Customer Reviews

Model 1911 Automatic Pistol

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are just getting into the 1911 this is a great book to start with, Campbell is a good writer and doesn't need many words to tell you a lot. The best part is the pages of reviews of different 45's .... very interesting - he tested several dozen different ones and it really helps you decide what is good and what is not. If you are looking for a 1911 this is a must buy.

I recieved this book from Amazon and after a couple of days sent it back. The material covered in the book is very basic and you may be upset you bothered ordering this book if you are looking for anything like a reference as opposed to a very light overview. The chapters are usually 2 pages long, sometimes 3 pages long and rarely 4 pages long. As you can imagine, a couple of pages of information on any given topic is very limiting. This is partially offset by the fact that there are a lot of chapters. I got the impression the author was enamored with the idea of two page chapters and, consequently, added fluff or removed germane information just to fit this artifical requirement. I really hate giving a bad review in general but I feel this book deserves it, especially if you already know a little about the model 1911 (that a couple of days surfing the internet would give you). I can however recommend Patrick Sweeny's books (The Gun Digest Book of the 1911 for example) on the model 1911 which have the opposite problem this book does: Sweeny's books come with a lot of information covering a breadth and depth that this book doesn't even approach. The only thing you may not like about Sweeny's books is that, arguably, they contain too much information.

The book tries to cover everything about the 1911 but does not give much detail. A page or two on each subject. If your looking for real information on buying or reworking a Colt 1911, this is not the book you want.

This book is a short, easy-to-read, and easy-to-understand primer on one of the most popular pistol designs today - the Model 1911 .45 automatic. The author, Robert Campbell, is a retired police officer who has extensive experience with the 1911, having carried one as his duty pistol and having competed in and won several matches with them as well.

The book gives short, concise chapters detailing the history of the development, combat usage, civilian usage and various models of the 1911 pistol. Roughly the last half of the book is occupied by the author's test results on the many different brands of 1911 pistols out there, grading them on aspects such as controls, trigger, sights, fit and finish, and overall score. This second half of the book is an excellent resource for those who are considering buying a 1911 pistol in the near future.

What the book isn't, however (and what the two 2-star reviewers seem to be complaining about) is a comprehensive encyclopedia of the 1911, every part, make, model, manufacturer, gunsmithing advice, ad nauseum. For those who are seeking that kind of information, any of the excellent Firearms Digest publications would be more suitable.

However, for just a good, basic read on what is an enduringly popular pistol platform, this book is superb.

If you have an interest in the 1911 pistol, you can't be without this book. Comprehensive both historically as well as mechanically when it comes to this great pistol model.

I recomend this book for anyone that owns or is thinking of owning a 1911. It is very up to date. Colour photos are first rate.