I just wanted to throw out a few observations. I don’t want to start a whizzing war but wanted to express a few things. First I’ve been around the block a few time, SE Asian War games, LE capacity, carried a pistol 24x7x365 for decades. Multiple Gunsite alumni, attending training with Col. Cooper, Chuck Taylor, Jay M Plaxco, John Shaw, etc. Hung out with Jim Hoag, (he’s built beau coup 1911’s for me), Ken H, Robbie Leatham, Jerry M and Jerry B. and MANY others Been a long time IPSC shooter ( attending several nationals), long time IDPA shooter. YADDA-YADDA
Not trying to toot my horn but as I’m a short count poster ( I tend to listen rather than speak), I didn’t want the usual hey he’s only got 20 posts BS cropping up.
That said I’m weary of the 1911 bashing….oh I know it’s not bashing merely pointing out it’s shortcomings. Again not going to wiz on plastic pistols* as I own more than a few. * Plastic pistol is in no way derogatory…. I am using it to encapsulate all of the new breed, Glock, H&K, M&P, etc.
It’s just the 1911 bias is almost dis-crediting this site.
I grow weary of how you need to spend 2 grand to have a viable platform. Col Cooper said it best ….you need good sites, a decent trigger, a reliable pistol and a beveled mag well. The rest is nice but not necessary. Sounds a lot like a $600 Springer ? !
I realize the 1911 is labor intensive and the problems associated with it. I generally have 2 of each platform , such as 2 TRS’s, One I shoot the heck out of the other less often to keep one in minty shape and one on the ragged edge so to speak.
Then you need to decide what reliable is, is a 500 rd training course w/o fail reliable or is it more important that it goes bang when you need it?
You don’t have to have a pistol that will go thru a 2,000 rd pistol course to have a reliable pistol. If you need it and it will fire 14-21 rds w/o occurrence , that may be the reliability you need. I maintain my pistols, I use them I do not abuse them. I do have several that have gone thru multiple training classes w/o fail…so what. All I NEED is a few rds to end whatever is occurring that I need ended. A pistol that goes thru a 500 rd course w/o fail may still fail after the first rd when needed. Going 500 rds doesn’t mean it’s foolproof.
Back in the day one world class trainer said your 1911 should go 2,000 rds w/o fail or cleaning. Another in response said it best…”why would you abuse your pistol like that?”.
Your car can probably go 50K mile w/o changing the oil, but why would you?
These new bead of trainers to me are also problematic. We had them back in the day also. 20 years ago if you won a regional or National title you were approached to open a shooting school. Now it seems if you’re ex spec ops the same thing seems to apply.
I appreciate the 1911 for what it is just as I appreciate my Glocks for what they are. The kool-aid drinkers here are just as rabid as a certain GTalk, only here they site a couple trainers to fortify their beliefs.
Let’s be open to the idea that both have their advantages and their shortcomings and certain folks should not be so quick to shut down pro 1911 threads. Every time someone asks about which 1911 is best or whatever it is in relation to the 1911, the plastic guys come out and totally discredit the 1911 platform and expose why.
I apologize if I offended anyone as that was not my intent. I like this site but want to know that the AR15 info I may gleam from here is not strewn with the same bias as is the 1911.
edited in , yes I have read most every post by Hilton, LAV, etc…