The 1911 thread

[junior varsity]

Not sure about XD's with conversions.  Don't have an XD to learn about!

[ducatiz]

if you want to practice plinking with your 1911, consider the Ruger 22/45.  it's a Ruger standard model with a grip and controls very similar to the 1911.

about the same price as a 22 conversion and you get a second iron.

[Desmo Demon]

Cool!  A 1911 thread!!!......

My wife and I have something like 54 firearms and IIRC correctly, we have eight 1911s......I think. Let's see I have the Gold Cup, Goverment, LW Commander, and Officers (all Colts), a Norinco, a RIA, and the wife has a S&W, RIA, and Para Ordnance Warthog.....I guess that makes nine.

Interestingly, out of all of them, I actually shoot my cheapo RIA 1911 the best, modified with only a Wilson Combat hammer and beavertail safety and Hogue grips...

[Statler]

While cheaper to practice with, the .22 conversion doesn't help you deal with the recoil, and sight-picture reacquisition, resulting from the .45 cartridge.  Discuss.

absolutely right.  I don't think people should really consider it practice if you already regularly shoot your .45.

But it's great for a little fun, and the best use for me has been the ability to teach both my wife and some friends how to shoot.

My wife got to learn without intimidation, and all the controls were the same because, well, they were the actually the same...not just close or similar.

So when she became comfortable shooting it as a .22 she moved up to shooting it as a .45

Very different in some ways, but I was no longer worried about basic control function and feel.

(do you practice on a monster 620 when you have an RS?  no.   Is it still fun to ride?  yes.   Is the 620 the one you'd teach someone else to ride on?  yes.  would the controls be the same then for a bigger monster?  yes..ok less so than the EXACT same controls as with the pistol, but you get the analogy by now)

[junior varsity]

that is a pretty good analogy. my lady definitely likes shooting the 22 - and especially outside and nontraditional targets (cans, bottles with liquid in them, things that do something when you shoot them rather than just get a hole in them)

[Sinister]

+1 on the analogy, Statler.  I don't know why Cyrus says you are a no-nothing prick.

[raulduke]

My .02 cents. 

+1 on Ducatizzz....it's not really the caliber it the shooter.  I instruct tactical handgun training and anything over .38 is fine as long as you can hit.  Practice double taps to center mass.  Two of anything in the chest is gonna put a bad guy down (I have seen a fair number of people shot with 9mm and regardless of all the ballistic BS about .45 wounding vs 9mm... they all seemed very uncomfortable and stopped misbehaving immediately).  Bigger is better but only if you can hit with it

One point not discussed is ammo cost.  9mm range ammo is way cheaper than .45...especially if you are a new shooter and need to rack up lots of rounds.  If you can't afford to learn to shoot your .45 you would have been better off with a 9mm or .38.

Lastly, +1 on .22 conversion kits NOT counting as practice.  Sorry, but unless you are gonna shoot the bad guy with .22 don't bother practicing with it.  The difference in recoil and even sound will render this practice nearly valueless in a defensive situation.  (if you are practicing for competition shooting you can learn some things with a .22 kit , focus,  form, breath control etc. but not for defensive shooting).

[junior varsity]

My .02 cents. 

+1 on Ducatizzz....it's not really the caliber it the shooter.  I instruct tactical handgun training and anything over .38 is fine as long as you can hit.  Practice double taps to center mass.  Two of anything in the chest is gonna put a bad guy down (I have seen a fair number of people shot with 9mm and regardless of all the ballistic BS about .45 wounding vs 9mm... they all seemed very uncomfortable and stopped misbehaving immediately).  Bigger is better but only if you can hit with it

One point not discussed is ammo cost.  9mm range ammo is way cheaper than .45...especially if you are a new shooter and need to rack up lots of rounds.  If you can't afford to learn to shoot your .45 you would have been better off with a 9mm or .38.

Lastly, +1 on .22 conversion kits NOT counting as practice.  Sorry, but unless you are gonna shoot the bad guy with .22 don't bother practicing with it.  The difference in recoil and even sound will render this practice nearly valueless in a defensive situation.  (if you are practicing for competition shooting you can learn some things with a .22 kit , focus,  form, breath control etc. but not for defensive shooting).

Ain't that the truth. That's the only reason I still own a 9mm. The cost comparison from one box of 50 to another is outrageous.

[Manny]

<snip>... they all seemed very uncomfortable and stopped misbehaving immediately

<snip>

[bulldogs2k]

Back from the dead but here are my guns.  The top two are from Afganistan that my dad picked up.  Both are made 1833, the other is a para special edition 82nd Airborne 1911, which my dad had left to me.  I love it but it will miss feed once fouled up with the cheap stuff.  Will this get better once everything 'breaks in." 

[ducatiz]

what kind of barrels do the Afghani pistols have?  are they Damascus type?  I'd love to check those out.

does your 1911 have the GI type half feed ramp or is it a full feed ramp?

the GI version has problems with anything but ball ammo since the half ramp can catch on the projectile.  some makers have redesigned the frame so the barrel has a full ramp (like the Hi Power and every other Browning style gun after...)

[bulldogs2k]

what kind of barrels do the Afghani pistols have?  are they Damascus type?  I'd love to check those out.

does your 1911 have the GI type half feed ramp or is it a full feed ramp?

the GI version has problems with anything but ball ammo since the half ramp can catch on the projectile.  some makers have redesigned the frame so the barrel has a full ramp (like the Hi Power and every other Browning style gun after...)

Good questions, I don't know but I will gladly take pictures of what you need.  I'm going to the range with some HP's so I'll let you know how those do.  As far as the Afghani pistols, I wouldn't know but I will google Damascus barrels once I get some free time.  Or...I can take pictures for you. 

[ducatiz]

Good questions, I don't know but I will gladly take pictures of what you need.  I'm going to the range with some HP's so I'll let you know how those do.  As far as the Afghani pistols, I wouldn't know but I will google Damascus barrels once I get some free time.  Or...I can take pictures for you. 

a Damascus barrel is a VERY old way of making a barrel whereby you use a rod and drop strips of metal around it and then pound them together.  it is only usable for black powder, low power charges.  it was how barrels were made in the 17th century.

[bulldogs2k]

a Damascus barrel is a VERY old way of making a barrel whereby you use a rod and drop strips of metal around it and then pound them together.  it is only usable for black powder, low power charges.  it was how barrels were made in the 17th century.

Pm me your email and I will send you detailed pictures of the pistols.  The 1911 shoots a hell of a lot better with +p ammo, and the HPs where not a problem.  The cheap stuff they sell for target practice, however, is CRAP!

[ducatiz]

Pm me your email and I will send you detailed pictures of the pistols.  The 1911 shoots a hell of a lot better with +p ammo, and the HPs where not a problem.  The cheap stuff they sell for target practice, however, is CRAP!

sounds like you need a lighter recoil spring!