fastbolt
Member
Lots of '1911'-style pistols being made nowadays, by lots of companies.
Lots of different magazines being used in them.
Lots of different .45 ACP ammunition being used, too.
Then, there's all those different folks using different combinations of guns, magazines & ammunition.
Some of those folks have even tinkered with their guns, magazines and ammunition trying to 'improve' upon them.
Some of the smaller models sometimes seem more prone to exhibit functioning issues in the hands of some folks, when used with some ammunition, than when larger models are being used.
Imagine hearing of functioning issues among that collection of assorted potential situations and circumstances.
I have a handful of Colt Model O pistols of 3 different barrel lengths and a SW1911.
One of my Colts worked well after a gifted Colt armorer did some work on it.
Another one worked well even though I tinkered with it as a young man and had let some gunsmith fiddle with it.
The rest seem to work just fine as is.
The newest Colt (XSE) and the SW1911(SC) guns have reliably fed & fired an assortment of FMJ/JHP loads I've used in them (standard pressure and +P) starting from the first round fired (after cleaning, inspecting and lubricating them before their first range sessions). I used good quality factory ammunition and good quality magazines.
I remember thinking during my Colt pistol armorer class that the newer production Colt guns looked pretty good, overall (still the usual machining marks inside, though
).
I noticed the instructor had a new Teflon finished (alloy frame) stainless lightweight Commander and asked him how he liked it. He said that he'd fired over 5,000 rounds through it without any functioning issues, and just hadn't had the time to have gotten around to doing any throat work to it. Seemed to think it was reliable enough for him to carry and use as it was.
I wouldn't have any problem buying another Colt or S&W. (I bought my last pair of these ordering them directly from the factories and paying for them before they were shipped to my dealer, sight-unseen, so to speak.) I'd be willing to consider a Springfield if I could examine it beforehand. I've seen a couple of early production Kimbers which I wouldn't mind owning for the right price.
Other more costly 1911-style guns haven't ever really interested me because I really only feel the need to have working guns, not competition or collector guns, and I can get enough 'bang for my buck' without paying that much money. But hey, I know a couple of guys who think nothing of buying and carrying some of the more expensive guns made by some of the well respected big name makers. That's fine for them. Pride-of-ownership is something I can understand and appreciate. I'm just not interested in spending $3,500-$5,000 on a working gun. Matter of fact, I've balked at spending $1,800 for a 'name' gun.
Lots of different magazines being used in them.
Lots of different .45 ACP ammunition being used, too.
Then, there's all those different folks using different combinations of guns, magazines & ammunition.
Some of those folks have even tinkered with their guns, magazines and ammunition trying to 'improve' upon them.
Some of the smaller models sometimes seem more prone to exhibit functioning issues in the hands of some folks, when used with some ammunition, than when larger models are being used.
Imagine hearing of functioning issues among that collection of assorted potential situations and circumstances.
I have a handful of Colt Model O pistols of 3 different barrel lengths and a SW1911.
One of my Colts worked well after a gifted Colt armorer did some work on it.
Another one worked well even though I tinkered with it as a young man and had let some gunsmith fiddle with it.
The rest seem to work just fine as is.
The newest Colt (XSE) and the SW1911(SC) guns have reliably fed & fired an assortment of FMJ/JHP loads I've used in them (standard pressure and +P) starting from the first round fired (after cleaning, inspecting and lubricating them before their first range sessions). I used good quality factory ammunition and good quality magazines.
I remember thinking during my Colt pistol armorer class that the newer production Colt guns looked pretty good, overall (still the usual machining marks inside, though
). I noticed the instructor had a new Teflon finished (alloy frame) stainless lightweight Commander and asked him how he liked it. He said that he'd fired over 5,000 rounds through it without any functioning issues, and just hadn't had the time to have gotten around to doing any throat work to it. Seemed to think it was reliable enough for him to carry and use as it was.
I wouldn't have any problem buying another Colt or S&W. (I bought my last pair of these ordering them directly from the factories and paying for them before they were shipped to my dealer, sight-unseen, so to speak.) I'd be willing to consider a Springfield if I could examine it beforehand. I've seen a couple of early production Kimbers which I wouldn't mind owning for the right price.
Other more costly 1911-style guns haven't ever really interested me because I really only feel the need to have working guns, not competition or collector guns, and I can get enough 'bang for my buck' without paying that much money. But hey, I know a couple of guys who think nothing of buying and carrying some of the more expensive guns made by some of the well respected big name makers. That's fine for them. Pride-of-ownership is something I can understand and appreciate. I'm just not interested in spending $3,500-$5,000 on a working gun. Matter of fact, I've balked at spending $1,800 for a 'name' gun.
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