Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “1911 for Home Defense — The Best Choice?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/1911-for-home-defense/.
1911 for Home Defense — The Best Choice?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Annihilator
Emissary
My choice which I have used in the past is the commander, in .45 though
youngolddude
Professional
I have a strong aversion to any "best" articles. In this case, use what works for you and your family. If you are not present, are your family members expected to use it and well? I like the 1911, but is it my "best" available handgun? My wife would likely favor my Shield. Some folks say the 1911 is an "experts" gun. I dunno about that either, but am I or other household members an expert? I think I can file this article into the "beat the dead horse" file.
Hammer67
Professional
Would a 1911 probably work in a HD situation? Sure....maybe. But if it's something that's sitting in a nightstand, I can't think of a single compelling reason to argue against having more capacity - there's no downside and my goal is to conclude a HD situation with ammo still left in the gun, not wondering if I'm going to need to reload, or how many times, before it's over.
And of course, I'd take a shotgun or compact PDW over any handgun, any day of the week.
And of course, I'd take a shotgun or compact PDW over any handgun, any day of the week.
Hammer67
Professional
Exactly. It's hard to find goof quality self-defense advice that actually acknowledges context and nuance rather than "one size fits all, black and white" solutions.
The Night Rider
Professional
This is an article it's an advertisement for Springfield Armory 1911s
Snake45
Professional
I agree with all of Dr. Dabbs' points. I had a lot of stuff available and picked the 1911 for my "house gun" back in the '80s when I had small children running around. I kept it "Condition Three" because it had a heavy enough recoil spring that I could operate the slide, but no one else in the house could. And I put a Full Length Guide Rod in it not just to make it run smoother (which it does), but in case anyone figgered out they could jack the slide by pressing the front of the gun against some solid surface like a table or a door jamb. Can't do that with FLGR. 
Old_Me
Ronin
here in my state, we have that insipid magazine ban of only 10 rounds.
i'd like at least that many. so i'd not use any of my 1911's, but rather i have a G-30, with 10+1.
as well as my G-17, and Hellcat.
i love all my 1911's, but not to carry, and not for home defense.
i have a few other 45's for that duty, if i wish to.
i'd like at least that many. so i'd not use any of my 1911's, but rather i have a G-30, with 10+1.
as well as my G-17, and Hellcat.
i love all my 1911's, but not to carry, and not for home defense.
i have a few other 45's for that duty, if i wish to.
Grayfox
Custom
Those of you familiar with my posts know that I'm a 1911 guy from way back. 
My house gun. Springfield Lightweight Operator in .45acp with a Streamlight TLR-1.
My house gun. Springfield Lightweight Operator in .45acp with a Streamlight TLR-1.
Faulkner
Elite
Same here.
HansGruber
Ronin
If I was limited to 10 rounds, and wanted an auto as my primary HD pistol…a railed 1911 would be very much on my short list. .45, 10mm, or .38 Super.
I keep my 15+1 P365 next to my pillow, plus an AK-47 (Zastava ZPAP M70 with a 30-round mag) at hand.
Love my 10mm 1911, but it just doesn't have the capacity for an assault I hear about with 6-9 mauraders on a home invasion.
The 16" barrel and short OAL of the AK vs. my AR seems better for my HD. JIMO.
Love my 10mm 1911, but it just doesn't have the capacity for an assault I hear about with 6-9 mauraders on a home invasion.
The 16" barrel and short OAL of the AK vs. my AR seems better for my HD. JIMO.
Snake45
Professional
Tautologically speaking, yes.
In similar vein, I recall a combat shotgun discussion/debate on arfcom about 20 years ago, and some genius posted this bit of brilliance, which I committed to memory and have cited many, many times over the years: "If Remington 870 is an option, Remington 870 is the answer." Fabulous!