1911 vs. other .45?

[Czarkazm]

I'm not a handgun expert by any means; just a guy that likes to take my Glock 17, Kahr PM9 and Colt .22LR match to the range and throw some lead down the lane.

But I'm thinking about moving up to a .45 ACP, and am sort of curious about the differences between a 1911 and the "other" style - by "other", I'm picturing something akin to the SIG P220 or HK USP. I can see the physical differences (especially the 1911's typical back horn). So what are the reasons I might choose one over the other?

Thanks for your help -
- Czar

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by Czarkazm

I'm not a handgun expert by any means; just a guy that likes to take my Glock 17, Kahr PM9 and Colt .22LR match to the range and throw some lead down the lane.

But I'm thinking about moving up to a .45 ACP, and am sort of curious about the differences between a 1911 and the "other" style - by "other", I'm picturing something akin to the SIG P220 or HK USP. I can see the physical differences (especially the 1911's typical back horn). So what are the reasons I might choose one over the other?

Thanks for your help -
- Czar

The 1911-A1, properly tuned, is near 100% reliable in function.

[rondog]

Go shoot one! That'll answer your questions.

[nathangdad]

. . . . you are writing about high quality guns so the reason is in the individual. Fire as many different .45's as possible to determine what fits you the best in terms of weight, pointability, trigger pull, sight picture,
grip to hand fit, recoil, and so on. . .

The best match will be the best gun for you. Personally, my best is the
classic 1911 with a four inch barrel mounted on a steel frame. But that is for me and may not be for you. So, test and make your own decision.

[ghost_raven]

Just try holding a 1911, and that'll answer your questions... lol. They have a great, solid feel to them, and were the standard issue sidearm for the military from 1911-1985... that's over 70 years.

Ultimately, just pick whatever fits your needs best... but that being said, I don't think you'd be disappointed with a 1911.

[Taurus Fan]

Hard to beat a 1911, I've owned 4 over the years. They feel great in the hand with the thinner single column magazine, the high capacity .45's require bigger hands than what I got stuck with.

[jashoffa]

The sig is a single action/double action meaning that the first pull of the trigger is in a heavier double action mode and then after the slide cycles the hammer is cocked and the gun is in single action mode and has a very light tigger pull. The H&K, I am pretty sure is a double action only or striker fired. In this case the trigger pull is the exact same every time, like a glock.

The 1911 is a single action only. In order for the gun to be fired it must be cocked. What this means is that if you are using the gun for CCW the gun has to be "cocked and locked" meaning the hammer is cocked and the thumb safety is engaged so the hammer is locked in place. The trigger can't be pulled till the safety is moved to the off possition.


Unless you have some sort of problem with the 1911's single action it really is a personal choice. You have listed 3 very nice high quality guns and can expect great service out of any of them. I have the sig P220 and love it. I also have a 1911 on my list of guns I need to buy.

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by rondog

Go shoot one! That'll answer your questions.

+1 Ron

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[.280Rem]

Originally Posted by Czarkazm

I'm not a handgun expert by any means; just a guy that likes to take my Glock 17, Kahr PM9 and Colt .22LR match to the range and throw some lead down the lane.

But I'm thinking about moving up to a .45 ACP, and am sort of curious about the differences between a 1911 and the "other" style - by "other", I'm picturing something akin to the SIG P220 or HK USP. I can see the physical differences (especially the 1911's typical back horn). So what are the reasons I might choose one over the other?

Thanks for your help -
- Czar

Czar,

Nothing wrong with all the other guns really. The 1911 is the .45 platform of choice for real handgunners. Good quality not withstanding, all others are just johnny come latelys. I carried a custom Colt 1991-A1, and a custom Springfield 1911 for 7 years as a police officer. I owned a Glock .40 cal, but never felt good with it on my side. The 1911 just feels like a real gun. NEVER had function or feed issues either. The two that I carried met my function test 100% of the time. I'd load the mag with various factory HP's and handloaded "lite" lead RNs, and load them ransomly. Then I'd hold the gun as loosly as I could still control it and empty the gun. Always worked. A lot of these other guns can be choosy about what you feed them, or so I've heard.

[Doctor Larry K]

I have quite a few 1911 style pistols, including a 3" bbl Kimber Ultra Carry and my newest (to me) Colt Combat Commander. I would feel completely safe carrying either one as my CCW. I seem to shoot the shorter barrels better that the 5" government. IMHO your can't go wrong with a decent quality 1911.


Doc

[ghost_raven]

Figure, the .45 ACP cartridge was actually made originally for use in the 1911.

[ander254]

I shot a lightweight polymer compact .45 and then shot a 1911. Worlds difference when it came to felt recoil. I was sold instantly on it....now the problem is funding it.

[TACAV]

I have shot both a 1911 and a USP compact .45 a lot. And have owned both.

Recoil is good thanks to the HK recoil buffer system.
Its very nice and very accurate.

You get 8 +1 capacity in a single mag plus a rail for mounting lights or lasers.

Mine is double action/single with a decocker and a safety. Which allows you to carry the gun cocked and locked like a traditional 1911 or decocked in double action with or without the safety.

You can also get the USP in single action only, double action only, the new LEM trigger which makes it double action with a lighter trigger pull similar to a glock, and with or without the decocker.

The decocker is the same lever as the thumb safety. If you pivot it downward (counter clockwise) torwards the front it decocks, if you push it up or down from the other end it works just like a 1911 safety.

The safety/ decocker can also be positioned on either side of the gun if you are left handed.

The magazine release on all models is ambidextrous. Located just under the trigger guard against the front of the grip which can be pushed with either your thumb or your trigger or middle finger of your shooting hand.

From my own expirience and a couple others I admit that I had some grip problems problems shooting the 1911 which would cause jams. Not the guns fault in away way its a problem I need to work on. (I have small hands too), I have found that for whatever reasons the USP doesnt seem to care. It goes bang everytime.


One plus to the 1911 though, while the thumb safetys are positioned in basically the same place, the 1911 is a tad bit more egononomic.
See pics here http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/463071-post8.html


Similary Ive also handled a SIG 220 and a SIG 220c Also excellent guns, made by a great company and with an awesome single trigger.

[ghost_raven]

Originally Posted by ander254

I shot a lightweight polymer compact .45 and then shot a 1911. Worlds difference when it came to felt recoil. I was sold instantly on it....now the problem is funding it.

Try a Taurus 1911. They're relatively inexpensive (I got my basic Taurus 1911 for $600), and they are very good. No complaints about mine so far, and everyone I talk to likes theirs, also.

[Big Dog]

It really comes down to personal preference - any of them are good reliable shooters.
I own a Colt M1991A1, and really like it. It's never failed me and is as accurate as a defensive piece needs to be - it's no match pistol!
I have shot the standard frame and compact single-stack Glocks - very nice! More accurate in my hand than my Colt, they make it very hard to maintain my prejudice against the 'plastic pistols'! I may in time own a Glock.
I have shot my buddy's Sig P220 - also a very good and accurate shooter - but feels 'chunky' in the hand.
I am spoiled with the Colt 1911 trigger - all DA pistols seem to have a very long and uncertain trigger to me. I WILL NEVER own a Ruger or SW pistol - horrid triggers!
It really all comes down to what feels good to YOU. Try them all before buying.

[TXplt]

Compare both. I've had FTF in 1911 ish pistols, but some have had infinite reliability with them as well. Could be me. When I first shot the Sig, I really noticed a difference in how the gun felt and shot for me.

I have a Sig P220 Staniless Carry Elite which for me has been very reliable and balances extremely well in the hand. It "fits" me. It's also extremely accurate, right out of the box. The SA trigger is outstanding; the DA a bit long but not too bad. If you're looking for a DA auto, for me this would be it. There's no difference safety wise; a P220 and cocked and locked 1911 are pretty much the same. One might argue the 1911 is "safer" because if a BG gets ahold of it he needs to figure out the safety; with the Sig it's just pull the trigger and go.

[Aarant]

I have shot several 1911's including a few Kimbers. All have been very reliable as well as comfortable to shot. I tried a Witness poly for the 1st time. I liked it so much I bought it( actually bought it before I could try it, but it was a keeper) . Its a lil bulkier than a 1911, but alot lighter and more affortable. You might look into them or the CZ models

[ManlyTexan]

I shot a Kimber Pro Carry at 25 yards. First time I had shot a .45 auto. All but one were in the bulls eye from a clip full.

[GlockMeister]

First time ever shooting a .45 auto, and all but one in the bullseye @ 25yards? Most the pros in competition rarely do that. Remind me not to piss you off. lol

[Czarkazm]

Thanks for all the feedback so far.

Now... I bought my Glock during the hi-cap ban, but it was used and came with two 17-round clips. So I sort of dig hi-cap and I see that Para has some 14-round .45s. But while they look like 1911s, they lack the 1911 moniker. So are 1911s bound at 8+1 max single stack? And if so, why? The 8+1 makes me want to lean towards HK or Para just for hi-cap reasons -- despite the insanely gorgeous Kimber Custom TLE/RL II (as seen here: Kimber - Continuing The Legacy )...