Trust me, if it is out of spec it will not run. Just like an engine with a stretched timing belt. Everything has to happen at the exact right time. I have had a few on my bench that were your worst nightmare to figure out why they were acting up. You can't just mass produce parts with generous tolerances and slap it together and expect it to run like a 5 in.
3" 1911s?
- Thread starter tackleberry45
- Start date
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Like Old Dog, I have an S.A. loaded Micro Compact that has been almost flawless since day one, over five years ago. The ONLY failures were with
aftermarket mags (ordered from S.A.) that had feeding probs. Both the mags that came with the gun have functioned fine.
I have about 1500 rounds through the gun, and am ordering new recoil springs probably within the next week, although I have sensed no problems with the old ones. This is an EDC gun, not a range or "fun" gun, so I only shoot it "as needed" to keep the "feel" for the gun, and to run some rounds of "carry" ammo through it.
As Old dog said, it doesn't have checkering on the front grip strap, but a little strip of tread tape solves that deficiency.
Walter
aftermarket mags (ordered from S.A.) that had feeding probs. Both the mags that came with the gun have functioned fine.
I have about 1500 rounds through the gun, and am ordering new recoil springs probably within the next week, although I have sensed no problems with the old ones. This is an EDC gun, not a range or "fun" gun, so I only shoot it "as needed" to keep the "feel" for the gun, and to run some rounds of "carry" ammo through it.
As Old dog said, it doesn't have checkering on the front grip strap, but a little strip of tread tape solves that deficiency.
Walter
ken grant
Member
I had a Colt Officer's that I bought used. It would hardly run a mag through with out a jam of some kind.
It had been sent to a top rated custom builder and a reverse plug recoil system, barrel(builder's name on it) and bushing installed. It came back and would not run and was sent back again. Still didn't run and the guy sold it to me after disclosing problem.
I paid a visit to 1911 Tuner and in about 30 min. setting a his kitchen table drinking coffee he fixed it.
I carried 300 rds with me on the visit and it shot all of them with no jams just as fast as I could shoot with Tuner loading mags. Two times when I slamed a mag in the slide closed but everything else was great.
Back at Tuner's, he removed just a tad off the rear of the spring plug and tried it again the next day.
I had to make a run to Wal-Mart and bought 200 rds. of Win. White Box.
It ran those as well with no cleaning from the day before and no more slide release when slaming mags.
Came home and again no cleaning, went to the range and shot several hundred rds. of my cast bullet loads with no problems.
GOOD JOB 1911 TUNER
It had been sent to a top rated custom builder and a reverse plug recoil system, barrel(builder's name on it) and bushing installed. It came back and would not run and was sent back again. Still didn't run and the guy sold it to me after disclosing problem.
I paid a visit to 1911 Tuner and in about 30 min. setting a his kitchen table drinking coffee he fixed it.
I carried 300 rds with me on the visit and it shot all of them with no jams just as fast as I could shoot with Tuner loading mags. Two times when I slamed a mag in the slide closed but everything else was great.
Back at Tuner's, he removed just a tad off the rear of the spring plug and tried it again the next day.
I had to make a run to Wal-Mart and bought 200 rds. of Win. White Box.
It ran those as well with no cleaning from the day before and no more slide release when slaming mags.
Came home and again no cleaning, went to the range and shot several hundred rds. of my cast bullet loads with no problems.
GOOD JOB 1911 TUNER
I've found them to be less than reliable, Kimber especially so......There are exceptions to everything however. Kimber does an excellent job of marketing fluff.
I'd "really" like to know how your Kimber "totally outclasses" the HK USP. I smell Hyperbole.
I'd "really" like to know how your Kimber "totally outclasses" the HK USP. I smell Hyperbole.
Old Dog
Member
Kimber "marketing fluff?" Really? Does EVERY gun thread have to turn into bashing of one brand or another?
At any rate, I guess those millions of Kimbers sold means that the company is really, really good at marketing their fluff; surely, it's nought to do with the fact that there are a lot of folks out there entirely satisfied with their Kimbers ... (note: a lot more used H&Ks for sale on the internet in my area than used Kimbers ... but those H&Ks are really, really good $450 pistols ... that happen to retail for $950 or more ... So no more about marketing, please.)
At any rate, I guess those millions of Kimbers sold means that the company is really, really good at marketing their fluff; surely, it's nought to do with the fact that there are a lot of folks out there entirely satisfied with their Kimbers ... (note: a lot more used H&Ks for sale on the internet in my area than used Kimbers ... but those H&Ks are really, really good $450 pistols ... that happen to retail for $950 or more ... So no more about marketing, please.)
Kimber builds the most 3" 1911s, it stands to reason that a lot of the trouble children are going to have Kimber on the slide. 3" 45s in general are going to have a smaller window of operation. They are going to be sensitive to slide velocity and spring rates.
WardenWolf
member
Not entirely true. The problem has to do with the way the barrel tilts in a Browning action. A shorter slide length means the barrel has to disengage and reach full tilt faster, and also reaches a greater angle due to the length being shorter. This can introduce slide lockup and feeding problems, including stovepipes. The Commander length came about because they found they could shorten it by that amount with no loss in reliability, but shorter caused problems for the reasons stated above. You just start having issues because the locking lug system is not intended to be disengaged over that short travel period, nor is the barrel feed ramp expected to pitch up so quickly when the slide returns to battery.
bigfatdave
Member
while true, keep in mind that manufacturers have had decades to solve those problems, and it seems that many have done so with success.
ljnowell
Member
I can think of two reasons,
1. its not a 1911. Glocks will never have the ergonomics of a 1911, period. They are plain and utilitarian and one size does not fit all.
2. The glock 36 is not the end all of reliability. In fact, until the fourth generation of perfected perfection came out, the 36 was probably the least reliable. Lots of people had issues with them.
ljnowell
Member
I have lit up more than one HK snob with a similar line. When they start in about my cheap this or that, I always tell them that I love HKs. In my opinion they are the best 500 dollar gun that 1000 dollars will ever buy.
I must have got lucky as my Kimber UCII has run flawless,never a failure of any Kind with any Ammo. Wad cutter,FMJ,jhp store bought or hand loaded
so far not one failure.This is a box stock pistole other than a sight change
its been untouched.
so far not one failure.This is a box stock pistole other than a sight change
its been untouched.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,312
I have been doing just fine with my Colt Officers Model for many years now. Runs very reliably with all different types of .45 ammo, though it has a definite preference for the 185 grain Winchester Silvertips.
MICHAEL T
Member
My defender runs great always has .
Kimber cranks out a lot of production 1911s. Most 3" Kimbers run fine. You'll hear a lot about the few that don't. And, IMO Kimber's CS is nothing to brag about. But, 3" does push the mechanical limits of the design. A 5" will run more reliably and with less fuss. I'd buy an Ultra at the right price.
I get tired of everyone regurgitating the same 'ol BS that short 45's are unreliable. If you don't own one or have NEVER owned one, no one wants to hear your babble.
I've owned three. Two Colt's and a Kimber. I've been carrying the Kimber for 8 years and put more than 5000 rounds through it, including a fair share of soft loaded cast and plenty of +P. I'm still waiting for it to become unreliable. Still using the original recoil spring.
I agree with Old Dog that most complaints with short barrel 45's are probably due to limp-wristing.
I've owned three. Two Colt's and a Kimber. I've been carrying the Kimber for 8 years and put more than 5000 rounds through it, including a fair share of soft loaded cast and plenty of +P. I'm still waiting for it to become unreliable. Still using the original recoil spring.
I agree with Old Dog that most complaints with short barrel 45's are probably due to limp-wristing.
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