WILL YOUR 1911 END UP KILLING YOU???

Just finished putting together a short video on the design flaw of the 1911.

Here's a link to it.

Here's a U-TubeLink.

The 1911 is a fine tool when fired as instructed, but it has a flaw that can prove to be fatal for a 1911 user.

Due to the design of its slide stop, a 1911 user does not have the option of using a simple, fast, and deadly method of shooting with it in close quarters situations, which is where there is the greatest chance of being shot and killed. The shooting method provides a user with automatic and correct sight alignment, plus an automatic and correct sight picture. I call it AIMED Point Shooting or P&S.

Unfortunately, P&S can't be used with the 1911. To get hits with a 1911, a user must perform the must-be-met marksmanship requirements of Sight Shooting, which are: 1. getting a proper grip with the thumb being held alongside the gun but not pressing on it, and with the index finger being held aloof from the gun, 2. locating and aligning the sights correctly, 3. getting a correct sight picture, 4. regulating breathing, and 5. squeezing the trigger to the rear. And that must be done for each shot taken.

All a P&S user has to do to get a hit, is: 1. grab their gun, 2. point their index finger at a target, and 3. pull the trigger. It works as stated by the US Army in its Combat Pistol Manual of 2003 about pointing: "It is this inherent trait that can be used by a soldier to rapidly and accurately engage targets."

So, in a gunfight, a P&S user will have a real and distinct advantage over the 1911 user because of the simplicity of P&S, and the economy of actions needed to get hits. And if you are the 1911 user, you could end up dead before you completed the must-be-met marksmanship requirements of Sight Shooting that are necessary to insure a hit with the first shot, and every shot.

The reason why P&S can't be used with the 1911 is that the slide stop pin of the 1911 sticks out from the side of the frame. And if the index finger is extended along the side of the frame, and presses on it when the gun is fired, the 1911 can jam. It is as simple as that.

Also, as to the reliance on Sight Shooting for use in close quarters gunfights, based on the study of thousands of Police combat cases, it is not used in most all close quarters shootings due to: 1. the time available for sighting and shooting, 2. or environmental conditions, 3. or the activation of our instinctive Fight or Flight response, or 4. the dynamics of the situation.

The NRA recognizes this, and supports the use of Point Shooting in close quarters self defense situations.

P&S or AIMED Point Shooting, can be used to enhance other Point Shooting methods, and Sight Shooting as well. And it can be learned and maintained with little or no training.

How you must shoot the 1911

The first instruction manual on the 1911 was published in 1912. And here is the language from it that proscribes just how you are to shoot the 1911.

"The trigger should be pulled with the forefinger. If the trigger is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the side of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a jam when the slide recoils."

That same or similar language is found in other manuals on the 1911 that were published in 1915, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929, and 1941.

After years and years of the manualized repetition of the specific way to shoot the 1911, and as the 1911 was the standard sidearm of the US Military, it is quite understandable that "the 1911 way" became the way to shoot automatics in the US.

The repetitive cautions against extending the forefinger along the side of the receiver, and pulling the trigger with the middle finger, also affirmed over and over again that it was a known method of shooting.

P&S is shown in the video, and it has been used since the early 1800's. You just grab your gun, point your finger, and pull the trigger.

The P&S grip is very strong 4 finger grip that uses the thumb, index, ring, and little fingers. The grip provides a strong and level shooting platform that increases in stability and strength with increased gripping pressure. Front punches and elbow smashes can be made, and the gun and forearm also can be used as a crude battle axe.

P&S works when moving, and even when shooting aerials. Here's a local link and a U-tube link to a video showing it being used to shoot aerials (pop cans tossed in the air), with an air soft pistol.

Local link.

U-Tube link.

Here's a very short U-tube of moving and shooting using P&S. I had planned to make several "takes" if needed, but the first one was good, so I stopped.

We know today that if you are going to be shot and/or killed, there is an 80% chance that it will happen at less than 21 feet, and under conditions and in circumstances where traditional marksmanship won't or can't be used. So knowing and using a shooting method that is fast, automatic, and accurate at close quarters, would be good.

The Chinese military used P&S with the C 96 which was produced from 1896 to 1937.





Also, the Soviets produced over 1.5 million Tokarev pistols which were similar in design to the Browning pistol, and they used a simple two pronged clip as a fix.





Why the US Military never made a similar and minor fix to the 1911, is a mystery. However; it is possible that the SS Vs PS squabble which has been going on since the early 1800's, played a role in that.

That is highly likely, given the very harsh criticism and outright dismissal of P&S by dogma bound traditionalists, and the fact that discussions of it are banned on many gun forums, and most if not every 1911 forum. :-)

The following paragraph is from John Minnery's 1973 book: "Kill Without Joy" The Complete How To Kill Book (not a read for the weak of heart or squeamish).


The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a World War II organization of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed to conduct warfare by means other than direct military engagement. Its mission was to encourage and facilitate espionage and sabotage behind enemy lines and to serve as the core of the British resistance movement.

Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, SIS provides the British Government with a global covert capability to promote and defend the national security and economic well-being of the United Kingdom. It is also known as MI6.

Here's the pic of Oswald and Ruby, just a split second before Oswald is shot.
Ruby, the two Officer who were escorting Oswald, and Oswald, were moving and the target area was small. So, there was no time to use the sights or do any of the "standard" requirements listed above. Only time to point-n-pull.

This pic shows Oswald just after he was shot. In it, you can see that Ruby's middle finger is sticking out from the trigger guard, and his gun is way below eye level.



Use your go back button to return to the prior page, or click here for the index.