Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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Rust wrote: Sat Aug 08, 2020 11:18 am
it wasn't that releasing the slide lock approximates recoil for all semi-autos, it's that for my friend's particular 1911, it does
(7 grains of powder accelerating 1/2 ounce of lead to 850 feet per second in 1/1000 of a second + the slide moving back and hitting the slide stop + the slide moving forward) does not = (the slide moving forward).
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Point taken!

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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Rust wrote: Sat Aug 08, 2020 11:18 am
it wasn't that releasing the slide lock approximates recoil for all semi-autos, it's that for my friend's particular 1911, it does
(7 grains of powder accelerating 1/2 ounce of lead to 850 feet per second in 1/1000 of a second + the slide moving back and hitting the slide stop + the slide moving forward) does not = (the slide moving forward).
:clap:
IMR4227: Zero to 900 in 0.001 seconds

I'm only killing paper and my self-esteem.

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Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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wings wrote: Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:39 am A Ruger Mark II
Embrace the Dark Side! I have two of them, and I want two more...

Which reminds me: it's time to look on Gunbroker for that 6-7/8" tapered bull barrel target model I've been waiting to meet for a couple of years. Somehow I resisted the siren song of the one I saw last winter that already had a Volquartsen trigger!

If you're unlucky, you too will someday be able to spell "Volquartsen." ;)
IMR4227: Zero to 900 in 0.001 seconds

I'm only killing paper and my self-esteem.

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Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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I was spoiled on the 1911 in boot camp. It was the first pistol I had shot to amount to anything, so paying close attention to the instruction, and not having bad habits to unlearn, I shot it very well first time out. They have been my favorite ever since.

I have other nice pistols, Beretta 92, CZ 75, Hi powers, and several really nice revolvers, but the one on my hip will always remain a 1911.

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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I grew up on revolvers, mostly .357s, and of course my trusty old Ruger Blackhawk single six .22 (probably the one gun I'd never part with)... It took me a long time to come around to the idea of owning a semi-auto pistol, mainly because of how much I hated shooting my dad's S&W 4506 back when I was a kid ... my ten year old self just couldn't handle the weight or the recoil, and no one ever taught me that you can't hold a semi like a revolver. A few years ago I bought a Rock Island 1911 and spent some time working on recoil management, which I found largely came down to grip. Like most people here, I'd disagree with the idea that chambering a round approximates felt recoil, but I would like to add that dry fire practice (drawing, presenting, "firing", reloading, chambering, etc.) is invaluable when it comes to setting muscle memory. I've become a much better shot through spending a couple hours a week just focusing on how I draw and hold the pistol. If my grip and presentation are consistently good, recoil is minimal and my shots are (more or less) on target when I do get out to the range. It doesn't really matter what pistol you're running... the same advice holds true.

This year I picked up a CZ75 9mm and I've been shooting that a bit more than the 1911. A CZ75 is a really hard gun not to fall in love with instantly, as I bet others here can attest to as well. But if the SHTF, I'd still probably grab the 1911 first... and me old WASR, haha.
Crow
Minute Of Average

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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damnitman wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 4:35 pm I have read ballistics and firearms experts for decades arguing over the stopping power of the .45 vs 9MM. I wonder, how many people, standing in front of someone who was about to shoot them, and given a choice, would pick a 1911 in .45 over a Glock 9MM. Personally, I would take my chance with the 9MM.
Not if the .45 was FMJ and the 9mm was Spear Home Defense JHP. Frankly, I'd rather not have the muzzle of ANYTHING ever pointed at me again!
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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damnitman wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 4:35 pm I have read ballistics and firearms experts for decades arguing over the stopping power of the .45 vs 9MM. I wonder, how many people, standing in front of someone who was about to shoot them, and given a choice, would pick a 1911 in .45 over a Glock 9MM. Personally, I would take my chance with the 9MM.
They both suck at stopping people. This guy shot a criminal 6 times in fatal areas with his .45, they just weren’t immediately fatal.
https://www.police1.com/officer-shootin ... pnqqHxwMq/

The 9mm vs .45 debate is essentially a 9mm vs M1911 debate. It’s less about the caliber than it is about justifying the 1911.

Carry what you shoot best with, that matters more than caliber. A single hit with a .22 is more lethal than 7 misses with a .45.
Glad that federal government is boring again.

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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Well, firstly, welcome to the wonderful world of firearms!

Some posts have said this, but it is true, every gun is different.
There are some factors, however, which can dictate certain attributes.
Consideration of caliber, material of the firearm amd overall size often weigh in on how the firearm feels when firing. As you learned, the heavier the gun, the more "tame" it may feel.
The 1911 is a great example of how weight and design can mitigate felt recoil. .45 is no slouch, and if you were to fire it out of a subcompact polymer frame handgun, you would see a notable difference.
Looking at your questions, I do think you may find desirability with the M9, as its weight, size and design make shooting the 9mm less "snappy" then, say, a Glock 17.
I like metal frame handguns. They absorb recoil and have a good weighted feel in the hand. I do, however, find some demerits to them.
They are heavy. This causes fatigue for me quicker than a polymer frame handgun. Running drills or shooting for long periods with metal frames wear me out a bit quicker. Granted, practice makes perfect!
Also, the weight makes them more uncomfortable to carry, especially in concealed methods.
As you shoot more, you will find what you like and dislike in handguns, but I think since you found a solid launching point, you're in a good spot!

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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I would argue that there is another factor when you find what you're comfortable with, feels good in your hand, and shoots well.
And that is: What is your need? I don't just mean broad needs "Self-Defense", "Home Defense", "EDC", "Competition", "Hunting", etc.
Every firearm I have is, in my mind, justifiable for one or more specific purposes. I like the way all of them feel, but each has a purpose.

For example: My Ruger revolver and Marlin lever action are "Just in case" semi-autos are outlawed. I don't seriously expect that, but, just in case. Besides. the Marlin rifle is easily the most fun to shoot of all of them, with an old, proven design. They both share ammunition. At least 2 are SHTF guns.

PS: I have nothing against 1911s but they have no attraction for me. I would love to have a Beretta 92fs, and an H-K P30, but I cannot justify either of them since I have the Sig P320 and H-K VP-9.

Frankly, in my totally biased humble opinion, the best hammer-fired semi-auto is the H-K P30, and the best striker is its sibling, the VP-9 (though the Walther PPQ is its equal). But that's me.
Last edited by YankeeTarheel on Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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I've had the opportunity to try out numerous semi-automatic pistols in .45 ACP. Some have been 1911's, and some have been the plastic wonders. My own "plastic wonder" is a Ruger SR45, basically Ruger's copy of the Glock 21, the latter of which we have as a rental gun at the range. The 1911's have been a Ruger SR1911 (stainless), Remington 1911R1, Springfield 1911, and Kimber 1911 (stainless).

The plastic guns do snap a bit more than the 1911's. It's true, "ya canna change the laws o' physics!" The plastic guns are therefore going to snap a bit more. It's much like comparing a Glock 17 to, say, a Beretta 92; the Beretta feels like a pussycat, compared to the Glock. There's always that trade-off.

That said, I don't find the recoil of the SR45 or the Glock 21 to be objectionable in my hands. My wife prefers the 1911, though even it is what she'd classify as "pretty snappy". Well, yeah, it's a .45 ACP. :-)

However, if I had to carry, I'd choose the SR45 or Glock 21 almost every time. That lightness becomes a noticeable benefit after a day of toting a firearm on the side of your hip. Also, the SR45 and Glock 21 can carry more rounds in the magazine, though I've recently learned of double-stacked 1911's that can now do the same thing. Cleaning a Glock-style "plastic gun" is considerably easier than a 1911. Not saying a 1911 is "hard", but there are more pieces.

Which do I "like" shooting more? The 1911, by a little bit, though the plastic guns with their wider magazine wells really are a good fit for my bigger paws, so it's almost a wash in that particular way. The 1911 is certainly comfortable. The wife can grasp the 1911 a bit more easily.

So, TL;DR: no way to really know which is better for you until you actually test-fire the models in question.
"SF Liberal With A Gun + Free Software Advocate"
http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/
http://www.liberalsguncorner.com/
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Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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The other reason we don't all have 1911's is because wheelguns kick ass. The Security-Six, any K-frame, L-frame, N-frame, Redhawk, or Super Redhawk are just terrific to shoot. They're also simpler in operation than the 1911 or any other semi-auto, by their very nature. Mrs. B.H.C. definitely prefers a revolver; she simply shoots it better.
"SF Liberal With A Gun + Free Software Advocate"
http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/
http://www.liberalsguncorner.com/
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Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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Because it's so hard to buy hand guns in NJ---the wait time on my two recent handgun purchase permits was a few days short of 4 months, you have to be very selective about what you buy, AND, after you buy one, you must wait 30 days to buy the second...all the time the clock is ticking because you initially have 90 days to make the purchase, though now it's automatically renewing for a second 90 days.

So choosing what meets your needs becomes the first priority. I don't "need" a 1911. I NEED an easily accessible, but secure handgun at either end of the house, just in case.

And, of course, a Glock 17 or 19 is about the most ubiquitous handgun around these days. Not a Glock fan, but have nothing against them. I always figure you cannot go wrong getting a Glock, but you can probably find some other hand gun that is a better fit for you that you like better. And revolvers are simple and reliable, using technology that's over 170 years old (Sam Colt's patent on his revolver mechanism EXPIRED in 1857!)
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."

Re: Just Held a Gun for the First Time -- Why don't we all have 1911's?

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I really loved one 1911. It followed my dad home from his tour of North Africa, Italy and the Middle East. The sucker had pieces parts from most all the makers and was so loose it rattled while in a sock in the drawer but it felt great and had been dad's and worked reliably and was accurate enough. No idea though which of the kids ended up with it.
To be vintage it must be older than me!
The next gun I buy will be the next to last gun I ever buy. PROMISE!
jim

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