I'll be one of a few who says I don't like the 1911 platform. There are many (probably millions) of 1911 fans out there. I'm not saying that a 1911 is not a good gun. I am saying that I don't like it and here are my reasons:

• Design/materials
• Safety/Action
• Magazine capacity

My dislike of the design and materials is simply based on the fact that technology has evolved. We can produce guns from materials other than steel. The all steel construction of a 1911 results in a heavy gun. due to the steel on steel design, the 1911 starts to "drag" after the carbon from spent rounds builds along the slide and frame. The same problem exists with polymer frame guns. However, the polymer's natural property allows the slide to move freely even with the extra friction added by the carbon.

Also, compare the break down process of a 1911 against any modern pistol design like a Glock, Sig Sauer, or Springfield. There is no comparison. I could strip, clean, and reassemble all 3 of those guns in the time it takes to do a single 1911.

The design of the 1911 was considered a marvel at the time... in the year 1911. Today, we have many modern manufacturing techniques using EDM, MIM, and CNC. Such techniques yield modern designs which are easy to manufacture, use modern materials, and are cheaper than using skilled labor.

The safety on a 1911 overly complicated. Pick up any modern pistol and you will see the safety is either a safe action trigger (like a Glock or M&P) or simply a lever near the trigger or slide marked "S" or "F". In my opinion, a grip safety is a liability. If you ever need to grab the gun quickly or have an injured hand you may not to able to defeat the grip safety. A friend of mine received a call from his wife when she thought someone was breaking into their house. She asked him "how do you work the safety on your 1911."

Another problem is that fact that a 1911 is a single action gun. Meaning, you must cock the hammer before it can be fired. Modern designs fixed this by creating a double action/single action which eliminated the need for that. Is a single action gun bad? No, but why require an extra step?

Last, the magazine capacity sucks. 8 rounds for a full size gun? 1911 always respond saying it's a .45 and you shouldn't need more than 8 rounds. While I somewhat agree with that statement, I don't agree with a having only 8 rounds in a full size pistol, when the alternatives (Glock 21, FNP 45) hold 13 and 15 rounds.

I'm not saying the 1911 is dead. I'm not even saying it's not a good gun. I'm simply explaining the reasons why I don't like them. Now, there are some companies out there producing modernized versions of the 1911.

Also, as I stated before, the 1911 design does not work with modern mass manufacturing techniques. It requires skilled labor to produce and build. Therefore, they are produced in smaller numbers and cost more than a mass produced gun. Nighthawk Customs is among the best in the business at producing hand crafted 1911s. They also specialize in shotguns and other custom work, but are known best for their 1911 builds. Although, they come with a hefty price tag. Usually coming in around $3000-4000!

Another quality builder called STI International has also taken the 1911 platform and modernized it using double stack magazines to increase round capacity. They named their model accordingly as the 2011. They also produce models aimed towards competition use by adding custom springs, sights, and barrel lengths. Like the Nighthawk models, they come with a hefty price as well weighing in between $1300 and $3500.

If you have applied for an SBR using a form 1, then you should have your engraving done BEFORE the form is approved. Once the form is approved and the gun is entered into the BATFE registry, I cannot be shipped traditionally as it would like a title 1 gun.

Once a title 2 (NFA) gun has been approved it can only be accepted by a Class 3/SOT license holder. This makes shipping a little more complicated and your options somewhat limited. If you plan on registering your gun as an SBR, it is best to have the engraving done as soon as possible. There is nothing wrong with engraving a firearm that is not an NFA item.

If you are looking form more information on SBRs and submitting a form 1, see the following articles:

• NFA Form 1: Background Checks

When new shooters ask me which hand gun to buy, I almost always recommend a Glock. Why? Well, there are several reasons why Glocks are a good choice for new shooters.

• Design
• Price
• Accessories
• Reliability
• Product line

The design of a Glock is very simple. There are less moving parts than its alternatives and there are is no lever, safety, or special tools needed to shoot and clean a Glock. To me, the Glock is the AK-47 of the pistol world. It's simple design makes it easy for new shooters to pick it up and use it with little to no instructions.

Glock pistols hover around $500-$700 depending on the model and/or condition. It sounds expensive, compared to the price of an HK pistol, it's definitely the most bang for your buck (no pun intended). Bottom of the barrel pistols will only be a few hundred cheaper. Also, you will have no problem finding a Glock for sale as they are common at every gun shop and maybe even some street corners.

Due to the popularity of Glocks, there are more accessories than you could imagine. Glock and other manufacturers produce everything from holsters to t-shirts. There are custom printed logos for the bottom of magazines, colored parts, and a wide range of aftermarket barrels. Also, with the large number of competitors in the Glock market prices for such accessories are usually very reasonable.

Glock boasts itself as one of the most durable firearms on the planet. Numerous tests have been performed to test their claim. People have tried everything to kill a Glock including dropping it from a helicopter, running it over, and even shooting it. Rest assured a Glock will survive if you ever need to put one to the test.

Last, Glock has a very diverse product line which offers models for every type of shooter. Do you want a Glock small enough to fit around your ankle? Do you need a full size competition gun? Are you simply looking for a home defense/concealed carry gun? Glock has them all. To find out more see this article: Basics of Glock Firearms.