Ive owned many pistols in my 49 yrs but till this day still own (2) 1911; a SS Kimber Raptor ll 45, RIA 1911 “Patriot” 45, a Glock 17 (Gen 2 purchased new in 94’) Beretta Inox 92 bought new in 97’! I have got many since and got rid of them all ONLY missing Springfield “TRP” 1911 45 and a S&W 686 4”! None of the others…….
Love those 1911 I’m 73 started shooting a 1911 when about 12 my daddy brought one home after WWll my uncle asked if he stole it he said he felt like he earned it
As a 1911 enthusiast, I really had fun watching the entire video. The pen going through the ejection port to depress the plunger spring was a great piece of advice. Thank you Mr. Vickers!
1911s are for those folks who REALLY like guns -- learning to how shoot them well, learning how they operate, learning how to maintain them, learning how to respect the history of them. I suspect a lot of 1911 people are also people who like to work on classic cars and motorcycles in their garage.
How right you are.....I do all my own motorcycle maintenance 😃..... The 1911 is a great machine. The way that all the parts fit together with no screws is a work of genius. So many other autos that I get to take apart and trouble shoot are a mass of parts and hell on wheels to get apart and put together (roll pins to drive etc.)... The simplicity of the 1911 is elegant engineering...and the slim grip fits my little paws very well.....
I’ve been a 1911 guy since 1977 when I bought my first Colt. A Mark IV/Series 70 Govt model. In fact it was the first pistol that I ever bought. Nothing feels better or more reassuring in my hand than a 1911.
Larry Vickers--the 1911 Whisperer.... Honestly, I've learned more about my favorite handgun-of-all-time by watching this video than all of the years I've spent worshipping at the temple of the 1911 during the entirety of my life. Larry, hats off to you. You're brilliant.
I am 73 and I started carrying a 1911 at age 15. Carried one in Nam for 25 months and then for years after as a private contractor... and I actually learned a lot from this video. Thanks... I might start carrying one again.
Larry, always is a straight shooter when it comes to delivering information regarding the 1911. He's direct to the point and focused with his info. Thats why I always enjoy his content.
I absolutely love my 1911's, I've watched hundreds if not thousands of RU-vid videos tutorials information on strip Field strip normal maintenance heavy maintenance videos on 1911s and I'll be damned if this isn't not maybe the best but the best most informational 1911 RU-vid video I've ever seen. Thank you sir for your service and more so thank you for this video. Voice to text any errors laugh with me not at me
Larry... You speak 1911 like my departed Father, F.D. Kriegbaum, Custom Combat Sights, Buffalo, NY! Phenomenal advice and guidance for the 1911 newby and great refresher of the more experienced Slab-Side Shooter ';-) Thanks, Mike
This was by far the best 1911 video I've seen & I watch a lot of them. I own multiple & never knew that trick of reaching in to release the detente to avoid scratching the frame while inserting the slide stop. Thanks Uncle Larry!
Awesome piece of art but personally I'd go 9mm with a higher capacity. That being said it's a tool, I carry a FN 1910 .380 when with my family, perfect pocket gun that won't snag. But in combat it's users choice...Para ordinance 14rd 1911 would be the way I'd go if I had to go .45. Glock 17 1st gen is my favorite, some have gone million plus rounds.
@Robert Sears 9mm is a great round, but if you feel the need to compensate for personal shortcomings you're . 45 will suffice for that. Whatever makes you feel better. I love my 1911a2's, but also love my 2011s and more than 7 or 8 rounds.
He, Pat "PatMac" McNamara, and Kyle Lamb, were all Delta. If Larry, Pat, or Kyle says something about guns, I know I can take it to the bank. They have used it in many kill or be killed situations. No keyboard commandos or having taken a couple of classes from some competition shooters. They have shot insane amounts and at the highest level of training and selection. And proven where there are no second place winners. They didn't get flashy trophies. They completed their missions and came home alive. No second place. So their words are wisdom from the highest levels.
Thank you for your selfless stalwart and steadfast devotion and service to SFOD-D and this nation sir! I enjoy your podcasts and videos! God bless you!
Old1911 fan here. Just ran across this video, and it is great! Best thing is, I learned something today. Like most 1911 guys I sometimes struggle with reinstalling the slide stop, specifically avoiding the dummy scratch. So, when I saw that little tip about reaching in through the ejector port to depress the plunger tube spring......well, it was practically a religious experience! I'm 70 years old and have been shooting 1911s for nearly 50 years, and it just goes to show that you are never too old to learn something new! Thank you! (And I'm going down to the man cave to strip and reassemble my EDC .45 and try this out!)
larry, you are an extremely good communicator, clear and approachable language but with real density of information, thanks and i am in the Uk so can only dream of shooting a 1911 let alone owning one, yet this was fascinating. thanks
Larry, enough thanks cannot be given for sharing your wisdom and expertise. I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a full and speedy recovery. We need ya.
New to the 1911 platform, I found this to be incredibly informative. I got a Citadel and I've been self teaching myself to smith on it, it's been a blast.
Years ago, you could buy a kit of surplus parts and a slide, then order a frame with an FFL and build your own M1911A1. I did this and found that the only part I could not get myself was the trigger pull, the pull on my finished product was around 10 pounds. One thing I was very good at, though was polishing the slide and frame, I polished them up to a mirror finish and the next bluing day at a local gun barrel factory, I took my parts up and ran them through the process (I helped out around the factory which was run by two gunsmiths at the time) She came out with a blue that was easily as good as anything S&W put on their old revolvers, and easily as pretty as a Gold Cup by Colt. Took it to a gun show and a dealer came by, traded me a new Glock 17 for it across the board even with the massive trigger pull. Fun times back then.
I've, been shooting 1911s for a while, qualified expert with it in the Navy, in 88 (yes we were still using old 1911s in 88 and later). My point, I have had many 1911s and still have a few but I always look for people like Larry to teach me just one more thing. The pen trick is a new one for me. Thanks!
As an Australian we can’t get most of these guns I love so much. But I love your content and presentation. All I could do was shoot some on my two trips so far to the USA. So a BIG thank you to you Larry. Keep content coming. Long time sub from AUSTRALIA. Thanks andrew 👍🏻👍🏻
I've been following your 1911 tips for years now Larry, and my old Colt Government 1911A1 .45 has hardly ever failed. Thanks for the awesome stuff!! Can't wait to build up my 1911 collection.
Yeah. Careful who you choose as a gunsmith. I had a 1911 go full auto at an indoor range. Had a hole in the ceiling above me. Left and had a real smith fix it.
Noticed Kimber didn't make his recommended list. Shocking! I've had good luck with STI back when they made single stacks. Ruger makes a good entry level gun with the SR1911.
When I joined the Police Department, on my return from serving in Vietnam, I was issued a Model 19 Smith and Wesson in .357 Magnum. We trained with .38 Special but carried full power .357 magnum in the gun. In Vietnam, I carried a PRC-77 radio on my back, and a M1911A1 on my hip. I came to love the old war horse, so when I had saved enough money from my cops wage, I purchased my first M1911A1, a clone by Interarms built on their frame with military surplus parts. She was a good solid gun, and she served me well for many year. Because I was well trained with the gun, I did much better qualifying, mostly I attest this to the always single action in comparison to the required use of double action on the revolvers. Later, I owned Glocks and other 1911 type semi-auto's in 9mm and even one in .380 ACP and for a time I carried a Star PD as an off duty gun. In the end, I purchased a poor mans sig, an Astra .45ACP with a double stack 10 round magazine, double action first round and a hammer drop safety. I carried that for my last 10 years on the PD but I always had a 1911 at home. Now I only own 3 handguns, one a cut down 3 inch M1911A1, and that old Astra as well as a .22lr revolver by Taurus 9 shot double action, a clone of the old smith 22/32 kit gun. I wanted one of those for years just because dad had one when I was a boy in the 1950's and carried it while checking his trapline to dispatch trapped fur bearers as he supplemented our farm income with his furs.
Great first show. And I’m telling you. I bought a colt 1991 in 45 acp and it runs like nobodies business. And it was only ( shocker ) $399 brand new in I want to say 95 96 maybe . And it’s a very reliable handgun. Yes it’s a lot rough and isn’t pretty. But a damn good value and I would bet my life on its reliability. A 200 round value pack of 230 Winchester white box every range trip and no failures in all these years. Once again. Great video. Can’t wait for more. And thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Outstanding video - and who better to teach us about a 1911 than a Delta Operator. You won't find a more experienced, knowledgeable and accurate shooter in the world. Cheers to you, Larry!
Those are pretty pieces But I'm a tightass So auto ordinance is more my speed Toss in some Ed brown chunks Little hand fitting Bingo Got an old PT 1911 Taurus Off the shelf it was good Just a barrel replacement after 10 years of abuse
Great Video as usual. Not sure if they still sell them but back in the 90s Wilson produced in their shop and sold a 4 video set of 2hr videotapes on safely building a 1911 Commander 45acp. I had a Gold Cup back the 80s that I had a person named Plaxco work on. I had originally bought it from him, he had won it in a pistol match. To say the work was poorly done is a understatement, it was Dangerous.. The hammer bound up on top of the grip safety, the hammer also followed the slide down. The milling of a sight ppocket for a bomar sight was milled visibly off center tilting toward the left, well as the thumb safety scratching the frame and a very dull reblue of the once royal blue slide. I disassembled It and put it in a box and left it for about 5 years. Eventually because I always loved learning new things I purchased those Wilson videos which were Very helpful as were Kuhnhausen’s shop manuals. I was, with judicious file work, able to fix the beaver tail/ hammer binding, fix the safety scratching the frame and with careful work on the leaf spring made the trigger safe as well. There was no fixing of the sight pocket or the dull reblue. I believe you made a wise choice in having Wilson’s produce your 1911. Your service to our Country, it’s Defense and to us shooters is Greatly Appreciated. P.S. Tell Bill to rerelease those videos in DVD.
My Springfield TRP Operator 1911 is my favorite pistol I own. Best trigger I have ever used. The 1911 will always be a legend and one of the greatest pistols to shoot.
Those specialists appear to be just what you said. Awesome pistols. I wanted some a little more old fashioned, so I passed over the specialist for the A2
You know your well respected when Wilson Combat names a gun after you! MSG Vickers you are a great icon and expert on firearms and Tactics and I always enjoy your work and appreciate the amount of information you impart on the average guy at no cost. Any future videos of the 2011’s
Great primmer for 1911 aficionados. Bragg was my first and third duty station. I tried to look you up on post once until I figured out where you worked. I read an article about a 1911 you built in ‘97 or ‘98 that you had stippled the grip services and the top of the slide. That was the most distinctive and reserved treatment I’ve ever seen on a 1911: manly work of art that pistol was for sure. I would have dropped some coin on a gun like that had I the chance. Glad to see you sharing so much of your experience. Thanks very much LAV.
Great Information Larry. Ive been building my own 1911 pistols now since 1986. Built for others and myself. Almost 100 done in these years. Has the fortune to be trained by a man who was a armorer in the Army. He did many 1911 builds both regular duty and marksmanship team guns. Getting the 9mm to run right can be tricky, but understanding the system helps greatly. Biggest thing I see on running the 9mm is correct extractor tuning. Would love to do a 2 day course with you sometime. 20+ years in IPSC/USPSA COMPETITION has taught me to be accurate and relatively fast as well, but we never stop learning. Thanks for the great information you've laid out here.
I am 46, just getting into the 1911 platform from a glock. I am currently saving for the Larry Vickers Springfield 1911 .45. I currently own a colt delta elite in 10mm. I cant wait for this new journey
Larry is right about the 1911 being the most popular single stack pistol. He is also right about it being more maintenance intensive and less tolerant of neglect. Yes, I have a 1911. But, my carry piece is a Sig P220.
The first handgun that I ever shot was a Colt M1911A1, and the first rifle was the Springfield Armory M14. I love them both. I learned more from this video on the 1911 than in the 50 plus years that I have shooting and training with it....Thanks
Sir you are looking fantastic 👍 Glad to see an "old war horse" (respectfully intended) back Into a positive mental state and taking care of them self ... your family will appreciate it, we will appreciate it👍 Drive on !!
Yeah, we need more options on this issue because this channel is unparalleled on RU-vid. There many but nothing comes even remotely close to this channel.
Man, he had to start out his podcasts with my all time fave pistol. Military brat that I am, this was the pistol I always saw on the MP's and all my pop's friends had in their gun safes. Can't wait for him to do one on sub guns. Looking forward to it.
My grandfather used his army issued 1911 while serving in 1941-45 in France and Germany, alongside his younger brothers, and several cousins. My father, also in Vietnam and myself during Desert Storm 1990-94. Without patriots like this great teacher i.e. Vickers, I don't know where we would be, he's outstandingly the best I've ever seen teaching us, about our proper use of firearms and Constitutional rights within our great Republic [Democracy]. Thank sir, for your patriotism and service 🙏
Great podcast. Informative and enjoyable. OBTW. 1911 guy here. My edc? A Springfield Armory 1911 Ultra Compact in 45ACP. Truglow tritium fiber optic low mount sights, trigger job, feed ramp was polished and CMC 8 round magazines. Very reliable and accurate compact. It seems to like Hornady Critical Duty 220 gr +p flex tips and Remington Golden Saber Bonded 185 gr jhp's as edc rounds.
This is an amazing video MSGVickers, thank you. I learned so much, this is so much better than a lot of books. Thank you r for sharing your experience and knowledge. You are a living treasure when it comes to Firearms and Tactical training. May you continue growing stronger after kicking Cancer in the 6!
um yo!! you da man larry! i'm a 1911 fan, cut my teeth on the 1911. this video brought me back to so many memories of my early day 1911 problems and their remedy.
I have an SDS imports Tisas 1911 duty pistol and it works flawlessly. I’ve put over 500 rounds through it so far and I’ve never had one misfire or failure to eject or failure to load. The thing about 1911’s is you need to maintain the firearm properly. It’s not a lazy persons pistol.
I'm gonna shit if one day we get to see Larry smile. It will be a treat for me, a grumpy bastard, who doesn't smile very often at all. I'm not saying Larry is a grumpy bastard. I'm saying I am. 😂😂😂
