The 1911 pistol is one of those "darlings" of the American handgun shooter--so much so that one can hardly think of a serious handgunner who doesn't own one or a customization that hasn't been done to it. This is your opportunity to show off your favorite 1911, and share those customizations that make it your favorite so others can benefit from your experience. If you have a favorite 1911 that you'd like to share with other www.handgunsmag.com users, simply email a clear photo and approximately 200 words about it to scott.mayer@imoutdoors.com. We will post new contributions to this ongoing, interactive article as they're submitted.

WALT RAUCH

Armand Swenson
My first Armand Swenson 1911 is my favorite. I learned of Swenson’s work in 1966 thanks to U.S. Secret Service Agent Gary Weistrand, who had one and let me handle it-—truly “gun art” from a master craftsman. I was hooked. But life interfered with my quest for a Swenson 1911 until 1980, when I met and hit it off with Armand at the Bianchi Cup competition.

Walt's favorite 1911 is an Armand Swenson.

Back home after finishing the match, I called him and asked if he could build me a full-house hard-chrome gun. He simply replied to this by asking, “Do you have $1,200?” I sent the check, and he sent the gun.

My timing was perfect. One of Armand’s customers had backed out, and he had a gun all ready to go. It was everything I had wanted, except for hand-carved ivory grips, which I quickly acquired.

My “Swengun” rode on my hip for more than two decades. Now I take it out only for a nostalgic range visit or sometimes for a dress-up affair. After all this time, I don’t want to lose it to theft or a police evidence locker. It’s still my favorite 1911, though.

Here are two Springfields from online reader Randy S.--a full size Mil-Spec and Micro G.I. Randy likes them because they are plain with no frills.

STAN TRZONIEC

Colt Gold Cup
My favorite Model 1911 might seem a little unconventional to many, but it works for me. I was shooting the PPC circuit here in the Northeast and wanted to get into shooting IPSC really badly, but I had a young family and money was tight—spending big bucks on a “custom” .45 automatic was not in the budget.

In 1972, Stan decided to save up for a Colt Gold Cup and it has become his favorite 1911.

Looking through the catalogs and listening to other competitive shooters, I decided to save up for the Colt Gold Cup. At that time (1972), it was less than $200 and working at the lumberyard at night paid for it in no time. The only thing I did to that gun was to replace the target spring with a stronger one, had the beavertail safety replaced with a wider, more comfortable safety lever and went on to my shooting duties.

As time went on, the bluing was worn and I sent the gun to Devel to have it hard-chromed. I added a set of Colt rosewood grips and to this day that gun will shoot groups under two inches 25 yards in a rest.