There are hundreds of gun designs over the years, but for some reason it’s the 1911 pistol that always manages to stand out. Why is this model so iconic? This pistol, created by John Moses Browning, was created as a versatile piece of hardware designed to bring stopping power & accuracy to the battlefield.
The history of this model started 20 years before the year 1911. Around 1898 when the US went to war with Spain and they had to deal with the Moro tribesmen in the Philippines. That’s the time when .38 caliber revolvers like the Colt model 1873 were called back into regular service. However, the field tests showed that the .38 caliber was no match for these warriors so a larger caliber was needed. This is when the military opted for the bigger .45 caliber.
Since then, the 1911 has multiple design changes and Browning actually approached Colt in 1906 with a few ideas for the .45 caliber model. After a few years and hundreds of tests, the Browning-created model ended up being launched as the Model 1911 or the M1911. It was 2 years afterwards that the marine corps and the navy adopted this model. The 1911 continued to be used from 1911 and up until 1985. The M1911 and the updated M1911A1 were used during WWI, WWII, Vietnam war as well as the Korean war. Since 1985 though, more and more companies have started manufacturing 1911 pistols and they continue to be some of the most sought after models.
Why is the design so special and what makes this model so attractive to the military, police & sportsman alike? The reason is actually very simple. Not only is this model very versatile, it’s also a pleasure to use and it’s very easy to optimize for any type of task. Plus, the way the 1911 was designed is simply perfect. The ergonomics of this “old” design is still better than more modern handguns. It’s narrow & has the perfect grip angle that most newer pistols copy. These are a few of the reasons why the 1911 is still a collector’s item to begin with, because aside from looking great, it’s a fully functional hardware that gets the job done.
The fact that a 1911 has a very smooth, single action trigger as well as a heavy frame does make it very accurate. Plus, you don’t need a lot of practice in order to use it properly. And since there are multiple sizes like the 5-inch barrel Government Model or the Defender that has a 3-inch barrel, you do have plenty of choices and it’s all up to you to pick the best one that suits your needs.
Overall, the 1911 has continually managed to stand out as the perfect handgun for a wide variety of situations. With its unique design, great accuracy and recent affordable pricing, the 1911 continues to be one of the best guns on the market. So, consider giving it a try as it’s well worth your time! Oh, and by the way, don’t forget to upgrade your grips with CKGs!
Back to 1911 Custom Killer Grips.
One good thing about 1911’s is that they can, and very reliably do so, is work well with black magic (aka black powder for nondarksiders) 45acp loads. Nothing like working a 1911 while it’s belching hellfire and brimstone, and spitting lead.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your article, and appreciate the points you made in support of the 1911 as a carry gun. I carry a Glock 26 in my pocket, something that could never be done with a 1911, unless you wanted to rip your pants to shreds.
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