WB
Good points, information to consider.(devil's advocate)
Sunday, July 17, 2022, 11:28

I think walking around with my pants around my ankles, 1911 on the belt below, would be a sure tell to anyone around. Sure the 1911 is a good self defense gun, so is a 6" M29 S&W. But they are HEAVY compared to most offerings. I like the 1911 and own at least three, maybe more. The antique 1911 is a comparatively complex design. Barrel locking into frame via milled female slots, the link, pin, plug forcing the barrel to pop up and down. Stirrup trigger, spring, sear, grip safety, hammer, hammer stirrup, mainspring housing and it's four parts, lots of parts. Not only do they all have to work in unison but they are steel, heavy.

A modern plastic semi has a barrel (the lug is built into the barrel and locks into the ejection port) the recoil spring is typically an assembly now. The firing system is much simplified compared to old great grand-paw. Overall most modern striker fired semi's have 30% less parts than the old 1911 and are proven to be reliable over many thousands more rounds fired. Comparatively a 1911 wears out fast. Sentimental preferences aside, any thinking person can understand the simplifying engineering, refining, over a 110 yr. period can generate some positives. The varied combat semi-autos of polymer weigh almost half of what a Govt. 1911 does. Some models of 9mm the capacity is 3x that of the old .45. If you're going to battle more is always better.

I love the old 1911 and will never be without examples in my collection. For outside the belt carry under a jacket I like it. But more often than not I'm carrying something lighter. Currently a 10-shot Glock G30s or 17-shooter SIG 320-X Carry. Sure you can conceal the old 1911, my Beretta 92's too. But is it the go-to for you? That's your choice.