My grandfather was part of MACV-SOG and always preferred to have his Colt 1911 when everyone around him was using Browning High Powers...When asked why he said the amount of times I saw team members shoot someone even with perfectly placed shots and they would be so doped up they would just keep coming vs the knockdown power he had with the 1911 so he always was very fond of them and I was blessed to inherit his, it will forever be one of my favorite pistols.
I had served as an army officer 1983-1986. I learned the 1911 in ROTC in Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1980. I always loved the 1911 and have owned some 10 different pistols in my years from POS AMT Hardballer that would choke on anything, to Sspringfield TRP, to Colt Government, Colt Commander, Colt Officers, to Sig TT, to Les Baer and Ed Brown. It was on my hip when I lived in Los Angeles during the Rodney King riots along with a Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge cut down to 21 inches. It's been behind my pillow for decades serving nightstand duty. Yes, I have a Browning High Power, FN FNX .45, HK VP9, but having a full size 1911 with 230 grains +P JHP is comforting. Nothing calms your nerves when something goes bump in the night with a 1911 in your hand. When I die, I'll have one in my hand.
Your grandfather is a real life action hero, Jocko's podcast introduced me to many Macv sog stories. .ake sure you raise your kids and nephews/nieces right so it can stay in the family as an heirloom and reminder to keep your life in only your hands (wordly/earthly wise). ☦️✝️
And now you can include Hawai’i. Only those who have lived on the mainland though as when I grew up on O’ahu if the temperature dropped below 77°F I wore pants and sweatshirts/jackets, but not anymore. I wear shorts year round. The past few winters Texas & Florida have dropped into the 30’s and Texas has gotten snow, so I think they can carry full-size if this winter follows.
I remember cleaning mine and it had a zen quality to it. It was satisfying to field strip, clean, lube and put it all back together, only to check the slide and dry fire a little to make sure everything was ok. The sound of it was reassuring and it was something that forced you to set some time apart, take your time and focus on one single thing for some minutes, what was calming and almost therapeutic.
Something that I found interesting as a carpenter I read that the grip angle on most cordless drills and screw guns are based on 1911 and I believe it because my Dewalt screw gun and drill feels a lot like my Springfield range officer in my hand
To correct a common misconception... The .45 didn't replace the .38 Special. It replaced the .38 Long Colt and .38 Short Colt revolvers. The .38 Special is a significant step up over either, and especially over the Short Colt.
The C& Arsenal video series from the 1900 model to the 1911 puts all of this in an understandable context. Long series of videos but very enlightening.
@@benjamin3290 to be fair, historians in general aren't the best at getting details of firearms right, and just don't realize there are a variety of ".38" pistol rounds. There are many "authoritative" print sources spanning a century that refer to the military revolvers as ".38 Specials". This is one completely understandable mistake.
Also, the "every law enforcement agency in the country at one time or another" is iffy at best. The overwhelming handgun of law enforcement issue/use in the U.S was the .38 spl revolver (typically a Smith K frame).
@@antoniotula262 Yep. I first qualified for my Texas Peace Officers License with a revolver. Virtually zero departments issued 1911s, maybe none. Wasn't until the late 80s to mid 90s that most departments switched to autos. And those almost universally split between Berettas and the old school 2nd and 3rd gen S&W autos. Mid 90s and on was the GIANT switch to the Glock, and to Sig 226 and 229s to a much lesser extent. To be honest, I can't think of a single LEO department that ever issued the 1911. Every Texas Ranger I knew carried one, but even then, I think a Sig was their issue piece, and the 1911 was just an authorized alternative.
@heathwasson7811 I haven't seen one of those big stainless Smith autos in a long time. LGS had some police trade-ins about 15yrs ago that were beat up good. I could see seatbelt marks from road time, rusted rear sights from guys working parades in summer or foot posts. I should have bought one, really.
John Browning was a genius, the 1911 like many of his designs has stood the test of time. What really got me into the 1911 was hearing my Grandfather who was in the Army in WW II and all over Europe talk about how he carried it everywhere and it never disappointed him and that on the rare occasion when he took German soldiers as prisoners they were intimidated by the bore size of the barrel. Based on my own experience and preference my EDC is a 1911 platform pistol in .45 ACP.
@stormlakebobcat9058 and they probably don't even know that John Browning later designed and developed the Browning HI Power in 9mm, and that the HI Power was/is the basis for a lot of the 9mm pistols on the market today and the same could be said about the 1911.
Minor correction, the M1911A1 was officially replaced by the Beretta M9 in 1985. Despite that they remained in use with conventional soldiers as late as 1995.
Can confirm...we were still training with, and carrying the 1911 back around 93 when I was topside watch on my old pig; SSN 750 the Nswport News. Hurt my soul when they handed me a Beretta...It's a nice weapon, but the 1911 still has my heart.
@@hoppinggnomethe4154lol right? It's like people think crates of new weapons arrive at the armory and all get swapped out at once. I was at a FOB chow hall in Iraq and it was a massive hub base and between the different services, and units you could see everything from M16A1 to A2 refurbs to guys field testing the XM8.
The trigger and the grip is why I love the 1911. I have now built 6 for myself from the ground up. Building and fitting them is as much fun as shooting them.
Love the history lesson, comparisons, pros and guns and honest outlaw opinion. Your reviews just keep getting better. That last out take was hilarious 😂 Cheers 🍻
Excellent video. Probably the most honest perspective I've seen presented on the internet. I've been a devout 1911 guy since 1973 when I was introduced to them in the Army. I was a light weapons and demolition specialist on a Special Forces A Team, so I got to disassemble, assemble, shoot and train others with A LOT of different firearms. Since that time I've shot and owned many different pistol platforms, but my favorite remains the 1911. It fits me best ergonomically and I am most accurate with it. For me the maintenance truly is a labor of love and I'm willing to do it so I can enjoy all of the "Pros" associated with it. And when properly maintained, they are extremely reliable regardless of ammo type. Thanks for the presentation. - Hawk
Accurate is a definite plus. Pops does not shoot much. My Rock Island is in 9mm/22tcm. Pops dropped 6 shots on center and 3 close by. Beat the pants off me in shooting terms. 😅
My Dad taught me how to shoot pistols using a 1911. Since then, I've show striker-fired and DA/SA pistols of almost all brands. When I got into competitive shooting, it was full circle back to 1911/2011. For pure performance, 1911/2011 all day long. If its the Zombie Apocalypse or some other unlikely dystopian scenario, Glock or HK.
Between this channel, Humble Marksmen, and Sage Dynamics... I was itching for a 2011. Two weeks ago I got to rent an Atlas Athena. Within 12 hours, I was placing an order for my own Athena. Chris is a enabler. LOL
Good video. IMO the 1911A1's rep fell a lot in people's estimations for three reasons. 1) The military manufactured ones were almost completely worn out by the early 80s through age, poor maintenance and infrequent spring replacements. They were nearly smooth bore single shot pistols in many cases. 2) Dozens of crummy companies pumped out lousy clones while the good companies pumped out expensive boutique guns the average shooter couldn't afford. The real nail in the coffin were the old Fudds who talked up the 1911 _while disparaging the Glock_ to Millennial and Gen X shooters. That last point is key. Nobody likes to be gaslit and the resentment bled over to the 1911.
I remember various "gun celebrities" in the early 90s calling Glocks "combat Tupperware" and insisting that if something wasn't a 1911 it wasn't worth a damn. That said, I like both 1911s and Glocks.
First, the “military” didn’t manufacture any 1911s, or any other weapons, for that matter. I’d like you to name the dozens of companies that manufactures crummy clones, and lastly, your last “key” assumption is as false as Biden with a working brain. Where did you come up with this stuff?
Well.... This old fudd was in a situation nobody wants to in be & I walk out. Issued .45 worked even for a "Maracha". I encourage everyone find what they like, learn it, train w/ it, maintain it. What ever an individual chooses. I'm Colt particular & like the "GI" too much despite the cons. That's my 1A 😉
Didn't some of the first point happen with Berettas too? I had some relatives and have some friends that were military and the few that had issued sidearms really hated their Berettas...but the new ones I've shot were pretty nice
This certainly was a very well done video. My fondness for the 1911 goes back to its use in WWll. My father served in the Army at that time. Again a very informative post. Cheers!
As I was watching this video, my Staccato P was sitting on the couch next to me after being carried all day, and my Colt Commander was safely stored upstairs. Great presentation, as always.
Thanks Chris, I still carried an Army issue 1911 in Desert Storm. Love it. I own several 1911s to include a Wilson Combat every day carry and several Stryker fire pistols. But I still prefer my 1911s.
@randyduncan795 Agreed, I would definitely prefer a 1911 in 45ACP or even 9mm than a 38spl revolver. I also appreciate and have a J-frame in 357. Before subcompact 9 was around, a J-frame was pretty much the only choice unless you went the 380 route.
I think it's major The 38SC was a 98-125gr projectile moving at subsonic 235m/s producing about the same muzzle energy as a modern 22lr. 38lc was a 125-150gr projectile moving at 245m/s which is barely above a 22mag. Meanwhile, modern 38spl and 9x19mm are pretty similar shooting a 115gr projectile out about 350-500m/s.
To me a 1911 is a 2nd or 3rd purchase gun in this era. It's best bought after a 10+ capacity 9mm home-defense/ccw pistol. It also helps to diversify your ammo pool when you buy .45. I want to eventually build a 1911 that is effectively MEU M45 but in a gray parkerized finish.
I know, right? My girlfriend likes shooting 9mm and I tease her about it asking her if she's a drug dealer. Seems like every 2-bit thug in the movies is rocking a 9. lol @@TomTheSasquatch
Great video I carry a full size 1911 only had revolvers growing up went into the Marines and fell in love with this weapon it just fits hard to miss with keep her clean and she will do the job thanks for the video and all the hard work
The new versions are head and shoulders above the old GI model, which I carried in the mid '80's. Just got the new PSA Admiral model with the rail. So far, so good. It runs well with Chip McCormick magazines.
I am in almost total agreement with you where the 1911 and 2011's are concerned. The gun that I have had in my personal armory the longest is a Springfield Armory Champion. Ammo finicky as all hell, but I will never get rid of it. Love my 1911's. But love my CZ's also. Glocks in a gun competition to me are like having a matchbox derby car in an F1 race. Love your channel. Keep doing what you do.
You definitely nailed all the pros and cons of the 1911. Never seen it so well laid out before! You just helped me go ahead and purchase a 1911 over a beretta M9 and a Sig 229. I think the trigger and accuracy of the 1911 wins!
I've had four 1911s. I loved them all, including a Colt AND a Taurus. I didn't have trouble with my Taurus. My favorite is a Tisas Carry in stainless. My next new gun will either be a cz, the s&w FPC, or....another 1911. Nice video.
I’m a fan also, have a Taurus, never gave me any issues, except one time it was so cold the action froze shut, I quit using that lube! My Kimber had a few jambs in the first 500 rounds, gtg after that. Would definitely like to step up a tier on the next one.
I was leary of Tisas. I bought the stingray carry in 9mm. it's a really fine gun and a great shooter. I also have Springfield and Para Ordinance 1911s.
I have many different pistols both revolvers and auto loaders. I love my wheel guns but the 1911 is my favorite in large part because I carried one in the tunnels of Vietnam. Call it nostalgia but I have a great history with the 1911
thanks for your service 🙏🏽 i just turned 21 and have always been in love with m1911s. i’m thinking about picking one up in the near future. with that being said, do you have any recommendations for me, given your experiences?
I went from a G19 Gen3 as my EDC to a Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec with the 5" barrel as my EDC and I absolutely love carrying it. I have ALWAYS loved the 1911s ever since I got into guns at a young age.
I just turned 24. As a young gun guy I will say the 1911 is the absolute best handgun platform in history. My first gun was a Rock Island Armory 1911 in .45 for which I paid $400. In the years I have owned it it has never jammed or failed even once and I don't even clean it that often. Since than I have owned and shot many 1911s my favorite being my brand new Dan Wesson Razorback in 10mm, the most accurate and powerful pistol I have ever owned, but any 1911 is unbeatable for trigger quality and control and for reliability provided you do the bare minimum to take care of them.
I've always thought of the 1911s at great handguns, just outclassed in every specific niche when price point isn't a factor. I'll never knock anyone for using a 1911 for anything that's handgun applicable (depending on the manufacturer), there's just better options out there for each niche. As a general use handgun it's still easily a top 5 to 10 platform depending on your tastes
@@jhurley12 when it comes to competition guns it's a much different argument since a good competition gun is typically a great gun, and at that point its just minor little things that are more preference based. That's if you just go off 1911 patterns because if you bring up things like 9mm 1911 pattern handguns then it's it's argument over "is it actually a 1911" (I know it's a weird tangent but they're fairly common in competitions iirc)
@@gamez4420 Im not understanding your point of view on how the platform is outclassed in the competition niche, when it totally dominates. The caliber doesnt change the name of the weapon platform. I think you meant to say “when price point IS a factor”, because if it were not, the 3-8k dollar 1911s can be included in the conversation for these niches.
One of your best videos to date! You very accurately explained the 1911 (Wilson Combat rocks). Too many new shooters haven't experienced the wonderful trigger of a custom 1911. Striker fire is Agricultural, 1911 is precision ( similar to AK vs AR).
I have five 1911’s and love them all. My first was a Colt LOM that I installed Wilson parts on and had the Roguard finish applied with NP3 for the internals. Great video!
Bought my first 1911, a tisas 4.25 in .45 with the ed brown bobtail cut. Amazing carry gun. Nobody ever told me how thin a 1911 is for carry. I'll be looking into a 2011 soon enough
1911's are a little to more to maintain and require a little more cleaning and turning, but worth the effort. Been shooting 1911's for forty years, always will be my favorites.
Yup..Been shooting 1911 for 62 years. Got my first experience at 8 years old. Quite a gun for an 8 year old. But my dad had a motto...if you are going to do anything, do it right. I am 70 and STILL shoot 1911 and it is what I carry.
The 1911 design exists to show innovators how much they have to do to come up with a genuine improvement. And yes, for most situations, a 1911 will be an effective tool for solving problems appropriate for handguns.
I would love to own a good 1911, I wouldn’t mind cleaning it, I probably over clean my polymer frame canik, I was raised to keep them clean and lightly oiled. These are the most outstanding reviews on UA-cam!
For me. I have smaller hands and single stack 1911 with only 7-8 rds and more recoil make it a no go for me. I'll stick with my 9mm (it can still blow a lung out of the body). But I will admit the 45acp will blow the heart, both lungs, and the spine out while pushing your target back and out of the fight proven for over 100yrs. I inherited my grandads service Colt 1911 circa 1914 that he carried through Belgium in WWII. And I'm keeping it.
Love the hyperbole around calibers. A .45 isn't even 50% more effective than a 9mm. Its not pushing anybody backwards except in shitty action movies. Also just about every company makes 9mm 1911s so talking about caliber preference makes no sense.
I'm talking traditional 1911. And I'm an ICU doc in level I trauma. Bet I know a bit more about it than you. And the reason it was so effective in WWI and WWII is because at very close range it would indeed push them back and knock them down and this actually prevented a lot of people from getting secondary bayonet injuries etc. during hand to hand combat. But I'm sure you already know that. There always has to be that one guy whose asshole is puckered a bit too tight. @@Xavier_Coogat_the_Mambo_King
I served in 2012, and happily carried a military issued 1911 as a sidearm. We also used M9s widely, but our command had both, and I landed on the 1911 by random chance, and loved it. But the superior ammo capacity of the M9 is a huge plus.
I love mine, great shooter, easy to hit a target, big heavy bullets are always fun. And a very interesting piece of history. It's no 23 round race gun, but it can be in no way over-rated. I would argue a glock is more over-rated, people get on their knees for them, even if they have a crappy trigger and a bad grip, not to mention ugly as it gets. By the way, mine is a very basic springfield milspec, cost me about 600 bucks. And in about 1500 rounds it has yet to have a single failure. I do clean mine, but we should all be doing that anyway.
i own 2 1911's a desert eagle 1911 ( bull armory made I believe) that has 200 rounds through it and a tisas raider that has about 30 through it ( just bought it a month ago) and I have yet to have any issues with ether of them. I hate the glock it feels terrible in my hand and It looks alot like a hi point. They talk about capacity but it doesn't matter if you don't train and just mag dump ( spray and pray).
I’ve shot a lot of cheap 1911’s and I’ve found Remington R1’s to be insanely good quality in every way compared to any other $1000 and under 1911 on the market.
I've never had much luck with 1911s being cursed with very small hands. Oddly enough I can just barely get my hands around an S&W 2.0 10mm double stack with a shaved small backstrap. Great video, enjoyed it much!
I never considered that, I probably was assuming with the single stack hand size wouldn’t be too much of an issue. I’ve never owned one , always ant to , just never ran up on the right deal. I have a canik tp9 sfx , the small back strap that came with it made it easy enough to grip the same each time and it’s comfortable. I’m old school and it’s hard for me to like a striker, that specific striker has such an amazing trigger I can’t help but like it. It the reason I’ve always wanted a 1911, for the good trigger they are sort of famous for. I will have to consider my hands though, smaller than average I reckon, medium sized gloves fit them best. Your comment was thought inspiring , thank you.
@@noonespecific9463 You are quite welcome. To shoot a 1911 I have to grip it in my right hand and put my left hand forward and pull the trigger with my left index finger. The grip on the 1911 is just too long front to back.
@@poowg2657Hey man, what you need are some thin G10 grips, a flat MSH, and a shorter trigger. I can almost guarantee that will remedy your issues with the grip size.
Outlaw I got to let you in on a little secret. Every time I start up your videos I immediately hit the like button. I've never seen a bad one yet. Keep up the awesome information you provide every time 😊😊
I like my polymers but nothing quite feels like a 1911 and the trigger.....well it speaks for itself. 1911 will continue to be relevant in some capacity for many decades to come.
like your show. Thanks for putting the time and ammo in for the rest of us.. Man who shooting as much as you helps in my decision on purchasing especially seeing long-term reliability.
Great review totally agree the 1911 is both over and underrated. One slight correction, I believe the 1911 was designed to replace revolvers that were chambered in .38 Long Colt which proved inefficient in stopping the Moro Rebels in the Philippines(I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong)
@@desperateneedofscotch. What they found was that .45 ACP didn’t stop Moros all that well, either. Some went back to the .45 colt. In the long run experience showed that an 1897 Winchester pump shotgun with buckshot was the best choice.
Dude, that Peter North reference was GOLD, we can be friends. Have not had a good laugh in a while...........and good flash back (58 years old so yeah flashback for me)
Another minor correction (if it hasn't already been pointed out) - the 45 Colt and 45 S&W were replaced by a Colt 1892 DA revolver chambered in 38 Colt, not 38 Special. The 38 Colt was found to wanting in the Philippians against the Moro so testing was done and the Colt 1911 chambered in 45 ACP was ultimately chosen as the official side arm, heading into WWI. It was basically an update of the old 45 Colt which was never found to be inadequate. Another great vid! Thanks!
Add that the upgrade of the 1892 38 Long Colt was the 1909 revolver in 45 caliber, although only 20,000 were bought by the army before the adoption of the 1911.
A 1960 production,Colt LW Commander is in my carry rotation, set up with good sights,good magazines and a couple other "enhancements" it's just as capable as anything else, hell I've got a govt model made in 1914 that'll do the job too( yeah the sights suck, but the trigger is awesome,as is the reliability) Thank you John Browning!
I have several 1911's in 45acp and 9mm, and with 4" and 5" barrels. I love all of them. Super accurate. Very low recoil. I haven't had any reliability issues with the pistols themselves. Besides the whole single stack issue, my only big complaint is the only hollow points that will consistently feed for me is Gold Dots. Every other hollow point I've tried just slams into that really steep feed ramp and jams. I like carrying my 4" 1911's, but for reliability sake they are all loaded with ball ammo.
Have you tried Federal HydraShoks or Underwood? Ive shot countless of them in 1911s and have never had a malfunction. But Ill say, not all magazines and feed ramps are created equal.
My Man!!! (As a 45ACP & 357Mag Fanboy) I deeply appreciate your unbiased, fact based observations. You're not selling anything. Please keep em' coming. btw,.... I have a few 9's too.
I can see that a few folks have mentioned when the military switched out the 1911 to the Beretta -- however, as you correctly said, some of us were able to continue to carrying the 1911 through the rest of the 80s (1976-99). Eventually, I was assigned to a unit just before Desert Storm that would not let me carry my prefered 1911. I've owned several 1911s and the best for me -- so far -- is the Bul Armory Commander 9mm ($989). I've run roughly 5000 rounds through it and have only had issues with it when running REMAN, steel, and aluminum casing ammo. My Bul has a VERY Light trigger (2.5-3lbs out of the box). My RIA 1911 (slightly less price than you mentioned) runs any and everything -- but the sites suck on mine -- requiring reliance on Kentucky windage sight alignment. You are right about the Girsan recommendation. I have a Girsan Officer modeal (3.5") and it was decent out of the box --- but a bit too heavy on the trigger and the grip safety needed adjustement. I did a little trigger job and tuned the sear spring. It now has 4 lb trigger pull. I do have to say that I owned a Kimber Micro 9 --- and it sucked on a major scale ... It would not fire a full mag without 2-3 rounds screwing up -- failure to feed, failure to extract . . . I had a RAI .380 Baby Rock with the absolute worse and heaviest trigger pull I -- or anyone else -- has ever experienced as well as a grip safety that (out of the box). I do have the P226 SAO Legion -- but I'm not overwhelmed by it beyond the the double stack capacity.
I stopped by a local gun store last December and they had a BUL Commander. I dry-fired it and that was it. I drove to the nearest branch of my bank and pulled out cash and drive right back to the gun store.
I don't think you will regret it. It's the best standard 1911 I've owned and fired. Every shooter at the range I'm at twice a week loves it and offers to buy it. @@damondiehl5637
I was still using a 1911 in 1998 when I returned from European duty with the US Army. And I would have continued to use the 1911 over the M9, had I been given the choice. The M9's we were issued were not any kind of quality (other than poor). Where the 1911's were old and tired, but very dependable and accurate. The M9's were not any of those things, especially accurate and definitely not reliable. I normally shot expert with any firearm I was handed. Usually 1st time, every time (with the exception of when I tried to qualify with multiple broken bones and a concussion). With the M9's I was issued, yes there were several. I could never qualify expert no matter how I tried, nor could any other person using the same junky M9's in my unit. The only M9 to qualify expert in my entire unit was a single officer, who was using his personally owned pistol of the same model. Not the junk we were issued. In fact I took 3 tries to qualify at all with the junk I was issued, due to some form of failure in every attempt. Qualifying at a mere marksman level, after having the M9 fail mechanically to the point armorers had to repair it overnight and allow me to qualify the following day. Where it again failed to finish the qualification course, due to mechanical failure, but after I had managed to hit enough targets to qualify. Imagine taking a pistol into combat that requires an overnight stay in the armorers shop to get it to fire a mere 2 to 3 dozen rounds, before it seized up again. Would you trust your life, and the lives of those depending on you, to a weapon like that? Well that is exactly what we were ordered to do, despite having much more dependable, and more accurate, 1911's sitting in the armory.
I don’t think it’s overrated. It’s been around too long and has such a great legacy. Even if you aren’t a fan of them, you have to give the weapon the credit it deserves. 🤷♂️
Modern handguns are an objectively better option, but 1911's are anything but obsolete. If you like your 1911 and you're proficient and comfortable with it, carry that!
I love mine. Over or under doesn’t matter. When something went bump in the night I grabbed my 45 and felt well prepared. Thankfully never had to drop the hammer but still an amazing pistol.
@@jeremybstudentpilot5315 I first heard about it from the fat electrician. However the man's name was Owen J. Baggett He has his own Wikipedia page, and you can just Google his name and read several results about him. So until someone shoots down a fighter with any other pistol, the 1911 is number one. Peace out.
I think it was you who said this, and I quote it frequently to my friends: the 1911 is a lifestyle gun. You buy one because you want one, not because it's the best thing on the market.
@@anonymousAJ I think it’d be more like: it’s 67 Chevy Impala, not a 2024 Toyota Camry. No one drives a Camry to show off unless they did some serious work to it.
That was the best description of the 1911's relevance that I have heard of as of lately. Chis this just may be your finest production. "IMO" disclaimer insert here. It IS well spoken, full of fact and practical knowledge that even someone left of the 1911's capabilities can't dispute without showing to be foolish.
Thanks for a genuine video. You did well in coverage of the 1911. 👍 In my safe, you'll find well over a dozen single action and double action revolvers. There are only two autoloaders in there with them. Both 1911A1 in 45 Auto. NO plastic pistols. They're not allowed inside the house. The 1911A1 was my sidearm in Vietnam for three tours. That's 3 years for the younger crowd. And I engaged the enemy in several instances, winning everytime. So it's a no-brainer for me to own, carry, and use the 1911. Its simply the best autoloader pistol around. End of story.
The 1911 is definitely NOT overrated and anyone who says it is, is nuttier than a squirrel turd in a pistachio factory. I own four 1911s and carried one while in uniform. It certainly takes practice to master, but in end, it will provide a very hole in any target put before it. It will be here long after the polymer guns have faded into twilight. John Browning got it right.
100%, as a bigger guy the weight of a 1911 doesn’t faze me I can shoot more accurately with it stock than my Glock 17 where nothing on it is original and the trigger pull is lighter. It’s the perfect pistol platform that has withstood time and can be improved upon but isn’t necessary to do so because it just absolutely without a doubt works!
As a Naval Aviator deployed on a carrier in 1975 we needed to qual with the 1911. The Marine Detachment Gunny issued us standard 1911s and at the fantail of the boat told us to hit the water. We did! Now I have my S&W E Series 1911 for the range. Great Gun!
Cleaning and maintaining a 1911 isn't a big issue . Even the weight of the guns is mute as it really depends more on the type of holster and belt you choose. While it's true that it's a weapon best suited in the hands of a dedicated gun crank that in itself is an important factor. Not just anyone can pick one up and use it.
And the right oil makes a big difference. I run zMax Gun Oil with no problems whatsoever. I use it on all my 1911s and Staccatos with no failures. I see too many people buy, say a Kimber, grab a box of ammo and go to the range, then they complain it won't cycle. Well, the problem is you didn't clean the grease off of it from the factory. Had people read the manual and cleaned and lubed as instructed, the gun would have worked properly.
Hey Chris, that WC just makes me drool. I'm not sure why, but I just love 1911. I've been trying for years just to feel one up. Maybe one day. Enjoy yours. Thanks for the video.
In my own opinion, I believe that it is heavily underrated, and under appreciated. The 1911 is a prime example of it is not broke, don’t fix it. The only thing now is that in order to keep up with the current times, they have had to adapt and evolve into the modern market.
I bought a Springfield Ronin Elite 1911 in 10 mm and love it. Beautiful, accurate with its trigger and fiber optic sights, and very reliable. That being said it is a heavy mother at 41 oz. & is mostly a range toy. Still I knew all of this when I bought it & don't regret the purchase in the slightest. Also bought a Glock 20 4th Gen which after the upgrades cost the same as the Springfield 1911. But love them both, but both are $1K guns. Thanks for the review!
Another thing to consider is price. You can get cheaper 1911’s, but a lot of them are fairly expensive at least. And 2011’s, the superior version, are outrageously expensive.
I carried a Colt 1911 series 80 for nearly forty years. I didn't carry it to shoot targets so seven round clips were adequate. It was reliable and easy to maintain. A pistol is as accurate as person behind the sights. When you're looking to stop a threat its hard to beat a slow moving freight train. Its a pretty simple formula know what you carry, know how to us it and be ready to use it.
I inherited my grandfathers .38 Super Colt Commander some years ago and i love shooting it at the range. Just how smooth it operates shows the level of craftsmanship that went into these pistols as a tried and true design
I grew up on 1911's & BHP... and S&W Wheel guns... the 1911 is wonderful... and early Para-ordnance double stacks were also grand... love my P16-40 and for the record.. my Taurus is wonderful...
I'm in my 60's, the "we can't be friends " line is how I've felt since you were a child, wish I had thought of it, first time seeing you, now I have to subscribe!!😂😂😂😂
Love my Rock Island, changed out some springs and put the rounded mainspring housing on and can't be happier. Plus I enjoy maintaining my weapons. I love the smell of solvent and gun oil. When my friends and family come over and they catch a whiff of Hoppes they know I am a happy boy :D I will admit though I wish I had one that I could air rack like your buddy.
The 1911 is like that refined pretty lady that takes acting like a gentleman, roses, dinners and plenty of our attention to score a home run. The Glock is like that loose biker girl, with a six pack, AC DC blasting and a bag of pork rinds you're knocking it out of the park. Both will do depending on your level of commitment I guess.
I’ve been a Glock 19 guy for 9 years. Mainly because apart from the M9, it was the only sidearm I ever had any training on. Also, when I was in lumber sales, I kept the pistol in my desk constantly. We had a fire and the whole building was destroyed. Next morning, I went into the store and pulled my Glock 19 out of the ashes that were left of that desk, took it home, charged it, and fired the magazine’s worth of ammo that was still in it without a failure. Yet my heart desired to know the 1911 and about 6 months ago, I bought a Springfield Mil Spec 45 ACP. The mag capacity (less than half the bang bangs) and frankly the cost of rounds (less bang bangs to practice with) makes me say I’ll always prefer my Glock as a platform that’ll give me the best probability of survival in an EDC situation and therefore will be my preferred carry. BUT, I’ve shot over a thousand rounds through my Springfield in the 6 months or so I’ve owned it and there’s no comparison in the experience of shooting the 1911. It just feels Murica af. I even enjoy cleaning it. You described it as a labor of love, and that’s the best I’ve heard it described. Even disassembled on your kitchen table, the gun just screams freedom. So if you’re someone like I was seduced by the practicality and logic of polymer pistols, let yourself live a little and get a Rock Island or a Springfield. Small price to pay for what will become your favorite gun to shoot and put back in the safe or glovebox.
A labor of love... that's how I would describe it myself. There's something wrong with you if, as a pistol shooter, you don't enjoy cleaning and tinkering with your guns; especially a 1911! I clean all of my guns every time I shoot them. Despite your experience with the Prodigy, after a year of watching videos and doing research I bought one. Yes, I had a few problems initially. But now, 1,000 round later it runs perfectly. Really enjoy your reviews.
Great video, the most honest and from my experiance accurate review of the 1911 I've ever seen. About 30 years ago I bought a Para Ordinance P14-45 and I carried it for many years. Certainly not a traditional 1911, since then the modern gun media has been pretty much bashing the design of the 1911. You said it best, understand the firearm and use it where it works. Yes I have Glocks and for a filthy combat environment it's better than the 1911 design. You can mitigate some of that with a more protective holster but in my opinion the firearm is part of the equation with the shooter and that can more than balance the equation.
Awesome video my friend but the 1911 will always be my number one because it is the first handgun I fell in love with back in the seventies when I was watching Starsky and Hutch.
“But honestly, if you were born in America and don’t like 1911s, we can’t be friends”…. Best line ever. Thank you, Chris.
He's one of few who admits to enjoying 9mm 1911s. Some have an issue with 9mm 1911s, but love 22lr 1911s...🤔🤔
Yep… best line and 100% agreement with the sentiment.
I don't like Harleys or most loud muscle cars either. I prefer quality and reliability.
I wasn't born here but I'm a citizen. And if you don't like the 1911 you're a commie
I agree, I love to have in my case.
My grandfather was part of MACV-SOG and always preferred to have his Colt 1911 when everyone around him was using Browning High Powers...When asked why he said the amount of times I saw team members shoot someone even with perfectly placed shots and they would be so doped up they would just keep coming vs the knockdown power he had with the 1911 so he always was very fond of them and I was blessed to inherit his, it will forever be one of my favorite pistols.
I had served as an army officer 1983-1986. I learned the 1911 in ROTC in Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1980. I always loved the 1911 and have owned some 10 different pistols in my years from POS AMT Hardballer that would choke on anything, to Sspringfield TRP, to Colt Government, Colt Commander, Colt Officers, to Sig TT, to Les Baer and Ed Brown. It was on my hip when I lived in Los Angeles during the Rodney King riots along with a Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge cut down to 21 inches. It's been behind my pillow for decades serving nightstand duty. Yes, I have a Browning High Power, FN FNX .45, HK VP9, but having a full size 1911 with 230 grains +P JHP is comforting. Nothing calms your nerves when something goes bump in the night with a 1911 in your hand. When I die, I'll have one in my hand.
Your grandfather is a real life action hero, Jocko's podcast introduced me to many Macv sog stories. .ake sure you raise your kids and nephews/nieces right so it can stay in the family as an heirloom and reminder to keep your life in only your hands (wordly/earthly wise).
☦️✝️
Cherish it forever ,god bless and thank you for your service grandad
And also, it looks badass
This is a timely video. For the ladies its Pumpkin Spice Latte time of the year. For the men, its carry a full size gun time of year.
You're going to make people who cc in places like Texas or Florida very confused with comment.
10mm time!
And now you can include Hawai’i. Only those who have lived on the mainland though as when I grew up on O’ahu if the temperature dropped below 77°F I wore pants and sweatshirts/jackets, but not anymore. I wear shorts year round.
The past few winters Texas & Florida have dropped into the 30’s and Texas has gotten snow, so I think they can carry full-size if this winter follows.
HaHa, carried mine this morning for the first time since April.
I think Tisas or Girsan has offered a pumpkin spice model of the 1911.
I remember cleaning mine and it had a zen quality to it. It was satisfying to field strip, clean, lube and put it all back together, only to check the slide and dry fire a little to make sure everything was ok. The sound of it was reassuring and it was something that forced you to set some time apart, take your time and focus on one single thing for some minutes, what was calming and almost therapeutic.
Very well said !!
That was well said. But I have the completely opposite point of view. I'd rather have it clean, and done in just a few minutes
Try the full disassembly, using only the parts of the gun. That's when I truly appreciated the genius of John Moses Browning. It really is cathartic
That is also the beauty of cap and ball revolvers and muzzleloaders.
It's a beautiful thing
Something that I found interesting as a carpenter I read that the grip angle on most cordless drills and screw guns are based on 1911 and I believe it because my Dewalt screw gun and drill feels a lot like my Springfield range officer in my hand
That's interesting!
Now that's an interesting bit of information. I never even thought of it, but it makes sense. Thanks for sharing that.
neat.
I spit my beer when you mentioned Peter North. I was like, "Did he just say that?" Yes, I'm an old dude.
Canadian icon 😂
The cake decorator
@@SaintKines ha ha ha
Wondered down here just for this comment. It was the best line in the whole video!
Who is Peter North.
To correct a common misconception... The .45 didn't replace the .38 Special. It replaced the .38 Long Colt and .38 Short Colt revolvers. The .38 Special is a significant step up over either, and especially over the Short Colt.
The C& Arsenal video series from the 1900 model to the 1911 puts all of this in an understandable context. Long series of videos but very enlightening.
@@benjamin3290 to be fair, historians in general aren't the best at getting details of firearms right, and just don't realize there are a variety of ".38" pistol rounds. There are many "authoritative" print sources spanning a century that refer to the military revolvers as ".38 Specials". This is one completely understandable mistake.
Also, the "every law enforcement agency in the country at one time or another" is iffy at best. The overwhelming handgun of law enforcement issue/use in the U.S was the .38 spl revolver (typically a Smith K frame).
@@antoniotula262 Yep. I first qualified for my Texas Peace Officers License with a revolver. Virtually zero departments issued 1911s, maybe none. Wasn't until the late 80s to mid 90s that most departments switched to autos. And those almost universally split between Berettas and the old school 2nd and 3rd gen S&W autos. Mid 90s and on was the GIANT switch to the Glock, and to Sig 226 and 229s to a much lesser extent.
To be honest, I can't think of a single LEO department that ever issued the 1911. Every Texas Ranger I knew carried one, but even then, I think a Sig was their issue piece, and the 1911 was just an authorized alternative.
@heathwasson7811 I haven't seen one of those big stainless Smith autos in a long time. LGS had some police trade-ins about 15yrs ago that were beat up good. I could see seatbelt marks from road time, rusted rear sights from guys working parades in summer or foot posts. I should have bought one, really.
John Browning was a genius, the 1911 like many of his designs has stood the test of time.
What really got me into the 1911 was hearing my Grandfather who was in the Army in WW II and all over Europe talk about how he carried it everywhere and it never disappointed him and that on the rare occasion when he took German soldiers as prisoners they were intimidated by the bore size of the barrel.
Based on my own experience and preference my EDC is a 1911 platform pistol in .45 ACP.
Hilarious how some young people cry it is too old. Yet the 9mm came prior to it. 45acp all day 😊🦅🗽🇺🇸
@stormlakebobcat9058 and they probably don't even know that John Browning later designed and developed the Browning HI Power in 9mm, and that the HI Power was/is the basis for a lot of the 9mm pistols on the market today and the same could be said about the 1911.
@@LOVES-A1911 yes. What the best trivia is: Browning passed in 1926. He had an understudy who was able to Saive the project and finish the Hi-Power 😄
Minor correction, the M1911A1 was officially replaced by the Beretta M9 in 1985. Despite that they remained in use with conventional soldiers as late as 1995.
US Army MP vet here, I got out in 88 and where we still carried the M1911A1 in our Germany and Belgian units.
Can confirm...we were still training with, and carrying the 1911 back around 93 when I was topside watch on my old pig; SSN 750 the Nswport News. Hurt my soul when they handed me a Beretta...It's a nice weapon, but the 1911 still has my heart.
No firearm replacement is instantaneous. Everyone should know that. 👍
@@hoppinggnomethe4154lol right? It's like people think crates of new weapons arrive at the armory and all get swapped out at once.
I was at a FOB chow hall in Iraq and it was a massive hub base and between the different services, and units you could see everything from M16A1 to A2 refurbs to guys field testing the XM8.
@@SuicideVanthe XM8 actually made it to field testing? Dang, went further than I thought
The trigger and the grip is why I love the 1911. I have now built 6 for myself from the ground up. Building and fitting them is as much fun as shooting them.
That’s amazing! Where do you get parts from for your builds?
@@natlovell122 I get them different sights. eBay sometimes, atlas, fusion etc
Love the history lesson, comparisons, pros and guns and honest outlaw opinion. Your reviews just keep getting better. That last out take was hilarious 😂 Cheers 🍻
Excellent video. Probably the most honest perspective I've seen presented on the internet. I've been a devout 1911 guy since 1973 when I was introduced to them in the Army. I was a light weapons and demolition specialist on a Special Forces A Team, so I got to disassemble, assemble, shoot and train others with A LOT of different firearms. Since that time I've shot and owned many different pistol platforms, but my favorite remains the 1911. It fits me best ergonomically and I am most accurate with it. For me the maintenance truly is a labor of love and I'm willing to do it so I can enjoy all of the "Pros" associated with it. And when properly maintained, they are extremely reliable regardless of ammo type. Thanks for the presentation. - Hawk
Accurate is a definite plus. Pops does not shoot much. My Rock Island is in 9mm/22tcm. Pops dropped 6 shots on center and 3 close by. Beat the pants off me in shooting terms. 😅
My Dad taught me how to shoot pistols using a 1911. Since then, I've show striker-fired and DA/SA pistols of almost all brands. When I got into competitive shooting, it was full circle back to 1911/2011. For pure performance, 1911/2011 all day long. If its the Zombie Apocalypse or some other unlikely dystopian scenario, Glock or HK.
Thoughts on the star 45acp?
I have had 1911s since I was 18 (Colt) 45 years ago. I have a Kimber (Original--billet). The newest being a Nighthawk Custom Agent. Love my 1911s
Between this channel, Humble Marksmen, and Sage Dynamics... I was itching for a 2011. Two weeks ago I got to rent an Atlas Athena. Within 12 hours, I was placing an order for my own Athena. Chris is a enabler. LOL
Good video. IMO the 1911A1's rep fell a lot in people's estimations for three reasons. 1) The military manufactured ones were almost completely worn out by the early 80s through age, poor maintenance and infrequent spring replacements. They were nearly smooth bore single shot pistols in many cases. 2) Dozens of crummy companies pumped out lousy clones while the good companies pumped out expensive boutique guns the average shooter couldn't afford. The real nail in the coffin were the old Fudds who talked up the 1911 _while disparaging the Glock_ to Millennial and Gen X shooters. That last point is key. Nobody likes to be gaslit and the resentment bled over to the 1911.
I remember various "gun celebrities" in the early 90s calling Glocks "combat Tupperware" and insisting that if something wasn't a 1911 it wasn't worth a damn.
That said, I like both 1911s and Glocks.
First, the “military” didn’t manufacture any 1911s, or any other weapons, for that matter. I’d like you to name the dozens of companies that manufactures crummy clones, and lastly, your last “key” assumption is as false as Biden with a working brain. Where did you come up with this stuff?
there are two different mag follower designs that is a source of much of the reliability issue with HP ammo (old and new being like the 1970 design)
Well....
This old fudd was in a situation nobody wants to in be & I walk out. Issued .45 worked even for a "Maracha". I encourage everyone find what they like, learn it, train w/ it, maintain it. What ever an individual chooses. I'm Colt particular & like the "GI" too much despite the cons. That's my 1A 😉
Didn't some of the first point happen with Berettas too? I had some relatives and have some friends that were military and the few that had issued sidearms really hated their Berettas...but the new ones I've shot were pretty nice
This certainly was a very well done video. My fondness for the 1911 goes back to its use in WWll. My father served in the Army at that time. Again a very informative post. Cheers!
As I was watching this video, my Staccato P was sitting on the couch next to me after being carried all day, and my Colt Commander was safely stored upstairs. Great presentation, as always.
Totally agree! I love the 1911 and feel the positives out weigh the negatives. However, if you’re not into maintaining it, then it’s not for you.
They do like the lube don’t they? lol
Thanks Chris, I still carried an Army issue 1911 in Desert Storm. Love it. I own several 1911s to include a Wilson Combat every day carry and several Stryker fire pistols. But I still prefer my 1911s.
Your content has only become more solid over the years. Good stuff.
One minor correction. The 1911 replaced the M1892 revolver chambered in .38 Long Colt, not .38 special.
An important distinction. Some view .38 special as underpowered because of that misconception.
@@antoniotula262 I still view it as underpowered vs the 45ACP. Or even the 9mm+P. But I still appreciate it, especially in a J-frame.
@randyduncan795 Agreed, I would definitely prefer a 1911 in 45ACP or even 9mm than a 38spl revolver. I also appreciate and have a J-frame in 357. Before subcompact 9 was around, a J-frame was pretty much the only choice unless you went the 380 route.
@@randyduncan795have more faith in your 158 gr lead wadcutter good sir😂.
I think it's major The 38SC was a 98-125gr projectile moving at subsonic 235m/s producing about the same muzzle energy as a modern 22lr.
38lc was a 125-150gr projectile moving at 245m/s which is barely above a 22mag.
Meanwhile, modern 38spl and 9x19mm are pretty similar shooting a 115gr projectile out about 350-500m/s.
To me a 1911 is a 2nd or 3rd purchase gun in this era. It's best bought after a 10+ capacity 9mm home-defense/ccw pistol. It also helps to diversify your ammo pool when you buy .45.
I want to eventually build a 1911 that is effectively MEU M45 but in a gray parkerized finish.
I didn’t it wrong lol bought a 1911 kimber custom ii 10mm love it first hand gun lol now on to M&P 5.7 then thinking 1911 prodigy is next 😁
9mm is a fruity caliber. No reason for a grown man to own one
I carried a revolver for 15 years then bought a nice sig 1911 for EDC. I love it.
I know, right? My girlfriend likes shooting 9mm and I tease her about it asking her if she's a drug dealer. Seems like every 2-bit thug in the movies is rocking a 9. lol @@TomTheSasquatch
Not a bad assessment my first was a 1911 it's too heavy and big to carry and the stock sights are terrible for low light applications
Great video I carry a full size 1911 only had revolvers growing up went into the Marines and fell in love with this weapon it just fits hard to miss with keep her clean and she will do the job thanks for the video and all the hard work
The new versions are head and shoulders above the old GI model, which I carried in the mid '80's. Just got the new PSA Admiral model with the rail. So far, so good. It runs well with Chip McCormick magazines.
Was the old GI version government issue. If it was it was a 30 years old at best.
I am in almost total agreement with you where the 1911 and 2011's are concerned. The gun that I have had in my personal armory the longest is a Springfield Armory Champion. Ammo finicky as all hell, but I will never get rid of it. Love my 1911's. But love my CZ's also. Glocks in a gun competition to me are like having a matchbox derby car in an F1 race. Love your channel. Keep doing what you do.
Love the video presentation! The first gun I took apart was the 1911 back in 1985 when my LTC left his in my 73 commo van. It was piece of art to me.
You definitely nailed all the pros and cons of the 1911. Never seen it so well laid out before! You just helped me go ahead and purchase a 1911 over a beretta M9 and a Sig 229. I think the trigger and accuracy of the 1911 wins!
Whilst the two "contenders" are great pistols, in a hundred years, your 1911 will be the one your (great?) grandchildren are grateful for. --Old Guy
Im a big 1911 junkie! I probably have ten of them! I always have my eye out for another one to add to the collection. Great video! Thanks!
Pro's and cons. From Pancho Villa to Granada and everything in between. One thing I think we can all agree on. Enduring legacy . Great video.
I've had four 1911s. I loved them all, including a Colt AND a Taurus. I didn't have trouble with my Taurus. My favorite is a Tisas Carry in stainless. My next new gun will either be a cz, the s&w FPC, or....another 1911. Nice video.
I’m a fan also, have a Taurus, never gave me any issues, except one time it was so cold the action froze shut, I quit using that lube! My Kimber had a few jambs in the first 500 rounds, gtg after that. Would definitely like to step up a tier on the next one.
I'm with you there. His video on the CZ Shadow 2 compact really has me wanting it for a new carry option.
I love my Bul Armory 1911 Government.
I was leary of Tisas. I bought the stingray carry in 9mm. it's a really fine gun and a great shooter. I also have Springfield and Para Ordinance 1911s.
You should consider an H&K P2000. I have them in 3 calibers. All are sweet.
I have many different pistols both revolvers and auto loaders. I love my wheel guns but the 1911 is my favorite in large part because I carried one in the tunnels of Vietnam. Call it nostalgia but I have a great history with the 1911
Respect for a tunnel rat.
@@ms.annthrope415 👍🇺🇸
thanks for your service 🙏🏽 i just turned 21 and have always been in love with m1911s. i’m thinking about picking one up in the near future. with that being said, do you have any recommendations for me, given your experiences?
I've owned my 1911 for over 30 years. Great informative video. I learned a bit.
I went from a G19 Gen3 as my EDC to a Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec with the 5" barrel as my EDC and I absolutely love carrying it. I have ALWAYS loved the 1911s ever since I got into guns at a young age.
I just turned 24. As a young gun guy I will say the 1911 is the absolute best handgun platform in history. My first gun was a Rock Island Armory 1911 in .45 for which I paid $400. In the years I have owned it it has never jammed or failed even once and I don't even clean it that often. Since than I have owned and shot many 1911s my favorite being my brand new Dan Wesson Razorback in 10mm, the most accurate and powerful pistol I have ever owned, but any 1911 is unbeatable for trigger quality and control and for reliability provided you do the bare minimum to take care of them.
Definitely holds a special place in our hearts. 1911s just feel great in my hands. Great video.
I've always thought of the 1911s at great handguns, just outclassed in every specific niche when price point isn't a factor. I'll never knock anyone for using a 1911 for anything that's handgun applicable (depending on the manufacturer), there's just better options out there for each niche. As a general use handgun it's still easily a top 5 to 10 platform depending on your tastes
So what about the competition niche? Im not a "1911 or die" type person, but in competition land, 1911 platform is 100:1 anything else.
@@jhurley12 when it comes to competition guns it's a much different argument since a good competition gun is typically a great gun, and at that point its just minor little things that are more preference based. That's if you just go off 1911 patterns because if you bring up things like 9mm 1911 pattern handguns then it's it's argument over "is it actually a 1911" (I know it's a weird tangent but they're fairly common in competitions iirc)
@@gamez4420 Im not understanding your point of view on how the platform is outclassed in the competition niche, when it totally dominates. The caliber doesnt change the name of the weapon platform. I think you meant to say “when price point IS a factor”, because if it were not, the 3-8k dollar 1911s can be included in the conversation for these niches.
It's completely impractical for carrying too heavy and big unless you have no other option
One of your best videos to date! You very accurately explained the 1911 (Wilson Combat rocks). Too many new shooters haven't experienced the wonderful trigger of a custom 1911. Striker fire is Agricultural, 1911 is precision ( similar to AK vs AR).
I have five 1911’s and love them all. My first was a Colt LOM that I installed Wilson parts on and had the Roguard finish applied with NP3 for the internals. Great video!
Bought my first 1911, a tisas 4.25 in .45 with the ed brown bobtail cut. Amazing carry gun. Nobody ever told me how thin a 1911 is for carry. I'll be looking into a 2011 soon enough
1911's are a little to more to maintain and require a little more cleaning and turning, but worth the effort. Been shooting 1911's for forty years, always will be my favorites.
Yup..Been shooting 1911 for 62 years. Got my first experience at 8 years old. Quite a gun for an 8 year old. But my dad had a motto...if you are going to do anything, do it right. I am 70 and STILL shoot 1911 and it is what I carry.
Springfield Garrison was my first 1911, my eyes were opened. Whether its in 45 or 9 that platform is very nice.
Chris! I'm thinking of getting the Garrison as my first 1911, 9mm. Do you still recommend it?
@jackbarlow4104 yeah its a great gun. I enjoy getting it out to.look at almost as much as popping off rounds
The 1911 design exists to show innovators how much they have to do to come up with a genuine improvement.
And yes, for most situations, a 1911 will be an effective tool for solving problems appropriate for handguns.
I would love to own a good 1911, I wouldn’t mind cleaning it, I probably over clean my polymer frame canik, I was raised to keep them clean and lightly oiled. These are the most outstanding reviews on UA-cam!
I can't recommend the Bul Armory 1911 Government more. Feels and shoots like a $1,500 gun for only 850 bucks
For me. I have smaller hands and single stack 1911 with only 7-8 rds and more recoil make it a no go for me. I'll stick with my 9mm (it can still blow a lung out of the body). But I will admit the 45acp will blow the heart, both lungs, and the spine out while pushing your target back and out of the fight proven for over 100yrs. I inherited my grandads service Colt 1911 circa 1914 that he carried through Belgium in WWII. And I'm keeping it.
Sounds like you should check out a 9mm staccato Cs. Hopefully @honest outlaw does the 1k round review of it.
Love the hyperbole around calibers. A .45 isn't even 50% more effective than a 9mm. Its not pushing anybody backwards except in shitty action movies. Also just about every company makes 9mm 1911s so talking about caliber preference makes no sense.
.45acp also kills the soul, not just the body
I'm talking traditional 1911. And I'm an ICU doc in level I trauma. Bet I know a bit more about it than you. And the reason it was so effective in WWI and WWII is because at very close range it would indeed push them back and knock them down and this actually prevented a lot of people from getting secondary bayonet injuries etc. during hand to hand combat. But I'm sure you already know that. There always has to be that one guy whose asshole is puckered a bit too tight. @@Xavier_Coogat_the_Mambo_King
So what does a .357 Magnum do then (lol)?
I served in 2012, and happily carried a military issued 1911 as a sidearm. We also used M9s widely, but our command had both, and I landed on the 1911 by random chance, and loved it. But the superior ammo capacity of the M9 is a huge plus.
I love mine, great shooter, easy to hit a target, big heavy bullets are always fun. And a very interesting piece of history. It's no 23 round race gun, but it can be in no way over-rated. I would argue a glock is more over-rated, people get on their knees for them, even if they have a crappy trigger and a bad grip, not to mention ugly as it gets. By the way, mine is a very basic springfield milspec, cost me about 600 bucks. And in about 1500 rounds it has yet to have a single failure. I do clean mine, but we should all be doing that anyway.
i own 2 1911's a desert eagle 1911 ( bull armory made I believe) that has 200 rounds through it and a tisas raider that has about 30 through it ( just bought it a month ago) and I have yet to have any issues with ether of them. I hate the glock it feels terrible in my hand and It looks alot like a hi point. They talk about capacity but it doesn't matter if you don't train and just mag dump ( spray and pray).
I’ve shot a lot of cheap 1911’s and I’ve found Remington R1’s to be insanely good quality in every way compared to any other $1000 and under 1911 on the market.
I've never had much luck with 1911s being cursed with very small hands. Oddly enough I can just barely get my hands around an S&W 2.0 10mm double stack with a shaved small backstrap. Great video, enjoyed it much!
I never considered that, I probably was assuming with the single stack hand size wouldn’t be too much of an issue. I’ve never owned one , always ant to , just never ran up on the right deal. I have a canik tp9 sfx , the small back strap that came with it made it easy enough to grip the same each time and it’s comfortable. I’m old school and it’s hard for me to like a striker, that specific striker has such an amazing trigger I can’t help but like it. It the reason I’ve always wanted a 1911, for the good trigger they are sort of famous for. I will have to consider my hands though, smaller than average I reckon, medium sized gloves fit them best. Your comment was thought inspiring , thank you.
@@noonespecific9463 You are quite welcome. To shoot a 1911 I have to grip it in my right hand and put my left hand forward and pull the trigger with my left index finger. The grip on the 1911 is just too long front to back.
Huh… I would have thought that being a single stack, it would have been a good fit for smaller hands.
Thanks for the insight
@@poowg2657Hey man, what you need are some thin G10 grips, a flat MSH, and a shorter trigger. I can almost guarantee that will remedy your issues with the grip size.
@@AkeLovesGAMESMy thoughts exactly! I’d start with some thin grips, bushings and screws. May be an easy fix for a 100 bucks or less. Good advice!
Outlaw I got to let you in on a little secret. Every time I start up your videos I immediately hit the like button. I've never seen a bad one yet. Keep up the awesome information you provide every time 😊😊
I like my polymers but nothing quite feels like a 1911 and the trigger.....well it speaks for itself. 1911 will continue to be relevant in some capacity for many decades to come.
like your show. Thanks for putting the time and ammo in for the rest of us.. Man who shooting as much as you helps in my decision on purchasing especially seeing long-term reliability.
Great review totally agree the 1911 is both over and underrated. One slight correction, I believe the 1911 was designed to replace revolvers that were chambered in .38 Long Colt which proved inefficient in stopping the Moro Rebels in the Philippines(I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong)
@@desperateneedofscotch. What they found was that .45 ACP didn’t stop Moros all that well, either. Some went back to the .45 colt. In the long run experience showed that an 1897 Winchester pump shotgun with buckshot was the best choice.
Dude, that Peter North reference was GOLD, we can be friends. Have not had a good laugh in a while...........and good flash back (58 years old so yeah flashback for me)
Another minor correction (if it hasn't already been pointed out) - the 45 Colt and 45 S&W were replaced by a Colt 1892 DA revolver chambered in 38 Colt, not 38 Special. The 38 Colt was found to wanting in the Philippians against the Moro so testing was done and the Colt 1911 chambered in 45 ACP was ultimately chosen as the official side arm, heading into WWI. It was basically an update of the old 45 Colt which was never found to be inadequate. Another great vid! Thanks!
So many ‘facts’ he got wrong. I like his opinions, but this history lesson was awful!
Add that the upgrade of the 1892 38 Long Colt was the 1909 revolver in 45 caliber, although only 20,000 were bought by the army before the adoption of the 1911.
After all these years I still carry and love my 1911. As you said the best trigger on the market
A 1960 production,Colt LW Commander is in my carry rotation, set up with good sights,good magazines and a couple other "enhancements" it's just as capable as anything else, hell I've got a govt model made in 1914 that'll do the job too( yeah the sights suck, but the trigger is awesome,as is the reliability) Thank you John Browning!
I love both of my 1911`s .. I have a Colt Gold Cup Trophy and A R1 Remington .. Never had an issue with either pistol .. Great show by the Way !!
I have several 1911's in 45acp and 9mm, and with 4" and 5" barrels. I love all of them. Super accurate. Very low recoil. I haven't had any reliability issues with the pistols themselves. Besides the whole single stack issue, my only big complaint is the only hollow points that will consistently feed for me is Gold Dots. Every other hollow point I've tried just slams into that really steep feed ramp and jams. I like carrying my 4" 1911's, but for reliability sake they are all loaded with ball ammo.
Have you tried Federal HydraShoks or Underwood? Ive shot countless of them in 1911s and have never had a malfunction. But Ill say, not all magazines and feed ramps are created equal.
My Man!!! (As a 45ACP & 357Mag Fanboy) I deeply appreciate your unbiased, fact based observations. You're not selling anything. Please keep em' coming. btw,.... I have a few 9's too.
A 1911 variant has been my daily carry for 25 + years. From military to law enforcement to civilian....
I can see that a few folks have mentioned when the military switched out the 1911 to the Beretta -- however, as you correctly said, some of us were able to continue to carrying the 1911 through the rest of the 80s (1976-99). Eventually, I was assigned to a unit just before Desert Storm that would not let me carry my prefered 1911. I've owned several 1911s and the best for me -- so far -- is the Bul Armory Commander 9mm ($989). I've run roughly 5000 rounds through it and have only had issues with it when running REMAN, steel, and aluminum casing ammo. My Bul has a VERY Light trigger (2.5-3lbs out of the box). My RIA 1911 (slightly less price than you mentioned) runs any and everything -- but the sites suck on mine -- requiring reliance on Kentucky windage sight alignment. You are right about the Girsan recommendation. I have a Girsan Officer modeal (3.5") and it was decent out of the box --- but a bit too heavy on the trigger and the grip safety needed adjustement. I did a little trigger job and tuned the sear spring. It now has 4 lb trigger pull. I do have to say that I owned a Kimber Micro 9 --- and it sucked on a major scale ... It would not fire a full mag without 2-3 rounds screwing up -- failure to feed, failure to extract . . . I had a RAI .380 Baby Rock with the absolute worse and heaviest trigger pull I -- or anyone else -- has ever experienced as well as a grip safety that (out of the box). I do have the P226 SAO Legion -- but I'm not overwhelmed by it beyond the the double stack capacity.
I stopped by a local gun store last December and they had a BUL Commander. I dry-fired it and that was it. I drove to the nearest branch of my bank and pulled out cash and drive right back to the gun store.
I don't think you will regret it. It's the best standard 1911 I've owned and fired. Every shooter at the range I'm at twice a week loves it and offers to buy it. @@damondiehl5637
I was still using a 1911 in 1998 when I returned from European duty with the US Army. And I would have continued to use the 1911 over the M9, had I been given the choice. The M9's we were issued were not any kind of quality (other than poor). Where the 1911's were old and tired, but very dependable and accurate. The M9's were not any of those things, especially accurate and definitely not reliable.
I normally shot expert with any firearm I was handed. Usually 1st time, every time (with the exception of when I tried to qualify with multiple broken bones and a concussion). With the M9's I was issued, yes there were several. I could never qualify expert no matter how I tried, nor could any other person using the same junky M9's in my unit. The only M9 to qualify expert in my entire unit was a single officer, who was using his personally owned pistol of the same model. Not the junk we were issued.
In fact I took 3 tries to qualify at all with the junk I was issued, due to some form of failure in every attempt. Qualifying at a mere marksman level, after having the M9 fail mechanically to the point armorers had to repair it overnight and allow me to qualify the following day. Where it again failed to finish the qualification course, due to mechanical failure, but after I had managed to hit enough targets to qualify.
Imagine taking a pistol into combat that requires an overnight stay in the armorers shop to get it to fire a mere 2 to 3 dozen rounds, before it seized up again. Would you trust your life, and the lives of those depending on you, to a weapon like that? Well that is exactly what we were ordered to do, despite having much more dependable, and more accurate, 1911's sitting in the armory.
Carried my Rock Island double stack in .45 for years love it still today
I don’t think it’s overrated. It’s been around too long and has such a great legacy. Even if you aren’t a fan of them, you have to give the weapon the credit it deserves. 🤷♂️
Modern handguns are an objectively better option, but 1911's are anything but obsolete. If you like your 1911 and you're proficient and comfortable with it, carry that!
Concise, concrete information, presented in a easy-to-follow way! Thx! ❤
I love mine. Over or under doesn’t matter. When something went bump in the night I grabbed my 45 and felt well prepared. Thankfully never had to drop the hammer but still an amazing pistol.
nice vid, currently shopping for my first 1911
The 1911 is the only handgun credited with shooting down a fighter. Until another handgun can claim that, it is in second place.
Source?
@@jeremybstudentpilot5315 I first heard about it from the fat electrician.
However the man's name was Owen J. Baggett
He has his own Wikipedia page, and you can just Google his name and read several results about him.
So until someone shoots down a fighter with any other pistol, the 1911 is number one.
Peace out.
@@StacyBaldwin-qv5cj great story. I just read it. Thank you.
He shot the pilot but the unit reported no losses so it’s likely that they kept control of their plane and got to safety
Nicely done Chris ... truly a pistol that has earned it's way into the Hall of Fame!! Cheers ...
I think it was you who said this, and I quote it frequently to my friends: the 1911 is a lifestyle gun. You buy one because you want one, not because it's the best thing on the market.
It's a sports car, not a minivan
@@anonymousAJ I think it’d be more like: it’s 67 Chevy Impala, not a 2024 Toyota Camry. No one drives a Camry to show off unless they did some serious work to it.
It's my only one I wouldn't conceive of using it as everyday carry but it's what I wanted
That was the best description of the 1911's relevance that I have heard of as of lately. Chis this just may be your finest production. "IMO" disclaimer insert here. It IS well spoken, full of fact and practical knowledge that even someone left of the 1911's capabilities can't dispute without showing to be foolish.
Thanks for a genuine video. You did well in coverage of the 1911. 👍
In my safe, you'll find well over a dozen single action and double action revolvers. There are only two autoloaders in there with them. Both 1911A1 in 45 Auto. NO plastic pistols. They're not allowed inside the house.
The 1911A1 was my sidearm in Vietnam for three tours. That's 3 years for the younger crowd. And I engaged the enemy in several instances, winning everytime.
So it's a no-brainer for me to own, carry, and use the 1911. Its simply the best autoloader pistol around. End of story.
A Peter North reference in a gun review. Now I remember why I am a subscriber.
The 1911 is definitely NOT overrated and anyone who says it is, is nuttier than a squirrel turd in a pistachio factory. I own four 1911s and carried one while in uniform. It certainly takes practice to master, but in end, it will provide a very hole in any target put before it. It will be here long after the polymer guns have faded into twilight. John Browning got it right.
100%, as a bigger guy the weight of a 1911 doesn’t faze me I can shoot more accurately with it stock than my Glock 17 where nothing on it is original and the trigger pull is lighter. It’s the perfect pistol platform that has withstood time and can be improved upon but isn’t necessary to do so because it just absolutely without a doubt works!
As a Naval Aviator deployed on a carrier in 1975 we needed to qual with the 1911. The Marine Detachment Gunny issued us standard 1911s and at the fantail of the boat told us to hit the water. We did! Now I have my S&W E Series 1911 for the range. Great Gun!
Definitely a deadly weapon even if unloaded. I wouldn't even want to drop it on my foot. Love 2.5 pounds of "lightness".
Nice and to the point rundown of the 1911 concept. Keep it up.
Cleaning and maintaining a 1911 isn't a big issue . Even the weight of the guns is mute as it really depends more on the type of holster and belt you choose. While it's true that it's a weapon best suited in the hands of a dedicated gun crank that in itself is an important factor. Not just anyone can pick one up and use it.
And the right oil makes a big difference. I run zMax Gun Oil with no problems whatsoever. I use it on all my 1911s and Staccatos with no failures. I see too many people buy, say a Kimber, grab a box of ammo and go to the range, then they complain it won't cycle. Well, the problem is you didn't clean the grease off of it from the factory. Had people read the manual and cleaned and lubed as instructed, the gun would have worked properly.
Hey Chris, that WC just makes me drool. I'm not sure why, but I just love 1911. I've been trying for years just to feel one up. Maybe one day. Enjoy yours. Thanks for the video.
In my own opinion, I believe that it is heavily underrated, and under appreciated. The 1911 is a prime example of it is not broke, don’t fix it. The only thing now is that in order to keep up with the current times, they have had to adapt and evolve into the modern market.
I bought a Springfield Ronin Elite 1911 in 10 mm and love it. Beautiful, accurate with its trigger and fiber optic sights, and very reliable. That being said it is a heavy mother at 41 oz. & is mostly a range toy. Still I knew all of this when I bought it & don't regret the purchase in the slightest. Also bought a Glock 20 4th Gen which after the upgrades cost the same as the Springfield 1911. But love them both, but both are $1K guns. Thanks for the review!
Another thing to consider is price. You can get cheaper 1911’s, but a lot of them are fairly expensive at least. And 2011’s, the superior version, are outrageously expensive.
I bought my RIA 10mm 2011 for $649, never had a jam, love that gun.
I carried a Colt 1911 series 80 for nearly forty years. I didn't carry it to shoot targets so seven round clips were adequate. It was reliable and easy to maintain. A pistol is as accurate as person behind the sights. When you're looking to stop a threat its hard to beat a slow moving freight train. Its a pretty simple formula know what you carry, know how to us it and be ready to use it.
The 1911 has been around so long even the cliches people use to talk about them are old enough to be on Medicare.
I inherited my grandfathers .38 Super Colt Commander some years ago and i love shooting it at the range. Just how smooth it operates shows the level of craftsmanship that went into these pistols as a tried and true design
I grew up on 1911's & BHP... and S&W Wheel guns... the 1911 is wonderful... and early Para-ordnance double stacks were also grand... love my P16-40
and for the record.. my Taurus is wonderful...
I'm in my 60's, the "we can't be friends " line is how I've felt since you were a child, wish I had thought of it, first time seeing you, now I have to subscribe!!😂😂😂😂
In a galaxy far far away the the 1911 was almost the sidearm of the Jedi. It lost to the longer lasting crystals of the light saber.🤓
LMFAO
Love my Rock Island, changed out some springs and put the rounded mainspring housing on and can't be happier. Plus I enjoy maintaining my weapons. I love the smell of solvent and gun oil. When my friends and family come over and they catch a whiff of Hoppes they know I am a happy boy :D I will admit though I wish I had one that I could air rack like your buddy.
What does a taxidermist do for fun?
Stuff.
A vegan and a vegetarian are standing on a cliff. They decide to jump off to see who makes it to the bottom first.
Who wins?
Society!
Not sure what’s better. The video or the shooting in the videos. Gotta step my game up for sure.
The 1911 is like that refined pretty lady that takes acting like a gentleman, roses, dinners and plenty of our attention to score a home run. The Glock is like that loose biker girl, with a six pack, AC DC blasting and a bag of pork rinds you're knocking it out of the park. Both will do depending on your level of commitment I guess.
I’ve been a Glock 19 guy for 9 years. Mainly because apart from the M9, it was the only sidearm I ever had any training on. Also, when I was in lumber sales, I kept the pistol in my desk constantly. We had a fire and the whole building was destroyed. Next morning, I went into the store and pulled my Glock 19 out of the ashes that were left of that desk, took it home, charged it, and fired the magazine’s worth of ammo that was still in it without a failure. Yet my heart desired to know the 1911 and about 6 months ago, I bought a Springfield Mil Spec 45 ACP.
The mag capacity (less than half the bang bangs) and frankly the cost of rounds (less bang bangs to practice with) makes me say I’ll always prefer my Glock as a platform that’ll give me the best probability of survival in an EDC situation and therefore will be my preferred carry.
BUT, I’ve shot over a thousand rounds through my Springfield in the 6 months or so I’ve owned it and there’s no comparison in the experience of shooting the 1911. It just feels Murica af. I even enjoy cleaning it. You described it as a labor of love, and that’s the best I’ve heard it described. Even disassembled on your kitchen table, the gun just screams freedom. So if you’re someone like I was seduced by the practicality and logic of polymer pistols, let yourself live a little and get a Rock Island or a Springfield. Small price to pay for what will become your favorite gun to shoot and put back in the safe or glovebox.
Can you overrate 2 world wars?...
Back-to-back champs!
Can you ignore he civil war? Is the Springfield muzzleloader still relevant ? Not a clever argument.
A labor of love... that's how I would describe it myself. There's something wrong with you if, as a pistol shooter, you don't enjoy cleaning and tinkering with your guns; especially a 1911! I clean all of my guns every time I shoot them. Despite your experience with the Prodigy, after a year of watching videos and doing research I bought one. Yes, I had a few problems initially. But now, 1,000 round later it runs perfectly. Really enjoy your reviews.
2 world Wars !
Great video, the most honest and from my experiance accurate review of the 1911 I've ever seen.
About 30 years ago I bought a Para Ordinance P14-45 and I carried it for many years. Certainly not a traditional 1911, since then the modern gun media has been pretty much bashing the design of the 1911.
You said it best, understand the firearm and use it where it works. Yes I have Glocks and for a filthy combat environment it's better than the 1911 design. You can mitigate some of that with a more protective holster but in my opinion the firearm is part of the equation with the shooter and that can more than balance the equation.
Very, very cool presentation! "If you were born in America, and don't like the 1911, we cant be friends!" Priceless
Awesome video my friend but the 1911 will always be my number one because it is the first handgun I fell in love with back in the seventies when I was watching Starsky and Hutch.