On Mar 26, 11:54 pm, Big John wrote:
On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:15:35 -0700 (PDT), Dan
wrote:



On Mar 26, 8:32 am, Clark wrote:

As designed the 1911 & 1911A1 do not have firing pin blocks. As far as I know
only the Model 80 Colt 1911 has a firing pin block. There may be/probably are
other pistols based on the 1911 design that have firing pin blocks but do not
count on any 1911 form pistol to have a firing pin block.

I think you're right (though the last time I tore down a 1911 was
1990).

They are fine pistols, I just can't feel the same attachment so many
do (to the point of veneration).

Maybe it's due to so many awful, old, worn issue versions I fired.

Dan Mc

*******************************************

Dan Mc

I'm one who is attached to the 45.

I started shooting it in 1941, in the military, and shot expert every
time I qualified until I retired in 1972. This included the range guns
that sounded like a bunch of rocks in a tin can when they were shaken.

After I retired, I purchased a new 45 and have it as a home protection
gun.

My procedure is to remove the magazine and lock the slide open. Then
visually inspect the barrel to see that it is empty. I then close the
slide and pointing toward the roof I snap the trigger. I then put the
magazine back in the handle and gun back in my bed side table. No
rounds are left in barrel.

If I were to hear someone breaking into my house I would pick up gun
and jack the slide, putting a round in barrel and slide in battery and
gun cocked.

If needed I would then be able to fire the whole magazine of rounds. I
use frangible bullets so that they will not penetrate a standard wall.

When gun is hot, I keep my trigger finger outside the trigger guard
and along side the side of the gun until I plan on firing.

After going hot and I need to unload gun, I go through the same
procedure to make it cold, clean if fired and set up again in bedside
table.

This is a never change procedure and I feel very comfortable with the
safety of it having used it for years.

Big John

Big John,

The 45 is notorious for the rattling sound because the slide to frame
fit, the barrel, and the barrel bushing were made intentionally loose
so that the pistol would feed and the action would work even if gummed
up with dirt, etc. When the slide is forward the pistol tightens up
(or should!).

Pistol qualification ranges changed over the years until the latest
incarnations ("Combat Pistol" i.e. Pop up range).

On these ranges the targets were so close you could throw an empty
magazine and score a knockdown.

The Army (don't know about the other services) really downplayed
pistol skills except for competition shooters. As an Armor officer I
was issued a sidearm with the warning "if you gotta use this you are
in deep sh**."

As an Infantry Company Commander carrying a sidearm marked me as an
officer --- not a good thing -- so I carried a rifle.

The Army has differed from the Marines on the amount of time dedicated
to close quarters combat (hand-to-hand, pistol, bayonet, etc) which I
always thought was a mistake so my unit trained CQC whenever I could
get away with it. The soldiers loved it but the brass always wondered
why I was "wasting valuable training time."

Reason #3,788,321 to retire when I did.

As far as the method of carry -- the 1911 in condition 1 (round in the
chamber, hammer back, safety on) is as safe as you'll get and requires
minimal motion to fire. I used to maintain my semi-autos in condition
2 but realized I won't always have the luxury of "hearing the bump in
the night" to give me time to rack a round.

Though a few years ago a telemarketer called and started his spiel
--"We'll install an $800 security system in your home for free ---"

I interrupted him, "Dude - I have a big dog and a gun -- I'm good to
go."

He laughed and hung up.


Dan Mc