Advanced Basics For The 1911
Some thoughts on how it should be set up for defense.
The 1911 pistol is a serviceable pistol if not over engineered.
Arguably, the Colt 1911 is an effective and modestly popular handgun. Even though some puke at the thought of another article on the 1911, there is a whole other bunch of folks jumping up and down for joy at the prospect. I remember when you could buy a 1911 for $100 and in fact I still have my first $100 1911 serial number 2797LW, which is a Lightweight Colt Commander.

To say the pistol has gone though some changes over the years is an understatement. Yet for all it has been through, it is still a basic, reliable pistol I still carry on special days or events. I am lately a proponent of Les Baer pistols — for like the last eight years — and see no reason to change my position. I am requested to write about other handguns from this podium and there are even a few I like such as the Springfield XD .45 5" pistol, but deep down, my handgun foundation is anchored in the revolving handgun most specifically the Smith & Wesson family.

These things clarified, I thought to discuss my thoughts on my favorite auto pistol — the 1911 — and more specifically the basics of what a 1911 should be and do after my limited exposure of 30 years or so. So here is what I think.

What you probably need is the same as it has been for 30 years or so when people who most often carried the 1911 were ones who truly needed a handgun for personal defense. This past era is, of course, compared to nowadays and the dabblers who carry a 1911 do so because they saw someone else do it, think the gun is cool or after the advice of supposed experts who may or may not be. All in all, it is a good pistol and, like all handguns we might fight with, it needs to first and foremost reliable — which it often wasn’t or still isn’t in some cases — to be a serious defensive tool.

There's More Ranging Shots
in the January Issue

• Simple Wants
• The "Economical" 1911

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2008 ISSUE HERE
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