Horse "feathers" thousand upon thousand of folks have proved that to be totally false a $500 or so pistol won't likely have the finish of a more expensive one- but they go bang when trigger is pressed and many, many are very accurate- ask me how I KNOW this
1911s don't like me.
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Stevie-Ray
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I've had 3 1911s that worked perfectly and one that didn't. That puts me at 75% perfect for just mine. The percentile goes up if I include all those I've shot. Conversely, I'm at 50% for Glocks. Personally, I like both, but advantage: 1911.
W.E.G.
Member
I've had four different 1911's, and I've fired several others.
I get brass-to-face (BTF) on every flavor I've ever tried.
I guess the 7-round magazine wasn't that big of a detriment, since I'd be "out of the fight" from blindness before I could ever finish a mag.
Spent a bunch of money and time on one of 'em to try to solve the BTF issue, and never got it resolved.
Sold all but one of them (has .22 rimfire kit in it now), and moved on to other guns for my important handgun needs.
I get brass-to-face (BTF) on every flavor I've ever tried.
I guess the 7-round magazine wasn't that big of a detriment, since I'd be "out of the fight" from blindness before I could ever finish a mag.
Spent a bunch of money and time on one of 'em to try to solve the BTF issue, and never got it resolved.
Sold all but one of them (has .22 rimfire kit in it now), and moved on to other guns for my important handgun needs.
tomrkba
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When one buys eight big name 1911's over the period of a decade and only two work properly out of the box, it tends to make the buyer believe "1911's suck". For the most part, they do. It is a crappy design that needs too much tweaking to get right. Hilton Yam goes on and on able how to test a 1911 for reliability. I could do all that or I could buy a different gun based upon a better design. I bet that raising the top cartridge so it is more in line with the chamber would improve the situation quite a bit. However, such a beastie would be a SIG, Glock, HK, or any of a large pool of modern handguns.
The 1911 as designed works great with the ammo it was designed for. The problem is that the design gets improved by every manufacturer/gunsmith/pistolero/tinkerer that makes or owns one. Add "improvements" and reliability suffers.
Take a box-stock 1911 that was built to original specs and feed it hardball, and it'll be reliable and combat-accurate. Tighten it up, add a match barrel, and feed it ashtray hollowpoints or SWCs, and it may have issues....
Double_J
Member
I own a Taurus PT1911 and I have only had one issue with it in over 800 rounds. The issue I had was that it would not feed one brand of JHP. I fixed this issue by changing brands that I bought and never looked back. I have heard the same thing from several other people who own this same model. I personally think that the issue is how the feed ramp is cut, but the pistol was designed for round nose ammo.
I have shot quite a few different 1911's over the past 15 years of my pistol career. Those range from worn-out sloppy colts to brand new HIGH DOLLAR race guns. I had two of them give me headaches, one due to being so used that nothing was within tolerance anymore, the other was a brand new pistol that had less than 100 rounds downrange. The worn out model was retired until it could be rebuilt, the owner guesses it had over 300,000 rounds through it. The brand new model ran fine after we tore it down, cleaned it, lubed it, and spent some time shooting it. After about 250-300 rounds it was shooting fine.
I am a believer that if a mechanical device does not work right the first time, look it over for an obvious fault. If you are unable to find an obvious fault, then have someone else look at it. I have seen times when the issue is as simple as incorrect operation, limp-wristing, failure to lube properly, using cheap ammo in an expensive gun, not cleaning the gun before use, and not reading the users manual. (I know we should all know how the gun works, but there might be some quirks that we need to understand before use)
I have shot quite a few different 1911's over the past 15 years of my pistol career. Those range from worn-out sloppy colts to brand new HIGH DOLLAR race guns. I had two of them give me headaches, one due to being so used that nothing was within tolerance anymore, the other was a brand new pistol that had less than 100 rounds downrange. The worn out model was retired until it could be rebuilt, the owner guesses it had over 300,000 rounds through it. The brand new model ran fine after we tore it down, cleaned it, lubed it, and spent some time shooting it. After about 250-300 rounds it was shooting fine.
I am a believer that if a mechanical device does not work right the first time, look it over for an obvious fault. If you are unable to find an obvious fault, then have someone else look at it. I have seen times when the issue is as simple as incorrect operation, limp-wristing, failure to lube properly, using cheap ammo in an expensive gun, not cleaning the gun before use, and not reading the users manual. (I know we should all know how the gun works, but there might be some quirks that we need to understand before use)
They will ALL run out of the box..usually! The more expensive guns just run better with supreme accuracy! (as long as I do my part!)
tipoc
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Boy every time I read the internet I'm amazed at how many fellas just cannot shoot a 1911. They learn to shoot on polymer guns, and sometimes just video games or you tube, and just cannot shoot a 1911. The gun flummoxes them, confounds them, confuses them, scares them, etc. I've run into fellas like this on occasion at the range. They complain. I pick up the same gun and bang, bang, bang.
"They brass hits me in the face": The fella was standing too close to the wall of the lane and it was hitting the wall and bouncing into his face. He cried like a baby. Pretend it's rain! So wear a hat! That's why the Army invented baseball caps. Brass Avoidance Sspecialized Eequipment for Ball cap, as in ball ammo. BASEBall Cap. That's how the game of baseball got it's start. One fella wore the cap another stood by with a bat to knock the brass away from his face. Go Big Papi!
It's too heavy, sob, sob, sob. All day long your momma picked up your 30 pound chubby baby behind up and down and carried you everywhere, and maybe still does, but you can't carry 42ozs. of steel! Plus your momma carried you for 9 months deep concealment as your head kept swelling, and you complain more about a side arm then she complained about you. Cowboy up!
It's a poor design! So are you but you're momma loves you anyway. By comparison the 1911 works wonderfully compared to ya'alls lazy no gun shooting behinds!
It's an old design, sob, sob, sob! So is the ax and the knife. They still work and so does the 1911.
It take a $3,000 gun to get one that works. Why do I keep getting $400. guns that work well I wonder? Maybe it's because I can tell a good one from a bad. If a fella can't find a good one for under a grand it's the shooter not the gun that is at fault.
More often many who complain about not being able to shoot a 1911 or get one working right are correct. But it's more often these days the fault of the shooter.
tipoc
"They brass hits me in the face": The fella was standing too close to the wall of the lane and it was hitting the wall and bouncing into his face. He cried like a baby. Pretend it's rain! So wear a hat! That's why the Army invented baseball caps. Brass Avoidance Sspecialized Eequipment for Ball cap, as in ball ammo. BASEBall Cap. That's how the game of baseball got it's start. One fella wore the cap another stood by with a bat to knock the brass away from his face. Go Big Papi!
It's too heavy, sob, sob, sob. All day long your momma picked up your 30 pound chubby baby behind up and down and carried you everywhere, and maybe still does, but you can't carry 42ozs. of steel! Plus your momma carried you for 9 months deep concealment as your head kept swelling, and you complain more about a side arm then she complained about you. Cowboy up!
It's a poor design! So are you but you're momma loves you anyway. By comparison the 1911 works wonderfully compared to ya'alls lazy no gun shooting behinds!
It's an old design, sob, sob, sob! So is the ax and the knife. They still work and so does the 1911.
It take a $3,000 gun to get one that works. Why do I keep getting $400. guns that work well I wonder? Maybe it's because I can tell a good one from a bad. If a fella can't find a good one for under a grand it's the shooter not the gun that is at fault.
More often many who complain about not being able to shoot a 1911 or get one working right are correct. But it's more often these days the fault of the shooter.
tipoc
You are right! They ALL should work! It's just so much nicer with a beautiful trigger... impecible finish...and superb accuracy. HOWEVER...they should all go bang without fail!
That was actually funny!Boy every time I read the internet I'm amazed at how many fellas just cannot shoot a 1911. They learn to shoot on polymer guns, and sometimes just video games or you tube, and just cannot shoot a 1911. The gun flummoxes them, confounds them, confuses them, scares them, etc. I've run into fellas like this on occasion at the range. They complain. I pick up the same gun and bang, bang, bang.
"They brass hits me in the face": The fella was standing too close to the wall of the lane and it was hitting the wall and bouncing into his face. He cried like a baby. Pretend it's rain! So wear a hat! That's why the Army invented baseball caps. Brass Avoidance Sspecialized Eequipment for Ball cap, as in ball ammo. BASEBall Cap. That's how the game of baseball got it's start. One fella wore the cap another stood by with a bat to knock the brass away from his face. Go Big Papi!
It's too heavy, sob, sob, sob. All day long your momma picked up your 30 pound chubby baby behind up and down and carried you everywhere, and maybe still does, but you can't carry 42ozs. of steel! Plus your momma carried you for 9 months deep concealment as your head kept swelling, and you complain more about a side arm then she complained about you. Cowboy up!
It's a poor design! So are you but you're momma loves you anyway. By comparison the 1911 works wonderfully compared to ya'alls lazy no gun shooting behinds!
It's an old design, sob, sob, sob! So is the ax and the knife. They still work and so does the 1911.
It take a $3,000 gun to get one that works. Why do I keep getting $400. guns that work well I wonder? Maybe it's because I can tell a good one from a bad. If a fella can't find a good one for under a grand it's the shooter not the gun that is at fault.
More often many who complain about not being able to shoot a 1911 or get one working right are correct. But it's more often these days the fault of the shooter.
tipoc
I still like more expensive 1911's! I've owned Kimbers...still do! Never shot a new 1911 under $800. I started with a Kimber CDP Pro II. Hated it!! I owned a new Kimber Target...nice gun...but it was stolen. I DO have a cool gun that I bought used. It was an older Kimber Custom series 1 that was hard chromed...has carbon fiber grips and fiber optic sights!! THAT is a cool gun...has some bling to it..shoots very accurately.. and I bought it out the door for $600..used.
But..I still like Baers, WC's and Browns! Cannot help myself!!
tipoc
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These type threads remind me of a fella a knew who had a blog about Honda vehicles being crap. He complained that when he bought one new the windshield wiper fluid would not work. Turned out that in assembly a fella had left a piece of tape where he shouldn't have left it. Tape removed, wipers worked.
Then he discovered he didn't like the steering wheel.
Then he broke of the key in the ignition. Complained of cheap keys.
Then he complained that the turn signal switch was in the wrong place.
Then he complained that when he was drunk and drove it into a tree it cost a lot to repair.
I know a fella who recently bought a new Dan Wesson Valor. It was his first 1911. Complained to me that it wasn't as reliable or accurate as his Glock in 40S&W. How many rounds did you put through it? I asked. 200 he said and I had 4 jams. I went to the range with him. I put 100 rounds through it with no problems with good accuracy.
Your first 1911 and you're not used to it, I told him. You may also not be used to the features on this gun, etc. Give it time. He sold it anyway and claims 1911s are not reliable. It was him that made the gun unreliable. It usually is.
Some folk are not made for the gun. Impatience and inexperience play a role. But it's rarely the gun in my experience.
Also internet blather (some of it payed for) plays a role.
tipoc
Then he discovered he didn't like the steering wheel.
Then he broke of the key in the ignition. Complained of cheap keys.
Then he complained that the turn signal switch was in the wrong place.
Then he complained that when he was drunk and drove it into a tree it cost a lot to repair.
I know a fella who recently bought a new Dan Wesson Valor. It was his first 1911. Complained to me that it wasn't as reliable or accurate as his Glock in 40S&W. How many rounds did you put through it? I asked. 200 he said and I had 4 jams. I went to the range with him. I put 100 rounds through it with no problems with good accuracy.
Your first 1911 and you're not used to it, I told him. You may also not be used to the features on this gun, etc. Give it time. He sold it anyway and claims 1911s are not reliable. It was him that made the gun unreliable. It usually is.
Some folk are not made for the gun. Impatience and inexperience play a role. But it's rarely the gun in my experience.
Also internet blather (some of it payed for) plays a role.
tipoc
MagnunJoe
Member
UPDATE
Tipoc Opened the door and revived an old thead.
Since receiving my MetalForm bottom welded 7 round mags, I have shot a total of 400 flawless rounds with both the Ruger and the Remy. I am a happy camper.
Tipoc Opened the door and revived an old thead.
Since receiving my MetalForm bottom welded 7 round mags, I have shot a total of 400 flawless rounds with both the Ruger and the Remy. I am a happy camper.
.45 ball aint much of a load. It's just had a billion lies told about it, that's all. If any other handgun design had even 10% as many problems as the 1911 has, it would go out of production in a year. If it was a new design and was so problematic, it probably never get off the ground, in fact. I am a big fan of the 1911, actually, but if I couldn't smith it myself, I wouldn't touch one with a 10 ft pole.
MagnunJoe
Member
No harm done Tipoc, I'm glad I was able to resolve the issue with the mags since the next step was to polish the feeding system.
tomrkba
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I have had seven production 1911's from 1997 through 2007. Makes were Springfield, Kimber and Colt. Only the Colts were any good. My SA Loaded M9109 was good for 900 rounds before it went belly up. My EMP 9mm needed three trips to the factory to get working. The Kimber never worked due to the external extractor AND several serious manufacturing flaws. The replacement Kimber had exactly the same issues. I paid attention to forums and how people troubleshoot 1911's. I had high quality magazines from all the major manufacturers. I used all types of FMJ ammo and kept them onhand for testing.
If 1911's are so great, why can't companies consistently make guns that function well until the first round of maintenance? I wasted so much money on them that I could have had a high end custom gun and a pallet of ammo.
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osteodoc08
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I posted earlier, but I see this thread has been going a while.
OP, if you dont like them, trade them off. No sense in keeping something around you dont like or want.
May I suggest a Sig P220 or P227. A Glock? An M&P, XDm.....the list goes on.
OP, if you dont like them, trade them off. No sense in keeping something around you dont like or want.
May I suggest a Sig P220 or P227. A Glock? An M&P, XDm.....the list goes on.
My three 1911s run flawlessly, by Glock 21 never did run right even after going back to the factory.
tark
Member
1911s are no different from any other auto pistols I have owned through the years. And I am talking over 40 years of shooting. Some work flawlessly from day one.....some don't. I have owned one automatic pistol in my life that has never malfunctioned in any way, shape, or form. I have owned it for thirty-five years and ran thousands of rounds through it. It is an Astra 400.
I took my SW1911 to my gunsmith and had a reliability tune done to it; it was usually pretty reliable before, now it shoots everything I feed it without a hiccup. I told him I didn't like the FLGR and the FPB, and he said don't mess with it. I asked him which magazines I should use with it, he asked me what I was using, I said I use Wilson 47D mags, he said these were as good as any. I believe there is a value in letting a good gunsmith work on my guns.
orionengnr
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I have owned about 25 1911s from various manufacturers since 1982.
Three of them were Colts, and I don't own a Colt today.
Three of them were Springfields, and I don't own a Springfield today.
The list of 1911s I no longer own goes on, but I'll tell you what I do own (because one or more has worked 100% over a period of time):
Kimber
Les Baer
S&W
Dan Wesson
YMMV.
Sorry to hear the OP's bad luck.Its the main reason I would not spend money on a 1911 peroid.I guess expectations are different for everyone but Iv'e never had any problems with polymer guns. For the same amount of $$$$$$$ I can pick up 1-2 XD's,M&P's or Glocks and not have to worry about reliability like the ol'e jim browning classic.YMMV.
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