Why are people scared of 1911s?
 

I don't understand why people are so afraid of a single action semi auto. Is it because the hammer's back? I can't tell you how many people have looked at my Kimber and with wide eyes said, "you got the hammer back?!?!?" Why is that so scary? Glocks, XDs, M&Ps, bolt action rifles, semi auto rifles...all "have the hammer back" (let's not get into a trigger debate)when you close the action. Now, if you're out there walking around with the hammer back on your revolver, I'm going to question your methods but a 1911 isn't anything close to that.
I was reading on another forum where a local PD wouldn't allow officers to carry 1911s because you have to have extensive training to safely operate a 1911 in condition 1.... How does that even make sense?

So is this a mental thing? A lack of understanding? simple confusion?

rant over.

Pretty simple, a visible cocked hammer scares folks. It's like the old Texas Ranger joke when the civilian looks at the Ranger's holstered cocked and locked 1911 and says "Ain't that dangerous?"

To which the Ranger replies "Wouldn't carry it if it wasn't"...

I have many people asked me over the counter "where's the safety?" and I tell them that it is between their ears. Is ignorance really bliss, is it fear, or just just stupidity?

I think its because they can actually "see" the hammer. honestly i'm more worried about the guy over there with the loaded glock with its 1 trigger safety. I like to think that people are confused or are not informed well but in a lot of cases i think its just ignorance...

It's all about appearances. A visibly cocked gun appears more dangerous.

I used to be a little nervous about carrying a 1911 like that, until I got my first 1911 and came to fully understand them.
Now I realise thats really the best way to carry one.
In a hairy situation, it's alot quicker to click the safety off than it is to rack the slide or cock the hammer.
When I'm carrying my 1911, I do make it a point to regularly check to make sure the safety is still on.

Ignorance of the weapon and the rash of "accidental" shootings that make the news.

After Plaxico pulled his dumbass stunt I was carrying my 1911 in a shoulder rig, with the strap between the hammer and the slide, and when I took the rig off, my wife's sister asked "Aren't you afraid you are going to end up on the news like that football player?"

When I asked her why I would, she stated that my weapon was ready to shoot and if I bumped it, someone could get hurt. I proceeded to explain that my weapon had several safeties in place and that it was designed to be carried that way.

After my explanation she asked me "Why don't all guns have that so they don't go off when you jam them in your pants like an idiot?" I actually laughed.

JD

Hey JD, are the uninformed extra scared when the C&L 1911 says Nighthawk on the side?

Alas the uninformed have not been enlightened so they would probably be MORE afraid of some tacticool tupperware. :(

They are particularly scary when held sideways.

Actually, I believe it just the perception of the uninformed. Hammer back/cocked means shoot now.


Q: Why do you carry a .45?

A: Because they don't make a .46.