Hang Me High

[dnola]

I can see it now... my effigy swinging in the breeze, hung from yonder tree. A sinister, gnarled face bent over a doll like image of myself, thrusting pins into it. My "Get Off My Lawn" avatar smashed beneath the spinning tires of a Wrangler with an overactive lift kit. My days are numbered. I can tell, but I can do nothing about it. It's just gotten to the point of un-muffled screams.

By now you're probably asking yourself who pulled the wacko's chain. OK, I'll tell you. It's the 1911!

The rebirth of a nearly forgotten symbol of our gun heritage is a refreshing thing. Thirty years ago, the 1911 was hardly a household name in firearms. Ownership was mostly relegated to military souvenirs from past conflicts. Then a few gun makers pulled out the design and reworked some of the issues and lo and behold we have the "new" 1911. This memorable year (2011) marks the 100th Anniversary of this venerable design and we have celebrated it to the inth degree. Can we move on now!

Being an avid reader of most things gun has put my nerves on edge. For the last fourteen months, every publication on the street and every e-pub article has been re-reviewing the 1911. It has been the largest word-recycling in American history. Each of the articles say basically the same thing; a litany of praise that I will not get into here. My point is, how can a single publication "A" write nothing but reviews of the same firearm for well over a year now. At some time, enough is enough. I want my subscription money back. I received three monthly publications last week. All of them were dedicated primarily to the 1911. I'm tired of hearing about the "crisp, non-stacking 4.326# trigger pull." Where is the review of the Smuccer PFR in 9.72mm or the Galaxy 328 stainless? The only breath of fresh air was the completely reviewed Kimber Solo 9mm (a 1911 rework, by the way) back in the summer and, yes, I want one. The Solo even replaced the 1911 on a couple of the magazine covers!

There is an ocean of great and not so great new handguns out there that we would all like to hear about. I've heard all I want to hear about the 1911 for now! I own a 1911 and love to shoot it but it is still my forth choice in my self-defense arsenal.

Now if I can just get myself down off this soapbox... Dang, that first step is a doosie. Looks like wash day will be a little early this week.

Happy Thanksgiving Gals and Guys!

[Jim Trueblood]

I'm right there with you. I LUV my 1911s, but 1911 coverage in the gun media has long since passed the saturation point for my personal interest. I understand their reasoning. One, there are more manufacturers cranking out 1911s today than ever before. Two, they have a storied, romantic history. Three, every day new shooters are being exposed to 1911s for the very first time and they gobble up those articles. Four, and most important, they SELL!

My personal favorite is when I read a review on a $3,000.00 1911, and the writer exclaims, "Every time I pressed the trigger it went bang." HELLO Mr. Gun Writer, it's a GUN. It's supposed to go bang when you press the trigger. When I put my car in Drive and press the gas pedal, I EXPECT it to move forward. I don't get all excited because it actually works.

Wishing everyone a Happy & Safe Thanksgiving Weekend!

[dnola]

My personal favorite is when I read a review on a $3,000.00 1911, and the writer exclaims, "Every time I pressed the trigger it went bang." HELLO Mr. Gun Writer, it's a GUN. It's supposed to go bang when you press the trigger.

Yep! I read that one too. I was reminded of the expression "DOUP" from the Simpsons! I still have that rather vacant expression on my face.

[Rossi]

I've been hauling steel 1911s since dirt was young, and the only varience was the size... (older the shooter meant smaller the death-dealer), but I know what your saying. Even I put my foot down the other day.... there was a magazine of "combat pistols". I gave it a 5-second thumb-through, and back it went to the rack.

Your "word recycling" about covered it.

Rossi

[Jim Trueblood]

When the November Issue of American Rifleman arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see two articles on Taurus Revolvers. Not that I'm a "big" Taurus fan, but it was enjoyable reading non-1911 reviews.

Nowadays I find myself mostly enjoying reading reviews on reasonably priced handguns, revolver or pistol, that have proven to be both reliable and durable.

[mmszbi]

I have even gone as far as selling my 1911 for a Springfield XDm in .45. I do like the 1911 platform, but yea, it gets old if that is all ya hear and read.

When I put my car in Drive and press the gas pedal, I EXPECT it to move forward. I don't get all excited because it actually works

Yea, I do get excited when my truck works....been a real pain in the *** for last couple months.