The Eternal Return
September 8th, 2007 by Syd
Recently, I had to update my personal security estimate due to some specific circumstances that I’d rather not discuss in this forum. Suffice it to say that the concern is real and substantial enough that I decided that one 5-shot snubby was just not enough gun. I have returned to where I began with handguns: the M1911 .45 Automatic.
When I am forced to do those dark mental gymnastics of, “OK, this crap could get serious. What gun do I really want within arm’s reach 24/7?” it’s this one. I have worked with a lot of guns in my time, and tried just about all of them, but I always seem to come back to the M1911 .45. The reasons are very simple: I am faster and more accurate with the M1911 than with other pistols; the cartridge is powerful and inspires confidence; I have done the lion’s share of my training on this platform. There are other good guns in the world, but with this one, I know precisely what I can do and what I can’t, down to the hundredth of a second. I know its quirks and foibles, and how to deal with them. For me, there is no guesswork with this pistol. I know how to use it in order to obtain the result I desire.
I didn’t throw the snubby away. It’s far too useful and convenient. It’s doing exemplary duty in the backup role, either in a pocket holster or worn
cross-draw. The backup gun provides a number of valuable functions. If the primary is disabled or exhausted, you can go to the backup. The backup can also be handed off to an ally for additional fire support in an emergency. If you happen to lose control of the primary, you can go to the backup.
The Guns
The M1911 pictured above is the Kimber Pro Carry Stainless, Series 1. It has an aluminum alloy frame with stainless slide and barrel. Its fire control mechanism is exactly the way John Browning designed it in 1911. There is no firing pin block, integral locks or magazine safety. The stainless finish means that you don’t have to wipe it down every night in the sweaty summer, and the alloy frame makes it light enough for extended carry. It traces its lineage back to the Colt Lightweight Commander.
The snubnose is the Smith & Wesson Model 642 Centennial Airweight in .38 Special. It’s the quintessential pocket gun, light in weight, supremely reliable, and powerful enough to get you out of a jam. It does have the B.S. integral lock, but I have shot a lot of rounds through it and have had no trouble with the lock so far.
It’s kind of drag to have to think in these terms, but the world can be a dangerous and unpredictable place, and it’s better to be prepared.
glad that you got a series 1 , series 2 are junk …
hope everything resolves itself acceptably for you…
Thanks. I really don’t like the firing pin block on the Series 2 Kimbers.
I can’t fault your choice - my constant companion is the Kimber Ultra Eclipse II. I’m not overly fond of the additional machinery on the Series IIs, but it hasn’t given me any trouble (on that or any other Kimber), and I’ll live with it. I prefer an all-steel piece, but as you point out, if you’re comfortable with something and it works for you…
I love my amt hardballer, but my wife doesn’t have the strength to rack a slide, so i got her a Taurus .38 special with the built in crimson trace laser. I have total piece of mind now
Have the same thing but in the all SS version, the HD model. Stippled the front strap and just shoot it…
Usual carry piece now is the DW Patriot CBOB. Like the abbreviated MS housing and it seems to be more rust resistant than the Kimber in daily wear in Arid-Zona. Allessi leather in an IWB version handles the carry chores, and does so remarkably well. Thumbs way up to Lou! Good choice for a bad situation, hope it de-esculates soon…
Blasternaz
My chiece is 1911-A1 45cal GI Love this auto to death, the most trusted of the lot I will ever own.
Syd,
I’ve had the same experience. An early morning Bardstown Road encounter with 4 gang bangers made me quickly rethink the snubby as my main firearm. I kept the snubby as a bug, but switched to a 1911 or hi power as my primary.
Browning was a genius.
whw
Syd, upon getting my concealed carry I went right out and bought A S&W Airweight 642! I love it…but with MUCH practice I still can’t shoot it well enough to feel secure. I ALSO went back to my 1911, it’s a Colt Defender (compact).
After many years with 1911’s I’m comfortable, safe and proficient with it.
It fits the job, even if it’s a little difficult to carry during long Texas summers.
jds
I too “grew up” handling a .45 1911. It was my Dad’s from his stint in the Navy during the Korean conflict. Government issue. Not entirely sure how he got it or kept it.
But as I became a young man, and saw no need to have a hand cannon lying around, I made the foolish error of selling it.
Now that I’m quite a number of years older, and have a wife, children, and grandchildren that depend on me to protect them, I’ve revised my thoughts on having a weapon close by. I now legally carry a concealed 9mm autoloader every time I leave the house. I have a Remington 870 shotgun to help me protect the inside of the home.
But I still long for the feel of the real metal of a classic .45 1911 pistol. I see that a decent 1911 costs some bucks, and I cannot afford one of the nice Kimbers, but I would like something approximating a classic 1911. Can any of you experts point me in the direction of a good 1911 or 1911 clone that has a pricetag that won’t send my gentle bride towards a divorce attorney?
Thanks!
- Poor In Atlanta
P.S. Thanks Syd for a great blog. You’re one of my daily reads, and I appreciate your efforts.
Hi, Poor in Atlanta , I live in Canada where gun prices are,in most cases, a few bucks more than in the US.
Having said that , you should be able to pick up a new springfield GI model 1911 for around $500.00.
If that is too pricey, the beauty of the 1911 is that you can find a decent used .45 and rebuild it relatively cheaply.
Parts for the 1911 are plentiful and well priced.
I used to work for a gun dealer who would toss a box of 1911 parts at me and have me hand fit a few complete guns from the “junk”. So, find a good slide and frame and just order the rest of the parts. Heck, tinkering with the old 1911 is nearly as much fun as shooting them !
Good Luck !
Sheriff Tim.
I am training right now with my RIA Tactical 1911 .45. I just LOVE this gun.
At YOUR advise I got my wife the S&W 642 so I know for sure if she needs it, it goes boom. She can not rack the .45 to well and she does not mind the light weight and small size of the 642.
My gun for life is the 1911, period.
Thanks for your site and continued work informing us as you do.
gk
I have been testing two RIA M1911A1’s and I have to admit that, with the exception of some hammer bite, I have been very favorably impressed. When I settle on one, I’ll probably do some mods to it: extended beavertail, Commander hammer, and maybe some Novak combat sights. But, the gun is pretty good just by itself.
My wife doesn’t like the 642. The recoil is too snappy for her, so she settled on a Model 640. She really likes it. That’s suits me fine because I’m jealous of the 642 and don’t particularly want to share it. It carries so well. I shoot it all right, but I don’t tend to do more than a couple of stages with it.