Any 1911 fans?

[zjgilbert]

My Remington 1911R1

Headshots from 15 yards, body is a mix of 10-15, groin 7.5. Occasional shot for the arms (no they were not missed chest shots). Had a few wide shots, but I wouldn't say it's bad for my second time shooting it and goin through 100 rounds.

 

[scotties22]

I've been looking at hand guns for about a year now. I'm torn between a 1911 and a 38 special. I'm 5'9", 165lbs (yeahhh..shocking I'm sure......see MSDS post), so I think I will be able to handle the 1911 fairly well. Just can't decide so I haven't bought anything yet.

She sure is purty though.

 

[zjgilbert]

I'm 5'6" and 180lbs (from sitting around enjoying my pipe too much! lol) and as you can see I can handle the 1911 pretty well, and can even handle my 7.5" barreled .44 mag quite well . At 5'9" I don't see any reason why you'd have any issue. As far as design and reliability you really can't get much better than a 1911. Tried and true, it was used as our military's standard service pistol till the introduction of the beretta in the 80's and it's official introduction in 1990. A .38 is also a really nice gun. You have to ask yourself what you'll be using the gun for. Is it a conceal carry? If so what style of concealment? Open carry? Is it just a range gun? Where do you plan on using this gun? If you're looking for a good, concealable weapon this isn't it unless you plan on wearing one of the shoulder harnesses under a jacket. You can tuck it into a belly band, but it's really not a very comfortable carry. The best way to carry this gun if you don't want to hide it under a jacket is to just open carry it on your hip or in the shoulder holster. The .38 will have a far shorter barrel (usually) and can be easily hidden in the waste band, in a pocket, or in an ankle holster. Now on to the uses. For home defense a .45 would probably be better than the .38 as you may have slightly higher accuracy due to greater control over the firearm, and a higher ammo capacity. You can also reload much quicker. Ultimately though the best home defense weapon in my opinion is a 12 gauge. My dad keeps a 12g pump under the bed with an 18" barrel. Nothing will terrify an intruder more than the sound of 00 buck being wracked into the chamber. Not to discredit everything I just said, I am not an expert. This is just my two cents based off my own experience and research. Hope that helped and sorry if it was a bit long winded

 

[Ocelot55]

There is something to be said about a design that has been reliable for over a century. I love the 1911. I have a stainless steel Springfield. I named her Karina. She is one hell of a nice weapon. I took her boar hunting the other day. No kills, unfortunately.

For me the .45 handles very differently than a 9mm. I am far more accurate with most 9mm's but nothing beats the feel of a .45. I just need some more practice.

 

[zjgilbert]

There is something to be said about a design that has been reliable for over a century. I love the 1911. I have a stainless steel Springfield. I named her Karina. She is one hell of a nice weapon. I took her boar hunting the other day. No kills, unfortunately.

For me the .45 handles very differently than a 9mm. I am far more accurate with most 9mm's but nothing beats the feel of a .45. I just need some more practice.

I've yet to name any of my guns lol. Maybe I'll name my .44 Big Bertha...Here's Big Bertha:
Last I went shooting with it I was able to hit a quarter from 10 yards.

 

[Ocelot55]

Ruger makes one hell of a wheel gun. I've always been a fan, but never had the pleasure of owning one. I hear they're making a 1911 now. I might have to check that out.

 

[zjgilbert]

Now why did you have to go and tell me that? I just broke my bank buying some new pipes and books for school. Guess it's time to add another gun to my ever growing list to buy I love this Ruger. It was my grandfather's before he passed it down to me. He's the reason I have as many guns as I do. Currently I have a Kar98, R700 7mm Ultra Mag, SKS, Ithaca 12g Model 37, Sig Sauer 38H .32acp, Remington 1911R1 and the Ruger .44 obviously,anddddddd I think that's all of them...

 

[scotties22]

It would primarily be for home defense. I have a 12 gauge in the bedroom loaded with heavy game load. I am looking for a weapon to put in the kitchen as this is where I spend most of my time.....now do I need a shop gun too??? I am fairly small boned and quite honestly don't have a lot of hand strength. I need to find someone I know that has a 1911 and take it shooting. I can handle the .38, no problem, I've shot one before. Rounds and reload time really don't concern me all that much. If I can't run you out of my house with 6 shots I'm better off with a butcher knife to begin with. I'm all about accuracy and hands down the .38 wins.....less moving parts. My husband was a Marine and used to compete in indoor combat handgun shooting. For him it's the 1911, no question. And that is probably what we will end up with seeing as he is the one with the money.

 

[George Kaplan]

Actually, Scottie, you and I are the same size and weight, and despite my "lumberjack good looks", I have small hands for a dude. I've never had any trouble handling or shooting my old 1911. Don't listen to anyone who tries to sell you a "lady's gun". There's no gun the world exclusive to x or y chromosomes. The guy who invented the .44 Magnum (I can't remember his name) said the 44 was his 10-year-old daughter's favorite gun to shoot! Have fun with whatever you choose.

 

[Ocelot55]

Actually, Scottie, you and I are the same size and weight, and despite my "lumberjack good looks", I have small hands for a dude. I've never had any trouble handling or shooting my old 1911. Don't listen to anyone who tries to sell you a "lady's gun". There's no gun the world exclusive to x or y chromosomes. The guy who invented the .44 Magnum (I can't remember his name) said the 44 was his 10-year-old daughter's favorite gun to shoot! Have fun with whatever you choose.

Amen!

 

[zjgilbert]

It would primarily be for home defense. I have a 12 gauge in the bedroom loaded with heavy game load. I am looking for a weapon to put in the kitchen as this is where I spend most of my time.....now do I need a shop gun too??? I am fairly small boned and quite honestly don't have a lot of hand strength. I need to find someone I know that has a 1911 and take it shooting. I can handle the .38, no problem, I've shot one before. Rounds and reload time really don't concern me all that much. If I can't run you out of my house with 6 shots I'm better off with a butcher knife to begin with. I'm all about accuracy and hands down the .38 wins.....less moving parts. My husband was a Marine and used to compete in indoor combat handgun shooting. For him it's the 1911, no question. And that is probably what we will end up with seeing as he is the one with the money.

The .45 doesn't jump too much. I have a friend that's 5'9" and probably 145lbs and she could fire it one handed. It seems to me that the .38 I fired kicked back due to a smaller size. A heavier gun kinda absorbs some of the recoil and it tends to jump more than roll back in the hand. But yes, the absolute best way to get a feel for the weapon is to fire it yourself. Firing a 1911 is a lot of fun, so even if you don't end up getting one it won't be a day wasted. This may sound crazy (and potentially pretty dangerous), but I've heard of plenty of people that keep their handguns stashed in the oven for quick, unexpected access. You just have to be mindful before cookin dinner and it obviously isn't the best place to keep it if you ever have little ones running around. On a final note, after learning your husband was a marine I'll be shocked if you all end up with the .38 and I'm amazed you don't already have a 1911! lol

 

[Ocelot55]

I've found that it is not so much the caliber of the handgun as it is the weight and ergonomics that dictate how strongly recoil is felt. I have a .380 micro desert eagle that kicks like a mule. The gun is incredibly light and is so small I can only get my index and middle fingers wrapped securely around it. That thing practically jumps out of my hand. My 1911 is substantially heavier and has some nice houge grips making the recoil very controllable.

 

[zjgilbert]

I've found that it is not so much the caliber of the handgun as it is the weight and ergonomics that dictate how strongly recoil is felt. I have a .380 micro desert eagle that kicks like a mule. The gun is incredibly light and is so small I can only get my index and middle fingers wrapped securely around it. That thing practically jumps out of my hand.

Reminds me of this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3jZgDPZ5Hf0" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[George Kaplan]

Funny as that video is, I've seen bigger guys with smaller guns do the same thing.

 

[zjgilbert]

Funny as that video is, I've seen bigger guys with smaller guns do the same thing.

That's just embarrassing. On that note however, I had gone shooting a bit ago with some friends. One of them wanted to try my 7mm Ultra Mag. I told him the scope was off, so not aim down the optic, but rather put it to his shoulder and aim down the barrel. He interpreted this as get his face as close to the barrel as he possibly could. Needless to say, he ended up with a crimson crescent on his forehead after he pulled the trigger. We all, including him, got a pretty good kick out of that.

 

[George Kaplan]

I've found that it is not so much the caliber of the handgun as it is the weight and ergonomics that dictate how strongly recoil is felt.

There's that old paradox of carry weight vs. controlability. My .38 Chief's Special is a lot snappier than the 1911, but I'd much rather carry the lighter .38.

 

[George Kaplan]

...Needless to say, he ended up with a crimson crescent on his forehead after he pulled the trigger.

The old "Third Eyebrow"!
Wish I could say I've never done that. :x

 

[scotties22]

Yeah, I'm not trying to become an internet celeb like she did. I grew up shooting rifles. I used to go deer hunting with my grandpa every fall. I never killed anything, our hunting trips were more lessons on how to practice patients..

 

[zjgilbert]

...Needless to say, he ended up with a crimson crescent on his forehead after he pulled the trigger.

The old "Third Eyebrow"!
Wish I could say I've never done that. :x

Well, the way the scope hit him it would be a vertical third eyebrow lol. Luckily I've yet to be thrown around my any gun I've fired. I've definitely had plenty of bruises after a day of shooting, but nothin too bad.

 

[Ocelot55]

I've bopped myself in the forehead with a pistol grip 12 gauge shotgun. In my defense, I was in the back of a moving pickup roaring across the pasture.