(now that my problems are all sorted out, here is my story)

So there I was in my local gunshop. On the counter were three Sigs, a Beretta, and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.. the 1911A1

I pick up the Beretta, feels nice balances well and just kind of nodded.

I picked up the 1911A1 my palms start to sweat and I feel all tense. I knew I had to have it.

There were two old guys there (for some odd reason every gunshop I go to always has old guys sitting around). As I am looking at them I set them down on the glass and say to one of the old guys, "Yeah I'm going to get the 1911." He just sits there and nods. Shop keeper comes back to the counter and says "Which one do you want?" without missing a beat the old man says "He'll take the real gun. Put the toy back in the case."

Kind of made me feel good to know that a couple of old timers approved of my purchase. Made me feel all.. warm and tingly.


Here she is!

Can't get much more real than that. Wood and steel. No plastic, no "safe action" nonsense, just a pistol with almost 100 years of history behind it.

Think about that. The United States Army adopted the M1911 almost 100 years ago. When did they adopt the Beretta -- 25 years ago? The Beretta is about to be phased out because it simply isn't effective, yet the pistol it supposedly "replaced" is still in use with the armed forces, and may still be in use by the armed forces after the Beretta is gone.

Anyone want to bet you won't find any Marine MEU/SOC teams scrounging up Berettas 20 years after it has been officially replaced?

__________________
Hawkmoon
On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside

That's because there are old guys at EVERY gun shop. Literally, i mean that.

You made a good choice. I did the same, it's a great value. I was going to get a beretta (a lot of people dislike them, i think they're great firearms) as my first handgun but the 1911 seemed like a better start.

Enjoy it at the range and be proud of it when it drowns out the sound of the berettas going off around it.

Im just curious, what are they replacing it with?

Oh and doesnt the LAPD still use the 1911 as a standard sidearm? Well at least SWAT

Dude, decibel level for a 9mm is HIGHER that .45 ACP...I don't know WHY but it is...also I asked my gunsmith for a GI and he got me a MIL-SPEC for no extra charge rofl I got a Mil-spec for GI price...you can't beat that! Lol, but if I was in the armed forces, I would definently want to use the H&K USP .45 instead of the Beretta. Too bad I'm flat footed...and color blind...with shin splints...>.<

The Db level may be higher, but the sound of the .45ACP is a deeper, more commanding one. I'll be at the range, standing next to guys with their plastic guns firing all that metric stuff. Pop. Pop. Pop. Then I fire off the .45 - BOOM!

Yeah, the 1911 may look a little "long in the tooth" next to all the newer, flashier guns. But it still gets the kids' attention when it goes off.

And when it makes BIG holes in the paper at the other end of the lane, too!

Bravo Zulu on the purchase, Beefums.

__________________
"I calculated the odds of this succeeding versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid, and ... I went ahead anyway." - Crow T. Robot
Tom - Resident Computer Geek
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Yeah, I understand the "Bravo" for his new toy, but what on earth does a Zulu has to do with it? Shall I go check that site again, to figure out your slang?

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

beefums:

I'm still laughing hard about the "two old guys" in the gunshop...definitely observed that a time or two...LOL !

Congrats on the purchase!

mitchjoe

Congrats beefums on your Springer.

No, you won't find Bravo Zulu in that dictionary. I shifted from New York-speak to Navy jargon. Bravo Zulu = Well done.

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq101-2.htm

__________________
"I calculated the odds of this succeeding versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid, and ... I went ahead anyway." - Crow T. Robot
Tom - Resident Computer Geek
Have a computer or Forum question? Visit our very own M1911.ORG Help Desk and ask!