Tag: 1911

You will notice that this blog often goes several days or weeks without updates. This is most often because I don't have anything to say which is worth a blog post. When I do have minor thoughts, I post them on Facebook or occasionally Twitter, where such content belongs. I don't have any advertising on this blog and it doesn't matter to me how many people visit it on a daily basis. This is not the model followed by many other firearm-related blogs. I have no disdain whatsoever for those… Read More

The first handgun that I bought was a Kimber Custom II in .45 ACP. I still have it, and still shoot it a lot. Even underwater. It's had basically every major and minor part replaced, and it's been completely refinished, because the original finish was simply unsuited to the real world. But that's beside the point. Why did I buy a .45, especially after carrying and being completely satisfied with the performance of my issued 9mm Beretta M9? Well, that story begins in Iraq, when I was about to redeploy… Read More

I've been using the Praetor Defense non-rail 1911 holster for a few weeks since I bought it from Weapon Outfitters. While I'm going to continue to use and test it, here are my initial thoughts. I was excited to try out the 1911 version, because I love the Praetor Defense Glock 19 holster more than I love ice cream. The elements are all there - the compact layout, the quality hardware, the tough belt loops, and the flowing lines that result from the way Blade-Tech molds holsters. This holster, like… Read More

I've just received my second Praetor Defense holster (this one I'm paying for). This one is for a full-size 1911. Naturally, while traveling, I have more firearms than pairs of socks, so I'm able to compare it with the Praetor Defense holster for the Glock 19 that I previously reviewed. I love the Glock holster, but have mixed feelings about the 1911 one. We'll see what I think after several months with the holster.

I took two photographs of the RRA polymer 1911's guts at SHOT 2012. Here they are. According to the spec sheet, the "polymer frame body" will allow "interchangeable colors." The weight is listed as 2.04lbs. Polymer dust cover, trigger guard, and grip/magazine well, but the rails and guts are composed of a steel chassis. Doesn't appear to have a Swartz type firing pin safety.

It's been two years since I first started electroless nickel plating firearms, and I figured it was time for a two-year followup. The original post is located here. Although I posted that in October of 2009, I started using the kit in July of that year. I am very pleased with the results. If you are familiar with the process, you may find the first few minutes of the video boring. If you aren't, it's a general description of the electroless nickel plating kit, which might be as good of… Read More

I was recently loaned this Smith & Wesson 1911 for a review, and have spent the last few weeks inspecting, carrying, and shooting it. I came away with one big reservation, but overall, a positive opinion of the pistol. It - and the other E series 1911s from S&W, all of which cost less than this tricked-out model - should bring some much-needed quality competition to the factory production 1911 market. Also, please read Hilton Yam's review of a similar pistol, which goes into more detail, and comes from the… Read More

Coinciding with requests for longer reviews is the arrival of a S&W 1911 - the new "E" series model with no Swartz safety and the improved Performance Center extractor. This model also has the Melonite finish and an accessory rail. The review will take a while to complete due to other work and the interests of being thorough, but I am shooting for a 7 minute Youtube video. Too long? Too short?

Although this is a problem I haven't experienced, some other folks apparently have - case head separations with surplus Tokarev ammo in the J&G 1911 conversion barrels. J&G is handling the issue with replacement barrels for those who want them. Information here.

J&G Sales now has the 7.62X25mm 1911 barrel kits for sale to the public.