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The venerable Colt Government Model, M1911, 1911A1, whichever you prefer, is a part of 20th century Americana. Depending on who you ask, it's either the absolute pinnacle of handgun development, or an obsolete relic from a previous century. It seems to have become a rather controversial issue.
It seems to me that there is truth in both perspectives. Is the 1911 obsolete? Of course it is! How could it not be? It was first designed 115 years ago! At that time, early "horseless carriages" roamed the streets, and the Wright brothers were tinkering with their primitive flying machines. Can you think of any other complex mechanical device from that time period, that is not completely obsolete today?
On the other hand, it's still a very viable platform. I think it's quite the tribute to the genius of the designer that the 1911 is even slightly competitive nowadays. If I was going to carry a full size pistol to absolutely rely on, I'd choose a more modern design like a CZ75 or Glock. BUT, if all I had was a 1911, I really wouldn't feel undergunned. It's more than just "dumb old boomers" feeling nostaligic. It's still a good gun. Many, if not most, modern guns borrow heavily from it.
I know it's a controversial subject to some. I don't know why. It's not the be-all-and-end-all of guns, just an important and iconic step in the evolution of handgun design.
Some musings for discussion...
It seems to me that there is truth in both perspectives. Is the 1911 obsolete? Of course it is! How could it not be? It was first designed 115 years ago! At that time, early "horseless carriages" roamed the streets, and the Wright brothers were tinkering with their primitive flying machines. Can you think of any other complex mechanical device from that time period, that is not completely obsolete today?
On the other hand, it's still a very viable platform. I think it's quite the tribute to the genius of the designer that the 1911 is even slightly competitive nowadays. If I was going to carry a full size pistol to absolutely rely on, I'd choose a more modern design like a CZ75 or Glock. BUT, if all I had was a 1911, I really wouldn't feel undergunned. It's more than just "dumb old boomers" feeling nostaligic. It's still a good gun. Many, if not most, modern guns borrow heavily from it.
I know it's a controversial subject to some. I don't know why. It's not the be-all-and-end-all of guns, just an important and iconic step in the evolution of handgun design.
Some musings for discussion...