The 1911 was probably the very first pistol I ever shot, when we went to the range with a class of savetail lieutenants back in 1976. I learned that I shoot the 1911 almost instinctively. It just points well in my hand. The grip angle is correct for me, and the sights align naturally out of the holster.
Here's a picture as it came out of the pawn shop.
Yeah, it's chromed like a Chevy bumper, but it's still a Colt It's marked US Army Property, and a search of the serial number at the Colt archives put the manufacture date in 1915. It's over 100 years old.
The last time I shot it, it shot fine. It's probably been through several depot rebuilds, and I have no preconception that it's original in any way. But, it's mine, and it's cool.
Back to the Glock. It's a good pistol, but it had no soul. And, as much as I appreciate the ruggedness and utility, I just can't shoot the damned thing. I know, a lot of people like them, and it could stand a sight upgrade, but I'm not going to spend any money on a pistol I don't like and have to give back to the Sheriff eventually.
And, last year I was diagnosed with macular degeneration, a disease of the retina that puts a blurry spot right where I look at sights on a pistol. I can't see the sights on the Glock. I can see the pistol, and the target, but the sights just don't exist. It makes it hard for me to quality. I barely qualified last year.
I have to re-qual in June, and I've been thinking about that, so tonight I decided to drag out the old Colt and play with it for a while. Just Damn! It's like handling an old friend. And, surprisingly, I can see the sights on this chromed wonder.
My boy gave me a set of grips for it several years ago, and I really like the way they look. And, I have several holsters that fit it. Several Level II holsters suitable for duty work.
I'll have to get it out to the range and shoot it a bit, but I'll have it in a bag when I go to quals this year. If the Glock gives me any trouble, I"ll drag out the old I may bod up the Glock and give it back to the Sheriff. The old Colt may not be the newest, greatest crunchenticker ever developed, but it's got a lot of history, and it still is able to serve admirably.
We'll see.
I greatly prefer carrying mine in condition 1 as it appears you do. When I was working one of the young guys asked me ain't that dangerous? Told him I wouldn't carry the SOB if it wasn't dangerous. GW
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Its old, fat, and slow, but it works! And has for over 100 years, as you said. Nice grips on it too!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't carry anything but my 1911. Needs a front sight that I can actually see though.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to figure that Out for a while now That why i nevercared for the glock you are right for me as weel i do not feeel a connection to it. Like i do the 1911. my first exerpice with it was about the same time as yours as a Mortar crewman. Recently I picked up my 10 MM 1911 and shot better with it after a couple of yrears layoff than I did with my HK USP. It just fits me like you as like an old firend
ReplyDeleteMy "ancient" 1911 was built in 1918, according to the serial number. I keep it around, but I don't shoot it much except once in a while I put it in my Pistol Caliber Carbine Conversion to shoot it like a rifle. I've since bought a Kimber (23ll, that was about 20 years ago) so now I just keep it for the historic connection.
ReplyDeleteI had intended to give it to my son "The Squid Kid", who is a Master at Arms and ought to appreciate it. But I like the damn gun, so he can just wait until I die and he can raid the gun safe for anything that pleases him.
If I gave it to him now, he'd probably just sell it. The way the gun-grabbers are making everything good "illegal", the only safe place for it is in my gun safe.