@@williammatthews2948 correction… do you “need” a full size 1911? No. Do you want a full size 1911? Yes. Does owning a full size 1911 make you more of a man?
I only own 2, because my first love is the Smith and Wesson 645 (own 2) / 4506 (own 2) / 4506-1 (own 4). But there is nothing saying that down the road I might not acquire another mil-spec 1911. I have a 1929 9mm Luger, and a 1960s Walther P38, and have been thinking about getting a WW2 style parkerized 1911 (maybe a Tisas) and a Browning Hi-Power clone to round out a WW2 "collection". Thought about a Webley revolver and a Nambu pistol as well.
Hardly, it's not like .357 SIG or .357 magnum, which both gain 75-100 FPS for every 1 inch of barrel length (Glock 31 velocity: 1,500+ FPS, Glock 33 velocity: 1,350-1,400 FPS)
I found that the Commander size 1911 is just as easy to shoot at the Government Model, at least when the receivers are made of the same type of metal. The Commander size seems a little quicker to move from target to target, probably clears the holster a little faster too.
Do I really need a full size 1911? Well, no, I don''t NEED one, but that is what I built up on a cheap RIA frame, so it is what I've got and have gotten used to. Before I retired, I used it for my light duty days, and off duty carry since ol'-slab-sides is easy to conceal. That inch or two of extra barrel length is easy to conceal when you weigh what I do. Anyway, a bit of extra sight radius and a bit of extra velocity don't hurt a thing. Nice video. Y'all have a good one.
I have 13 pistols. My hard chrome Colt Special Combat Government is My only 1911 in the collection. The prettiest firearm without question. I trust My Glock 21 and My USP.45 over the 1911 though. Those two have never failed.
I have a rock island armory 1911 compact shoots like a dream. I love my 1911 they are the best shooting guns. I have multiple guns and all different types, but I love my 1911 the most. Low recoil great trigger and back in target instantly. If I would recommend any gun for a first-time shooter, it would be 1911. It makes even the weakest shooter look great. It builds confidence when shooting. Some guns for a first-time shooter would be extremely intimidating. The 1911 fits and feels like a dream even for the most inexperienced shooter. It's probably the best made gun in history, I would say. You don't have to upgrade anything right out of the box ready to go, and it's still one of the best triggers ever right out of the box.
I have carried a full size 1911 for 45 years. I also carried a 3" as a back up/ off duty for much of that time. Test them. As long as they work and you can shoot them well.... no problem.
Never have given "Need" any thought. I always wanted a 1911 and when I spotted the PARA USA Expert on a Black Friday sale for $299 at Sportsman's Warehouse, I went for it. It was a clearance thing I guess, Remington was retiring the PARA brand and sold off the last of the guns at a deep discount. Remington was doing a lot of stupid things back then. Anyhow, heck yes it's a good shooter and I enjoy the heck out of it! Full standard size with a 5" barrel, has a good heft to it. If I could afford to I'd own more 1911's, among other boom sticks!
I own only one 1911, saw so many in the movies in the 60s that I just became too used to them, always preferred more "exotic" firearms, same with all the westerns, never desired a "six shooter", but then one day, one stupid, fateful day, I happened across an ad for a firearms company and the image of one of their products, something called a Talon, in .45, in a commander's size frame, took me a while to save up but she is the sweetest shooting firearm I've ever fired, hopefully, with some years of practice I'll be equal to her ability, still have not found an interest in the Colt single action army, but did pick up an Uberti 3" Schofield in .45 long and dang! So much fun
My grandfather owned a full size 1911. My dad owned one. I now owned them both plus my own. Full size just feels right. Mr. Browning got it right the first time. My opinion. I should add, my daughter has a compact version. Haha. 1911 is a solid design. Btw-I own others, (several Glocks) too. Hahahaaa. Thx Hickok45 😊
I've not had the opportunity to try a smaller 1911, only my full size. I like it a lot, it's a joy to shoot and not hard to carry. I can see where a compact might be preferable for concealed carry OWB under a t-shirt or something, sometimes my 5" pokes out from under the edge of my shirt.
I have, and need, a full size 1911, but...gotta love the shorter barrel version too. In for a penny, in for a pound. We 1911 aficionados will go with the 1911 no matter what. As usual, thanks Hickok, for the great video. You, and John, never disappoint.
I think the reason for all the different sizes to choose from is because of it ty its who can't make up their mind what they want and it's very profitable for gun makers
I have a similar Kimber Compact, 4" barrel. Nice carry piece, has been totally reliable regardless of the loads. BUT. You loose between 40 to 60 f/s with the shorter barrel. I like it and my reworked Gold Cup about equally.
I have heard so many times how the short 1911 is unreliable so I hesitated buying one. Then one day I came across a really nice Springfield ultra compact 1911 stainless with 3.5 inch barrel. I decided to give it a go and bought it. The minute I got it I headed out to the woods with everything I I had in 45 acp from WW2 era ball to new FMJ and four different hollow point loads. Over three hundred rounds through the that day and not a single issue. Oh , and it also turned out to be one of my most accurate 1911 pistols as well. Now , that being said , I do like the feel and balance of my full size 1911 pistols a little better. But when I’m out and about I like to carry my ultra compact and know I can rely on it when needed.
i have an old American Classic 1911 Commander clone that shoots well and reliably. i know some might dump on Metro Arms about quality and maybe i got lucky and got a good one... Cheers
I was never one for following the IN crowd. So I never got a 1911. I did get a Ruger SR45 as my 45acp gun. But no, I prefer full size versions for my 2x hands.
Need? Maybe not. Want? Hell, yes. Proud owner of a stainless Springfield Armory Mil-Spec with the 1794 1994 logo roll marks, and a stainless Colt "O" Model Series 70 (O1070A1CS). Never considered anything less than a full-size 1911, even though my EDC guns are Smith and Wesson 4506s or -1s depending on my mood. Every now and then, I will carry the Springfield, but I just got the Colt, and am sending it to the gunsmith next week to have a Swensen-style ambidextrous safety put on it, and have it bead blasted to look like a Colt Government Model a friend's dad owned back in the early 1980s that was either finished in satin hard chrome or electroless nickel.
The only gun that matters is the one you have with you when you need it. Most people have guns that never leave their safes. One of my first 1911's I bought many decades ago was a Colt lightweight Combat Commander and I still have it today. The balance of the commander along with the reduced weight and size means I will carry it while most of the 5" 1911's stay in the safe. For me, my commander sized 1911's matter the most.
I had a Kimber Ultra Carry that functioned just fine and was very accurate. My only complaint was when I wanted to clean it after a range trip; using a paper clip as an assist… What a complete pain! That 1911 went down the road but I still have my Kimber Royal Classic 5”, blued w/ rosewood grips, perfect function with a beautiful fit and finish! My favorite EDC!
"Do You Really Need A Full Size 1911?" No, I just want one, or two, or three. Uncle Sam issued one to me in 1969 and it was a sad day when he took it back.
No, I don’t have to have a full size 1911, but I do. I have a few officer models as well. Yeah, the shorter barrel has a little more flip, but it’s controllable, so either size works for me.
One of the best 1911 pistols I ever owned was a Colt commander, it had an aluminum frame, it never jammed and it was very accurate with it's fixed sights. And of course, I sold it, why would I want a great gun fur? ):
Need? No, it's more like I insist on a full size. I'm fine with smaller guns, but when it comes to a 1911, it has to be full size. I also don't want an accessory rail and I don't want a double stack.
When 35 years between my first handgun and my first Colt Government model 1911 can't imagine why I did that waiting all that time but that's in my rearview mirror so now my motto is "Believe in the Lord but put your Trust in your 1911 .45 ACP.
