I have seen many post about 1911 being the best design ect..but for every one of those, I see one saying that the are not reliable out the box. Whats the deal ? I love the look of the 1911 but Im a younger guy and have no emotional attachment to them like some do. I dont want to spend a bunch of time and wated money trying to "tweek" one into good shape. Are there any that are just good out the box ?
1911...good out the box ?
- Thread starter Don Lu
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Car Knocker
Member
The several I've bought have had no problems.
George Hill
Member
I've had a couple Springfields and others out of the box that needed a bit of a wear in.
Have had a couple Kimbers now that have been flawless out of the box and just kept getting better.
Have had a couple Kimbers now that have been flawless out of the box and just kept getting better.
BevrFevr
Member
1911's can be great and can suck bigtime
That said I finally bought a quality 1911 even after I have shot many crap Kimbers, sprinfields, and colts.
Of course I bought S&W. It converted me to a love of 1911 pattern guns and the .45acp caliber.
I have had experience with both but this was the gun that converted me for both.
Don't buy any brand based on what anybody says here. Look at on a pistol by pistol basis regardless of manufacturer.
There are plenty of turds in the 1911 puchbowl regardless of price or the name on the side. If you get a good one though you will be in love.
-bevr
That said I finally bought a quality 1911 even after I have shot many crap Kimbers, sprinfields, and colts.
Of course I bought S&W. It converted me to a love of 1911 pattern guns and the .45acp caliber.
I have had experience with both but this was the gun that converted me for both.
Don't buy any brand based on what anybody says here. Look at on a pistol by pistol basis regardless of manufacturer.
There are plenty of turds in the 1911 puchbowl regardless of price or the name on the side. If you get a good one though you will be in love.
-bevr
Pick a quality 1911, and it will fucntion as well as ANY handgun on the market. The problem is that the term 1911 seems to be applied to any handgun which remotely resembles a 1911 regardless of the length of barrel or the quality control.
No one speaks of a BHP or a CZ copy as a BHP or CZ respectively. They speak instead of a BHP or CZ clone. If the clone misbehaves, it is written off as just a clone. For some reason, if a semi auto has a barrel bushing and a grip safety, its a 1911. This adds to rumors of "1911's are problematic, and need breaking in". Also, because the 1911 is so prolific, there are many magizines out in the market. Some are pure junk, and add to the relaibility problems of even good 1911's.
I have many Kimber pre Series II, one Series II, a Norinco, and of course my favorite - an Ed Brown. They all functions perfectly.
No one speaks of a BHP or a CZ copy as a BHP or CZ respectively. They speak instead of a BHP or CZ clone. If the clone misbehaves, it is written off as just a clone. For some reason, if a semi auto has a barrel bushing and a grip safety, its a 1911. This adds to rumors of "1911's are problematic, and need breaking in". Also, because the 1911 is so prolific, there are many magizines out in the market. Some are pure junk, and add to the relaibility problems of even good 1911's.
I have many Kimber pre Series II, one Series II, a Norinco, and of course my favorite - an Ed Brown. They all functions perfectly.
10-Ring
Member
I've purchased a SA Mil Spec - fine out of box, a Kimber Custom II - had a couple issues but fine when I sold it, a Colt XSE - flawless since day one and a DW CBOB -- that had some hiccups but is okay now.
Me, when I buy another, it will be a Colt!
Me, when I buy another, it will be a Colt!
Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
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Hello. I've got several 1911 pattern pistols that have run fine from the box. Others needed a bit of help, but then worked just fine and have continued to do so for decades now.
Best.
Best.
Gordon
Member
The deal about the S&W is, besides working VERY well out of the box, IF you have any problem S&W emails you an overnight shipping label . You put the gun in the factory box, UNLOADED, and take it to any UPS store. They ship it back very soon repaired correctly , even if it takes a new frame! I know Springfield and everybody else , even high end guns don't come close to that service!
BTW I don't really like the S&W revolvers the last 7 years, even though I have more than 50 S&Ws up to 1999. I sold my 325 and 360 PD revolvers as they were POS. I do have a new S&W Centennial case hardened lemon squeezer on order- in faith.
BTW I don't really like the S&W revolvers the last 7 years, even though I have more than 50 S&Ws up to 1999. I sold my 325 and 360 PD revolvers as they were POS. I do have a new S&W Centennial case hardened lemon squeezer on order- in faith.
420Stainless
Member
Maybe I'm just lucky, but the four I own have never had any issues as purchased - and they aren't picky eaters either. The only problem I have had surfaced after purchasing some cheap mags at a gun show. Dumped them and never had any more troubles.
browningguy
Member
Most 1911's will be reliable out of the box. Assuming you clean and lube it properly. When they get unreliable, it's often becasue someone has decided to "improve" the design.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I'm with my friends Car Knocker and Mr. Camp, as all of the 1911's
that I have in my small collection have run just fine right out of the box;
including my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II~!
that I have in my small collection have run just fine right out of the box;
including my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II~!
IDriveB5
Member
I have a fairly new SA loaded, and have a few hundred rounds through it and only one failure to feed:
Car Knocker
Member
How many rounds through it now? I'm close to 3,000 through my UC (pre-Series II) without a problem. I'm going to try Double Tap 200 gr Gold Dot HP when I get back from vacation - Mike McNett says they should be pushing 976 fps out of a 3" barrel.Ala Dan said:
schmeky
Member
1911 same old arguement. Which is better/more reliable/best price?
You can have problems with any of them. I have an early model Kimber Classic which has been an awesome gun for me, without a doubt my favorite.
Have a Norinco, excellent gun, not as accurate as the Kimber, but as reliable.
Have 2 Colts, not near as well made/finished/fitted as the Kimber.
The more answers you get, the more confused you will become. Just pick a well known manufacturer and jump in.
You can have problems with any of them. I have an early model Kimber Classic which has been an awesome gun for me, without a doubt my favorite.
Have a Norinco, excellent gun, not as accurate as the Kimber, but as reliable.
Have 2 Colts, not near as well made/finished/fitted as the Kimber.
The more answers you get, the more confused you will become. Just pick a well known manufacturer and jump in.
MICHAEL T
Member
I had the brand X's They were trouble I now buy Colts No trouble
GigaBuist
Member
I wouldn't worry -- you should be fine as long as you pick a respected brand.
That said, and I meant it, the one and only 1911 I own had problems out of the box. Problems like the gun shop owner and all of his employees in there that day couldn't get it back together. There was a burr in the grip somewhere that was affecting the grip safety that caused a safety to pop up making it impossible to reassemble.
It was about 8:30pm when I bought it, so I left it there and their 'smith fixed it up for me and explained the problem.
Still, I'd buy another one, even from the same company, in a heartbeat.
That said, and I meant it, the one and only 1911 I own had problems out of the box. Problems like the gun shop owner and all of his employees in there that day couldn't get it back together.
There was a burr in the grip somewhere that was affecting the grip safety that caused a safety to pop up making it impossible to reassemble.It was about 8:30pm when I bought it, so I left it there and their 'smith fixed it up for me and explained the problem.
Still, I'd buy another one, even from the same company, in a heartbeat.
robctwo
Member
I put off buying a 1911 for a number of years. This past year I've bought four. One minor problem with the SA loaded and S&W Commander, easily fixed in each case. No troubles with the Les Baer or Ed Brown, but they were both slightly used when I got them.
ezypikns
Member
Look at Smith & Wesson
Check out the 1911 Forum. I did that and it seemed to me that I saw fewer complaints about Smith & Wesson's 1911's than almost any other. Nothing scientific about it at all.
I bought a S&W 1911 and it has been absolutely reliable. Never a FTF or FTE. Of course, you've also seen folks swear by their SA/Kimber/Para/Rock Island/whatever. And I'm sure they're right too. Sometimes you just have to go with a gut feeling. You also don't see many complaints about a Les Baer or Ed Brown pistol, but most of us don't choose to spend that kind of money.
Check out the 1911 Forum. I did that and it seemed to me that I saw fewer complaints about Smith & Wesson's 1911's than almost any other. Nothing scientific about it at all.
I bought a S&W 1911 and it has been absolutely reliable. Never a FTF or FTE. Of course, you've also seen folks swear by their SA/Kimber/Para/Rock Island/whatever. And I'm sure they're right too. Sometimes you just have to go with a gut feeling. You also don't see many complaints about a Les Baer or Ed Brown pistol, but most of us don't choose to spend that kind of money.
I have had luck with Colt, Springfield, one Charles Daly, & Kimber. I also had another and danged if I can remember the brand (small company) and it ran fine as well.
The one 1911 I had trouble with someone had gotten carried away "adjusting" the feed ramp and barrel throat. After much anguish I figured out the problem and was, fortunately, able to fix it.
Greatest design for a fighting pistol ever, period.
The one 1911 I had trouble with someone had gotten carried away "adjusting" the feed ramp and barrel throat. After much anguish I figured out the problem and was, fortunately, able to fix it.
Greatest design for a fighting pistol ever, period.
My Colts have all been accurate and reliable. I did a 3,000-round torture test on a Colt series 70 reissue. During the 3,000 rounds, I never cleaned the pistol. I periodically added oil to keep it from grinding itself to death. It never failed! It never lost accuracy.
I have had many Kimbers (14 or 15). Of those, 5 were "Custom" shop. All 5 Custom Shop Kimbers arrived defective. If you locate a Kimber with external extractor, do not buy it. Kimber has since discontinued that defective venture. Kimber tries to make their pistols too tight with insufficient attention to tooling it smoothly enough to function reliably. They assume the 500 rounds fired will "mill" the steel smooth. Also, too many MIM parts. I have my last Kimber posted for sale right now.
Buy a Colt.
I have had many Kimbers (14 or 15). Of those, 5 were "Custom" shop. All 5 Custom Shop Kimbers arrived defective. If you locate a Kimber with external extractor, do not buy it. Kimber has since discontinued that defective venture. Kimber tries to make their pistols too tight with insufficient attention to tooling it smoothly enough to function reliably. They assume the 500 rounds fired will "mill" the steel smooth. Also, too many MIM parts. I have my last Kimber posted for sale right now.
Buy a Colt.
Ok... Here We Go....
The “problem” with 1911’s is that everyone and their brother is making them these days and each and every company making them has their own ideas about how to “fix” something that was never broke. Add to that the fact that anyone with an instructional video, a Dremel and a kitchen table is now calling themselves a gunsmith specializing in 1911’s and you have a recipe for disaster.
Another thing is that companies are subsisting CNC time for hand fitting time. That’s why an Ed Brown or Les Bear is twice the price of a top of the line production gun. Sure, the quality of the parts is better, but not a thousand or two dollars better. Most of that cost is in hand fitting.
Then there are the 1911 myths that have seeped into every ones brain, and thus, gun makers have to follow suit if they want to sell guns; which is why they are in business in the first place, right? A 1911 does not have to be “bank vault” tight to be accurate, and does not have to be sloppy loose to be reliable. Extractors do not need to be “tuned” or futzed with to work properly… step away from the Dremel. Heavier recoil springs do not make a 1911 more reliable, nor do the make it feed better. Guide rods are not needed.
You are not smarter then John Browning.
My WWII colt 1911a1 has been utterly reliable with any crap that I can jam in the magazine. FMJ, lead SWC, high tech HP’s… it eats them all, and the only thing that was ever done to it was to replace (not change or modify) the springs. It is accurate enough, and is more accurate then can be expected with the GI sights.
The 1911 is one of the best design ever put into production, but even the best recipe cannot keep too many cooks from spoiling the soup.
The “problem” with 1911’s is that everyone and their brother is making them these days and each and every company making them has their own ideas about how to “fix” something that was never broke. Add to that the fact that anyone with an instructional video, a Dremel and a kitchen table is now calling themselves a gunsmith specializing in 1911’s and you have a recipe for disaster.
Another thing is that companies are subsisting CNC time for hand fitting time. That’s why an Ed Brown or Les Bear is twice the price of a top of the line production gun. Sure, the quality of the parts is better, but not a thousand or two dollars better. Most of that cost is in hand fitting.
Then there are the 1911 myths that have seeped into every ones brain, and thus, gun makers have to follow suit if they want to sell guns; which is why they are in business in the first place, right? A 1911 does not have to be “bank vault” tight to be accurate, and does not have to be sloppy loose to be reliable. Extractors do not need to be “tuned” or futzed with to work properly… step away from the Dremel. Heavier recoil springs do not make a 1911 more reliable, nor do the make it feed better. Guide rods are not needed.
You are not smarter then John Browning.
My WWII colt 1911a1 has been utterly reliable with any crap that I can jam in the magazine. FMJ, lead SWC, high tech HP’s… it eats them all, and the only thing that was ever done to it was to replace (not change or modify) the springs. It is accurate enough, and is more accurate then can be expected with the GI sights.
The 1911 is one of the best design ever put into production, but even the best recipe cannot keep too many cooks from spoiling the soup.
CajunBass
Member
I've had two Colt 1911's. I can't say I've had any problems with either of them. Does that mean they never jammed? No. The first one jammed from time to time with my reloads. Never often enough to make me think it was anything but the ammo, which I put up with a hand held "Lee Loader."
My current one, a 1991A1 Commander would jam the last round out of one of my two magazines. I replaced that magazine and haven't had a problem with it since.
To tell you the truth, I've never had any gun I've ever had a real problem with.
My current one, a 1991A1 Commander would jam the last round out of one of my two magazines. I replaced that magazine and haven't had a problem with it since.
To tell you the truth, I've never had any gun I've ever had a real problem with.
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