Why We Shoot 1911’s and 45 ACP

[Combat Auto 174]

Anyone interested in 1911’s has to read this book…It is an easy read with many great pictures/gun-porn…Goes through the drivers, history, variances of the 1911 and 45 acp (but other calibers also), from the early 1900 to modern times…Many real combat stories also…I read it last year but enjoyed it so much I am reading it again.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Colt-1911-Pist.../dp/1849084335

 

Did you know that in WW1 approximately a half of Million 1911s were produced during that war? And of those about 170,000 “disappeared” by the end of the war – suspected of becoming civilian guns of the solders as they “mistakenly” packed them in their duffle bag in France before final departure.

 

That is how much these solders love these guns from their experience in the trenches…Talk about CQB! Their weapons of choice when beaching or being breached was the shotgun and 1911 in 45 acp…Proven 1 shot man-stopper (no guarantees of course). Some solders even preferred the 1911 over a shotgun because you could defend with 1 hand (say, from a trench shovel) and kill at the same time.

 

We all know of Alan York’s bravery and skill (honed from hunting in the hills of TN) killing and capturing scores of Germans with his rifle…But did you know, during reloading his rifle he was attacked by a group of German’s and killed them all with his 1911?

 

On-patrol in Vietnam. A band of Marines attached by 50 Viet Cong. A soldier’s rifle jams…A wounded Marine Captain hands him his 1911 – fully loaded in 45 ACP…3 Cong with AKs moving in…The solder waits till they are ~4 meters (13 feet) away. The Marine got 4 hits with 5 rounds and all the Cong went down.

The tradition of military service of this pistol is iconic; and there is no better CQB load than the 45ACP. (And the closer the combat – the more this is true (i.e., a trench or your house during a home invasion).

 

I hope you enjoyed my mini book report..And please feel free to share any thought or real-life 1911 stories you may have (I for 1 would enjoy them).

__________________

God Bless America and a FREE Society!

[tony357 386]

A 1911 government model in 45 acp is my HD gun..

[71ragtopgoat 23]

Pro Raptor Kimber is next to me when I'm home. My Great grandfather fought with a 1911 in the Spanish American war.An uncle fought with it in WWII my father in Korea and a cousin in Nam.

That gun and my model 94 will pass from me to my kid one day. I hope she likes it

[Combat Auto 174]

Pro Raptor Kimber is next to me when I'm home. My Great grandfather fought with a 1911 in the Spanish American war.An uncle fought with it in WWII my father in Korea and a cousin in Nam.

That gun and my model 94 will pass from me to my kid one day. I hope she likes it

Nice post.

[Spike 7.62 0]

My Great grandfather fought with a 1911 in the Spanish American war.

 

The war that ended 13 years before the M1911 existed?

[O-gre 7]

Glock 21! Twice the punch.

[nitrospaz9 10]

First gun I ever wanted was a 1911 because of the iconic status and stopping power. When the permits finally came in, I marched down to the store and bought my 1911! It's my HD gun as well.

[gunguy1960 2]

And lets remember that combat success was with hardball ammo!

[jon.squared 0]

Always loved the 1911 and I'm finally the owner of a Sig 1911 Traditional Tacops! A little non-traditional with the external extractor... but lovely pieces nonetheless.