John Moses Browning changed our world in ways that few men have ever achieved.
I chose the 1911 for reasons that are obvious to both gunners and Patriots - not only is the pistol worthy of the task of keeping you alive when in harm's way, it is a tool that at 101 years has few peers, and the 1911 evokes in many Americans a physical and emotional response. The pistol is History. The pistol is bold and powerful and strong, and in benevolent hands has the power to save lives and make Bad People dead.
And, I dare say, the 1911 is very American. It is a pistol that has earned the reverence of Patriots. It can evoke pride and patriotism.
Very few are the gunners in the world who do not give the 1911 respect, even if they are "Glock Guys" or "Ruger Guys".
In my research for supporting data I found a site that has many good articles about the 1911 - AnarchAngel. I've also added them to the blogroll below. According to the writer at AnarchAngel in this piece last year, about 150,000 1911's are produced every year in America - at age 101.
I have spec'd the prototypes we will have built. It will be a "semi-custom" pistol (I know, that phrase can be very misleading). I am going for a 1911 that is reliable enough to fire every time one pulls the trigger at that intersecting point where it is accurate enough to do headshots all day long at 50 yards. And finally, the damned thing must be handsome. I have it in my mind's eye, and I have it in an email ready to go to the first serious builder I will meet early next week. I'll send it to him in advance so he has a beginning reference point when we meet. He comes highly recommended by one of our own, and I hope that our goals will fit with this builder. We shall see, and I will report back. But I won't release the design specs just yet...
I do have a question, and I'd rather you answer here in comments than simply in a poll format: Do you like the finger-groove or not? If you've never shot with one, obviously your answer will be about aesthetics only. But if you have shot with a 1911 that has a finger-groove built in (or added by your grip selection) which is your preference?
Please explain either way.
Yours in Liberty,
Kerodin
III
