What really separates a good 1911 from the others?

[tombogan03884]

OK. Let's go at it from this angle: I will pick certain aspects and y'all can weigh in on it from there.

First up, MIM (sic) versus machined parts. What's the big deal about that or does it really matter?

IT MATTERS ! MIM is injection molding, like with plastic you can get air bubbles in the castings, (called "porosity" )
Machined parts are better for 3 reasons, First, being made from bar stock there is no chance of porosity. Second machining supplies jobs for machine operators like me. Third, machined parts have a molecular structure that is "fibrous" is the only word I can think of to describe it, MIM parts have a granular structure that has less inherent strength and is more likely to break.

[bbbean]

I hear alot about the quality of 1911s from different companies. I own a Springfield TRP Operator and I really like it. But I have wondered what really separates the best from the good? Can anyone tell me not only what but why certain distinguishing characteristics define a great 1911?

Fit and obsessive attention to detail. If you handle a high end factory gun like your TRP, a semi-custom gun like a Brown or Baer, and a true hand built custom, you'll notice that at each level the fit gets a little tighter, the components are a little higher quality, and you will find more hand work. Its like comparing a pair of custom made boots to a similar pair off the rack. They may both be fine boots, but the custom pair will be more finely fit to your specific foot and needs, and will have finer detail work.

[tombogan03884]

Fit and obsessive attention to detail. If you handle a high end factory gun like your TRP, a semi-custom gun like a Brown or Baer, and a true hand built custom, you'll notice that at each level the fit gets a little tighter, the components are a little higher quality, and you will find more hand work. Its like comparing a pair of custom made boots to a similar pair off the rack. They may both be fine boots, but the custom pair will be more finely fit to your specific foot and needs, and will have finer detail work.

I have to disagree and say that those come under "personal taste/ specific requirements" The tightly fit hand built guns are far more prone to stoppages and ammo sensitivity than guns built to less demanding tolerances.
The 1911 was never intended to be a "GREAT" gun, it was designed to  deliver a whollop with combat accuracy every time the trigger is pulled on a loaded chamber. A $400 pistol that rattles but does that is FAR greater than $2500 dollar fitted slide pistol that only likes 1 or 2 brands of ammo and  jams on crud after 50 rounds.
The type of shooting YOU do may require that type of fit, your budget may support having a particular pistol that is a beautiful safe queen until you need to make one certain type of shot.
 Most of us are not in that position we are looking for a pistol that will do ALL potential pistol chores in an acceptable manner. That means only  things (This applies to any platform Semi, Revolver, Polymer etc. ) It has to provide the reliability of the sun rising in the east, It has to give decent "COMBAT ACCURACY" say all shots in 3 inches at 10 yards, a pie plate at 25.
It has to be with in your means, if you can't afford it then the rest doesn't matter because you won't have it. The last one is adaptability.
Any thing after that is entirely dependent on YOU, what kind of stocks are you comfortable with, what sights are easier for you to see. I don't like ambidextrous controls, you might be a lefty, I carry mine for personal defense and recreational blasting, you may lock yours in the safe until the next bullseye match.
 What makes the 1911 a GREAT pistol is that it fills all 4 of those criteria.

[TAB]

two things.


lock up ( accuracy)

trigger. 

[tombogan03884]

two things.


lock up ( accuracy)

trigger. 

I was going to bust your chops about ignoring reliability because you can't get a CCW in your county. But that reminded me of 2 things, first you moved to a better county, the other is that the New Sheriff in your OLD countyis going to change the policy from may issue to shall issue. Heard it on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

I was going to bust your chops about ignoring reliability because you can't get a CCW in your county. But that reminded me of 2 things, first you moved to a better county, the other is that the New Sheriff in your OLD countyis going to change the policy from may issue to shall issue. Heard it on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk

I've already taken that the classes, been approved, I'm just waiting for the paper work to clear. 

realiabily and quality don't always go hand in hand.    for a carry piece or something like USPSA, then yes you need 100% realiabilty.  but you will not get 1/2" groups at 50 yds like what a bullseye comp gun can deliver.

The sacounty sheriff will never change... it would take a complete removal of all the top people for that to happen.

[tombogan03884]

I've already taken that the classes, been approved, I'm just waiting for the paper work to clear. 

realiabily and quality don't always go hand in hand.    for a carry piece or something like USPSA, then yes you need 100% realiabilty.  but you will not get 1/2" groups at 50 yds like what a bullseye comp gun can deliver.

The sacounty sheriff will never change... it would take a complete removal of all the top people for that to happen.

Glad to hear your almost there.
Keep your ear to the ground, there are at LEAST 2 counties in your area are making the change.
I would have to disagree about the reliability issue in Bulls eye, do you want to be clearing stoppages during a rapid fire string ?

[TAB]

not really, but a 4-6" @ 25 yds like  true combat spec can deliver is not going to do you any good either.

yolo county( other then davis) has been giving them out for years, in fact the old sheriff there use to give them out to people that would open a PO box in yolo county.

[tombogan03884]

not really, but a 4-6" @ 25 yds like  true combat spec can deliver is not going to do you any good either.

yolo county( other then davis) has been giving them out for years, in fact the old sheriff there use to give them out to people that would open a PO box in yolo county.

I'll post the link, I'm sorry but I can't remember which hour it was.
http://cdn4.libsyn.com/guntalk/090816guntalkA.mp3?nvb=20090821053149&nva=20090822054149&t=0bd5fa1355a9e1551957a

http://cdn4.libsyn.com/guntalk/090816guntalkB.mp3?nvb=20090821053224&nva=20090822054224&t=066d5b85e26e3689d480d

http://cdn1.libsyn.com/guntalk/090816guntalkC.mp3?nvb=20090821053243&nva=20090822054243&t=05d8f718d943f82396ac8

[TAB]

I would honestly be shocked.

before the only way you could get a CCW was be a LEO/ retired LEO/DOJ employees, or were friends with the sheriff. ( example he gave one to his biz partner that was prohibited from owning guns. ) 

I don't know what the number are now, but last years report, there were only 450 some odd CCW in Sac county, 3 of those were non LEO/ retired LEO/DOJ.   1 ones the guy mentioned above, the other two had not come up for renewall from moving from a diffrent county.  They can't remove your CCW with out cuase( basicly you have to be convicted of a crime), but they don't have to renew it.