[J.Bourne]

Which 1911 make is the most reliable out of the box?

[El Tejon]

Ford and Chevy both make excellent cars, but sometimes someone on the line is sick, angry, tired, etc. Lemons happen.

I've owned a lot of 1911s. I am VERY happy with my Les Baer TRSs. Lots of good guns out there now.

[John Forsyth]

You pay for what you get. I have seen expensive semi-custom guns (Les Baer, Wilson, et al) that were fairly unreliable and some of the exact same model run perfectly. The same can be said for the factory guns, Colt, Kimber, & SA. The most bang for a buck right now is a NRM Colt 1991. The one I have has not failed me yet.

I also have three other Colts, two Kimbers, and two full custom Caspians. They all run. I really can not say which of the above is the most perfect out of the box, so I will vote other.

[10-Ring]

Yes, they do ;) From what I've been able to learn, when the 1911 is built properly, they can't be beat.

[45R]

I've been pretty happy with my Kimber Target II. It just feeds just about anything. :)

[Smoke]

My Para Ordnance P14.45 Limited (OK not a true 1911...) has never hiccuped. My Kimber hasn't either but has nowhere near the round count of either of my P14's.

[J.Bourne]

Kimber in the lead by a nose. :neener:

[Rangegod]

Over the years I've owned 25 to 30 of them, 3" to 5" and everything in between. I can only remember four which ran 100% out of the box and never failed regardless of mag or ammo used. Three Norincos and a Para Ord P-12. All the others worked well with mags and ammo of their liking after some break in.

JAC

[Sean Smith]

I wonder if people are reading all the options, or just voting for the one they own/like, as usual. :neener:

Correct answer of those named is Ed Brown, by the way. For "other," put the name of any competent pistolsmith. But that's just on average... any 1911 from a reputable source can be reliable to an extreme degree.

[Ed]

For some reason I get the idea that people are voting for what they have/have had......I'd bet most of us have not shot much less owned every one listed.

[J.Bourne]

No cheating people. :scrutiny:

You must vote based on belief; not ownership alone. ;)

[AZ Husker]

1911's currently in my armory: Colt, Kimber, Wilson, & Brown.

Undoubtedly the best quality: Ed Brown

[WonderNine]

Seems to be, the tighter they are, the more accurate, but less reliable they are. I understand that's why Colt designed some play into their slides.

[Snowdog]

No Llama? You should be ashamed.

My Kimber Custom Classic has functioned flawlessly out of the box, with the only modification being to the finish (had EABCO apply a "French Gray" electroless nickel finish). It's only seen around 500 rounds, but accuracy and reliability has been the only thing apparent thus far.

[Ian11]

I've owned the Enhanced model Colt's from the early 90's to the Colt's made recently (all 5" models). I've never owned a Kimber, a SA, or more expensive 1911's. But because Colt 1911's have been as reliable for me as a SIG or Glock I'm surprised to hear people having trouble with various 1911's. Yes, J. Bourne, I do believe Colt's are the most reliable 1911's.:D

[Smoke]

You must vote based on belief; not ownership alone :scrutiny:

By all means....let's base this poll on internet rumors, emotional opinions, and suspicions. Not on actual facts.

I have never shot an Ed Brown, STI, Rock River Arms, or Wesson. So I guess I should rank them above all the others because they MIGHT be better, or some THR guru said they were. :scrutiny:

Sheeesh.

Smoke

[Werewolf]

John Forsyth made the claim that:
The most bang for a buck right now is a NRM Colt 1991. The one I have has not failed me yet

Just went to the colt web site because the claim that an NRM Colt 1991 is the most reliable and best buy 1911 around is one I've seen repeated many times here and on other forums.

Trouble is I can't find an NRM Colt 1991 referred to on the site.

What is the model number for one of these?

[Sean Smith]

01991 for blue, 01091 for stainless. NRM stands for "New Roll Mark" (i.e. new slide markings). All of Colt's guns listed under "1991 series" on their web site fall in this category.

http://www.colt.com/CMCI/1991.asp

[Werewolf]

Gracias! :)

Always good to learn new things.

[denfoote]

I only have two. A Springfield loaded. It has not given me trouble yet. My Commander clone, which I bought used, after the springer, is pretty good also!!

[J.Bourne]

They round the bend...Colt takes a commanding lead!

Whew! I love a good horse race.

[KMKeller]

From my experience, any but my own...:mad:

[Rob96]

In my experience with Colt, Springfield and Mim....I mean Kimber, the Colt has been the most reliable. Accuracy is nothing to sneeze at either.

[Shmackey]

The answers are amusing. I like my Colt and Kimber, but I'm not going to pretend that they're more reliable than a Brown.

[James Bondrock]

My Para Ordnance P14.45 Limited (OK not a true 1911...)


Other than the double-column magazine, supported/integrally ramped barrel and firing pin lock, what is not "true 1911" about it? Oh, wait, never mind. ;)

[James Bondrock]

"Be Afraid of no man,
no matter what size.
When trouble threatens, call on me,
For I shall equalize"

-Engraved on the stocks of an Arizona Lawman's Colt SAA




It must have had mighty big stocks, or that engraver was very good indeed! (That's an awful lot to engrave on the stocks of a handgun, even split between the two sides.)

;) ;)

[longtom4570]

I own a Springfield WWII Mil-spec and i think it is very reliable,it also doesn't have all the bells and whistles to malfunction also it has the normal guide rod in it and functions fine

[John Forsyth]

93 votes, and 771 views. You figure it out. You pay for what you get.

[JMag]

I have shot many variants, I own just one...a Para Limited P-14. It never hiccups and I have felt no need to purchase another 1911-type pistol. I use those $ for Sigs...:D

[StuporDave]

I've got two 1911 style pistols. A Kimber I paid about $600 for and a Charles Daly that cost me $289 and a Wilson 47D. (it didn't like the factory mag)

Both are very reliable guns. Don't think that just spending more will get you a more reliable gun. Don't get me wrong - my Kimber is much more accurate, the fit & finish is way above the Daly, and it's just plain prettier. You didn't ask about those things, though. You just asked about reliability.

Dave

[allan]

I bought a SS Springfield Loaded in December. I have put 3700 rounds through this gun. It has never malfunctioned. NEVER. I enjoy shooting guns far more than I like cleaning guns, so I won't even try to tell you that I keep my gun clean. I have owned a Gold Cup that wouldn't feed or shoot straight. Love my fullsize Sprigfield, thinking about a Compact.

[71Commander]

Alas, I only own two 1911's, A satin Commander and a Springfield micro. Wouldn't wanna be looking at the business end of either one.

[AK103K]

I own and have owned a bunch of different 1911's. The only ones I trust to carry are the Colts. The closer to stock the better. After you chuck the el cheapo plastic parts, of course. :)

[DFBonnett]

Aside from the Army, I've only had experience with one 1911, a pistol purchased some years ago. Initially, it was balky even with hardball. After polishing the feed ramp to a mirror finish, it now feeds everything except Lawman "flying ashtrays" with 100% reliability. It is my house gun and I am confident of its reliability.

[DIETRYN]

I shoot only what I can pay for. That must be why I own two Springfield's one's a Compact .45 acp i've shot damn near 3000 round's out of this handgun and never a malfunction. My other Springfield is the XD-40,what a ugly handgun, that's my kind of handgun. I can't see myself shooting a KIMBER it's to pretty and it cost's way to much. I'll stick with SPRINGFIELD.