L ast time we talked about the popular Glock pistols. This time, let’s look at an old-school favorite and my choice for a self-defense weapon: The ever-popular 1911. As the name suggests, it was created in 1911 by the famous John Browning and the design just recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, with a lot of centennial pieces by most of the numerous manufacturers who build 1911s.

The reliable old single-action design has changed little over the last century, and that is just fine with 1911 purists. We can trace its history and fame through the two World Wars and beyond, and the majority of 1911 enthusiasts feel that, although it’s available in other calibers, it is pure sacrilege to offer it in anything other than the .45 ACP round. I tend to agree with this, but when Carl, a friend at the range, recently let me shoot his sweet Colt 1911 in .38 Super, it made me feel like the little Labrador puppy in the Purina commercial on TV gobbling up my Puppy Chow. My God, what a fine thing to shoot. It’s so easy to get sidetracked — back to the column.