The 1911 thread

[fastwin]

In my view, I own guns for one reason: To kill when the need arises.  Period.  Whether it's a deer, a duck, or some Meth'd up dirtbag trying to steal my television or mug my wife.

Planning to "intimidate" may just get you dead.

Saw this post late. I agree, owning a firearm to "intimidate" is not so good in my opinion. I was the lead tactical shotgun instructor for a North Texas firearm academy for 11 years. I won't go into a long diatribe about shotguns over handguns or my semi worthless advice about either. We had a "saying" at the academy in response to the usual student question of "how many times do I need to shoot?". We would tell our students that if you ever have to fire a weapon in self defense (and I hope none of you ever have to) just keep shooting until they stop doing whatever it was that made you shoot them in the first place. It always seemed to strike a cord of reason with the students.

[jimboecv]

i have two.

[Sinister]

I don't keep a round chambered because the wife is still iffy around guns.  Much better than she was, but still not comfortable. 

My wife was a little uncomfortable with me keeping my 1911 cocked and locked, until I fully explained the safety system of the 1911 - grip safety + slide safety makes it double safe.  It made sense to her and she was fine.  But, she's also a gun nut. 

I've been lusting after an AR/M4gery, for a year or two.  If one of the DNC candidates win, I'll be buying one rather quickly.  Probably go Colt, but entertaining a few others as well.

[cyrus buelton]

I did a sweep of the house with my M4 last night.

Thought we heard something downstairs.


Turned out to be Greta banging her chewtoy around in the crate.

[Sinister]

I did a sweep of the house with my M4 last night.

Thought we heard something downstairs.


Turned out to be Greta banging her chewtoy around in the crate.

Did you go with a standard double-tap, or a Mozambique?   

[ducatiz]

Did you go with a standard double-tap, or a Mozambique?   

probably more "roided up chickenboy" style

[Statler]

mmmmmmmmmm  .22 top end for plinking and teaching others.   

[Sgt_H]

My wife was a little uncomfortable with me keeping my 1911 cocked and locked, until I fully explained the safety system of the 1911 - grip safety + slide safety makes it double safe.  It made sense to her and she was fine.  But, she's also a gun nut. 

I've been lusting after an AR/M4gery, for a year or two.  If one of the DNC candidates win, I'll be buying one rather quickly.  Probably go Colt, but entertaining a few others as well.

To the first point, My wife started out as one of those people who thinks that guns can just get up and shoot people whenever they want.  She didn't even like when I had them out for cleaning.  She didn't like to look at them.  So I'm pretty happy that she has made it this far.

The guy at the gun shop was saying the same thing about people stocking up on short barrel AR-15's in anticipation of a Dem winning.  I liked carrying the M4 in Iraq because of how small it is.  Not exactly intimidating, but handy and pretty accurate. 

Ours weren't full auto and I don't think I ever fired mine on burst but I was indifferent on the forward pistol grip.  I ended up taking mine off and never missed it. 

[ducatiz]

mmmmmmmmmm  .22 top end for plinking and teaching others.   

i use epsom salt in a 12 ga for teaching others..

but maybe that's a different kind of teachin'  ;:| ;:|

[Sgt_H]

Saw this post late. I agree, owning a firearm to "intimidate" is not so good in my opinion. I was the lead tactical shotgun instructor for a North Texas firearm academy for 11 years. I won't go into a long diatribe about shotguns over handguns or my semi worthless advice about either. We had a "saying" at the academy in response to the usual student question of "how many times do I need to shoot?". We would tell our students that if you ever have to fire a weapon in self defense (and I hope none of you ever have to) just keep shooting until they stop doing whatever it was that made you shoot them in the first place. It always seemed to strike a cord of reason with the students.

On the 'intimidate' question I come down this way.  The use of force continuum begins with presence.  If you can make your presence known to the intruder (by racking a firearm), and that presence is enough to make the bad guy run away without shooting him, good.  If presence doesn't work, by all means shoot to stop the threat and do so with a clear conscience.  That is more related to home defense.  For CCW, I'd be much more inclined to carry chambered.

[Sinister]

The guy at the gun shop was saying the same thing about people stocking up on short barrel AR-15's in anticipation of a Dem winning.  I liked carrying the M4 in Iraq because of how small it is.  Not exactly intimidating, but handy and pretty accurate. 

Ours weren't full auto and I don't think I ever fired mine on burst but I was indifferent on the forward pistol grip.  I ended up taking mine off and never missed it. 

Were you active or contracting?

[Manny]

On the 'intimidate' question I come down this way.  The use of force continuum begins with presence.  If you can make your presence known to the intruder (by racking a firearm), and that presence is enough to make the bad guy run away without shooting him, good.  If presence doesn't work, by all means shoot to stop the threat and do so with a clear conscience.  That is more related to home defense.  For CCW, I'd be much more inclined to carry chambered.

well stated and good logic, imho. however, the topic of chambered or not IS circular, as someone else stated.

so, for my mom's mother's day 1911  : night sights, improved grips, new and tuned extractor, trigger job (when i can), series 80 crap removed and replaced with a shim. anything else it needs?

i was thinking about getting a lighter main spring (hammer spring) to lighten the trigger drag. responses to that idea?

anyone else getting their mom some hardware for mother's day? 

[Sgt_H]

Were you active or contracting?

I wish I was a contractor.  I would have made 3-4x the money.  I was activated Nat Guard.

[Sinister]

I wish I was a contractor.  I would have made 3-4x the money.  I was activated Nat Guard.

Thanks for your service, Sgt.

[cyrus buelton]

Did you go with a standard double-tap, or a Mozambique?   

I went Somali style: all make the beast with two backsed up on Khat