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.

the last 1911 I fired was one of those in that box of them I
purchased. I have the S&W which is based on the 1911 and that has
both a firing pin AND hammer block. With the safety on the firing pin
is blocked. The hammer rests on a steel block and it can not be
cocked. For those used to the "cocked and locked" approach the first
introduction to the S&W might be a bit unnerving as putting the safety
on in the cocked position causes the hammer to fall. With the S&W
pushing the toggle safety to the fire position enables the double
action so the first pull will cock and fire the thing, BUT there is a
horrendous difference in trigger pull from over 10# in the double
action first shot to between 2 and 3# for subsequent shots.
The toggle is the only safety on the S&W. It does not have the grip
safety.

With my small hands this causes a shift in position making the
transition from the first shot to those following one that "for me"
eliminates any kind of acceptable accuracy. From the "cocked and
locked" position I do quite well



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.

After the first shot in actual combat most of us would have trouble
matching the capabilities of those clapped out 1911s. One the fine
motor skills have left the building along with Elvis it's sorta point
and shoot.

I used to have customers come in and ask what would be the best
handgun for home defense. My usual rejoinder to this was if they had
to ask, don't get a hand gun. If they still insisted I suggested a
trip to the local gun club and a class. Our local police department
has such in conjunction with the local gun club. Otherwise a short
barrel 12ga was my suggestion.

They are long enough that it's more difficult to point them where you
don't want to, they are very effective and the shot stops in the first
or second wall instead of 3, 4, or 5 houses down the street.. Besides
between the tremendous noise and fantastic muzzle flash inside at
night should be good enough to discourage all but the most determined.
My own feelings are that If they are that determined you are still
better off with the 12Ga and probably in very deep doggie do.

When the adrenalin is pumping, the nerves are standing on end, and
your fine motor skills are non existent it takes someone with skill
and experience for a handgun to become really useful (outside of luck)

After the fist shot indoors even with a 9mm most people are deaf,
their head/ears are ringing like church bells, you are moving in a
sort of haze and you feel like your head is under water. It is not
like firing on a range wearing hearing protection under calm
conditions.

It's strange the ADs came up. Just couple days ago one of our local
business men had his hand guns out to the range. I do not know the
particulars as they have not been released. The only information
available is he had his hand guns to the range, dropped one, it went
off, and he's no longer with us. The revolver should not have been
loaded, or if out of the case should have been on the stand or
bench(still unloaded). Even with a carry permit you do not walk up to
the line, pull it out and start firing. I have seen an officer do
that, but even then he was committing a whole string of violations,
service and range that could have earned him a suspension or
reprimand.

I can only guess, but "I'd guess" he was probably placing several
handguns on the stand loaded, but "Id think" even then one falling
should not have caused an AD IF it was a modern firearm. If he fell
down with one in his hand he had his finger somewhere it didn't
belong. There are really just too many possibilities with the
exception he almost had to be violating safety rules. Which ones and
how is a different matter. Having spent so much time on a range Dan
might be able to speculate but with the information present that is
about all that is possible as far as I can see.





Dan Mc
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com