I’m a huge fan of the 1911, going all the way back to 1973. That’s when I graduated college and headed off to the Army. I went to college on an ROTC scholarship, and I had the same spot in the Corps of Cadets as Colin D. MacManus did when he graduated a few years before me in 1965. Captain MacManus was killed in action in Vietnam, and every year after that, his family awarded a Colt 1911 to the graduating senior who held his position. I was that guy in 1973, and that was my first .45 auto.
Back then, times were different. I had to get a permit to own the .45, but it was more a formality than anything else. We could shoot in our backyard, we often did, and my father and I couldn’t wait to put the .45 through its paces. Like I said, we couldn’t wait, but that was only one thing we couldn’t do. The other was hit the target. We set up a target 30 feet away (a soda can), and trying as best we could, the only thing we hit was the ground halfway between us and that soda can. A lot of dirt flew. There’s a lot of lead buried in what used to be our backyard. Don’t tell the EPA.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I got lucky. The Army sent me to graduate school, and the ROTC detachment got a new Sergeant Major, one Emory L. Hickman. Sergeant Major Hickman had spent most of his career in Vietnam and the Army Marksmanship Training Unit, where the finest pistoleros in the world live. He was the real deal: A warrior and an expert pistol shot. I told him of my plight (the evasive can of pop) and he laughed. The Sergeant Major schooled me on the fundamentals of handling the 1911, he coached me on the pistol range, and he taught me how to put those big old 230-grain FMJ bullets pretty much exactly where I wanted them to go. Thank you, Sergeant Major Hickman.
Fast forward several decades and dozens of 1911s later, and that brings us to this morning at the West End Gun Club, where I and my Rock Island Compact 1911 did, once again, what the old Sergeant Major taught me to do.
And about that Rock Island 1911…it’s a short little thing, and it’s a blast to shoot. Around here in the People’s Republic of Kalifornia, Rock Island 1911s go for $500 brand new (that’s a tremendous value). They are inexpensive, but they are not cheap. The Rock Island 1911 is a real handgun with its Parkerized finish, all steel construction, wood grips, and GI sights (none of that black plastic silliness here). It reminds me a lot of the 1911s I carried in the Army. I love shooting my Rock Island Compact, it hits well, and I can still put my shots where I want to. Sergeant Major Hickman would be 92 years old today if he was still around (I’m guessing he’s not); wherever he is, he’d be proud. He taught me well.
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I need some tips Joe…
Sure, Rich. What are your questions?
One in the chamber or not? Your thoughts. Thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFXp1R1lxe8
Wow, Bob, that’s a tough question. Bottom line first: I never carried a 1911 with a round in the chamber. I’ve always been more afraid of an accidental discharge than I was of a bad guy surprising me. But I write a blog and I don’t have to face bad guys every day (or any days, actually). I have a CCW but I seldom carry. When I’m on a hunting trip I sometimes wear a sidearm, but it’s never with a live round in the chamber. I’m just a guy who likes shooting and reloading ammo, so my needs are way different than somebody who carries a gun for a living.
When I was in the Army (and this was 45 years ago), we never carried the 1911 with a round chambered. That was US Army policy. The Army MPs preferred it that way because (as one of my MP dog handlers told me) “When you rack the slide, it’s like hearing a jail door slam shut…whatever the bad guy is doing, it makes him stop instantly.” That said, I understand that most police officers carry the 1911 with a round chambered. So, I guess it depends on the policies of whoever you’re working for and maybe your personal philosophy. All of my shooting is at the gun range, so the point is kind of moot for me.
For the rest of you blogistas reading this, a bit of background. I’ve known Bob Beckley since kindergarten. We grew up together, went through elementary school and high school together, and got in a lot of trouble together. Good times and good friends.
You had to put that “trouble” part in there, didn’t you. 😉
Thanks for your insightful answer, Joe. It crystallizes what I was thinking: it depends on the situation. I understand why a police officer would go with one in the chamber, and why gun range shooters probably wouldn’t.
By the way, I’ve been enjoying this new blog by you and the “Gresh That Stole Christmas.” Just kidding, Joe G. I enjoy your writing, too. 🙂
I’m loving this site: it combines my two loves — motorcycles and firearms.
About carrying chambered…
When I first began carrying (a Glock 43), I couldn’t bring myself to have one in the pipe. I read countless opinions on “Israeli carry” versus carrying chambered. As a newbie, I was more comfortable with the Israeli approach.
But then several things happened: I switched to a Sig P938 with a thumb safety. Then I started pursuing training from multiple sources, including Tom Givens, Tiger McKee, and local deputies, which increased my confidence in my own safe gun handling. I even index my trigger finger safely on a Windex sprayer. 😉
Finally, I’ve gone through several defensive handgun courses with a fantastic mentor who focuses on the ability to recogize and respond to a threat. Using timed scenarios, he’s proven that while I can draw and fire in 2 seconds & change, a guy with a knife can cover 20 feet in 1.5–2 seconds.
My takeaway? Carry chambered and keep working on reaction/response speed.
Thanks, Claudia. More coming up on both. Lots more. Stay tuned.
The chamber-or-not thing is why I prefer revolvers. Simple to see the status at a glance, no safety needed, drum starts turning and the hammer moves back: you know you’re about to shoot the thing.
One of my favorite handguns is a Model 625 S&W revolver, which is chambered for the .45 ACP round. It’s the best of both worlds, I think (the right cartridge in an S&W revolver). Still, I do love the 1911. Someday I’ll do a blog on the 625. It’s cool.