My grandfather used to take his 22 rifle to school, the teacher was ok with that, but got in trouble when he opened the window, shoots a squirrel, climbed out the window to retrieve it... the teacher called his parents, they explained that he sold the squirrels to help support his family (during the depression). The teacher accepted this and allowed him to do this from that day on. Ahhh "the good ol' days"... today you can't even pretend to shoot someone with your finger saying "pew pew".

'This is when they made guns to save lives and win wars, not to make a buck.' Spot on, thank you gents for this video.

I just picked up my first 1911: a 1979-dated Colt Combat Commander. Love it.

Two legends: Ken Hackathorne and Bill Wilson. God bless them!

I love old stories like this. Im now 20 years old and own a Remington 1911 enhanced with custom grips my parents had made with the eagle globe and anchor on them. I got it after graduating from boot camp. Ive always been infatuated with firearms but there was one that stood out. My dad owned a colt gold cup when I was younger but sold it when I was in high school. (its rare my dad sells) Man I tried to get him to keep that so bad. Beautiful pistol and now it haunts him to this day that he sold it. But my next 1911 will be a les Baer concept ii. Anyways, awesome stories here!

Finally something on KZfaq worth 23min of my time.

the 1911 will always be my favorite handgun

I purchased my first gun when I was 11 years old. I bought it myself, meaning I handled the purchase myself without any help ot input from my parents. I took it to school on occasion on the school bus..left it on the bus all day cause I didn’t want to drag it around all day. After school I retrieved it from my bus and took it to another bus so I could go home with a friend and go hunting after school. Not an eyebrow raised or question asked. Those days are sadly probably gone forever.

As a kid, I devoured a book guns by Jeff Cooper. His praise of 'John Browning's Magnificent Man-Stopper' made me a 1911 fan in the late '60s. I finally shot one at Marine Corps OCS in 1975. It was a worn-out WWII pistol (we were warned the sear might fail and the pistol would go full-auto). It was also the first center-fire pistol I shot, and I tore the center out of the target! A stainless Combat Commander was the first gun I bought in '89. One writer (Charlie Petty?) mentioned that part of the reputation for inaccuracy was from flinch due to the report on unprotected ears. It sure hurt mine the first time it happened--BTW, we were issued plugs at the OCS range in '75. Last comment: Reliability seems to have gone downhill with modifications for competition, first tightening the pistol for bulls-eye, then tweaking gun and ammo for IPSC.

Guys, your memories of 45s mimic my own. My Dad told me the same story about the 1911 not being accurate, when in fact it was the mass military training of the time that was lacking. I still wasn't deterred because he also said it had more "stopping power" than the Luger. I bought my first "1911" while in college in the 70s, a brand new Llama for $100 (I thought the rib on top of the slide was cool). It didn't fall apart like Bill's, but this probably had more to do with the fact that it spent most of its time jamming itself with 230 grain hardball. I still remember the first time I tried to shoot it at our old airport pistol range. A sympathetic pistolero watched me for a bit, then came over and showed me the Weaver stance and isometric hold. I kept the gun with me while in college, but as soon as I could save up enough dough, I replaced it with a brand new Colt Commander. That was in 1977 and I think I paid $200 for it. I went on active duty about two months later, and one of the first things I did was take the Colt to a gunsmith outside of Lackland AFB in San Antonio. He listened patiently as I described all the modifications I wanted done, Pachmayr wraparound grip, flat mainspring housing, extended ambidextrous safety, undercut trigger guard, beveled magazine well, fitted barrel and bushing, 4 lb long trigger, and S&W revolver sights. An anxious six weeks and $150 later I picked up my dream gun. I still own this elegant firearm, but it's now relegated to vault duty. As for the man who modified it, he was a retired Air Force gunsmith named Bob Day, who learned his craft on the job when Curtis LeMay demanded the USAF have the finest shooting team in DoD. And what LeMay wanted, LeMay got. As Archie Bunker used to say, "Those were the days".

Oh man!... Ken’s first 1911 story makes me homesick for the good old days when we were still free to keep and bear arms. Hey Bill!... my first 1911 was a Llama too! Had the same experience y’all did... could hit the side of a barn with that thing! I’m sure glad I didn’t give up easy! I love my 1911s! Someday when I’m rich and famous, I’ll own a Wilson Combat!

The first pistol I shot was a 1911. I was 10. We were at an old pig farm my father's best friend had in Winchester, VA. We nailed a 3oz dixie cup to a tree, and I could hit it consistently at about 7 yards. I was a WWII gun. My father's friend had a lot of WWII guns he has restored (he and my father were both veterans of the war). It was a lot of fun.. I have an Auto Ordnance reproduction of the 1911A1. It shoots very well and very accurately.

Thanks for the history lesson of the 1911. Amazing how with 100 plus years of technology the 1911 can still compete with the best of them.

At 13:50 "Anybody that wore ear protection was a *****" Had to laugh at that. When I was a kid going shooting with Dad, he didn't have muffs so naturally I didn't either. Eventually learned, too late to avoid damage but early enough to avoid any more. My first 1911 was a new Springfield Armory standard model. It's been reliable for 30+ years, but I fell in love with a Sig GSR1911, and it's my carry companion to this day. Thanks for the stories and memories!

I've carried a 1911 I customized for over 20 years now and love them. And using many WC parts has helped to make my pistol 100% reliable.

Hearing these two "Gods" of the 1911 world talking so self-effacingly about their first "1911 experiences" is emotionally moving beyond belief. If you ever had doubts about the 1911 in these troubled times, you just forgot them.

Thank you for your great wisdom. Was born in 68 and used to love to look at guns in ammo at all the 45 auto . Carried one all my life . Thank you for the walk down memory lane .

What a treat to watch these legends talk guns. This is the golden age for gun guys.

I don't think I will ever find a pistol that fits in my like a 1911....the only thing that might come close for me is a cz75....bit the feel of a 1911 is what made me buy mine....never shot one never held one but when I did hold the first one...I bought it no questions asked...still have it and also bought a Colt defender.....like you said it's a beautiful piece of art

Well said, growing up in the 70's 80's loved the 1911. Military experience showed me some M9 love. Still like both, as well as compact M9, hk p7, glock 19. All solid. But 1911, is still the sexy beast.

The gun that you can't own enough of but you'll only ever need just one.

I was brought up shooting the Beretta 92, as a child of the '90s I can remember my dad who was a cop back then getting ready for work and holstering a beautiful Italian made stainless steel 92fs. As a little boy that shiny stainless Beretta was probably the coolest thing I'd ever seen, and when I was old enough to learn (8 or 9 years old) that's the gun I learned to shoot. Fast forward to now at 31 years old, I've done a lot more shooting with all kinds of handguns and have become a true blue Beretta fanboy, my current edc is one of two 9mm Beretta PX4s, one full size and one subcompact, love them both and would not hesitate to trust my life to them. Having said all that I find myself currently in the market for my first 1911, a firearm I've always enjoyed shooting but as of yet haven't owned as it's going to cost me about as much as both those PX4s combined but I know in the end it will be well worth it!

Back in the dark ages I carried a Combat Commander on duty for years. Still makes me happy to feel that familiar grip.

I love listening to two old wise mean talk about things like this. Real wisdom.

I could listen to Ken telling these stories all day!! Great guy 😁

Thèse guys have so much knowledge to pass on.

The 1911 is Utahs state gun. Yep Utah has a State gun. Thank you Mr John Moses Browning

Eyes and Ears! Fired thousands of rounds starting when I was 12 years old. Never wore hearing protection until the late 90's when they were required at at Match. Yes, Hearing is shot and progressively getting worse, and I hear crickets constantly and that will never go away! The eye protection not so much until last year when I had a Sig P320 Legion blow up in my hand from a round that was on the hot side! Plastic everywhere! No more plastic guns for this guy. And now the eye protection is a must!

When I was in the biz working at a gunshop, we carried the Wilson Combat line. So many people complained that they were way to expensive. But when it comes down to a bad situation where you have to defend your life and/or the life of your family. How much is it worth then? How much is reliable accuracy worth? I have owned some terrible 1911 but also had a few amazing ones. My current isn't a Wilson, but I have used tons of their parts in my own custom builds and the Wilson Combat brand parts will always be first on my list of parts for a custom build. Quality over Quantity any day.

I could listen to him talk for hours. At 28 and a gun owner for 7 years so far (been around guns from scouting when I was a kid). I love listening to the experienced gun owners stories and their advice from all of it. I lost my grandfather's at a young age so stuff like this I really appreciate and love to listen.

Love watching Ken and Bill talk in these videos since I grew up in the same era

Great stories- thank you. I'm still a 1911 guy.

I am a Filipino and living here in the US . I been before at Mindanao (Southern Philippines) I visited a small village in South Cotabato and the Leader of the tribes over there hated the 1911 because their Ancestors killed using a Colt 1911 back in 1919 - 1925 . It was written on their Tribal history Books. Moro

I have always loved a 1911,haven't fired one for 40yrs,I was 20 years old the last time I used one am now 60,I just bought a 1911A1 made by Iver Johnson,I went to the local range and put 50 rounds in my target at close range,all but 1 landed inside the 9 ring,I love mine,was well taught when I was younger,I like your show well enough to subscribe to it!!!

Really enjoyed the video guys and the dialogue “spot on” my colt is 25 yrs old and I can say it’s been a most reliable tool that fits me

Fellows, THANK YOU BOTH. I’m 73 (we’re all in the same age group), and this video really warms my heart because my experiences were very similar to yours (I’m certainly NOT suggesting, however, that my skill or expertise is a fraction of yours). My dad was an FBI Special Agent and firearms instructor, so I actually received some good training by the time I was in my mid-teens - and SAFETY was paramount . . . he was never reluctant to kick my butt, and understandably much less so when it came to firearms - and I mastered Smith revolvers first (double action S&Ws still are my favorite, especially a late-1940’s, six inch barrel, K-38 Target Masterpiece (M14) that I purchased used (no paperwork) many years ago and that I still cherish). When I returned from my first overseas assignment, it was joined by a M27 (with a five-inch barrel), which will still outshoot virtually any other sidearm (notwithstanding my failing eyesight) in my aging hands. Again, THANKS for this great video!

I could listen to these two guys all day !!

Finest fighting handgun ever made. Every handgunner should have at least one.

This video was an excellent way to spend 23+ minutes and learn some things. Thanks to Ken & Bill for spending the time to share their knowledge and experience!

Done well and always enjoy hearing two knowledgeable men on a great topic, the 1911.

So far, this is my favorite episode. Love the history. You two are the best. Thanks.

had the very same experience with my first 1911, Colt Combat Commander, couldn't hit a 7" plate at 7 yds, sold it, had only S&W revolvers for many years, and then I started seeing custom built .45's, began doing some gunsmith reading, got an old Gold Cup, rebuilt it and then got a Wilson, have been a 1911 fan every since

I agree with you 100%. Been carrying the 1911 for years now. Keeping the maintenance up. Never had a single problem, I also own many of the polymer wonders,like you stated to each his own.

I could listen to them reminisce all day.

Great video, really enjoy hearing personal accounts. Thanks for posting.

I love it! Now I need to go watch the other three videos. It's amazing how we can associate our past, the history of our country... and a certain amount of art through firearms. To me, the 1911 is truly the place where art, history, and skill reach the perfect focus.

I carried a Colt 1911 as an MP in the US Army for 4 1/2 years . l still prefer it over any semiautomatic. And the 45 cal has real power behind it. I will buy another one this year for personal defense.

I've owned several different Glocks and really liked them until I bought a 1911 and now I'm not sure I even want a Glock anymore. I love my 1911

One Day I will get a Wilson Combat 1911. Till then I will just glue Wilson parts on my Ruger sr1911.

I bought a 1911 back in the late 70's when I was still in high school. Friends were saving for a car & I was saving for a pistol. $200 for a used 70 series back then. Funny, but my dad (who had to buy it for me) thought I was nuts too. Not only did he say it was ugly, but I wouldnt be able to hit the broad side of a barn with it...lol.

I've never had a jam or stovepipe in my Wilson combat 1911, caliber .45!!!! I even had some very old .45 ammo from back in the early 1950's and late 1940's and still never a jam or stovepipe. Thanks Bill.

Just love listening to two guys who love guns....thank you for sharing your experiences.

What a great video, I really enjoyed the stories! Thanks guys!

Awesome thanks for sharing. Would have love to be sitting next to you guys hearing these awesome stories.

I'm 21 years old and I just got into guns this year. First I bought a S/W M&P Shield 2.0 in 45, and it was a great first gun. Then I bought a Sig p365 to conceal carry because it's a very pleasant-looking and reliable little micro 9mm. However, I have always wanted a 1911 growing up. Seeing them in video games and on KZfaq really made me wanna get one. So I went ahead and got an Auto Ordinance GI model 1911, and I haven't looked back. It was $700 and I know that's basically an entry/ starter 1911, but I'm absolutely in love with it! I've been tinkering around with it and swapping parts out, and I can say for sure that 1911's are easily the most classy pistols that have ever been made. John Browning was a genius for what he did. Inventingthe reciprocating slide and the tilting barrel were some of the most intuitive and genius inventions ever made!

Glad to know there’s someone who loves theses guns as much as I do. I carry one everyday and have no regrets. They require a bit more attention than some other guns for upkeep and maintenance but it’s well worth it. I may have to give a Wilson Combat a try one of these days.

I could listen to you guys all day... thanks for sharing...

I will never own a Glock. My Remington Rand mfg'd in 1944 has been my carry gun since 1985. A WW2 veteran brought it back and kept it in it's original generic looking box with extra magazine and brush. He stored it in an ammo can for 40 years, but never used it. Unfired, parkerized, with not a scratch on it. It took me a couple of boxes to get the feel of it and when I became familiar with how it shot, I never used any other pistol. Later, I picked up another barrel at a gun show with the HS stamp on it , which is the same as the original. I've seen these Remington Rands go for as high as $4500 on the internet, but mine will never be for sale. I added a personal touch by swapping out the grips ( I keep the originals in a drawer ) and now have truly beautiful yellow-stag grips that fit well with the green-colored parkerization of the gun.

Have owned and carried many 1911's since the late 70's, my first one was built on an Essex lower with the upper, barrel, and trigger coming from the Gold Cup and the sights from Micro-Click. The last one I bought is a Rock Island FS GI in .45, have put over 400 rounds through it so far and not a single problem. My favorite was a Series 80 1991Gov't I had Colt Custom build me with all steel parts, 1911 trigger w/3 1/2- 4 lb pull, a 1949 Commander round hammer, lowered ejection port, polished feed ramp, tritium night sights, real ivory grips and finished in Royal Blue and built not too tight for carry use. Carried it every day for almost 20 years and 100% reliable. Have owned many hand guns, my first handgun being an S&W Model 13 .357, a 1st. gen Single Action Army to one of the first Glock 21's and still prefer the 1911.

Young men will learn a wealth of wisdom from these two gentlemen!

What a Great video!! Thanks Guys for the Great story's, 1911 lover for life!

pretty cool, and I inherited a Remington Rand 1911 from my Uncle a couple years ago

love hearing these stories

I do have a 1911 chambered for 45 acp. I love it. I also have a Cobra Patriot 45 chambered for 45 acp. It does accept 1911 magazines. What I don't like about it is it runs on a striker fire mechanism and has a stiff trigger pull. I do have 5 standard 7 round magazines and two 10 round magazines I bought online awhile back.

A man can't own enough 1911's!!!

This is a great video segment. Great information on the 1911. I have two 1911's. One is a 45 acp the other a 9mm. Both have been worked on by Wilson Combat and both are awesome. I really hope you will be able to keep these videos coming.

Thanks for the video!! My first experience with the 1911, as an 11Boo, they assigned me a M60(23lbs IIRC) and I also got to hump the 1911 brick at the same time, lol.

Very insightful interview. Extremely impressed with how humble Mr. Wilson is and how he always came back to the employees. He also made excellent points about timing as well as how delivery can trump quality when there is a market demand. Excellent questions by Mr. Hackathorn as well. Thank you gentlemen.

Absolutely love these videos.

Love you guys ! Great stuff , keep it coming . From a guy that loves 1911s and enjoys shooting them . With my dad being and old w2 military cop and that his carry service pistol , the 1911 was the platform from what I was taught to shoot . And the 1911 is what I shoot best to this day . K

Thanks for taking the time to make these. I’ve enjoyed every one. Interestingly after shooting guns for over a decade now my favorite is a 1911 and an HK USP.

Thank you both for the Video. God Bless America and you.

As I’m typing sitting on my nightstand is a Wilson Combat true commander 4.25 in 9mm. Just like you Ken as long as I can carry a gun it’ll probably be a 1911. Doesn’t mean I don’t own or shoot other guns but the 1911 is my favorite. Wilson Combat as a company has changed along with the quality of their customer service, it was the only brand of 1911 I owned but I’ve probably bought my last one. I see no reason to pay Wilson money and receive mediocre customer service their are other manufacturers out there that I will try going forward and it pains me to say it. Rick

I love these fireside chats

Such a nice show, I've been around a 1911 most of my life and I still have one, this channel is great and one of my favorite channels, please keep up the good work, I appreciate you !!

Thank you guys for the video. I really like hearing you guys speak so highly of the 1911. I carry a Ruger SR1911 Commander and so many people love to talk crap about the 1911 but I love it. I wish I could carry it year-round,but in Texas the summers are so hot that I have to go with a smaller Sub compact m&p shield to conceal more.

Love hearing these two guys talk pistols,you are sure to learn something 🤙

Two of the most respected gentlemen ever. I’ve got a friend that talked to, and shot with both of them, along with Larry Vickers

I love these videos.. Keep them going 😃

Gents when those old stories stop our gun history will start to disappear

...nice thing about the 1911 is that it lends itself to the home hobby gunsmith...I bought a Norinco 1911 in the early 90s and rebuttal it down to just about every pin & spring...thanx to WIlson's parts - with the exception of the fire control group - a John Nowlin kit I bought at as 90s S H O T Show...it was a pleasure and a hobby project...if Crerakote or Duracoat was available at the tine I'd'a refinished the SOB too...

My first experience with a 1911 was very different. I had only shot a Springfield XD regularly. So by the time I got my new Springfield MC Operator to the range, I could finally shoot accurately!

I enjoyed this video very much. Thank you gentlemen.

This was awesome to listen to thanks gentlemen.

Great listening to these two MASTERS chat. Two handgun types you never go wrong with buying are a 1911, or a S&W J/K/L/N frame revolver. Timeless classics in every sense of the words.

Thank you for sharing!

My dad, also a WW2 combat vet, when we were talking 'bout handguns back in the early 60s, steered me away from the 1911 saying, ..."can't hit the broadside of a barn with that thing." So I didn't get one until 1973, after he passed away.

Awesome thanks to these gents!!!!!! Cool stories

Could listen to these guys tell old gun stories all day

Outstanding video and presentation

I am new to guns and finally bought one. When I was at the gun shop I looked at all these different kind of pistols but the one pistol that really stood out to me was a 1911. It looked durable and reliable so I followed my instincts and bought one. Not saying the other guns were bad because frankly I don't have the experience to say that but I don't regret buying 1911 at all.

It took me a long time to purchase a 1911. But once I did. I fell in love.

Awesome video!!! Love these guys

I was getting out of the army when the Beretta was announced (1983) and I thought to myself "I am getting out just in time".

It still amazes me that one man could have designed so many great guns. 2 of them are in regular use today a hundred years later. I haven’t intentionally sought out browning designs yet from inheritance or purchase I own 4 guns designed by John browning.

Great Vid, Love the stories

Love these stories!! Would love a ww2 1911 in any condition....but they have become so expensive!! Out of my price range. Love the channel, and all the great info. Thanks guys!

Visited the Browning museum in Provo some years back, his work bench had the simplest tools, files, hacksaw, the man was an utter genius no doubt about it.

Great video! Love the stories! My first handgun was an Auto Ordnance 1911. I'm only 53 but with tendonitis probs I've developed my own geezer load. Same 185 grain swc with 6.2 grain W231. Aiming for the same velocity as 230 hardball. Still cycles the slide with standard recoil spring.

I guess I'm a Glock snob, I won't own one! I love my 1911 and my Springfield XDM. Both in .45 Cal. The 1911 is just elegant in it's own form, perhaps last centuries Technology, but form fits function! The XDM is an excellent update... Great video guy's.