What is the essence of 1911?

The single most outstanding feature is the single-action trigger. Even those autoloaders that are DA first pull and SA after that will still have a mile and a half of take-up. I won't even discuss the trigger pull of the DAO pistols..... I'd be tempted to use some off-color words.

The grip configuration is just right for so many diffrent hands. It don't seem to matter whether ya got big hands or small ones.

Two of the most natural grips ever designed were put on the Single Action Army(the Colt) and the 1911. They're both old designs but will last til the end.

HWD

Single Action trigger, 7 rd. mag as a rule, you can't buy me with a "Hi-Cap" 1911 :!:

Don't know about anybody else, but it just fits me. Grip feels natural, points naturally, recoil isn't bad and pleasant to shoot.

As others have said already - it just feels right in my hand. My first thought upon picking up a 1911 for the first time was "I've got to get one of these!"
Pete

I appreciate the responses

My intended question was what criteria must be met before a manufacturer can label their pistol "1911?"

Peace

Single action, grip safety, Thumb-actuated hammer/trigger safety, exposed hammer,....

It must be true to John Moses Browning's original design - then it's a 1911.

Then you get into the nuances.... beavertail grip safety, arched vs flat mainspring housing, ambidextrous safety...... How far from the original do you get before it's no longer a 1911?

Re: re: What is the essence of 1911?

TJ said:

I appreciate the responses

My intended question was what criteria must be met before a manufacturer can label their pistol "1911?"

Peace

Click to expand...

Legally? None. Kimber puts out a gun with an external extractor and calls it a 1911; Para-Ordnance has a double-action 1911; Smith & Wesson (and many others) put a guide rod in at least some of their guns and call them 1911s. None were part of the original or the A1. All can legally be called 1911s because they use the basic operating system of the original (technically even that is not necessary to name the gun a 1911).

Re: re: What is the essence of 1911?

TJ said:

My intended question was what criteria must be met before a manufacturer can label their pistol "1911?"

Click to expand...

A desire to do so!

The classic JMB 1911 design is well known, simple, and easily recognized. It is a military weapon, designed to "fit" most users and take a lot of punishment and stay functional. It has military grade accuracy versus competition grade accuracy.

But since the basic design is so solid, manufacturers have over the years tweaked the design in various ways. Small cosmetic changes, tighter tolerances, improved sights, etc etc.

Probably the most consistant trait in 1911s are the basic shape, angles and proportions. And the way JMB designed the barrel, slide, and frame to lockup and interact during the firing process. He created variations of this basic design when he worked for other manufacturers but I think all guns calling themselves 1911 use the original design.

John Browning's design

I would think the John Moses design of the 1911 platform, Old slabside

Jack