In Praise of the 1911

["DoubleAction"]

If it's not in your hand or holster, it might just be in your heart, none the less, the 1911 is our nation's flagship semi-auto combat pistol, known the world over.

Modified Colt Series 70 Government Model


Modified Colt Series 70 "Combat" Government Model

["DoubleAction"]

Modified Colt Officer's ACP, Nickel.

[Callahan]

That sure is a fine-looking pistol, DA. If I were buying I would pick up one that looks like that in a heartbeat!

["DoubleAction"]

Thanks Callahan; At the time that I had bought this one, I was in search of an alloy frame Colt Officer, but I saw this one and bargained for it. It was bone stock when I got it, shooting low at six o'clock, but the groupings was within a quarter of an inch at ten to fifteen yards, the Millett rear brought it to P.O.A., and the dual crimped front stays put. Many thanks goes out to King's Gun Works, Smith Alexander Magwells, Millett Sights, Wilson Combat, Joe Cominolli, Videcki Triggers, Wolff Gunsprings, and Ed brown for designing parts and providing information on improving the Colt Officer's ACP pistols.

["DoubleAction"]

Colt Series 80 Gold Cups



National Match


Trophy

["DoubleAction"]

Modified Colt Series 70 Combat Commander, Factory Satin Nickel Finish.

[5ontarget]

ok first let me say, Wow! that's some nice looking heat. A 1911 has been added to my wish list. I have a few others that are ahead of it though. S&W 686, I have wanted one of those for a long time. I like the idea of always having a "work in progress" with the 1911's. An endless supply of custom parts to hang on them.
I was surfing one of the Kel-Tec forums (hang on this will all tie together), and was looking for some of the smiths the send their guns to for finishing. They all seem to use Jack Fuselier www.gunsmith.fuselier.com/
I was looking at his site, and noticed a link titled HERE'S HOW 1911 STYLE PISTOLS CAN GO FULL AUTO. I looked at it here www.gunsmith.fuselier.com/AUTO1911.HTML
it talks about how a 1911 may go full auto or AD while loading it. take a look, does this seem right? I had a hard time keeping it all straight in my pea sized gunsmith brain.
(see I told you I'd link it all back together)

["DoubleAction"]

5ontarget; Thanks a million for bringing chambering the first round full auto issue up; I have been talking about this for two years on these proboard forums. That Combat Commmander went full auto with me one time, but I've since learned thge proper technique and proper method of operating the 1911. Think about this: the only time that the trigger is not to the rear, when the slide cycles, is when the first round is chambered. During the time that the trigger is in the rearward position, the disconnector is held below the sear, preventing the transfer of energy from the Trigger stirrup, to the sear. The Gold Cup National Matches have a spring activated lever that maintains pressure on the sear during cycling, in order to prevent the trigger stirrup from bouncing to release the sear. I'll have more relating to this in the 1911 function photos and descriptions at the group area. Trigger bounce, Hammer Follow, and Full Auto situations are created when the hammer hooks are shortened, added to the lighter springs, polishing of all contact points, and unsafe methods of operating the pistol.

["DoubleAction"]

I've always had respect for what Wilson Combat had contributed to the popularity and refinements in 1911 Gunsmithing and parts. After shooting a Wilson Combat, for the first time, I found myself holding a new kind of yardstick in measuring perfection.

Full Length 5" CQB


CQB Compact 4"

[Flipper]

I still do not have a 1911 myself but I have been lusting after one of those Para - Ord LDAs recently. Anyone have any opinions on these pistols?

["DoubleAction"]

Flipper; Long time no see; From what I've heard about the LDA, their double action triggers are quite smooth. I have to emphasize that the original design of the 1911's single action trigger is one of it's strongest atttributes.

[tptplayer]

I have a Para. I like it a lot. The trigger is very light and smooth. Take a look at the pictures in the photo section. I'm not suggesting it is better than a true 1911 but it is a fine handgun. This setup is ideal for bowling pins. I got it as is for $600 and couldn't turn it down.

["DoubleAction"]

tpt; I have to comment on the para ordinance and it's relationship with the 1911. A few years ago the F.B.I. had requested a 1911 be manufactured with a high magazine capacity. At the time Para Ordinance was the only manufacturer of a complete pistol, using a high capacity wide body frame. This left Colt and Springfield out of the running for consideration; So Les Baer built the pistol, and was awarded the contract for the H.R.T. Pistol, built by custom specs. Something fell through with things after production began, and the wheels turned toward another H.R.T. in a single stack frame later on. This Les Baer Para H.R.T. was one fine pistol, and I think a commercial version was also made available.