Counter-Intuitive Realities: Short-Barreled 1911s Are Harder to Conceal
by Daniel McElrath - Saturday, April 4, 2020While many an old soul has relied on the 1911 platform ( which is why they are old souls), it does not come easily in the beginning. In a way, it has to be earned.
There are reasons it is so reliable, but some of the basics are not at times explained or adequately discussed unless you are talking to the more experienced shooters who have been mentored and earned their 1911s
One of the most basic and important things to remember is your new 1911 platform firearm has to be broken incorrectly just like any good iron skillet so you will get years of reliable service.
What does that really mean? Adequate lubrication in the beginning of what is referred to as " wet " shooting. They don't talk about this in many places that I have seen, but it eliminates many of the frustration of misfeeds, stovepipe, and many other dangerous conditions while your firearm is broken into the reliable piece your expecting. It is messy because you will definitely get more blowback than normal. You don't want to over clean your piece for the first 300 - 500 rounds and you need to lubricate it before every visit to the range. But in the end, you will have a " seasoned " firearm that will provide will provide years of reliable service even under the most adverse conditions.
BY: Thomas Schnee (Author/Contributor)
1911 - “cocked & locked.” - is it safe?
Conditions of Readiness for the 1911 Pistol
by Jim Wilson - Thursday, March 26, 2015
Some years ago, Col. Jeff Cooper, founder of Gunsite Academy and creator of the "modern technique" of handgun shooting, described the conditions of readiness for defensive use of the 1911 pistol as Condition One, Condition Two and Condition Three.
Condition Three
In this condition the pistol contains a loaded magazine, the chamber is empty and the hammer is down. In order to fire the pistol, the slide must be cycled so that a cartridge is loaded into the chamber.
Condition Two
In this condition, the pistol contains a loaded magazine, a cartridge loaded into the chamber and the hammer is down. In order to fire the pistol, the hammer must be cocked.
Condition One
In this condition the pistol contains a loaded magazine, a cartridge loaded in the chamber, the hammer is cocked, and the thumb safety is engaged. In order to fire the pistol, the thumb safety must be depressed, the grip safety depressed and the trigger pressed
To those who are unfamiliar with the 1911 pistol, cocked & locked looks very dangerous. In fact, however, it has proved to be a safe carry method because two mechanical safeties must be overcome and the trigger pressed before the pistol will fire.
Read the entire article here
by Jim Wilson - Thursday, March 26, 2015
Some years ago, Col. Jeff Cooper, founder of Gunsite Academy and creator of the "modern technique" of handgun shooting, described the conditions of readiness for defensive use of the 1911 pistol as Condition One, Condition Two and Condition Three.
Condition Three
In this condition the pistol contains a loaded magazine, the chamber is empty and the hammer is down. In order to fire the pistol, the slide must be cycled so that a cartridge is loaded into the chamber.
Condition Two
In this condition, the pistol contains a loaded magazine, a cartridge loaded into the chamber and the hammer is down. In order to fire the pistol, the hammer must be cocked.
Condition One
In this condition the pistol contains a loaded magazine, a cartridge loaded in the chamber, the hammer is cocked, and the thumb safety is engaged. In order to fire the pistol, the thumb safety must be depressed, the grip safety depressed and the trigger pressed
To those who are unfamiliar with the 1911 pistol, cocked & locked looks very dangerous. In fact, however, it has proved to be a safe carry method because two mechanical safeties must be overcome and the trigger pressed before the pistol will fire.
Read the entire article here
Thanks for the information on 1911 break-in periods. I find that all my semi-auto pistols run better if properly lubricated. I believe most gun manufacturers also advise people to lubricate the rails and other bearing parts regularly.
ReplyDeleteOnly way to carry, "cocked & Locked".
ReplyDeleteJeffMinar said...
ReplyDeleteWhen I carry a 1911 or similiar action (like my CZ SP-01) I do carry them cocked and locked, but they are big guns and I don't carry them often. I usually carry a Beretta or Sig or similiar and those I carry condition 2, loaded mag, loaded chamber, hammer down, safety off, which makes them much like a loaded revolver to my mind. There the first shot is double action, subsequent shots single.