[sputnik1988]

Originally Posted by gwb8568

I have a pretty stupid/newbie type question/request that I need help with.....please explain to me exactly what a 1911 model handgun is.

Originally, I was under the impression that it was a Colt firearm in .45 caliber. Then I started seeing other manufacturers making/selling 1911's. Then I started seeing all manufacturers selling them, and now not only in .45, but in all kinds of calibers. Now I see the term used so much that I am not sure exactly what it is anymore. My only guess, and it's far fetched, is that a 1911 pistol is a semi-auto that has a hammer (unlike all other semis) and can be made by anybody in a variety of calibers. The "hammer" aspect is the tell-tale sign of what a 1911 is compared to others. Correct ????

All 1911s operate in the same manner and the parts must be able to interchange with other 1911s in order to be considered a 1911.

Also, not all 1911s have an external SA hammer. Just like not all handguns with external hammers are 1911s. Basically, a 1911 is a handgun which has been designed around the original patent by John Moses Browning.

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by Marlinman

Any pistol w this look/profile is a 1911. The original 1911 was a colt 45 acp(Automatic Colt Pistol). Now there is 1911's in 22lr, 9mm, 40 s&w, 460 Rowland, and of course 45 acp. Those are the common ones. There are a few not so common such as 38 super and a few others. Now Colt, kimber, San Wesson, rock island armory, nightforce, Springfield, Sig Saur, and a few others make a 1911. The ones I mentioned are the big brands that make a 1911 style pistol. Alot of semi auto pistols have a hammer.

Damn pic didn't attach. Try this again



This is a 1911. Anything that looks like this is a 1911. There are several sizes and several models. Research and asking questions is your friend when it comes to choosing something like this.

[sputnik1988]

Here's some more.

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by sputnik1988

All 1911s operate in the same manner and the parts must be able to interchange with other 1911s in order to be considered a 1911.

Also, not all 1911s have an external SA hammer. Just like not all handguns with external hammers are 1911s. Basically, a 1911 is a handgun which has been designed around the original patent by John Moses Browning.

Wrong Sputnik. Not all parts in them interchange to be a 1911. Para ordinance is a 1911 yet most of there parts wont fit in any other 1911. Show me one 1911 that does NOT have an external hammer FACTORY please. Not saying they don't exist....just never heard of one. Para ordinance has a model out that doesn't have one but its in VERY HEAVY debate as to whether or not its a 1911 or not.

[c3shooter]

Well, the hammer is one aspect. The 1911 was designed by John Browning, and originally built by Colt. Then came WW 2, and a BUNCH of companies made 1911A1s for the US Govt.

If it does not have Colt name/ logo on slide, it ain't a Colt- but has parts that can swap with a Colt, it IS A 1911. It will still follow John Browning's template.

To me, it is a single action action auto pistol, external hammer, toggle link barrel that locks to slide, and has the general profile of the 1911 pistol. Now, there ARE exceptions to most of what i said, but that is a general answer.

[bearrwe]

Originally Posted by gwb8568

I have a pretty stupid/newbie type question/request that I need help with.....please explain to me exactly what a 1911 model handgun is.

Originally, I was under the impression that it was a Colt firearm in .45 caliber. Then I started seeing other manufacturers making/selling 1911's. Then I started seeing all manufacturers selling them, and now not only in .45, but in all kinds of calibers. Now I see the term used so much that I am not sure exactly what it is anymore. My only guess, and it's far fetched, is that a 1911 pistol is a semi-auto that has a hammer (unlike all other semis) and can be made by anybody in a variety of calibers. The "hammer" aspect is the tell-tale sign of what a 1911 is compared to others. Correct ????

A 1911 is based off the Colt Model 1911 designed by John Browning. The pantent on this design has run out andsince it is one of if not the most popular design out there everybody has started making them. We wont get into who's better there's plenty of those threads. As far as caliber Colt offered 45,9mm and 38 super first. As the gun became popular for customizing the choices grew.

[sputnik1988]

Originally Posted by Marlinman

Wrong Sputnik. Not all parts in them interchange to be a 1911. Para ordinance is a 1911 yet most of there parts wont fit in any other 1911. Show me one 1911 that does NOT have an external hammer FACTORY please. Not saying they don't exist....just never heard of one. Para ordinance has a model out that doesn't have one but its in VERY HEAVY debate as to whether or not its a 1911 or not.

That's actually the one that I was referring to. I didn't mean all parts either, I meant the parts of a similar 1911, I realize that all the 9mm 1911 parts wont work on a 38, 40, 22 or 45. But if a 9mm 1911 wont interchange with another 9mm, then its not a true 1911.

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by sputnik1988

That's actually the one that I was referring to. I didn't mean all parts either, I meant the parts of a similar 1911, I realize that the 9mm 1911 parts wont work on a 38, 40, 22 or 45. But if a 9mm 1911 wont interchange with another 9mm, then its not a true 1911.

Para ordinance 45 acp 1911 won't change out w my Colts. I can put Colt or most other brands of parts in a Para but can't put certain Para parts in a Colt.

[sputnik1988]

Originally Posted by Marlinman

Para ordinance 45 acp 1911 won't change out w my Colts. I can put Colt or most other brands of parts in a Para but can't put certain Para parts in a Colt.

Why wont they work vice versa?

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by sputnik1988

Why wont they work vice versa?

Different shapes and dimensions. Prime example is buffer bushings-colt will fit in para but a para is just a LITTLE bit to big OD.