1911 for home defense

I have automatic nightlights plugged in around various parts of the abode. They aren't bright enough to inhibit my sleep but bright enough to see the place when it's dark. Just a thought. And I'm with DocJJ on the use of a weapon mounted light. Don't like the idea.

I have those lights too, but they still work in a power outage, backup batteries.
 
I do not want to be pointing a weapon at anyone unless I am ready to destory them. That said a light on a weapon forces you to use the weapon as a flash light for identification and you may be pointing the business end of the weapon towards someone that you are not ready to shoot or do not want to shoot. Another reason is the light will show your position, which in most cases do not want to do. If you are aiming the weapon the light will be more or less centered on your body and would provide a target for the bad guy. A hand flash light used away from your body would seam to work better for target ID and if the bad guy shot at the light he would not be shooting directly at you.

I had a shotgun class at H&H and have seen how a shot gun patterns at distances encountered in the home and most of us do not have homes with distances within them that the patter of the gun will spread out so you would not have to aim. At around 20 to 30 feet most shotgun patterns will not be as big as you mayu think, which means that you can still miss and you should aim. This same topic was discussed and demostrated on Best Defense and Guns and Ammo TV.

I really did not intend on turning this post into a debate on why or why not to use a 1911, shotgun, etc., but wanted to know the differences between all the different 1911's. For example what is the difference between a 1911 and a 1911A1? However, I do appreciate all the feed back even though not precisely what I wass looking for I learn something everytime I read replys.

Thanks all.
 
I really did not intend on turning this post into a debate on why or why not to use a 1911, shotgun, etc., but wanted to know the differences between all the different 1911's. For example what is the difference between a 1911 and a 1911A1? However, I do appreciate all the feed back even though not precisely what I wass looking for I learn something everytime I read replys.

Thanks all.

The differences between a 1911 and a 1911A1 have little relevance to "modern" 1911s. The original 1911 had a flat mainspring housing and and a few other features that the Army decided to change, like relieving the frame near the trigger, and extending the beavertail some. I think these changes were made right after WWI, and thus creating the 1911A1. Modern 1911s are neither 1911s, or 1911A1s unless you are looking at "GI" model guns. Most 1911s now come with a flat mainspring housing (similar to a 1911) but with extended beavertails, and various other parts never seen on actual, original, military issued guns (though the bare frames are closest to a 1911A1). 1911s have more options available to them than some cars, this has it upsides and downsides. I would say your best bet is to find some guys who will let you try theirs out, and then decide what you prefer.

(I am no history, or 1911 expert, so anyone feel free to insult me over anything I have mis stated) ;)
 
I just want to clarify something about flashlight mounted weapons. If you are using a proper room clearing technique you will not point the gun at someone to ID them. A flashlight when shined into a room illuminates the whole room. It does not matter where you are pointing it. If you ID a threat from the illumination and present the firearm to fire, the flashlight will most likely temporarily blind the threat. But, at no time should need to point the gun to ID someone. I would rather have two hands on the gun than one on a light.

Since this is not a thread about flashlight mounted guns I will leave it at that.
 
In regards to the original question, I would get a Kimber as far as the brand. I must admit that I am somewhat biased torwards them, but customer service has been top notch in my experience (Meprolight night sights.) I can also say that with Wilson Combat magazines that I have honestly never had a malfunction with factory ammo. Reloads are a different story, but you shouldn't be using them anyhow for home defense. Definitely, I would choose a full-size 5" barrel. The most velocity available, less felt recoil, and if push comes to shove, the solid steel 1911 held in a firing grip can be a club if needed. Mounted flashlights are ok, in my opinion, however batteries fail, go dead, etc., so I keep a Streamlight hand-held close in case the gun mounted fails. I'm sure that other brands (Para, Colt, Springfield Armory, etc) will serve your needs just as well. Whatever you choice, be sure to practice with the gun in mock drills around the house (safely), especially the thumb safety. Hope this helps some.
 
I just want to clarify something about flashlight mounted weapons. If you are using a proper room clearing technique you will not point the gun at someone to ID them. A flashlight when shined into a room illuminates the whole room. It does not matter where you are pointing it. If you ID a threat from the illumination and present the firearm to fire, the flashlight will most likely temporarily blind the threat. But, at no time should need to point the gun to ID someone. I would rather have two hands on the gun than one on a light.

Since this is not a thread about flashlight mounted guns I will leave it at that.

But if I am clearing a room and I see "someone" I'm going to shine my light at them immediately for the purpose of confusing and temporarily blinding them while I positively ID them. That way I can ID and make a decision for shoot/no shoot while they are blinded and before they can shoot me. Just pointing some light somewhere in the room while trying to use, possibly, marginal light to ID and then having to shine the light on them to temporarily confuse them would give the bad guy an opportunity to ID me and shoot me. I'll just agree to disagree.
 
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