I’m amazed at the continued popularity of the 1911. The pistol is over 100 years old and in the civilian sector it is more popular than ever. In LE and Military use its glory days are past but in civilian hands its popularity is off the chart. Proof of this can be seen in the number of custom production shops like Wilson Combat and others that build and sell thousands of high end 1911’s every year. Unbelievable.
My advice when it comes to the 1911 is simple; get educated on the platform as it is not the same as running a pistol like a Glock, keep it lubed as they do not like to run dry, and you get what you pay for. A $700 1911 is not going to perform like a $3700 one – period.
Fans of the 1911 here’s a heads up; I have a special project that I am going to be releasing for this holiday season that any true gun guy will enjoy – and at a price that won’t break the bank. Watch for it on my social media outlets as well as here on Soldier Systems Daily. Be safe and keep shooting.
-Larry Vickers
Vickers Tactical Inc.
Host of TacTV
Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical is a retired US Army 1st SFOD-Delta combat veteran with years of experience in the firearms industry as a combat marksmanship instructor and industry consultant. In recent years he has hosted tactical firearms related TV shows on the Sportsman Channel with the latest being TacTV of which Bravo Company is a presenting sponsor. Larry Vickers special operations background is one of the most unique in the industry today; he has been directly or indirectly involved in the some of the most significant special operations missions of the last quarter century. During Operation Just Cause he participated in Operation Acid Gambit – the rescue of Kurt Muse from Modelo Prison in Panama City, Panama. As a tactics and marksmanship instructor on active duty he helped train special operations personnel that later captured Saddam Hussein and eliminated his sons Uday and Qusay Hussein. In addition he was directly involved in the design and development of the HK416 for Tier One SOF use which was used by Naval Special Warfare personnel to kill Osama Bin Laden. Larry Vickers has developed various small arms accessories with the most notable being his signature sling manufactured by Blue Force Gear and Glock accessories made by Tangodown. In addition he has maintained strong relationships with premium companies within the tactical firearms industry such as BCM, Aimpoint, Black Hills Ammunition, Wilson Combat and Schmidt & Bender.
Larry Vickers travels the country conducting combat marksmanship classes for law abiding civilians, law enforcement and military and has partnered with Alias Training to coordinate classes to best meet the needs of the students attending the class.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer us some words of wisdom.
Tags: Alias Training and Security Services, Larry Vickers, LAV, Vickers Tactical
Can’t wait to see what you’ve done!
I doubt it buit I hope it’s a double stack. The 1911’s most glaring shortcoming is ammo capacity which is why I transitioned long ago to Para-Ordnance.
Not trying to start a kerfluffle, just hoping new 1911 developers address the 1911’s greatest shortcoming, ammo capacity.
its a .45 single stack… what do you expect?
IMO…
I’ve shot the highspeed FN 45 at the range (its a great sidearm) and that is a double stack .45 that can hold up to 15 rounds. I’ve shot the tacticool HK45 (Mk.23) and that is a double stack .45 with 12 rounds. My hands aren’t big but they aren’t small. When compared to your “run-of-the-mil” 9mm (glocks, 92F, USP), .45 pistols with double stack magazine designs feel a little more beefy.
I don’t believe the 1911 with its 7-8 round magazine capacity is an actual shortcoming, it just is what it is. If you want magazine capacity then just use a 9mm.
How do you know it’s a single stack? Do you work for Mr. Vickers?
I have no problem with my para-ordnance. Have you fired their double stacks? I just want more choices in the 1911 style format and especially quality ones.
You may not feel the 7-8 round capacity of the 1911 is a shortcoming. There are a myriad of experts that disagree and I have to agree with them. For the weight/size there are too many other solutions out there in .45 (some you mentioned) that have more capacity.
If more rounds was simply the only quality I was looking for I could also go to .380, .32 .22 etc.
1911 noob here but I would like to get one. Now that thought along is complex and then one seeks to actually buy a 1911 and it becomes a tangled mess of internet commandos berating one another and never helping out the person asking the simple question…”My first 1911 that I wish to carry and range shoot, what should I look for?”
So for those reading and who have actual hands on experience with 1911’s, what should a first time buyer look for and look out for? I don’t mind spending upwards of $1500
Mr. Vickers I highly respect your knowledge so any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Government model 1911A1…
If you had the money you could spend more on the high end stuff but for basic entry level range shooting, self/home defense, or even EDC… an 1911A1 is your best bet and best bargain. You could by a used Colt 1911A1 for well under 900 (as I have seen at my local gun stores). Its not highspeed, its not tacticool… but it works and gets the job done.
Uniform 223 makes a good point.
Pick up some Wilson mags, put on a good set of sights, and you’re off to a good start.
I own several 1911s, everything from a WWI GI gun to a Wilson CQB, but a standard issue style government model with good sights, good mags, and proper maintenance and training will take you far without breaking the bank or being too finicky.
That said, I’d still take my Glock over a 1911 for anything more serious than range work…YMMV.
Agree 100% with what Uniform223 said; “Government model 1911A1…”
The first 1911 I ever shot was a Government model 1911A1, actually issued to me by the Army. The first handgun I ever bought was a Springfield Government model. It was a great hand gun; inexpensive, simple to operate and easy to maintain. Only problem I had with it were that the rear sights were not centered properly. Took it back to the store and the gunsmith fixed it. Bought several Chip McCormick 8-round magazines so I had 9 rounds in the pistol when carrying.
I’m looking at 1911’s again. Seriously considering the Ruger SR1911 Lightweight Commander.
Good luck in your search!
Yup, but invest in some better sights. Can’t tell you what those would be as that’s pretty dependent on what works for you, but it’ll make a great fun that much better.
Thanks guys for the advice and direction. I’ll start my shopping with this advice in mind.
Ahh, the 1911A1 – 1st handgun I shot, 1st I was issued, 1st I carried on duty, 1st I bought, 1st I EDCed, 1st I built… Fond memories of the 1911…
SELL, SELL, SELL!!!
Hey Larry, have you seen the custom 1911s that Combat Precision Technologies builds? They are pretty functional and from the guys who use them for work and competition, very sturdy.
I love 1911s. I shoot them better than any other gun. The problem is that the ones I can afford, I tend to break during high volume practice or competition.