Posted at the CALIBERS forum by member bobn, an assessment of 1911 fanatics:
1) Choose 1911 carefully. Agonize over it.
2) Buy 1911.
3) Start replacing parts until there isn’t anything left of the original 1911.
4) Post endlessly long novels regarding everything you’ve done to it.
Or:
1) Spend $3000
2) Bitch or rave endlessly about it.
Various combinations seem to occur.
As the person quoted above, I’d just like to say that this isn’t meant to apply to all 1911 aficionados.
It did seem that there were some fairly common patterns, however, when I first started looking at the forums devoted to the 1911.
I myself think that the basic M1911A1 is a triumph in aesthetics and and has proven its function. I plan to get one at some point in the future. I have other guns I’m learning now.
Unfortunately I paid over $1200 for a Kimber Ultra Raptor II. Love that gun, everyone who has shot it says it shots nice and very accurate. Even from non 1911 fanatics.
However. Since I shot my first M&P 9mm I have not gone back. 1911s are good guns, but I never really felt comfortable pulling the trigger to uncock the gun. The M&P is by far cheaper and is just as accurate.
And for someone with arthritis, its a heck of a lot lighter!
Alternatively:
1) Choose 1911 carefully. Agonize over it.
2) Buy Brand X 1911.
3) Start replacing parts until there isn’t anything left of the original 1911.
4) Rant / Rave about how utterly reliable / absolutely crappy Brand X is.
And yes, I’m an unrepentant 1911 Fanboy too.
Joe
This can also be said about AR-15 owners too. Just look at the current Brownells catalog. 1911 and AR-15 parts make up the bulk of the poducts they sell.
I have two 1911’s and six AR-15’s.
Brownells and MidwayUSA has rest of my disposable income.
This gives me a great new business idea!
For $19.95 per month, I will send you an email every day that says “stop buying guns and start saving for better training!”
Hmmm … I need to go figure out how to do a subscription service charge on PayPal.
funny , i bought a springfeild milspec in ’90 ? , fired maybe 25k rnds thru it , changed out the recoil spring , i think i got real extravagent and bought some good magazines for it…
the need for cutomisation has always puzzled me , if it works , why ‘fix it ?
I have done all of the above and or combinations of the above. Yup, I’m a 1911 guy through and through. The funny thing is, when you try to pass that hard earned wisdom on to others just starting out, they ignore you and you get to watch them go through the entire process. “Drop in part” Bwa ha ha ha!