m1911a1

Material Collected from a Variety of Sources Editor takes no responsibility for the veracity of content September 25, 1999

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From rec.guns: "Is the 1911 .45 an outdated design?"

Of course the 1911 is an outdated design. It came from an

Yes, beyond any shadow of a doubt, the 1911 IS an outdated design....and that's exactly what I love about it. Rosco S. Benson















Table of Contents 1911 ....................................................................................................................... 1















1911 The 1911 .45 ACP has a mystique that is

M1911 vs. M9: In 1985, the United States Armed Forces replaced the M1911 with the Beretta 92 F to the everlasting

Defenders of the 1911 will vehemently contest these last three perceptions, pointing to the superior

It could be said that the 1911 fell victim to its own mythology. I grew up hearing the stories of the .45—

My Own Opinion: The M9, Beretta 92 F, has the smoothest slide and the lightest recoil spring of any major caliber pistol I















Too bad the 92 F is a 9mm. The 9mm is a reasonable defensive round. It will do its part if you do yours,

My target and competition gun is a Government Model Springfield 1911A1. The question of “inherent

Did the Armed Forces make a good choice? I hope so. The M1911 isn’t the best gun for a beginner. In

Elements of the Mystique The Testosterone Factor - “.45” is synonymous with “big, powerful pistol.” The gun goes off with authoritative thunder, a “boom” not a “crack.” Just the sight of this gun evokes images of Sgt. Alvin York

Individuality and Customization - Any new-in-the-box 1911 is really a custom kit. The 1911 is to handguns what the `57 Chevy is to hotrods or the P-51 Mustang to air racers, the ultimate platform for

Accuracy - The 1911 is one of the most accurate autoloaders ever built. The original government issue 1911s were built with generous tolerances in order to keep them functioning in combat conditions.















with a double action revolver or autoloader. For this reason, the pistol must be cocked and locked with

This action, the source of so much anxiety, is also the basis for the pistol’s accuracy, speed, and

Power - The .45 ACP is a proven stopper. The only other handgun cartridge which has demonstrated stopping power comparable to the .45 ACP is the 125 grain .357 Magnum jacketed hollowpoint. The

planet. The Last of the Cowboy Guns - In some ways, the 1911 is the last of the cowboy guns. It was, after all, a product of the 19th Century, designed as a sidearm for horse-mounted cavalry, and carries the single

Cocked, locked and ready to rock - From Chuck Taylor, "The controls of the 1911 are well-located for quick, efficient use and require no fine motor skill to operate, a major advantage when the adrenaline is

Tenure - Some designs capture our imaginations and become archetypes by virtue of their success and staying power: The Single Action Colt Revolver, the Snubnose .38 Special, the 30-30 Winchester lever-

















Debunking the Myths It could be said that the 1911 fell victim to its own mythology. I grew up hearing the stories of the .45--

You can't shoot down zeroes, blow up Tiger tanks, or sink the Bismark with a 1911 .45 ACP. Handgun bullets do not generate enough force to knock down an adult human being--if they did, they

Far from being uncontrollable, the Government Model 1911 is very controllable. Why would Bullseye and tactical competition shooters the world over choose a gun that was uncontrollable and hard

Recoil is in the mind of the beholder. There are two kinds of recoil: actual and perceived. It is the perceived recoil that matters to most people. Some people are not recoil sensitive at all; they hardly even

All 1911's need custom gunsmith work to operate reliably. 1911's have an ill-deserved reputation for being fussy about feeding ammunition "out of the box" and consequently it has become something of an

















Syd’s History of the 1911 We identify genius by its impact. It changes things and its vision endures. In the world of firearms, there

During the same time frame that John Browning was putting the Winchester Repeating Arms Company

John Browning began to experiment with self-loaders in

Colt Model 1910 (No Manual Safety)

Based on the experience with the Moros, an Army Ordnance Board headed by Col. John T. Thomson

















tested with deformed cartridges, some seated too deeply, some not seated enough, etc. The gun would then be rusted in acid or submerged in sand and mud and some more tests would then be conducted. During the trials, several alterations were made to the original design such as a single swinging link, an

In its final form, the 1911 was a locked-breech, single-action semi-automatic pistol. It was chambered for

Browning's pistols passed the whole test series with flying colors. It was the first firearm to undergo such

The report of the evaluation committee (taken from "The .45 Automatic, An American Rifleman Reprint," published by the National Rifle Association of America) released on the 20th of March 1911 stated : "Of the two pistols, the board was of the opinion

On March 29th, 1911, the Browning-designed, Colt-produced .45 Automatic pistol, was selected as the official sidearm of the Armed Forces of U.S.A., and named Model 1911. When we entered the Great War, the U.S. government had purchased some 140,000 M1911 pistols from

Guns made for these production runs were all stamped UNITED STATES PROPERTY on the frame. The

















Nazi troops occupied Norway in World War II, they ordered the government arsenal to start production.

After World War I, the Army's Ordnance Department evaluated the Colt .45's combat performance. They recommended the following changes: 1. Wider front sight to develop "Patridge-type" of sights, allowing the shooter to quickly

These changes were put into production on June 15, 1926 as AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CALIBER .45, MODEL OF 1911A1. World War II was a replay of the situation in 1917, but worse. Colt .45s were in demand, not only by the

The pistol remained in service through World War II, the Korean War, and the War in Vietnam. The old FAQ. The Norwegian 1911 (Model 1912 and 1914)

Colt .45 Autos have been copied, both here and abroad, almost since the first ones were made. The first

















1911-A1 Modelo 1927

After adoption of the M1911A1 in the United States, the Argentine government purchased the pistol from

EJERCITO ARGENTINO Colt CAL. 45 MOD. 1927 S/N In the 1930's, the Argentines secured license to manufacture their own .45s. These are called "Sistema

In addition to military production, the firm of Hispano Argentino Fabrica de Automoviles. SA (HAFDASA),

pistols. Civilian Commercial Production by Colt

In the early 1930's, Colt offered a target version of the basic civilian Model 1911. This National Match

The MKIV Series 70 Government Model Colt pistols were manufactured from 1970 to 1983 and have



















Today (1999) 1911-pattern pistols are produced by Colt, Springfield Armory, Kimber, Para-Ordnance,

A lot of people believe that the 1911-pattern pistol is the greatest combat handgun ever built. I certainly

Credits and Bibliography Curt Gentry, John M. Browning: American Gunmaker (1964).



















John M. Browning History At the early age of seven, John Moses demonstrated an Interest in and aptitude for firearms-making by

When Winchester discontinued single-shot rifle production In 1920, they had manufactured over 140,325

John Browning’s work with self·loading pistols was part of his general Interest in self-loading weapons.



















T.G. Bennett, Vice President and general manager of Winchester Repeating Arms Co. travelled to Utah

During the 1890s Browning continued to sell prototype rifles to the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.. The

Browning also sold shotgun designs to Winchester. Two of the most famous are the first “pump” action

For the most part, Browning designs dominated not only the Winchester line but the lines of other U.S.



















In 1977 the Fabrique Nationale of Belgium purchased the Browning Company after a seventy-nine-year

See: Curt Gentry, John M. Browning: American Gunmaker (1964); Richard C. Roberts and Richard W. Sadler, “Browning Company” in Ogden: Junction City (1985). Richard C. Roberts



















Who made it? by Robert Gibson ([email protected]). Several have posted over last couple of months asking how to ID the M1911A1 Govt 45 Auto, as in "I've

I'm certainly no Govt 45 expert but I dug up some info, maybe it will help, but first a bit of history. World War I production: Four (4) manufacturers made M1911 pistols that actually saw use during the war years: * Colt

Seven (7) manufacturers were tooling up to produce M1911 pistols but the Armistice stopped it all and program was cancelled: * National Cash Register Co.





















replacement slides made long after WWII by Colt and SanColMar. The same is true if the slide is marked Drake - the company that built National Match slides for the government. Looking at the pistol's frame, here are some rules to help you identify its maker: 1. The presence of VP proofmark in a triangle at the left front of the triggerguard; a GHD

2. A serial number preceded by an "S" indicates an M1911A1 manufactured by Singer _(not many of these around - an understatement)_ 3. A serial number preceded by a "NO" instead of a "No" indicates manufacture by Remington-Rand. 4. An RCD inspector mark or double spacing between the M and 1911A1 indicates manufacture by Union Switch and Signal.





















1911 Magazine FAQ From: [email protected] (James & Linda, Rawles)

Revised March, 1998 In response to repeated requests for clarification on the types and makers of M1911 series magazines during the World Wars and post-War, here is a brief outline: “Two-tone” magazines. These are the type that were made up until just before WWII. They are called





















Colt, to put in Colt’s WWII production M1911 pistols. Presumably, the markings stand for “Colt-Risdon” and “Colt-Scoville.” A Special Note on WWII magazines: Many gun shop owners and gun show dealers are relatively ignorant about the “top of the floor plate tab” markings on WWII magazines. Most of course know the

Post-WWII M1911 series .45 magazines:

Commercial Colt (pre-1970). Marked “Colt .45 Auto” on the bottom of the floor plate. Beware! Many of





















10-Round Magazine Tests The December issue of Performance Shooter magazine has an article on a test they ran on 4 different

All the magazines were purchased from Brownells, and they bought 4 mags of each type. They were

They ended up not recommending the Chip McCormick (“It caused significantly more functioning

They felt the reason the McCormick and Wilson mags suffered more failures was due to the shape of the





















The Conditions of Readiness:

Syd Weedon

The legendary guru of the combat 1911, Jeff Cooper, came up with the "Condition" system to define the state of readiness of the 1911-pattern pistol. The are: Condition 1 - Also known as "cocked and locked," means a round is in the chamber, the hammer is cocked, and the manual thumb safety on the side of the frame is applied. Condition 2 - A round is in the chamber and the hammer is down. Condition 3 - The chamber is empty and hammer is down with a charged magazine in the gun.

People have added two additional states, Conditions 0 and 4, Condition 0 meaning a round is in the























Firing Pin Safety and Accidental Discharge from Dropping a 1911 From Geoff Beneze Dillis Freeman at [email protected] on 5/23/98 7:34 PM wrote >Actually, a firing pin safety protects you in various scenarios, such























.45 ACP Reload Data from the Winchester Reloading Manual

Handgun Data- 45 ACP 231

Bullet Wt. and Type 154 gr. Lead 180 gr. Lead Cast SWC

Chg. Wt. Velocity Pressure (grs.) (fps) (psi) 5.3 885 15,300 6.3 1020 20,000

540

571

Chg. Chg. Wt. Velocity Pressure Wt. Velocity Pressure (grs.) (fps) (psi) (grs.) (fps) (psi) 8.5 940 14,700 9.6 1060 19,800 8.0 880 15,900 9.0 980 20,300























The .45 ACP When you take a look at the large missile-























between Ed Sanow and Evan Marshall in the "small and fast" corner, and Dr. Martin Fackler (backed up























makes it heavy to carry and bulky, resulting in fewer rounds being available in compact handguns. A fully

















































































































































narrowness of the handle allows the hand to really wrap around the pistol and get a solid grip. The narrowness also benefits those with smaller hands, since the grip is narrow and the trigger relatively close to the handle. Also, within the configuration is a design feature which has been copied by the builders of most autoloaders since—the magazine release button located where the trigger guard meets the handle. Last, but very important, is the overall narrowness of the 1911 pistol which allows even the relatively large government model to be surprisingly easy to conceal. By way of contrast, Glock handles













returned were Squadron, pinned from flew down aover combat byan German American tour inmachine-gun the balloon South squadron Pacific fire. Seventeen with dropping the Marines. men, a note, under He “Watch was the command escorting for burning of a prisoner Sgt. (German) Bernard from the Early, were balloons” courthouse just to ordered beyond the jail towhen the out-flank German the prisoner, the lines. machine As who predicted, guns. was in handcuffs, observersknocked saw the three Billy to explosions the ground of and three dived Shortly balloons. onto theafter prone Luke they did deputy left nottheir return. with own theItintent lines, was not they of braining until came after across him thewith war a German the thathandcuffs. a grave’s officer and registration Billyseveral twisted soldiers unit around, learned having drew the his breakfast. conclusion Colt Government Believing of Luke’s andthat “3-kill” fired. they Itattack. were is saidsurrounded, that the round the Germans lifted the surrendered. prisoner up inHowever, the air, and before he was Early quite could detach After dead by destroying athe man time to take the he hit third thethe prisoners balloon, ground.Luke back My dad was through was wounded athe police lines, andofficer his intensive Spad for awas machine while so shot-up and gun served fire that swept with he could Billy, the patrol. barely so the Eightcomes control tale American it. Nevertheless, from soldiers fairly reliable survived. he maneuvered sources. Sgt. Early his airplane was killed. to strafe As theGerman remaining infantry non-com, columns. Cpl. Alvin He crash-landed York took













Diamond intrepidity Basilone H, during 2nd their Battalion, single-handedly and atfirst the Pfc two risk 1st JohnRegiment, weeks. ofRivers, his wiped life Then manned above out 1stthe Marine a company and Japanese a .30-caliber beyond Division. of sent Japanese the water-cooled a On call crack August oftrying army duty 7,machine in to regiment 1942, action overrun the gun against commanded 10,000 hisinside position the men aenemy. sandbag-andby of onthe Colonel the His 1st Tenaru unit wasemplacement River. Marine Kiyono log engaged With Ichiki Division, a in from Colt supporting under camouflaged .45 Rabaul pistol Maj. to infantry and Gen. retake with two Alexander palm elements Guadalcanal. machine fronds Archer on guns and the Ichiki –Vandegrift, Naktong jungle onelanded cradled greenery. River his the inelite largest Front. his The arms troops position Near Marine after on midnight Guadalcanal was force the other onever on thewas 31 engaged west on August, August bank ina hostile knocked landing 18, of the then Ilu, force operations marched out which –estimated hewas stopped west up50 toat toward yards that 500 a screaming time, crossed wide Marine assaulted at the that positions banzai river point. Guadalcanal, attack and along launched and theheld Ilu beginning River aout fierce until (mismarked the attack dawn, firstagainst when American on the reinforcements theAmerican offensive infantry maps against positions, came the as the Japanese. up. Tenaru). Nearly inflicting Lieutenant a hundred heavy casualties Colonel sprawled Edwin .....enemy Sgt. Pollock's Kouma dead were discovered 2nd Marine aroundthat Battalion his his cut-off tank was outpost. was waiting. theBasilone only obstacle became in the the path Leatherneck first of the hostileto onslaught. be awarded Holding the Medal his ground, of Honor he in gave World fireWar orders II. to his crew and remained in position throughout the night, fighting off repeated enemy attacks. During one fierce assault, the enemy













struck Japanese like other face, heard load belt Somehow aof anymore, killing herd side one me ammunition, yelled, a particular of in as Japanese him. cattle the the but jabbered face." Japanese His coming while Diamond Japanese soldier finger When Schmid and down concentrated froze got fired officer he would through to put fired on drink," machine "screeching punch the his the the hand trigger, everything he gun, guns, his body-choked remembered. up, arm. Diamond and sending trying allthey Schmid barking he to felt stream stood had 200 force Fifty was would commands on rounds beside Japanese the and blood Schmid's Marines fire got into him, and aclose at crossed burst, the position the raw spotting toenough darkness. others; reveal flesh. rip the and open targets. river their to he Then on throw Cold had the yelling, positions. another he aSchmid magazine, rage anasty felt pain rising inin "But you can't see," Diamond reminded him. Theleft "Marine, machine-gun him, shrill would insert hand his Marines Schmid voice grenade afire shoulder, new tonight across that belt shoved held position into stood you arm and the their Schmid's Rivers' out die," river and resume 150 fire. over hand. yards and tobody position. the the firing. "Banzai," He downstream. others." left, outcould At of feel one the firing Schmid see Diamond point way nothing. Bullets their and fired a Japanese hitting rifles took whined aHe burst over as collapsed him they soldier at past the the hard came. the gun. voice, on put on Marines' his Corporal the abut string back arm failed heads, in and of Diamond to the bullets pointing silence throwing nest.through got "They it.toin Itmud thegot the right, and wood position would swing .30 me in caliber's chips the the haunt toeyes," gun load around water him and ithe for for hear jacket. them. muttered years. him. Japanese Schmid's Water to Diamond, spurted yelling heart as over pounded who hisSchmid's lay bullets rapidly. beside hit lap him. them. and chest; the gun crackled and overheated "Just tell me which way he's coming from and I'll get him," Schmid replied. but did The Japanese not jam. were still pouring bullets into the machine-gun position; Schmid reached around to his holster and took out his .45. Diamond heard him fussing with it and yelled, "Don't do it, Smitty, don't Both men were helpless in the hole, and it was getting light. A sniper in a tree across the river was firing shoot yourself."













circulate, the into artillery Tommy in Charge machine the Carroll, nest cut William that gun, Ichiki's and Kelly Baby squeezed staunched A. Rorer, men cried, Face down. surrounded "Don't the Nelson, Schmid's trigger Atshoot, dawn, Dillinger and, and the G-men when Tichenor with Diamond's and Diamond it !",Emil was at house. the wounds. clear Wanatka, yelling time Armed theof The directions position played his with next arrest. a "hearts" sawed-off thing would inSupposedly, his Schmid hold, ear, for shotgun, resumed several Vandegrift knew, Kelly Memphis hours they firing coined sent were and at athe the Japanese taking reserve that police term the as sergeant him battalion an card abbreviation out across game on William across a broke blanket. theRaney river. for the up"Government river He around burst had tointo attack the midnight; the .45 Men." Kelly's the automatic that Japanese Atroom. any he in went rate, Kelly, from his into "G-Men" hand. hung their theover Hearing flank bar fitand much to and get his wearing rear. more alieutenant's drink Ofhis nicely the and pajamas, 800 into the voice, Japanese others theSchmid heldstanding, who went was headlines attacked out to their the than gun. various holding across "Division "I guess the rooms. theof Ilu .45 I Investigation, won't on automatic. Hamilton August needand 21, this Kathryn U.S. only Cherrington anymore, Department 14 was wounded asleep sir," occupied he on ofwere said. Justice", the bed. the picked Then end They which Schmid up, room had was and consumed on passed one the theBureau's was left out. six captured side quarts official of the unhurt. upstairs of title ginuntil during The atJuly Little rest the 1, night. were 1935. Bohemia, killed. Raney Van Ichiki thrust Meter burned hisand shotgun Comforti his regimental into Kelly's occupying colors stomach the and room and committed ordered opposite, him suicide.The and to drop Dillinger his number gun. occupying of bodies the Kelly first dropped counted bedroom the within gun on the on range his left, foot of upstairs, Al and Schmid's said, at "I've themachine lodge. been waiting Two gunbeds ran forinto were you all the innight." hundreds. this room, The Kellys The and other Reilly wereMarines quickly advised who that were he taken went there into upcustody, that to this night room along credited having with John him been with Tichenor toldkilling by Van and atMeter his least brother-in-law, 200 thatJapanese. he should Seymore sleep in E.the Travis. same room with













passedbut forces fumes, put through with on his athe large own POW chute. geographical camp Heand next told area remembers Baggett of responsibility that floating a Japanese down and an with colonel important a good saidchute. mission. the pilot HeItOwen saw wasfour responsible Baggett more for helping open had fired canopies atto had defend before been the the thrown supply bomber clear line exploded. offrom his plane India Thewhen to Japanese China it crashed and pilots forimmediately and interdicting burned. He began thewas Japanese strafing found supply dead the ofnet a running surviving single bullet from crewmen, inRangoon, his head. apparently Burma, Colonel killing toMelton the north some intended of them thattocountry. and make grazing an Itsofficial heavy Lieutenant report bomber of Baggett’s force the incident – consisting arm. but The lost pilot of ahis few who life B-24s had when hit the – Baggett was ship theoncircled 7th which Bomb to hefinish Group, was being him based off taken or at perhaps Pandaveswar, to Japan only wastonorthwest sunk. get aTwo better of other Calcutta, look pieces at his whence ofvictim. evidence itBaggett flew support very long missions pretended Baggett’s account: to be to dead, targets First, hoping mostly no friendly the in Zero Burma. fighters pilot Onwould were March in not 31, the fire 1943, area again. that theIn 7th could any BG’s event, have 9th downed the Bomb pilot Squadron the opened Zero pilot. his was dispatched canopy Second, and theto approached incident destroytook a railroad within placefeet at bridge an of altitude Baggett’s at Pyinmana, of chute, 4,000about to nose 5,000 halfway up and feet.between on The the pilot verge Rangoon could of ahave stall. andrecovered Mandalay Baggett, from andunintentional enraged an nearby two the active strafing stallenemy and of spin. his fighter helpless Retired bases. crew Colonel Themates, formation Baggett, raised was now theled living .45byautomatic Col. in San Conrad Antonio, concealed F. Necrason, Tex., against believes 7th his BG he legshot commander, and fired fourThe shots B-24 at on thehis open right cockpit. wing was The piloted Zero stalled by 1stand Lt. spun Lloydin. Jensen After whose Baggett copilot hit the was ground, 2d Lt. Owen J.pilots enemy Baggett. continued On that tomission, strafe him, Baggett but he was escaped to earnbya hiding distinction behind believed a tree.toLieutenant be uniqueJensen in Air Force and history. one of the Before gunners reaching landed thenear target, him.the AllBthree 24s were were captured attacked by fighters. the Burmese Colonel and Necrason turned over was toseverely the wounded, Sergeant Japanese. and Jensen’s Crostic aircraft alsowas survived fatallythe damaged. bail-out.Oxygen Baggettbottles and Jensen were were shattered, flown intensifying out of Burma a fire in in the an enemy rearbomber of Jensen’s and bomber. imprisoned Nineteen-year-old near Singapore.Sgt. In the Samuel moreCrostic than two slidyears out of hehis was top held turret, prisoner, grabbed two fire Owen Baggett’s extinguishers, weightand dropped fought from the 180 fire in pounds the rear to ninety. of the aircraft He had ample while standing time to think on a about catwalk hisover midair the open bomb dual. He didbay. notThe at first plane believe still was it possible under attack that he bycould enemy have fighters, shot down taking the many enemy hitswhile alongswinging its fuselage. in his To helpbut chute, defend gradually the aircraft, pieces of copilot the puzzle Baggett came took together. over theShortly top turret after until he was Sergeant imprisoned, CrosticBaggett, had emptied his fire extinguishers, Jensen, and another officer givingwere the crew takentime before to prepare a Japanese for major bailout. general Smokewho andwas fumes in charge filled the of 8-24. all Jensenin POWs ordered the area theand crew who tosubsequently bail out. was executed as a war criminal. Baggett appeared to be treated like a celebrity. He was offered the opportunity of and given instructions on how to do the













approximately evidence, looking officers' appreciated bullet-riddled after presence hethat remains the sedan 50same harsh, bullet and inreluctant purpose. bitter anticipation massive wounds. surprise, to At Texas Bonnie talk that of amuch that Big point. counterattack. was Bend same about wearing Clyde Country, searing it. gunned We aAlthough red pain think packed dress, the and the motor itared that jury would Coltshoes, as same no .45 he have longer auto and shocking and been a is red out. impossible realization and There white appears forof theto be noofreasonable throughout Bonnie grip anyone checkered death both in the hat. his went that car distinguished Her doubt to for their .45 have the Pistol victims that weapons survived, Owen career. was hadstill they Baggett each there When on carried been her was asked performed lap. an forced inwhy aura Clyde their to he of alaps. experience wore unique carried immortality Clyde a suit, act Colt's had of before and that valor, .45 a his sawed-off had them. unlikely pearl-handled attached The to officers be itself repeated sawed-off to opened Bonnie inup the unfolding Government shotgun with Parker Winchester a deadly and between Clyde Model Model, annals barrage his Barrow 1901 he of knees, of replied air ten-gauge gunfire by warfare. while means infrom typical Bonnie shotgun of their their Ranger had leaned automatic reputation. a .45 fashion... on automatic his weapons. Bonnie leg 'Because with inand Clyde's her itsClyde they lap. muzzle foot Their don't always came onmake the had off driver's greater of the floorboard. clutch, firepower, and a Colt response the Bonnie One car of.46!' the and started here lenses Clyde was forward, of always the hissame sunglasses but fought lacking as itback, had had impetus, been and been Bonnie atshot rolled Joplin, out. and ahead Platte The Clyde ticking slowly City, always Dexter until of managed hisitand Elgin stopped every pocket to escape. a few watch feet Slowly was later.the Taking other no officers only chances, sound place straightened coming where the officers they from their had maintained the cramped been car. Bullets confronted legs, theirfired and unrelenting by into with "the the guns laws" stream car's still --engine at to ofthe shoot firehad ready, on and even therun. approached vehicle killed the andthe V8. its car. occupants. One of the officers turned from the car and breathed a sigh of relief, a personal spontaneous expression that symbolized the feelings of law-abiding citizens throughout the Midwest.













He stated near exhausting deployed McGovern's began rounds way through Kamyangjan-ni, climbing tracked his that climb side, thin the he him the bureaucratic up tearing platoon did hill aand a hill not small and tore athat want in gaping dodged ahamlet the day, skirmish channels. tocarbine hole. and turn from east the He refusal line In strain from of boulder crawled the and, Suwon, into his meantime, ofat physical to hands. behind ahis Korea. boulder "political signal, a Undaunted, exertion public boulder, Company until they thing." support he was started where closed AThere he begining ofpulled for the he up. within the applied the 5th Without his matter to conflict Cavalry show a.45 afew field warning, automatic ended. on in yards Regiment the dressing Korea 23No ofthe the pistol waned. had year-old Chinese to machine from President presentation the take its wound. yet holster. McGovern. opened gun. Truman one ceremony His Behind more Firing fire. platoon became Combat From hill him, his was sergeant onpistol the more was ever itssurviving target advance far and than held. crawled more throwing for aNonetheless, dozen north. members physically ever-increasing up and foxholes grenades, suggested of challenging the therifle name platoon criticism he that fire closed of than tore McGovern Robert took over on his into cover the training the M. the nest. retreat conduct McGovern and ranks had He laid back killed prepared of of down the the was down seven U.S. war. aentered covering him the soldiers. The protecting hill. for.once onto He refused, base Chinese well-liked the rolls of fire. riflemen ofChief America's assuring Before Executive before the the greatest young one NCO saw got officer heroes. that his him. popularity hecould Just would as launch his be drop all-right. last drastically. hisgrenade final attack, exploded Whenthe hisChinese in Medal the machine of threw Honor and gun was rolled nest, announced akilling vicious barrage its in January three of gunners, 1952, hand grenades Robert's enemy fire father, at the caught group, J. Halsey himagain full McGovern in halting the chest. of the Washington, advance. He died there Men created cried on the ainstir lip pain of when the as the he enemy refused hot metal position. to found flesh. accept the award. One ofHe thealso men refused broke cover to accept and the ranSilver down Star the hill, posthumously only to he shot awarded deadhis by second the Chinese. son, a Others appeared member of the 187th to beAirborne in a state Regiment of panic,who too. was Something killed-in-action had to be ondone. February Without 10, warning, 1951. Thehe senior burst from cover and, McGovern's refusal alone, washe based ran toward on his belief the Chinese that medals machine were gun. superfluous. He felt that they did not do justice to all of the heroes of the war in Korea. And, as he told reporters, he did not feel that Truman "was fit to confer medals on anyone's sons."

























pressure, compensators, slide to frame friction, pistol type etc. The following procedure will help you determine what is the proper recoil spring for your gun.













jacket) vise length or 3f ready receiver as any or approximately many for 300-400 of wadcutter rails. the vertical times slide. Normally grit as fitting. as Take 3compound) necessary appropriate. inches a extreme With bar from 0.1170 the until tocare Average the the slide there inches muzzle slide. not in the to is extreme Slip no thick squeeze end firing perceptible the (meaning isspread position slide a good onto for the one three consecutive three excessively. the horizontal (also to start receiver called inches with. groups movement. The the while of A the set “battery” desired ofthe of ten slide ten receiver rounds fit aft position), bars isofa is the each is snug needed, correctly muzzle grasp are fit and not graduating the are held yet tomuzzle above exceed the andslide supported the from end 2.5vise of inches the with jaws). should in slide no thegroup and The vise. bedetermine capable top Work larger of the than ofthe slide being 3amount inches back should moved and for ofbe on vertical forth wadcutter extended the until receiver movement. the out pistols slide from by hand. and moves the3 left Note inches average side the that freely of for without the slide hard vise may ball. binding so that be Nosqueezed on hardball thethe vise receiver’s much is group gripping harder may rails. exceed near at Wash the the3.5 out rear slide’s inches. the of the slide without compound with crushing solvent(because (or Gun Scrubber, this area is etc.), the replace beefed up the slide section on the receiver of the slide!). and check for movement by placing the slide into the firing position. The movement check is made by grasping the muzzle end of the slide in one hand and the receiver in the other hand. Then move each part in opposite directions and check for any HORIZONTAL movement.













recommended again movement own entire arbor precision bushing to the weight relieve between rear operation. toreamer still allow of when the the technique centers exists, edges the Repeat in slide the receiver barrel repeat of as on lathe the any for possible. a to lathe. rails swaging of the is and swivel tilted the swaging to ream Turn Observe remove earlier and slightly. is to the toalso with achieve hold steps any inside the This nothe high the amount loose ifpermits of aanext bar spots. good perfect the play snugly smaller of bushing fit. the steel The and straight Use (thinner) (either fit nominal barrel to the be is GK-7A not removed exact to horizontal against outside achieved. enter parallel for size lapping from the the diameter of bar. or locking the channel the vertical) Continue the muzzle barrel’s isslide lugs 0.7020 surface isend the of noted. to tang the the of swaging inches. ofin the slide receiver. the order barrel. receiver While without process to This achieve turning any and until should then the the no be use a perceptible bushing, 0.5790 binding. desired highlyinches. fit polished Take beofvertical careful the extreme barrel hammer not movement care to hood deform which when and is has noted. grinding lugs thehad retaining into the the the edges inside battery lug. ofradius the position head so you broken do not position) (firing remove lightly. Use any of the metal an overlapping slide. from A layout the center stroke die isof with recommended thethe bushing hammer astoface this is being an the fit important held tangas squarely fit nearly (actually, parallel to theitslide. istothe themost rail’simportant surface as fit!) possible. and The mustrails be precision must be swaged ground.as The smoothly barrel must and as slide evenly backas and possible. forth in the bushing without any horizontal or vertical play.













the slide remove x with be 0.4375 certain locking the without metal barrel inches that lugs. binding from the installed with The feed the lugs athe 3/32 flat ramp onto tang must surface inches the on or ride the locking receiver, xof smoothly « barrel the inches lugs tang making is onto tip forward as in the inserted order the certain barrel slide oftothe with fit that stop pin, locks the feed small locking hood with ramp up into the and tip on lugs slide to the lugs the the on firing frame stop into rear the the pin position. bottom by of holding slide. the approximately slide ofCare the the inbarrel must order barrel 1/32 be fit to snugly taken into inches. check the against not This to will the remove alignment recesses insure topthat of too of the of the much the slide nose receiver barrel metal. when of the with without This the cartridge the barrel fit should binding firing and will pin. be slide on not as Ifany hang are the tight side. barrel inup as the If possible asfiring there isthe isin position. order to on perfectly rubbing cartridge assure After aligned, is either loaded a that tight the side, into afit small good make the haschamber end fit been the will ofnecessary achieved, the occur from tipwhen will the adjustments polish enter magazine. the the slide thelocking firing and to Keep assure the lugs barrel pin a angle loose aperture with on are fitthe ain in high the barrel center thespeed locking firing feed andgrinder position. assure log ramp recesses. the and aAcenter layout same suitable Atas strike this die the rubberized is point of ramp recommended the there on firing abrasive the must pinto tips. fit the on be receiver a the A snug tang Dremel cartridge (approximately fitsquarely intool the primer. works barrel to the 33ø). Ifadequately. tang the slide. The barrel andbarrel hood. locks Take feed Aextreme in snug the ramp fit slide care includes should too during also the highpolishing exist approximately for between the gauge tothe «not the barrel tip polish lower to bushing enter on diameter one theand side firing ofslide more barrel pinas than aperture, ground well onasthe on the itother. the will barrel lower The be necessary bushing lugs and must barrel. to beweld keptan perfectly appropriate level.thickness Frequentof checks metalshould into the be made slide above using the Dykem barrel Blue in on order the to lugs gettothe assure proper perfect alignment fit on the of slide the firing stop pin pin.and Continue barrel.polishing until lockup is smooth but snug and resting equally on both sides of the lugs. At this point if the barrel hood and tang are too tight, remove a small amount of metal from the tang with a very light cut in order to permit a smooth lockup. It is good practice to use lapping compound to get a perfect fit.













adjust overhang Match screw. on smooth. amount, for the theThis the hammer .45 desired Be so the trigger pistols: hole as sure ramp to break and will the leave stop the on sear. be sear’s and standard the the to tapped The have weight receiver. hammer sides hammer approximately with Colt are ofHowever, notch trigger asteel free 6-32 hooks of trigger 0.1250 tap. pull. burrs are the 1/8 After The then feed and inches inches or rough trigger tapping ramp the cutwide travel down tool onand the to barrel aluminum the 0.0200 marks. then pull after hole, may the the may Also inches depth be break. install National be lightened polish set by of This a using forward 6-32 the the Match issides by disconnector xnecessary a«honing thickness of inches trigger ofthe thefeed aAllen to half found slight gauge. and obtain ramp cock head trigger on radius Placing on the notch the set the tolerances Gold on yoke screw are receiver the Cup. (bow) cut point thickness fordown Each the as to of much trigger gauge assure to the the sear. as base squarely smooth comes stop 3/32 To of make screw. inches. the in operation on two ahammer the After heavier The different hammer, completing when two using pull, feed length the file increase a ramps smooth pistol the this (long hammer operation, is may the mill and reassembled engagement be file. short). hooks checked This check The down leaves and by the of locking to the aluminum trigger 0.0200 moving the sear slide full by inches in half parts increasing tothe long the cock are trigger using rear trigger notch under the and aopening smooth angle is to normal looking slightly catch on of mill working the through the the shorter file. point sear receiver. pressure. the than in of the the ejection Since the event sear. long most port. the Colt triggers are hammer falls. oversized This provides in their complete width dimension, safety on the it issame necessary principle to remove as is produced metal infrom the Colt eachfactory side offor thethe trigger .45 Gold untilCup. the trigger will fit into the receiver without horizontal or vertical movement. When this fit is achieved, the next step is the trigger job, which includes fitting the sear and hammer.













micrometer prescribed angle of the 1/4 being inches or too barrel by else adjustable strong out N.R.A. hood the of (stiff) lips the rules and style. full ofchamber. and the and closed, The not magazine regulations Bo-Mar permitting This battery can may sight and position. be be the system still caused too slide maintain tight. Correct is to bygo thethe required recommended This feedproblem this fully prevents ramp rearward, safety on due factors. by the having to relieving barrel magazine itsThe durability the having weight the slide from tension less go and of releasing trigger fully than precise on rearward the the pull the movement. extractor necessary cartridge varies but with The angle in point each of impact time or type and/or coming the tofeed may rounding of allow forward pistol ramp bethe moved used. too off round on the fast the Minimum asto bottom barrel or little enter because as overhanging of recommended the ¬the inches chamber. the extractor ejector onthe the Ifweights does to the feed target. permit not ramp are have on as Install cartridge the a good receiver. extractor the square sights noses To to according face. correction UP cam , bend The itself recoil to the onto this the follower spring problem, manufacturer’s the base used DOWN. grind of for theThe firing the instructions cartridge correct feed 230 andangle ramp with grain make greater on hardball should certain the barrel ease. be(full the 70ø N.R.A. metal to toa75ø. more jacket; specifications forward FMJ) angle rounds are meet and normally make for sure has the competition barrel 29 to 33 does coils. pistols. notIfoverhang you Rules find vary it the necessary from feedtime ramp to toon cut time the down and receiver. the latest copy Polish recoil of the spring, allN.R.A. surfaces cut rules off in only order should one tobe remove coil consulted. (some all prefer tool marks. « coil) at a time until the problem is corrected.













d. differences The Sometimes primer could 0.0080 trigger stop, value and trigger will readjust specified be of inches stop not do hanging pull the longer it exist. (too is misfired on the to innecessary the close), 0.0120 item The up trigger hold .38 in .38 8c. cartridge. its the too inches Super Increase Super set, stop tomainspring light install replace to is and has If a permit set the trigger the a should ato the new trigger recoil primer housing 2« not sear ejector pull, pounds. NEVER spring less pull spring is(due not than weight when exceed composed to1/8 athe burr e. of Gold softer pistol dented on 0.0120 disconnector inches by with increasing Cup the a0.0330 isnew spring travel type inches. enough firing one. magazines the too after spring or .45 If there in engagement the short wadcutters the the wire. shooter could break. due housing are to used beis of or excessive ausing itself). the broken .38 in the sear Super. his .38 firing and wear own Super. This hammer. reloads, or pin, is polishing burred or because firing examine the center pinthere his or leaf cases the are offiring the for inadequate sear proper pin could spring length. recoil be is binding simply forces too to in move the weak. firing the slide completely pin retainerto plate. the rear, Carefully permitting check the all of cartridge these points. case to exit the pistol in time.













the guns box.” my how fair I “It look share available jams at it: of allLet them the from only time.” over the the factories the “You’ve very years). best were gotThis people to set put seems uptouch hundreds to feed to your have hardball ofgun. imbued dollars Conventional only.the into Sights gunbuying customizing were wisdom horribly public ithas .....tiny. and with it you Trigger itthe still should belief doesn’t work!” that choose pulls amight certain There’s a pistolsmith or might amount a certain not close ofbe amount customization extremely to youof geographically, truth stiffisand to absolutely these heavy. so criticisms. Ififmandatory you’re anything buying Every goes on atime astraight wrong 1911. I goWell, with GI to gun a that his high-level today, work, isn’tperhaps necessarily you handgun can take so. training I’ve the that gun spent might back class, still thousands for be there’s correction the case. ofatdollars least If you without one on go other customizing for having a top-of-the-line class to attendee send 1911s. it gun out In shooting the of like state, process an Enhanced a wait customized ofweeks doing Model or so, 1911. months Colt, I’veI have discovered however, foryet its to return that see and such most go today’s through aofshooter 1911 the the things will complete hassle come youout of can a shipping of full have theday’s box done the with training gun to athe hollow through gun without point-compatible are ansimply his FFL ordealer her a waste gun ramp coming choking of money. and and throat numerous going. Thejob; more I decent, profoundly times. I’ve learned high As a matter of fact,the about disagree visibility I’ve sights; with 1911, seen this. athe more beavertail There less jams Isimply like grip — to and safety; aren’t tinker experienced athat with beveled many it. Ithem mag do good feel well; myself pistolsmiths there and —aare with lowered a out few the there and 1911 things faired than (although (none ejection with of all there which port. other are isThe types extremely a lot of of handguns complicated people trigger who pullsthink on or combined. recent-production expensive) they’re Why good that is that? pistolsmiths), can Colts be In done I’ve thistried article, to and make have the I’llbeen the chances try1911 to in the address of a acceptable better finding what gun, someone Ito consider but excellent intruly general the class. excellent half I think What dozen close you’re or to so mostare better you more common do off very you leaving slim. want? reasons the Yeah, piece why it’s your alone. more1911 hassle auto to send won’tyour work. gun Before awaywe to one start, oflet theme top make .45 shops one thing and very you’ll clear:to have I love wait the longer 1911. to I’ve get it carried back, but Coltwhen Government you do get Models it back, andit’ll Combat probably Commanders work, which for is years, not something and I’m morally you can certain say when I’llyou carry hand them it over again. to Some the local folks hack-’n’-slash have the attitude artist.that the 1911 is perfect — no weak points, no improvements possible. What a nonsensical attitude! Only with a mature appreciation of the design’s strong and weak points and a knowledge of the most common mistakes and pitfalls waiting to trap a 1911 user will you be able to get the most from these guns. Now, why might your 1911 auto not work? I can think of six reasons. These are, in no particular order: (1) incompetent customization, (2) inappropriate ammunition, (3) lack of lubrication, (4) cheap magazines, (5) flaws in the basic design and (6) a propensity toward small-parts breakage.













You have trigger enterprising rear without while pull. match two dropping Ever pistolsmith ways pressure) seen around the the slide has many this hammer during lessened shooters problem: loading, follow theexperience (1) hammer/sear on as Leave awell 1911? as the awhen phenomenon You’re gun engagement doing stock firing a orspeed the called (2) and let gun, reload fitted “cognitive only theathe from slide heavy best slidelock. dissonance,” cycles steel people and trigger This work recocks which and on the hammer, added prevents basically your gun. a heavy trigger means (Where but recoil bounce that instead have stress spring. Iand heard of staying negatively also When that activates the cocked before?) affects slide the so slams Some weapon’s the you mind’s can forward pistolsmiths fire disconnector, perceptions the on the next will gun, shot, tell preventing and the you the clearness gun that hammer moves the even hammer ofa follows forward, thought. goodhooks trigger the but One slide the of job down heavy and the will most allow sear and steel from common the falls trigger hammer pounding to half results wants cock. toeach follow of toThe cognitive stay other. occasionally same in one I consider thing dissonance place can unless (it’s this happen is called ayou that very press when you inertia, dangerous lose the dropping folks), trigger yourpractice. short-term so the before itslide actually dropping while memory. moves loading the (This back slide. the is slightly gun. why When I’ve in Iit’s was its almost seen track. discussing both impossible If the these this hammer/sear things matter for shooters happen with engagement nationally to and count havetheir famous has hadbeen rounds them pistolsmith compromised, happen duringBill to a gunfight.) me. Laughridge either through If you’re of thetaking doing Cylinder off something too & Slide muchthat metal (Dept. requires Shop or changing youGAH, to perform 245 the angle E.actions 4th of Street, the in ahammer certain P.0.Box hooks, sequence, 937, Fremont, the trigger there’s NE can a68025, very actually real phone: tendency bounce 402/721-4277), far to screw enough up he back the toldto order jostle in me which that, thein you hammer hisdoopinion, them. hooks Thus, a and pistolsmith under sear out stress, who of engagement, gave “squeeze a shooter thecausing trigger, a trigger the hitjob hammer thethat slide allowed tostop” fall to becomes the half hammer cock. “hit to the follow slide Youany stop, for also squeeze reason see this the hadn’t happen trigger, done with “ his and guns job you’ve very on which just well.accidentally The old mil-spec Cylinder fired parts & Slide your have Shop gun, been probably is one substituted of the hitting few forsomething places the stock of which you Colt parts. weren’t I’m aware Stock supposed that Colt can parts to, give possibly and youmost a trigger even of the killing job quality resulting an innocent aftermarket in anperson. excellent hammers trigger and sears pull while (like leaving Brown, the Wilson, gun as Cylinderas durable & an Slide, unmodified etc.) areversion. heat-treated and hardened all the way through. The old mil-spec parts, on the other hand, are only surface-hardened, and when a smith takes metal off these parts to do a trigger job, he exposes the soft steel beneath the hard “skin.” Under use, these soft surfaces begin to peen each other. Typically, with this problem you start out with a decent trigger pull weight: say 4 1/2 pounds. As you use the gun, however, the trigger pull starts dropping in weight - four pounds, 3 1/2 pounds, three pounds - as the hammer hooks and sear round off, and suddenly your hammer starts following. Can you get around this problem simply by lowering the slide gently to chamber a round? Well, no. The 1911 was designed to chamber a round with the slide moving at full speed. Easing the slide forward will quite often result in a failure to feed. Also, never loading the gun except by easing forward the slide kind of rules out ever doing (or practicing) a speed reload from slidelock, doesn’t it? And if you keep the gun for home defense in Condition Three (hammer down on an empty chamber, full magazine in place), I suggest a lot of practice swiftly racking the slide to chamber a round.













pistolsmiths the of exclusively flat-nose, The Hollow-points JHPs itslide primary doesn’t and 230-grain to truncated-cone for frame feed whose consideration that hardball; reliably. fit-are Hydra-Shoks, exhibit brains hollow or aLet’s I’ve excellent bad should semi-wadcutter picked points idea. try thebe to Hornady feed The feed avoid need on bottom reliability this reliability. not shapes. as 230-grain subject much apply. line The.45 are of on Even In lead JFPs the Winchester the customization, and me ACP ifwishful past a to the particular isdecade conclude aCCI-Speer short, thinking 185-grain as or fat, .45 far that so 200-grain here wide load this as Silvertip this I’m as cartridge, does has ispossible, concerned, JHP even changed. JHPs, have “flying more which deeper Remington shall Now istrue is this: we? for Leave The you not penetration 185-grain ashtrays.” the the 1911 can 1911 the most have than is JHPs gun (or not feed-reliable awith alone. 1911 and lack as tolerant most 230-grain thereof), .45 If you straight other cartridge as must more Golden some firearms. from customize, profile expansion ofthe Saber the Whenever in factory more the JHPs, do(or world so modern with lack Federal’s with you to athereof), start extreme start decent designs 230-grain feeling with. ramp amoderation in “one-shot Aggravate terms smug and JHP throat of about load stop” the and that job, and range mankind’s let problem rating and only Black ofthe athe different by few Hills’185technological guns getting best percentage will people bullet touch profiles reliably too points grain progress, farand your from higher feed it remind will 230-grain gun. the hollow than reliably reliable You’ll yourself other points. JHPs. be feed. hardball loads amazed Winchester’s of However, The this: or shape fact at any Wehow is Ihave other in still that 230-grain amuch gun believe not the traits that yet better 1911 you you’re Black progressed was was the deem designed Talon better designed piece desirable, to JHP off works from the ifload toyou point the feed when all (now make ground that where hardball, you sadly does feed up haven’t our to unavailable reliability you and feed handguns no paid no hardball, good matter asome main to will if you what incompetent you priority and can’t civilians) function do you’re fire to when unless was the itjust there’s person gun choosing also begging webecause asmear really very to your.45 ruin for feed-reliable no them your jams. it. way ammo. with “wonder around dinosaur load. bullet” that. grease. Now, is hung I’m not up on onethe of feed thoseramp. people who says you should only If stopping carry hardball power isin the your name 1911, of the butgame, I will say the that goodthe news farther for .45 your.45 loversload is that departs the .45 from seems a hardball to be very profile, the forgiving in more termsyou’re of load asking selection. for trouble. If it’s a good hollow-point load that’ll fit into the chamber of a .45, it should give you a usable amount of stopping power. That being the case, you’re free to place the emphasis back where it belongs on feed reliability.













protruding piece drop your hundred difficulty make salad. of is this oil probably dollars to easy on from Excess loading each for for the bone-dry. you. lube, slide a to butt quality full Ifespecially rail of you capacity, Oil your and 1911 want evaporates; let gun and on good failure itadds the run invest mags breechface, into too to if you feed amuch the that small carry the gun. will length fortune can top the If work, you attack round gun toin have Ithe muzzle suggest customizing off primers grip athe Colt for down the magazine, and with your stainless it, in turn the but taste a holster, firing your extreme when (vis-a-vis, steel chambered pin it gravity Wilson-Rogers comes difficulty lock,pulls you time to the oil might round buy snapping seven-rounders. concealment), magazines want into down the ato dud. the mag take Wilson’s to These slide feed into this rails, are the also opportunity available beast, gun around sells and thin, they the failure to from suddenly concealment-oriented put bushing Wilson atosmall lock and try Combat the drop to out save slide of of(Dept. oil the aopen replacement few on gun. GAH, the on bucks Some an firing Route empty byfolks floorplates pin buying 3,magazine. lock tout POBox EL plunger the for Cheapo-brand 578, various their Eight-round in Berryville, the mags teflonslide. that based Lightly mags. magazines AR are 72616; more lubricants Suffice rub subtle. phone were a thin it to designed An as 501/545-3618). coat say, the even of the cure oil more for magazine on for competition low-key the this. The exposed is In Wilson-Rogers one approach myuse of experience, barrel the to feed is most where to follower extremely pull important they itthe rides don’t design spring long the parts last isbushing bullets and one excellent, of follower the bitlike when firearm, longer and the out the H&G than you of and gun awon’t the #68 buying Wilsonis natural cycling. semihave trash toLet the slide instead wadcutters. worry Rogers about and ofgo top-quality stick forward Shorter it popping it inrounds, and mags a over stock putisthe like one Colt kind slide most small magazine. of like stop hollow drop wimping inside of This points, oilthe gives on out gun. won’t the and you front There putting feed a magazine ofreliably are the Brand-X other barrel that out decent retreads hood of doesn’t these where seven-rounders protrude on magazines. ait Porsche. meets from the out the front Iofdon’t there, gun the atejection but all, much remember, butcare still port. for has Cycle the I’m theeight-round making the great gun’s Wilson-Rogers things action mags simple awith fewfor follower their times, you, folded and and design. you’re when metal When you in followers business. Ibuy carry the that aWilson Frankly, 1911, Colt I’ve mags, provides I like gotyou to a with hybrid do canatheir more (except guns pretty leisurely much bet the job the 1991A1s, offarm lubing they’ll which my 1911s work. comeinwith which a seven-rounder I actually fieldfeaturing strip the the piece, traditional but the quick-’n’-easy split metal method I’ve follower). If you just shoot described a lot,will sooner be sufficient. or later the folded metal follower in the eight-rounder is going to pop over the slide stop inside the gun, failing to lock the action open when the gun is empty and necessitating manually ripping the magazine out of the gun. The split metal follower in the seven-rounder will do the same thing. This is the sort of thing that can get you killed.













around design serious. and curvature locking with in Several the ofan open the bushing uncritical areas part the in action of every the its awe. channel gun when time To are their you the prone through fire gun minds, to the issmall-parts the empty. piece, the slide. 1911 Unfortunately, but This breakage; represents the isfull a crude force Inhandgun this some system. ofalso the cases, puts perfection; recoil Toowhen the much spring slide these curvature it also is stop small without bears almost means flaws upon in — without parts too the much path bushing let of go, pressure, flaws, avia the cartridge the gun yourecoil and is hear coming totally the spring me? extractor disabled out Any plug. of criticism the will Ifand the magazine. not it’ll barrel of allow the takebushing gun aSince acartridge pistolsmith threatens the gives slide casing way, their tostop get to your perceptions is itslip only back recoil uplightly up into spring and ofplace, the spring-loaded running. and universe. resulting recoil spring into in a Meanwhile, the failure plug down will to depart feed. position, back Not the inifenough reality, front a round ofthe curvature the ofbasic ammo gun at 1911 means nudges highisspeed. an insufficient this antiquated part Effectively, during extractor design the tension, and feeding gun it is is disabled. cycle, resulting far from it Now, can perfect in failures pop thisup (sacrilege, doesn’t into to fully the I know). slide extract happen stop Come and/or very notch, often, on, eject. locking folks, but Most Iifhave the John modern slide had Browning back it firearms happen with wasuse rounds to alive me spring-loaded today, while still in firing dothe you extractors, gun. a really Combat This think can Commander. a far he’d getmore you be designing durable killed. The bushing This and guns reliable like the 1911? malfunction system. shattered, This Hell losing usually is ano, major the (Actually, occurs, semicircular improvement ifBrowning it occurs piece in had at firearms that all, moved holds when design far the firing beyond recoil that theseems spring gun the 1911 with to plug have hardball byinthe passed thetime gun. andby he less My the died recoil commonly 1911. in 1926. system with Inwas his prototype shorter The somewhere tension hollow-point down offor a 1911’s the range, rounds. Browning extractor my gun If this Hi-Power, out can hasn’t of weaken action. already happened with I believe completed use. to your One this gun, occured sure at the you way time because probably to of screw his the death, have upslide your nothing heof extractor did myaway to gun worry is came with to manya about; drop from the of it’s round the factory only flaws into a slightly problem the of the chamber basic shorter on certain 1911 with in front design.) the guns. slide than If you open it should dothen have have drop thisbeen. the problem, slide There on a was good the a chambered pistolsmith fingernail-size cartridge. cangap dimple This the slideforce will stop the where extractor it touches to bend the spring-loaded back and around plunger. the case If the rim, work eventually is done abusing to perfection, the extractor the slidesostop much will neverit pop that will up lose onits you, tension but will or even still operate break off perfectly in extreme to lock cases. open the empty gun.













“So, you’re fingertips. common basic tube for 1911 signs with This design. saying hard of being looseness. that This use theyou’ve of tube case, the Some contains compact of got course, folks to know two Officer’s say thelittle the that bushing 1911 plungers if ACP your took inside guns. plunger aand hellacious out Most a to spring, tube compact getpounding isthe loose, thebest 1911s power you out as slavishly itshould of of jacked which it? You’ve simply itself copy serves got back the have both to it to and forth Officer’s hold restaked. know the what slide ACP’s every I don’t ammo stop time recoil know to in the feed the system, about gun down it,was buy that. soposition fired, good this If the problem and mags until plunger finally for operated isit, itnot tube gave know limited has up by how the been to the ghost. follower Colts. loose various You On for ofshould the parts any the Officer’s empty amount work checkmagazine and your of ACP time, know ,gun thethat to as where only well rear thing the as ensure holding to stud weak hold has points that the the probably thumb recoil the are bushing inspring been safety the design abused fits lever plug snugly so in in enough the you theinto gun can safe that the is have oraslide. I’d fire tiny advanced probably position. tab thatwarning feel This hooks better is into aifhigh-stress anything’s myself a slot simply in the area about slide. replacing oftothe let If that gun; go. the Is small every tube the tab gun time with gives you a really new flip way worth part. your (and So, all thumb it there’s this often effort?” safety a does), loton toor your know off,gun you about isapply hors the force de ol’ combat 1911, to the huh? by plunger virtue It’s not tube. ofexactly a missing Unfortunately, therecoil simplest system. the orplunger most I’m a tube big fanheld is maintenance-free of the to the aftermarket side design of the recoil gun out spring there. only by The plugs twotrick small for here Officer’s studs is to that ACP-size enjoy pass the through guns 1911that design holes use in for a ring the its frame. strengths, of metal It is atbut not theat at rear the all of thetime unusual same plug fordon’t to one hold of deny these it inside its studs weaknesses. the(almost slide. There’s Let invariably me no summarize way the such rearmy one) a part advice tocan snap tocome maximize off. I’ve out of had your the this gun. 1911 happen auto’s myself while shooting, reliability: Load and it with I’vegood seenhollow-point it happen to ammunition other shooters. featuring When a this feed happens, profile as your close thumb-safety to hardballlever as will wind Use possible. up inonly a half-on/half-off top-quality magazines. position. In Keep an emergency, the gun clean it would and well be lubricated. possible to Check physically yourhold bushing’s the safety fit in the lever slide. down Regularly in the fire check position your extractor and still shoot tension theand piece. the However, plunger tube for all staked practical to thepurposes, side of the the gun gun is disabled for any looseness. until the If plunger either oftube these is areas replaced. shows problems, move instantly to rectify them. Modifications? Leave the gun as stock as possible. If you must customize, do so with extreme moderation. Either leave your hammer/sear alone or, if you must have a trigger job, let only a shop that knows what it’s doing modify this critical area. If your slide stop is popping up, have the slide stop dimpled by a competent pistolsmith. On the small, Officer’s ACP-size guns, replace the stock bushing with an aftermarket bushing designed to stay in the piece. Let only the best pistolsmiths touch your gun. I like to put my preferred sights on a 1911, but that’s a matter of personal preference and not an absolute necessity. And that’s about it.













takethere easiest out thehandguns time that to can get to beto shoot, totally know the detail the Colt design stripped Government intimately, without Model the tools. 1911 outshot Not is to still several get a too superior ofZen thehere, more choice but modern inwhen a defensive designs, I know I can placingdisassemble totally handgun. third Unlike out most of my fivethings carry guns gun in I tested. life, andthe put I believe 1911 it back has it together might strengths have again that placed using more even than nothing higher, compensate butbut myI own was for hands, determined its flaws. it If it’s thatperfect, gives not all me the a wonderful guns well, in what mysense is?? shootout of being be asone stock with asthe possible, gun. so before testing the Government Model I replaced the excellent wooden Spegel grips the piece normally wore with the rubber wraparound grips that had come stock on the gun. The rubber wraparounds really bulked up the grip, changing a gun that had fit my hand wonderfully well into a gun that didn’t fit my hand at all. The fact that I was still able to fire the piece well is, I feel, a tribute to the Government Model’s inherent shootability.













spring. time. zine, barrel pin with and it. strips Assume link. The Rearward disengages barrel the At for this top movement the link time, from cartridge purposes pivots the thefull about of locking from the of cock this slide the the notch ribs slide discussion magazine terminates on of stop the thepin, barrel hammer. and that aswhich the pushes aenter loaded lower The is attached it the expanding projection to magazine locking the to bullet the mainspring recesses of isstationary the ramp in the slide and in weapon pushes strikes the receiver, upunderside into and the thethe and recoil hama live chamof carthe tridge ber. slide. mer draws spring strut During The the is guide. in up, barrel forward the this rotating The chamber. movement, downward expanding movement the hammer The as the recoil hammer of well base the to spring asrotate recoiling to ofisthe the fully causes forward rear. cartridge parts cocked, As thethe on slide terminates the slides the barrel to hammer safety begin up is pivoted when the lock its pin face forward the and isdownward, off, ofbarrel strike the the movement. slide. the grip lugs the firing At safety strikes barrel this As pin. the is time, locking the The depressed, slide slide inerthe stop thefiring extractor tia ribs moves trigger are forward, disengaged pin enters istravels squeezed the thehammer forward, from extracting and the follows the compressing locking groove round therecesses is slide in ignited. the the for firing head in a short The the pin of slide cycle the distance; spring. cartridge. and of The functioning unlocking then firing Chambering thepin sear, is begins. moves completed. which isthrough complete is bearing thewhen against firing the pin cartridge well the hammer in theis face fully through of the seated the slide action inand thestrikes of chamber the sear the and cartridge’s spring, the enters faceprimer. ofthe thefull The slide cock primer is notch against ignites of thethe hammer rear propellant extension and holds and ofthe the it barexpanding in the cocked gases position. force the When bullet the slide through is fully the forward barrel. The andfiring the trigger pin spring is released, expandsthe and disconnector withdraws the posifiring pin tions in from its recesses the faceinofthe thebottom slide. of the slide and cocking is completed.













spring long the in Series front front slot 70 and ofin side and the the theof earlier bottom right bottom the disconnector’s prong pistols feet of the of is(with the the slide. sear, grip the The paddles. safety move “rest” downward The lock spring. or disconnector “up” off There and position asthe the is grip atop begins of 90ø the safety ofbend the disconnector to pivot depressed), disconnector at two around places causes pulling the isindepressed sear the the the spring. top pin. trigger of As bythe The the disconnector rear the will bottom slide not side end cause and of of the to the the the disconnector’s be disconnector’s sear spring exposed to has move about a paddles 90ø out paddles 0.06 of bend the inches move clear in half itaft, to above cock thepermit they feet notches the contact ofitframe. the toand slip sear, the permit into forward When the the the slot side hammer disconnector’s inof the the rear tosear’s fall. of In the paddles feet. the frame. The Series This sear’s clear 80 acts pistols, to the feet anchor sear’s pulling move the feet, rearward the spring pulling trigger unit. asthe the with The trigger sear the other begins hammer will 90ønot bend toat move pivot, the is on half the along the sear cock sear with at position spring all. the disconnector, will prong permit and is around the provided hammer the sear totopermit safely pin. As the fall the to spring the sear’s “rest” prong feetposition. to are ride pushed on the rearward, minimumthe possible sear’s surface beveled area noseof moves the sear’s forward. left The foot.beveled nose is engaged in the hammer’s notches. When the sear has been rotated enough to cause the sear’s beveled nose to withdraw from the hammer’s full cock notches, the hammer, under mainspring pressure directed up the hammer strut, moves rapidly forward. The hammer strikes the firing pin, which in turn strikes the primer, and the cartridge is fired.













from moving safety. ward ofThis side the of causes rear the when grip ofthe the the safety top trigger sear’s of the moves feet. is grip pulled The above safety front and the to pivot the of lateral the hammer forward. disconnector bar on isAs in the itthe pivots trigger paddle full forward, cock bow. area position. Since presses and the there On forward rear the is section now inside against noof portion the rear the restraint of the grip ofsafety the safety against lateral lock pivots the is bar arearward, trigger stud on the which bow, trigger thewill the tip bow of move trigger the and bar tomay forces the on the be shoulder the pulled right trigger forward area rearward to of side move thetosear side fire to of its (that the the most weapon. grip portion forward safety of the lowers position. sear Thus, the against directly the above disconnector right the side feet) of the spring when rearthe prong of the safety lateral actslock asbar aistrigger moved on the trigger return upward spring bow. to the Because asengaged wellthe as tip serving position. is aligned toThe rotate behind safety thelock paddlestrigger the cannot of the be engaged disconnector bow, theunless trigger forward the cannot hammer of be thepulled. is sear’s in the feet. full cock position.













pistol premier modifications age. competitive characteristic is present, that Some for unsafe. self-loading an not say shooters, extreme and how generally What thathas tight its it combat accuracy police seen is condition everything assumed is simple; use pistol. officers, contest inone to virtually is. no In cause (cocked This personal more, fact, likeisless every it bullseye why no dominates and defense accuracy less. all kind locked) service shooting. Inof oriented its nearly but natural mode target pistols such Itevery of civilians all and configuration, seem is carry boils untrue. tactical facet a for little down orof military imminent Ienvironment handgunning, loose-they have to it selecting holds apersonnel. first-production use most need is as the from unsafe such well. ofright How the the Old or can tool run national Ugly politically this records M1911 tolerances for the be? has job, that at What matches been incorrect to Camp not rattles function is cussed the itPerry, atabout as other and Camp in and described, the the claim the way discussed Perry, widest premier M1911 around. that to but possible itIPSC accuracy that more lacks from So the competition, assuming a than variety mechanical Ransom so contest any fascinates ofthat other environments. Rest of to reliability all. because the handgun with so And, hunting many nearly in or a In given in slightly people? isa and history, any inaccurate. bullseye M1911 boondocking kind altered And and match, ofif rattles 230-grain Others continues ittarget really we field, a say may bit, form, isFMJ to inaccurate that it's get ride the it(ball) an remains training an Sands unprecedented to or the ammo, alibi inaccurate use unsafe dominant if our of itit safely Iwo prints or pistol isunreliable, Jima, apistol requires serious wave malfunctions three and for of shots error. all even popularity how tooIPSC into much the can because shooting, one-inch streets such training shared it's a of rapt too at too. by San and fifty tight fascination no Obviously, that Francisco! other meters, and such doesn't handgun. have time were training function ever after it inaccurate, isn't occurred time. reliably, time Is that or this inbut cost-effective the accurate situation when firstyou place, enough could life's in much comparison on not forexist. less you? continued The It the sure line, culprit isthere for tohere me! the are is legendary And no a bias alibis. thisand also levels assumption. shows seenthat today? If tight we tolerances recover a rusty aren'tM1911 the only from issue theto sand consider at Omaha where Beach, clean it upisand accuracy concerned. shoot it, it will generally keep all of its shots inside a ten or twelve-inch circle at 50 meters. To a target shooter, this won't do, but for a soldier, this is more accuracy than he can use.













quitethis demonstrated somehow reputation. and today, the in prevents more opposite. unsafe Theexcellent different .45 or objectivity. Everything ACP that versions mechanical cartridge it requires The it has and fact was more reliability had is isspecifically the that, the training basis capacity like under for it than created or the an to not, other awesome widest dofor the for weapon and M1911's the array variety made last types. ofeight popularity custom its of first field Negligent andguns appearance conditions-in a is half based indischarges decades history. clearly inheat the Let's remains are and and be cold,here-were caused M1911 definitively real valid. wet Itby and thus or inept on has dry, remains its itearned gun in intrinsically superior mud handling King an or unequaled physical Of dust. faulty, (a The training It Hill could characteristics none reputation and not function) ofwill this have likely could for survived or and not continue occur have aonly nearly past because happened. inherent tocentury-long the do so first someone accuracy well fewinto occasions record has but the butchered stopping next of superior inmillennium. which power the it was To used, much weapon's against performance. produce armed ainternal handgun less This and survived parts isdetermined with a matter (a better and gunsmithing of proliferated adversaries or record more and function), practical toas isits well. the current capabilities not direct Asbecause this status result is written, will its otherwise. of design its be unique difficult theis.45 inherently combination and ACPperhaps can invalid. be of found impossible. accuracy, Too in many And years nearly mechanical I, for one, of every history feel reliability, possible that show webullet otherwise, and can "user look weight, forward friendliness" as do configuration the to number watching (especially and ofthe other load M1911 under specification-a weapons stress). continue utilizing to true dominate the cartridge samethe concept. for handgun all seasons. world Another Virtually well into reason every the foreseeable one the exhibits M1911 future. is more so popular accuracy is because than all but it's the so easy mosttoaccomplished work with under shooter stress. canIt's actually controls use, are well-located functions well, and for produces quick, efficient manageable use and recoil, require making no fine it suitable motor skill for to a very operate, wideaspectrum major advantage of missions, whenself-defense, from the adrenaline to target is pumping shooting, through to hunting, your veins to general like a high-pressure boondocking pipeline. functions. InNo fact, other the cartridge slide in stop/release, magazine existence-even the 357 release Magnum-can buttonclaim and thumb such high safety marks of the in all M1911 of these are so areas. easy to operate that no additional training is required. Even when the gun is being presented from a holster, proper training technique incorporates disengagement of the thumb safety at the appropriate time. As practical firearms go, we'll search far and wide for something as easy to use effectively, particularly under stress, as Old













thisreminded am think weapon. one sight reputation every Ifpicture) you one ofare iscan the built are one time see inusing of the them. when those neighborhood full Ieminent have who metal has worn jacket authority an ofainborn .15 concealed (FMJ) toand .17 desire orauthor seconds "ball" weapon to be ammo. Tom apart, "seen forGivens over With something of men" 25 today's and years aand fellow IJHP cannot and think bullets have offhaving even duty never it improve officer isanot hadas were anyone concealed on sure when fire cooling inadvertently Iunless use carry off a the .22 permit from auto. weapon discover the makes My summer has trigger that you been heat something I finger was "throated" atarmed. the simply local special, to Once won't feed indoor and I operate was the range you alternative even would faster - frisked youreally -look old styles byage for like a of federal alcoholics Isomeone ammo. guess.officer These Modern at to the ask who rounds local Colts you failed tavern, to what will are find designed impact that my you bulge Star in look to the PD feed is for vital under .45. "gunaholics" modern zone Ofyour course about bullets arm, at 95% I was then the asof are range carrying you themost need time or it of gun back more legally the shop. to copies, help about and They than it never 7became would yards I can the not (further give. engaged less have This I have ifmattered Iin ispractice seen not conversation aplenty game. if regularly) he did of One with new find ofait. customer the Perhaps examples reasons one who that to reason needed was conceal waxing is that some weapons Ieloquent have attention today shot onin one isthe order tactical. so virtues much to feed Ifof with the this 100%. bad this or guys type that The weapon of key can weapon is tell toyou in shoot (about the are gun your armed 250,000 case. new before Eventually gun rounds) about the fight he allowed starts that 200 rounds it you is as second just the with may .45 nature the auto take ammo to was a me. bullet you a But fine intend intry weapon the as to back I carry. might but of of the If I small cannot you head have use before geta tohammers malfunction most you people even thisknow then quick since seek there or they accurate help. is couldn't a fight Butwith then hide on.a Don't again one. Tom is just double this cover told true action. him up of your that any auto. weapon itweapon Iwas can indeed keep you CONCEAL may the possible rounds purchase, it! to At pretty hide any either close a rate, .45 new together there if one or used. are used with those the the right who Glock feel holster, and that the which the DAO .45 brought autos Government asa rebuttal Model, well as DA or that one revolvers there of itswas variations butno theright time orholster, creeps copies,the up is the to gun around finest was simply fighting .20 seconds too sidearm big. between This ever discussion shots. produced. This went might With back some seem and forth for some time reservations adequate - and (see until probably the mychapter friend is - but Tom onwhy custom ended take modifications) the all debate lower level by pulling Iof agree. performance his But Government I began if you my do Model education not have out from to. on under his cotton shirt, worn weaponcraft back when with the there tailwere out, and veryplaced few serious it on the options. counter. Today I have we have seen several him pass adequate close inspection designs by a police which will suffice officer quite - though well. not a frisk - when he was wearing a T-shirt. Tom, by the way, seldom even has to resort to inside the pants holsters to hide his weapon.













is a consider not Combat range testament from Commander outstanding it to so.John Still, isBrowning around they to really are34fine that poor ounces. weapons nearly so "buyer There 90for years beware". are concealed literally (the It model is carry millions notofour and January of intent the used 3/4" 1910 here .45s may was to out allow run essentially ondown the youmarket to any more the comfortably and, maker's same barring as product the hide 1911) abuse, but a after weapon ittoisencourage its difficult birth in an to the outside you wear 1911 to one the investigate remains pants out. The the holster. and only finest find trouble These combat out weapons what with pistol works. theare ever older Iabout will made guns say the en isthat same that masse. the the size new sights as any duty were Kimber a bit Custom type difficult auto 1911a1 to onsee the isbut market onethis of the can today best beand fixed examples so (see are athe ofgood achapter Government choice. on modifications). Model I have Magazines encountered for- this weapon are including some as common of the standard as dirt but package beware guns there of big arename some gunsmiths! really poor Also aftermarket you should suppliers know that which Colt sell real junk. Series 80 and Para Ordinance guns are equipped with a firing pin safety which blocks the firing pin except when the trigger is pulled.















In Closing... A lot of people believe that the 1911-pattern pistol is the greatest combat handgun ever built. I certainly

Rather than stoking the “best” argument which is truly endless and without resolution, I will say only that

This little book is truly my “notebook” on the 1911. It is a collection of articles, databits, and material I’ve

revisions.

Syd Weedon

[email protected]

m1911a1

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