The Defensive 1911
The 1911 is without doubt one of the most iconic and long lived of American firearms designs. To this day the 1911 remains alive and relevant for the modern pistolero. In an era where technology goes from cutting edge to obsolete inside of a calendar year, and new “revolutionary” pistols are constantly being brought to market, why choose a 1911 as a defensive handgun? Firearms are always a very individual and personal choice. Over the years, the 1911 has most often been mine and here are but a few of the reasons why.
The most prevalent reason I choose 1911’s is because I shoot them the best. It seems many folks get lost in the weeds of marketing when selecting a carry gun. They assemble this massive list of criteria and then try to find some magic gun that fits them all. Magic is only a kingdom in Florida; I carry a handgun to do what handguns do. Therefore, I choose the handgun that I am the most effective with and then find a way to incorporate it into my lifestyle. I have always shot 1911’s best. This is not to say I cannot shoot other handguns well, but, after years of recreational and competition shooting, 1911’s are consistently the most natural for me. My favorite ones feel like they shoot themselves.
A large part of why 1911’s remain relevant today is the trigger. To date, no other pistol platform has rivaled the crispness and precision of a 1911 trigger. This is primarily because the physics of the mechanisms themselves are fundamentally different. Most triggers pivot on a fulcrum, which is a pin above the trigger guard in the frame. The 1911’s trigger travels straight back and forth in a track, so while many premium triggers may claim to be “1911 like”…that is physically impossible. 1911 triggers also came before the time of mechanical simplicity which predated active safeties incorporated into trigger systems. The 1911 trigger remains unadulterated and thus retains its supremacy, because they are the easiest to apply basic marksmanship skills too.
This brings us to the issue of the thumb safety. I understand why accommodations to the lowest common denominators are a factor for agency sales, but that is completely different than personal adoption of a system. Having spent a fair amount of time with Glocks and other striker fired guns, I think it takes equal amount of training and proficiency to be an adequate marksman with a “safe action” trigger system as it does to become second nature with manipulating a safety. Choose one system or the other, but choose them from the standpoint of commitment to mastery or whichever system you choose. I chose to master the 1911, so the safety is of little consequence to me.
Another aspect that attracts me to 1911’s is their precision. They aren’t just precise in how they shoot; they are precise in how they are made. Everything about a 1911 is crisp and smooth. The various parts glide across each other and lock crisply into place. They are not plastic and hollow; they are solid steel…like guns are supposed to be. This translates into a smooth recoil impulse and inspires confidence in my weapon.
1911’s also have a very slim profile for concealment. Now there are many guns that are “slim” these days. Prospective buyers often get bent around the axle with the precise measurements, and in fact there are slimmer handguns. However, the 1911 is a unique combination of relative slimness AND have soft/rounded edges so garments lay flat over the top of them. Its long sleek profile also helps it lay comfortably flat against one’s side. This combination of characteristics yields a concealable pistol that still fills my hand with full service pistol capabilities.
1911’s do have the reputation of being high maintenance and/or finicky. For the most part I think this is overstated when referring to guns of quality manufacture. Any mechanical piece of equipment requires some level of maintenance- be they firearms or otherwise. A vehicle would certainly go 20,000+ miles on one oil change without a “failure”…that doesn’t mean it’s good for it or that it won’t affect its longevity. I make an effort to periodically clean and inspect any firearm I keep for defensive purposes which included 1911’s and Glocks. If you are serious enough to strap it on every day, it’s a good idea to take it down and wipe off the lint once in a while. All of the “problems” I’ve ever encountered with 1911’s could either be traced back to substandard ammunition, faulty magazines, or user neglect.
These are the basic reasons I keep and carry 1911’s for defensive purposes. I don’t have just one because I am too much of an enthusiast for that. They are not my exclusive choice, but more often than not a slab sided piece of American steel is not far away. 1911’s…putting bullets on target since, well…1911.
Author: Adam Maxwell