1911's scare me...heres why
- Thread starter phantomak47
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The Drew
Member
One of the biggest problems with factory 1911's is that they rarely have the extractor right... This can cause MANY problems.... Combine a problem extractor with crappy magazines and you'll get a troublesome 1911 anyday...
Many 1911's need to be "tuned" out of the box, Meaning extractor tensioned and feed ramp and throat polished... But that is nothing that really has to be done by a gunsmith... Also lots of new 1911's need to be broken in before they function properly...
Some people are not willing to put up with those things and they complain... Also many people buy used 1911's (because they are cheap) that were someone elses experiments gone wrong... and have bad experiences....
Many 1911's need to be "tuned" out of the box, Meaning extractor tensioned and feed ramp and throat polished... But that is nothing that really has to be done by a gunsmith... Also lots of new 1911's need to be broken in before they function properly...
Some people are not willing to put up with those things and they complain... Also many people buy used 1911's (because they are cheap) that were someone elses experiments gone wrong... and have bad experiences....
waterhouse
Member
take the plunge. I was just like you last year, I owned no less than 12 SIGs. I'm now down to 5 sigs and 5 1911s. I doubt I'll ever get rid of the remaining SIGs, as I really like all of them, but it's hard to go back to that double action trigger pull once you've gotten used to a good 1911 trigger.
Haven't seen a Colt yet that needed an extractor 'tuned.'
Feed ramp polishing is a 'relatively new thing' as hollowpoints were fairly rare for auto pistols... but if you use a hollow point with a rounded olgive it should feed fine.
Cheap magazines are bad.
Clean 'em lube them and oil them and they should last 100 or more years.
Feed ramp polishing is a 'relatively new thing' as hollowpoints were fairly rare for auto pistols... but if you use a hollow point with a rounded olgive it should feed fine.
Cheap magazines are bad.
Clean 'em lube them and oil them and they should last 100 or more years.
DHart
Member
I agree with Dr.Rob... Colt knows how to ship a 1911 that runs perfectly from the get-go. Colt builds their 1911's for defense use and therefore they allow proper clearances and extractor tuning for reliable functioning under a variety of circumstances where one's life may be dependent on the gun. The "dimpled" barrel throat they've been using for a number of years contributes toward reliable feeding of a wide variety of bullet types. And, yes... the trigger on the 1911 is like nothing else... incomparable.
phantomak47,
If you really want to get scared...go by any auto repair shop and look at the majority of brands at any one of them.....or better yet don't. Most gun styles and brands have problems....you pay the money and you take the chance. I can promise you that if the 1911 style guns were not as dependable as they are, there would not be so many of them in use today. I know a couple of guys that had to go through several brands and styles of 1911's until they found one that they felt comfortable with. They still have that one...and trust their lives to that one.
Good luck on your decisions.
If you really want to get scared...go by any auto repair shop and look at the majority of brands at any one of them.....or better yet don't. Most gun styles and brands have problems....you pay the money and you take the chance. I can promise you that if the 1911 style guns were not as dependable as they are, there would not be so many of them in use today. I know a couple of guys that had to go through several brands and styles of 1911's until they found one that they felt comfortable with. They still have that one...and trust their lives to that one.
Good luck on your decisions.
Cosmoline
Member
I agree you're either a 1911 person or you're not. I'm not. I hold and shoot one and my reaction is "meh." Which is also my reaction to .45 ACP ballistics.
That said, I think a lot of bad reviews are on high-end $$$ models where folks EXPECT perfection and are annoyed at petty problems. The mil-spec Springfields are reasonably priced and hold up under torture testing very well.
That said, I think a lot of bad reviews are on high-end $$$ models where folks EXPECT perfection and are annoyed at petty problems. The mil-spec Springfields are reasonably priced and hold up under torture testing very well.
phantomak47
Member
OK thanks for all that info. Here is what I am looking for in a 1911.
Under $800.00, Full Size, I dont want a plastic frame.
Not a target gun, but something a little better than milspec.
Reliable.
Not interested in Kimber.Not interested in a break in, I want something out of the box
What model Colt should I look at?
Thanks for all of your replies.
Under $800.00, Full Size, I dont want a plastic frame.
Not a target gun, but something a little better than milspec.
Reliable.
Not interested in Kimber.Not interested in a break in, I want something out of the box
What model Colt should I look at?
Thanks for all of your replies.
Tom Servo
Member
+1 on that. 1911 folks are different people than say, Glock folks. 1911 folks are usually more technically-minded and more prone to notice even the most minor of hiccups (though at ~$1000/gun, I can't lay blame).
What's more is that the majority of "problems" with 1911s that you hear are due to armchair gunsmithing. Follow a "My Kimber Sucks!" thread long enough, and you'll find that the problems arose after the owner had his buddy's cousin do a "custom tweak job" on it.
In my experience, the failure rate for unmolested 1911s is the same as with any other pistol. I have two at the moment: a S&W 1911PD (HIGHLY recommended at $750) and a dreaded Kimber CDP Series II. The Kimber's got over 1600 rounds through with only two misfeeds, neither of which were ever repeatable. The Smith had a grip-safety problem that was fixed within a week by the manufacturer, but has otherwise been absolutely reliable.
I'd avoid Paras, as their line seems plagued with problems and anything under $500, but otherwise I wouldn't worry about any name-brand 1911.
Technosavant
Member
phantomak, I would add the following to the shopping list:
Springfield Armory Loaded model
Para-Ordnance PXT
Smith & Wesson 1911
Springfield Armory Loaded model
Para-Ordnance PXT
Smith & Wesson 1911
TimboKhan
Member
I see your point, agree with your point, but still have to pop off a little. The 1911 is a great pistol, and of that there should be no argument. However, with the avalanche of new 1911's on the market combined with thier very, very tight tolerances, which is counter to the original design, there are some problems, some minor and some not. Is that with every gun? Definitely not, but enough I can see where concern could grow. I am not saying that 1911's should be avoided, so much as I am saying that I can see where he is coming from with his concerns. More to the point, why buy a 1911? If you love your SIG, then stick with it. Despite the fact that the 1911 is a good, venerated design, its not the only gun on the block. Fact is, some guys don't like SA pistols. I can't see why personally, but if SA isn't your thing, 1911 isn't for you. Other guys value capacity, and if thats you, the 1911 won't be your bag. Despite the fact that this borders on blasphemy for some guys, the 1911 is not the perfect gun, its just one very, very good gun in a crop of very, very good guns.
I own a S&W version and it's been 100 per cent reliable with the exception of some Winchester NT ammo and a shock buff. With the shock buff removed it was fine. I love this gun but understand some of the concerns witth 1911 design.
John Browning was a pioneer. He took us places we'd never been before. However a century later that doesn't mean there aren't better routes to the same destination. Most Browning designs are quite complex compared to modern designs. This is particularly true of his shotgun designs.
Compare a 1911 design to a SIG, Glock, CZ and the later guns are simpler with fewer things to break and with wider tolerances. If a 1911 doesn't give you confidence there are a wide range of alternatives.
John Browning was a pioneer. He took us places we'd never been before. However a century later that doesn't mean there aren't better routes to the same destination. Most Browning designs are quite complex compared to modern designs. This is particularly true of his shotgun designs.
Compare a 1911 design to a SIG, Glock, CZ and the later guns are simpler with fewer things to break and with wider tolerances. If a 1911 doesn't give you confidence there are a wide range of alternatives.
I shot my S/A 1911/9mm for the first time today. The slide does not lock back and there were two failures of the slide to go foreward. Not failures to feed, the slide actually hung up on the disconector. I dabbed a little extra grease there and the problem went away.
This pistol is fighting at least two battles that a mil spec pistol doesn't. It is stainless and it is a 9mm. Stainless just isn't chrome moly. The 9mm requires lighter recoil springs.
OTOH, it was the most enjoyable auto pistol I have ever fired. Recoil was VERY mild, accuracy was outstanding from the very first group. It easily outshoots my Glock 17L longslide.
Once this thing breaks in, watch out.
I had forgotten how good a Government model feels in the hands.
Greystar, I don't recall the barrel type on my Kimber.
This pistol is fighting at least two battles that a mil spec pistol doesn't. It is stainless and it is a 9mm. Stainless just isn't chrome moly. The 9mm requires lighter recoil springs.
OTOH, it was the most enjoyable auto pistol I have ever fired. Recoil was VERY mild, accuracy was outstanding from the very first group. It easily outshoots my Glock 17L longslide.
Once this thing breaks in, watch out.
I had forgotten how good a Government model feels in the hands.
Greystar, I don't recall the barrel type on my Kimber.
Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
I've owned 1911's for thirty years. Not sure exactly how many. .45, .38 Super Auto, 10mm. Colt, Llama, Springfield, Kimber, Dan Wesson. No custom work. They all ran out of the box.
Guess I'm just a statistical fluke.
Something taught me a lesson about autoloaders once. I had a FN Highpower that had always run very good. Then I got a box of ammo from a well-known, reputable company where the gun would fire and fail to feed...every time. Full metal jacket, too. I went back to my regular hollow point ammo and it went back to running like a Singer sewing machine.
Different models like different ammo. Sometimes, individual examples of the same model of pistol like different ammo.
I've probably jinxed myself with this post. I'm buying another 1911 next week.
Guess I'm just a statistical fluke.
Something taught me a lesson about autoloaders once. I had a FN Highpower that had always run very good. Then I got a box of ammo from a well-known, reputable company where the gun would fire and fail to feed...every time. Full metal jacket, too. I went back to my regular hollow point ammo and it went back to running like a Singer sewing machine.
Different models like different ammo. Sometimes, individual examples of the same model of pistol like different ammo.
I've probably jinxed myself with this post. I'm buying another 1911 next week.
B
Boss Spearman
Guest
Yes, you'll see bad reviews on all firearms. However, I have read and personally witnessed far more failures from people with 1911s than any other hand gun. Far more. And good ones too, Colts, Kimbers.
However, as per the previous post, I believe almost all of the failures I've seen or heard about have been from 1911s that were customized. The ones I have tried over right out of the box have worked fine.
Just my observation.
However, as per the previous post, I believe almost all of the failures I've seen or heard about have been from 1911s that were customized. The ones I have tried over right out of the box have worked fine.
Just my observation.
Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
There's a lot of people out there working on 1911's who shouldn't be working on 1911's.
A quality 1911, a premium magazine, and the right ammo=no problems.
Search long and hard for a top of the line 1911 smith. Even then...be conservative.
A quality 1911, a premium magazine, and the right ammo=no problems.
Search long and hard for a top of the line 1911 smith. Even then...be conservative.
phantomak47... www.budsgunshop.com has great prices. They show now a XSE LW commander for 748.43, a 1991 blue commander for 623.14, a 1991 Govt. SS for 665.28, and if you throw in 10 bucks, a blue Gold Cup for 809.99.
Stevie-Ray
Member
2 Colts, 1 Kimber, 0 problems.
for under $800 you can easily pick up an argentine modelo 1927 sistema colt. made on colt machinery, under colt supervision, these "colts" were made w/ a stronger steel than their namesakes. mine has not been modified except for a ambie safety (i'm a southpaw), and a trigger job-sweet, and w/ mil-sights shoots 2.5 inch groups at 25 yds w/ not a single hiccup through 100s of rounds 9 (hardball-never tried hp, but am confident that if there was a problem that a little throat polishing would cure it- my da astra covers this) the value on these is skyrocketing so i have a rock island on lay-away for shooting fun. if i have a problem w/ it, at least i know that i have a mil-spec platform to do minor tweaks to with an unending source of parts. any competent smith has cut their teeth on these & parts are cheap & easily obtained. the only handgun i know of that compares in functionality in adverse conditions is the makarov. i can't wait for my ri, as i already have plans for scrimshawed grips, ambi safety, and probably a trigger & throat job. the gun's only $275 & has no historical value, so i don't feel bad about "making it mine". imho, every pistolero should have at least one 1911, as they are truly the king of autos. a .357, also, but this is the wrong forum for that.
I bought a new NRM Colt Combat Commander that has been 100% reliable with Colt magazines. The fit and finish on it are excellent. I read reviews of a lot of under $1000 1911's before deciding on the Colt and have been very satisfied with it, and would not hesitate to buy another.
DHart
Member
With over twenty new Colts purchased during the last three years, I've still got a yearning for several more... they're awesome guns. Typically remarkably reliable, accurate, and a charisma that no other brand can even begin to touch. Nothing quite satisfies this 1911 lover like a Colt does.
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