I love the 1911, but it takes a lot of work to make them run really well. Part of it is tolerances and contact points, which was much harder to do 30 yrs ago. Basically back then, parts were made slightly oversize and you polished it all to fit. With high tolerance parts today, it would be much easier. I can say this though, the experience has virtually ruined me for production guns, as I can see imperfections and sloppy work immediately. And yes I get the fact that each price point has its tradeoffs. But some are better than others...for example I think Dan Wesson 1911s are excellent for their price point, virtually custom quality. They do little things that won't get noticed but matter. As far as the best of the best, I am certainly biased on this but Wilson Combat are outstanding, but you pay for it. I had a CQB years ago(when they were way more affordable) that was like butter and shot like a dream. The polishing on internal parts was amazing. I haven't seen a recent one but I hope they still make them that way. They are one of the few that consider internal finishing as important as anything else.

The grips are Mother of Pearl, and yes I hand carved them. Hard to work with...wood is much easier. It's relatively soft but brittle (its a form of calcium carbonate), the dust sticks and clogs files and sand paper. Its laborious to get the right contour and finish. Plus its a natural material so you may uncover imperfections along the way you need to deal with. No fortification or glue on this pair luckily.

 

Didn't they used to sand MOP under water in order to avoid the murderous dust generated?

Perhaps it matters less if one isn't sanding them all day on a daily basis.

 

Well, I think production wise that would be the way to go but 1) I thought it would be easy and 2) Its easier to see what your doing and work with it in your hand. I did wet polish to get the final finish though.

 

Custom 1911's take a lot of work and tweaking. My favorite builds have been using either caspian or fusion frames and slides they take a lot of work and thought to get them running well.

I was looking through some old photo's on my hard drive. I found the first eight shot test target after the ruger was done using range ammo wwb. With a little more work and changing the sights using match ammo. The groups are much better.

I just ordered a fusion custom kit to build another 1911. These project pistols take time to build. If I am lucky I may have the kit completed before christmas

 

Shooting use never hurts either, voere.

I approach the 1911 gun from another direction by trying to keep 'em simple like the old military contract pistols and plain Colt Government Models with which I was familiar as a kid. Those pistols were, and are well mannered and dependable and have given perfect satisfaction over the years. I do love a good trigger and so a dab of trigger work is not amiss as an improvement. A good trigger makes me happy.

Remington Rand Model 1911-A1


Colt Government Model from 1967


Colt Government Model from 1947


The "fanciest-Dan" 1911 here is a Colt Gold Cup purchased new in the early 1980s. It's still in stock form. Its trigger is outstanding. Shown with some targets shot at 10 yards with some "general purpose" ball-equivalent handloads using mixed brass cases.


Curiously enough, the 1944 vintage Remington Rand Model 1911-A1 is capable of groups nearly as fine as the best that the Gold Cup can deliver. Only its trigger and sights limit it (well - its owner has limitations as well). The military contract 1911s/1911-A1s are more accurate than they are given credit for being, even the ratty, rattly ones. The World War I Colt Model 1911 here is rattly and ratty and still produces useful accuracy, being coffee-can lid accurate at 25 yards.

 

Nice shooting and 1911's. I have several military issued 1911's ranging from WW1 to Korean era some are collector grade and others are mix masters. They all shoot fine for my needs. The military ones I keep in the original configurations.

Nowadays I really do not care about tack driver 1911's. I want alot of accuracy but I want them to be reliable. Sp it's all a trade off. If I would carry one reliablity would trump accuracy.

I enjoy tinkering around with firearms of all types. The ruger I posted is the best of both worlds reliable and accurate. I would not hesitate to carry the ruger. However I have plenty of better carry options.

 

However I have plenty of better carry options.


What is your very favorite carry handgun of all?

Do you have several different "favorites" for different applications, mode of dress, situations and such?

 

This is one of the most interesting pistols I have.. a Khyber Pass single shot. Its a ~1890s Martini Enfield rifle cut down and heavily modified to be a pistol, but chambered for the 303 British rifle cartridge. Figuring it may not have been fired in a 100yrs, but finding it impossible to resist, I brought it to the range and gave it a go with early 1900s Cordite charged 303 ammunition.



As you can see, It worked just fine, displaying a fine fireball from shooting a rifle cartridge in a pistol length barrel. (note the heavy welding gloves just in case)

The effective bore length is about the length of the sight (~1"). Despite the short bore length, it kicked like a mule., similar to a 357mag. This was the only attempt, being satisfied all was in order...and wrist already sore. Spectacular I got this photo.



The left side fuzzy focus is from the blast wave, captured at the perfect moment.

 

Don't know I would of trusted that sucker you got guts to shoot that antique rifle made into a pistol.

 

After decades of carrying different versions of a Colt 1911, I find a Colt Defender best of all for everyday carry.

However this new Glock 43 is much better suited for those occasional dress-up days.

 

This one came from a tribal region. It was a found gun post conflict. They may be poor but they don't carry firearms that don't work. Its usually key people, leaders and warriors. The average afghan could never afford nor earn the right to carry a firearm. I have others bought at an afghan market I would never attempt to fire due to age and suspect materials. Those market guns aren't carried by locals. You have to go deep into the Khyber gun district to get reliable arms, and need an escort. I had associates who were near there but didn't go that far. You wouldn't get them out anyway . This one is an authorized bring back as an antique.

 

That is the most unexpectedly bizarre and unconventionally modified firearm I've seen, Wryfox. Props for firing it off. Welder's gloves were a nice touch. Hugging a tree and touching it off on the other side of the trunk might have been prudent. The goodness of the basic Martini action and the fact that it was a bit "over-built" for the time came through though that barrel (chamber actually) is astonishingly and cringingly reduced and thinned.

I've been guilty of being willing to try anything as well as experimentally handloading ammunition to the "ragged edge" for testing purposes, but would have experienced much trepidation while firing that one.

Thanks a lot for posting the photos of that one. I'd have hugged a tree for certain!

Great choices in handguns to tote, MikiJ! Especially the Colt Defender. It's apparent that the Glock is "saved for special" when you deem deeper concealment expedient.

 

Firearms are allowed on this forum? I'm liking OF more and more everyday.

 

I'm pretty much conservative when it comes to carry guns. For revolvers I like J frames K frames and Colt detective spl. The Colt Det Spl is a great size bigger than a J frame smaller than a K frame.

For pistols balancing out weight, size, shape, functions and reliability my go to pistol is this HK P2000Sk. With a good holster (iwb) this pistol is very comfortable to carry and blends into my body type like a glove. However I have a couple holsters that just almost eliminate the cylinder bulge in smaller revolvers.

I prefer a pistol due to no cylinder bulge. Pistols are slimmer to carry. We all have are favorite makers of firearms and holsters. Since my preferred method of carry is iwb using a leather holster. I could never warm up to kydex holsters. So leather works for me.

If you are anything like me you go through plenty of holsters until you find one that is perfect for your needs. I have a box full of holsters that did not work well for my needs.

Now if I'm hunting or camping. I may go with a old school flap holster. This flap holster works well for this S&W model 25

 

I'll weigh in....there's an old adage..."the best pistol is the one you have with you"

Out of many pistols, the best carry model for me is this little thing...Keltec 380ACP...13ozs loaded..a true pocket pistol, and in a decent caliber. One in each car and one in a camp box.


My second best option is a Kahr CW9 9mm. Virtually a pocket pistol, like with cargo shorts, otherwise very light and concealable inside the waistband. Better than Glock IMHO as the trigger has far better feel, and slide is narrower.

Third option is a new one, and pure sweetness. Springfield EMP 9mm. This pistol is a wee larger and heavier than the Kahr but its quickly becoming a favorite as I become more familiar with it. The trigger and point of aim is almost telepathic for me. Crazy good accuracy and dead on point of impact. Need more practice to gain 100% confidence, but this one is really really good. Dual springs really soften the recoil for quick follow up.

 

Oh no!

It's a Kel Tec P3AT!

There's one of those around here too. It was the "cat's meow" in stunted .380 runt pistols back in late 2005 when I acquired it. One of those brother-in-law deals because it was he who talked me into trying it. It serves the purpose. It's emerged as the pocket pistol for lawn mowing and outside household chores ... or back-up to the back-up on rare occasions when I help some gun show promoter friends with their overnight show security.

 

Cool thread! We need a "car" thread next!
Mike

 

Fix ya' right up.

Already running here.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/automotive-pornography.20418/

 

Very Nice
Mouse guns
I have a seecamp from time to time rides in my pants pocket.

 

Here's old school carry with a Alessi holster. For a revolver this holster design is great. Covered hammer all you have to do is tug on the revolver and the snap opens.
This holster works great for appendix carry. Lou is no longer on the green side of the grass. I am very glad to own this holster.
Many holster makers make nice holsters. However very few makers make great holsters. Some makers do fantastic craftmanship but the design sucks. This holster rides high and keeps the revolver against my body which makes it very easy to conceal the revolver.