Is The 1911 An Effective Defense Platform?
BY Herschel Smith
7 years, 4 months ago
It sounds juvenile even to be asking the question.
The question has been asked: Is the 1911 an effective defensive platform?
Well, yes it is. The pistol may not be the PERFECT defensive pistol, but it is a workable platform for those who choose to carry it; workable if you train properly.
Two of the biggest knocks against the 1911 are the light, single-action trigger and the frame-mounted thumb safety. Some people say the light trigger is the cause of negligent discharges with this type of pistol. Others claim the safety is a problem in a gunfight because, under stress, one will forget to disengage said safety and therefore get killed.
Seriously? Someone has actually raised the objection to the 1911 that it isn’t designed with double action? I find the infatuation with cheap plastic guns almost amusing if it wasn’t so sad.
Look, if you want to be sure that you have a ready weapon, chamber a round and put the safety on. Or don’t. My holsters guard the trigger anyway.
It’s easy to practice sweeping the safety down as soon as you unholster the weapon. And John Basilone says hello.
On July 11, 2017 at 1:03 am, Mark Dietzler said:
Both Gunsite and Thunder Ranch, two of the first schools to open in the country that provide training to civilians, say hello also. Both teach people to shoot 1911s with speed and accuracy all day long from cocked and locked holster carry, and have done so since they opened their doors. They cover when to take the safety off in their instruction on presentations on TD1. After about TD3 of their 5 day course the student will no longer have to think about it; the subconscious will do it for them as a natural part of their draw.
On July 11, 2017 at 8:58 pm, Ned said:
Funny thing – as a left hander,I prefer a 1911. i can operate the mag release with my index finger, and i put King’s Gunworks ambi safetys on the ones I use.
Never had a problem with “forgetting” to release the safety.
When my eyes were better i could also hit a B-27 target offhand every time at 100 yards due to the fine single action triggers.
I can’t do that with my Kahr P45.
I suppose i am a 1911 fanboy. That’s OK – it works for me. But then i don’t throw my 1911’s in the mud and compare them to Glocks either.
On July 12, 2017 at 9:56 am, Dirk Williams said:
Thunder ranch is in Lakeview Oregon, roughly over the hill from my town, great training. Got a close friend who instructs their, very impressive.
Their is so much written on the 1911 some good, some great some garbage. After Col Coopers musings, I just quit reading most, was drivel. Carried a70 series Colt for 25 years. The weapon works for me. I don’t everyday carry anymore, I do keep a glock 30 .45acp in my truck, with five reloads.
I did buy my wife, daughter and daughter in law, the keltec 9mms, for Christmas last year. Each got four additional mags, and a purse for toting them around.
My wife has gone back to her P-35 Browning high power. She nor I can’t get use to the plastic pistols, just carried the 1911 and the p35 for so long They just feel at home with them. seem to make the glock work, not like the 1911.
Good review.
Dirk
On July 15, 2017 at 7:05 am, Dan said:
NO pistol is an “effective defense platform”….it’s a stop gap measure used to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have set down…..as the old saying goes.
A pistol is and has always been a plan B weapon. Carried when you can’t carry something more effective. Most modern firearms in any caliber greater than 38/9mm is adequate. Not great but acceptable. After that the issue devolves to one of training and experience. And THAT is where most people fall down. Training, practice, competence….all require time, effort and money. So too many people would rather not invest that time, effort and money preferring to seek out the magic talisman of whatever is the latest and greatest offering from the newest manufacturer. And of course they find there is no shortcut to competence, sometimes learning this fact the hard way….in the real world.