Charlie Miller was a Texas Ranger in the early 1900s, serving until 1968.
He survived more than seven gunfights and was known as a lawman who got it done.
Charlie served as a lawman during a time when law enforcement went through many changes.
For example, the way law enforcement operated was changing from the days of the Wild West to more modern times when police drove vehicles.
Here’s an example…
Charlie and another ranger went into a cafe for a cup of coffee, but they refused to serve him.
So, after Charlie was ignored multiple times, he pulled out his 1911 pistol and shot a hole in the coffee urn.
He set his cup under the hole and collected the coffee as it poured out.
Of course, this is the type of behavior more common in the old West, and Charlie had to tone it down and evolve as times changed.
He carried a 1911 in an era when most police departments carried revolvers and were looking to transition away from them.
Law enforcement was looking to use more modern firearms, specifically the Colt 1911.
And Charlie was one of the most well-known lawmen who preferred the Colt 1911 .45 ACP.
He was also known, good or bad, for the way he carried his 1911.
You see, Charlie carried his 1911 with a round in the chamber and the hammer in the half-cocked position.
To fire the pistol, he would fully cock the hammer with his shooting hand thumb as he drew the pistol.
In addition, Charlie always kept the grip safety deactivated by wrapping it in rawhide lace.
That’s because, in a previous gunfight, he had difficulty pushing the grip safety, and almost lost the fight (and his life) because of it.
So, he decided to wrap the grip safety.
Starting in the 1960s, the Texas Rangers enacted regular firearm training for their officers.
When Charlie showed up with his 1911 it was stuffed in his waistband without a holster, half-cocked, and the grip safety tied down.
When Charlie was asked if the way he was carrying the pistol was dangerous he responded by saying, “If the old thing wasn’t dangerous, I wouldn’t be wearing it!”
Charlie may not have been the most safety-oriented police officer, but he was a gunfighter and lawman who got the job done.
And, he couldn’t have done it as effectively if he didn’t have his Colt 1911.
Today, it’s estimated that there are millions of 1911s circulating the world.
The Colt 1911 was a standard issue sidearm for the U.S. Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985.
The pistol has been produced by many different companies.
Of course, with the popularity of the 1911 most people either love the pistol or hate it.
I personally love it and own several 1911s and carry one on my hip often.
So, here are a few reasons why the 1911 pistol has stood the test of time and is regarded as one of the best pistols ever invented.
Trigger:
The 1911 is known for having one of the best stock triggers.
It’s designed to travel straight backward, which means your finger stays on the same part of the trigger during the entire pullback.
This helps keep the sights in line when squeezing the trigger.
Also, the trigger on the 1911 is smooth, there is no play in it. The trigger is crisp and short.
Little change:
Since the 1911 was first manufactured it hasn’t changed a lot.
Even though tons of companies make 1911s, they are relatively similar in design.
The pistol is recoil-operated with a slide and barrel locked together.
In addition to the simple design, the pistol is ergonomic. Everything is where it can be quickly reached by the shooter.
And the grip design makes target acquisition second nature.
When someone is in a life-or-death situation, the easier it is to operate the weapon the more likely they will be effective in defending their life.
Frame:
These days many modern handguns are made from polymer.
But there is no question that steel still has its advantages.
Steel frame pistols (such as the 1911) are heavier.
While some shooters don’t like this, it does mean there is less recoil when shooting. The heavier the gun the more recoil it will absorb.
This also means there is less muzzle rise after shooting, allowing faster follow-up shot target acquisition.
The 1911 design has stood the test of time, and there are plenty of original M1911s that still shoot great today.
So, while the 1911 has been around for over a century, it’s still one of the most popular designs of pistols.
Now, regardless of the type of pistol you prefer, in today’s world you need to be proficient with it.
Just turn on the news and you’ll have no doubt as to why that’s the truth.
And the truth is, to be deadly accurate, you need to train and drill consistently.
