army also took the remarkable step of specifying a semi-automatic instead of a revolver.
The outcome of these requirements was the now famous model of the 1911 pistol. So began a fascinating history that continues to this day.
(Excerpt) Read more at warhistoryonline.com ...
One of these days I'm going to have to get a Set of CT for My Deburred, Polished Feed Ramp, Custom Trigger, Norinco 1911 (got it from a guy that used to Compete so all the work was done when I got it. I know the Chicoms copied it but it works great. I had somebody once tell Me they used Our finest scrap metal from 57 Chevy and hammered it out on the thighs of a Chinese Virgin) and Mama's Baby 9mm. She's still deciding what Rig to get- Women...
I go with 1 in Chamber, 7 rd Mag + 6 spare 7 rd Mags. Makes a even Box of 50 ready to roll if needed. A Buddy of Mine made some Custom JHP Loads for Me. Never (Ssshush, knock on wood) had any type of jam or missfeed no matter what Bullet type, Handload or off the shelf.
All fits real nice in a Shoulder Rig + a Doublestack Mag Pouch on the opposite side. 4 Singlestack 7 round mags in it 2 more in a pocket. Or all fits nice in the Rollowalker seat pouch in My free AARP mini bag. Also have a Crossbreed IWB option that can pair up with the above Mag Pouch/pocket spares. Just depends on the occasion, weather or destination of the day.
Dual Wielding in 2018 has gotten easier with the Arsenal AF2011:
I saw one of those crime show “Fear they neighbor” reproductions. Witnesses saw a guy shoot an attacker with 9mm multiple times and the guy never flinched and hit the shooter with a shovel. They guy did die a few hours later but you get the point. In that same attack the guy’s wife went nuts and ran after the shooter with a ax; he shot her multiple times and she never flinched. The witnesses thought he was either missing on propose or just a bad shot. I’ve never heard a story about a someone getting shot with .45 and not “reacting” to it.
I’m the same way- Ambi. Son-in-Law is a PA Game Warden and We were at the Range one day and noticed I was swapping R/L hands and asked about it. I would think they would train for it. I know He does now.
I saw a Show years ago showing Combat Alternative options. One was Racking the Slide one handed using a stationary object like the edge of a corner of wood, wall, window frame or anything to put the edge of the Nose of Your Slide on the object and push forward on the Grip to Cycle a Round out from a jam, misfire or release the slidelock after a Mag change while wounded in one hand or arm.
Plenty out there, just not publicized much.
Several of them in "Handgun Stopping Power: The Definitive Study by Marshall and Sanow, 1992, pages 94-95.
The 9mm sucks. If someone gets shot “multiple” times with a .45 the go down. Not always so with a 9mm.
I am puzzled when they always seem to say that Browning was one of the great gun designers. One of? No one else was even close.
Lots of great guns designed by others but none were to be compared with Browning.
He also was well liked by everyone who worked with him. Browning felt a kinship with the workers at Colt and FN, who were able to turn out such beautifully made guns.
Made for the Philippines ... now made in the Philippines.
(Going to order one of the cheap Rock Island’s myself, just to have a knockabout, Dad’s Colt being a bit too collectible and all that)
+1
5.56mm
Agreed !
When in High school in Houston many Moons ago. I knew a Chinese Family that owned a little Grocery store. Some punk on PCP got shot out front by a .357 Mag 6 times and kept advancing like 20 feet or so on the other punk before he started to stumble. Then shooter punk pulled a big knife and began stabbing Him to bring on the end of conflict.
The Store Family kept a MAC10 under the Counter for just such occasions.
I recall reading this. Anyone able to find a source? I have not.
I think you all meant Captain American. Why would Superman need guns? :)
Nope. Not always. Plenty of examples.
Fact is, the 9mm and the .45 have almost exactly the same energy levels.
In full metal jacketed version, there is not much difference. In the best expanding bullets, there is not much difference.
Among handguns, generally, there are only small differences.
Shot placement overrides caliber almost all the time!
There is no magic bullet, as long as the bullet has the energy to do the necessary damage when its path intersects with the vital organs.
I would include the vital organs major bones. A pistol bullet needs enough energy to smash/break large bones. It is why .22 rimfire, .25 acp, and most of the .32 pistol cartridges are not the best choices.
Stopping power for anything .32 magnum on up is very close.
In the early Superman comics, circa 1938, Superman could not fly and wasn't completely invulnerable. Those attributes were gradually added.
I recall, reading, that Superman was originally armed with a .45 government model or two, but an editor nixed the idea. They clearly made the decision that Superman would not kill people.
Early on, Superman killed a fair number of criminals.
“I’m a righty primarily, but shoot w/ both hands, and my camera hand is my right one. I taught myself to shoot ambidextrously, in case of taking a hit on my right hand/arm.”
I’m a portsider, packed 1911 nearly everyday the three years I was in the army. After getting out several years later, I bought two left handed Randall’s, one the LeMay and the other a match pistol with adjustable sights. They are good shooters. Also, have the Beretta 92F which replaced the 1911 and keep in truck console. It’s more portsider friendly, has ambidextrous safety and mag release can be configured on either side of grip.
I use Wilson Combat Mags - 1911 Magazine, .45 ACP, Full-Size, 8 Round, Standard Base Pad - and got 25 of them when they were on sale at WC. The Galco leather mag holster holds 2, but I grab a handful for my coat pocket, plus I carry 10 loaded mags in the 2017 Jeep GC’s center console.
I had both Kimbers blueprinted by my FFL’s Gunsmith, just for grins, and trigger pull dropped to 3-lbs. They were flawless and perfect, right out of the case, but I had it done, anyway.
I have a Bianchi Leather Shoulder Holster for my 975 Colt Trooper MKIII .357mag, but use Galco FED212 Leather Paddle Holsters for the 1911s, as I did for my Glock G32 .357 SIG, before I sold it.
In winter, CC is no problem. In spring thru fall, I wear a work shirt, untucked, and the 1911s “print” the shirt, letting everyone know I’m carrying. I like it, and even after losing 131-lbs, and dying 2x, from 23+11 days in York Hospital and then Hershey Hospital Complex w/ Acute/Severe Pancreatitis, my frame carries them well.
“...used Our finest scrap metal from 57 Chevy and hammered it out on the thighs of a Chinese Virgin)...”
Still laughing at that one!!
“...two left handed Randall’s, one the LeMay and the other a match pistol...”
SWEET & SPICY rigs!
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