Advice for a new 1911 owner

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grubbylabs

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I picked up my first 1911 today, its a Sig Ultra today.

I know its not a "traditional" 1911 but so far it seems to be nice shooting gun.

The Sig magazines don't seem to work as well as the Colt magazine I bought to go along with it, so I will likely pick up a few more Colt magazines. They are only 6 round mags, but if they work well I will be happy. It seems that from the reviews I read on the gun the 8 round mags stick out so I am going to stick with the 6-7 round magazines for now.
 
Don't get too excited or worked up about feeding issues until the gun is good and broken in. Using a proper break in method, to include the shooting and cleaning, you will start to see any feeding issues begin to diminish or stopping feed errors all together. It's been a long while since I have built and shot 1911's, so either look up one of the bigger manufacturer's or even the maker of the gun for a proper break in plan and get started. Any upgrades you may want should be done now so it can break in with the gun.

Hope this helps.
Suttmike1
 
I also recommend changing the Mag Springs in the Sig Mags to similar ones in the Colt Mags. You would not believe how many 1911's that came into my shop for feed errors that were fixed by changing the Mag Springs. Most of the time they like a little stiffer spring.
 
It would seem that I either need to add a touch more crimp to my reloads, or shorten my C.O.L because factory ball ammo runs perfectly though it, no matter if its the Colt mag or if I have or the factory Sig mag. My reloads however that have been functioning perfectly in my XDc seem to need a little help chambering and even feeding.
 
Using a proper break in method, to include the shooting and cleaning,
Click to expand...

(I'm going to partially hijack this thread because I'm a new 1911 owner as well breaking in my Remington 1911 R1)

When I clean my 1911, I field-strip it (as per Hickok45's video), and then I wipe down all the parts with Remington Light Gun Oil and cotton shotgun patches. Is that an appropriate way to clean it, or should I be doing something different?
 
grubby, I'm having the same issue with my brother's springfield loaded. Factory ball runs fine, my reloads need help from my thumb to get the last little bit of slide closure. I've tried 220's and 200's, different bullet shapes and ogieves, and I've seated them deep and short, still having issues. Later this week I am going to tear a couple apart and see if my bullets are just a little too oversized. They shoot great, and ran through my taurus like a champ, but I'm starting to think the springer has a tighter chamber.

Or maybe it just needs to be broken in better. Probably only 500 rounds through it so far.
 
Check to make sure the OAL is not too long for your pistol, make sure the flare is completely removed, and just shoot it. Mags are replaceable. If it doesn't like one, scrap it. I really like the Check-Mate mags with the GI or Hybrid followers. If a 1911 is made properly, it will run from the git go with good mags. The only time one needs breaking in is on a super tight gun.

then I wipe down all the parts with Remington Light Gun Oil and cotton shotgun patches. Is that an appropriate way to clean it, or should I be doing something different?
Click to expand...
That will work just fine. You can always use gun scrubber or something similar to wash out everything else when the round count gets high, then get some good lube back in there, or learn to break it down completely one day. Ain't hard.
 
I went back and set my C.O.L. to 1.200 and run the die down just a little farther to help take more of the bell of the case. I did measure mine before and it was the same as the factory brass. The Colt mag runs like a dream while the Sig's don't run quite as well. A cast T/C bullet does seem to do quite well in the Sig mags.

I am not sure if its just me or not but the Colt seems to sit a little higher in the gun making the feeding a little more direct while the Sig's seem to sit a little lower and seem to rattle some.
 
After test firing the rounds at the new shorter C.O.L. they seem to function just fine in the Colt magazine, However the Sig Magazines seem to still have an issue once in a while, I guess I will just get a few more Colt magazines unless some one wants to enlighten me on which spring to get to help my Sig magazines function just a little better.
 
I use Wilson's in my 1911's. Do not field strip and clean it until you get at least 500 rounds through it. If you can, wait until is locks up on you from the dirt. What will happen is, the gunpowder and oil will act as an abrasive and marry the slide to the receiver. Then when you clean it, it will feel like it's running on glass. This is the advice Les Baer gave me, and has served me well.
 
As others have noted, shoot it a bunch. Remember that many 1911's are more demanding of being well-lubed and relatively clean (not the bore, but rather the interfaces between the moving parts) than, say, a Glock.
 
Suttmike1 said:
Don't get too excited or worked up about feeding issues until the gun is good and broken in. Using a proper break in method, to include the shooting and cleaning, you will start to see any feeding issues begin to diminish or stopping feed errors all together. It's been a long while since I have built and shot 1911's, so either look up one of the bigger manufacturer's or even the maker of the gun for a proper break in plan and get started. Any upgrades you may want should be done now so it can break in with the gun.

Hope this helps.
Suttmike1
Click to expand...
On that note, half your feed issues are probably the mags anyway. 1911s are pretty much cut and paste these days and you have to truely get a turd for it not to function. The mags, on the other hand...
 
The newer Sig 1911s are very good guns. As someone mentioned you will have two and then three 1911s before you know it. I usually don't even use magazines that come with a 1911. I just buy Wilson 47D, Chip McCormick, or Tripp mags. I have also had good luck with Checkmate mags but I know many say they don't like them. Just get a paint marker or something and mark either the ones you have trouble with.
 
Avoid the 'idiot scratch' during reassembly, which occurs when when the slide release lever is installed into the frame. I cheat and use a credit card.

When reholstering, make a rigorous habit (if you haven't already) of locating the edge of your holster with the tip of your trigger finger, before sliding the gun into place. This is a 'tactile memory' trick to help make sure that you do not attempt to reholster with your finger over the trigger. Yes, the thumb safety is supposed to be on at that point, but make a habit of it anyway.

You might also make a habit of leaving your thumb in position atop the thumb safety as part of your normal firing grip. This is to prevent forgetting to thumb the safety off. I don't do this (my hands are such that it weakens my grip) but many knowledgeable folks recommend it.

Avoid full-length guide rods, shock buffers, and other such add-ons unless you really know you need them. You probably don't.
 
I have been reading and hearing about this "Idiot" scratch but in taking the gun apart to clean several times since I picket it up I fail to see how this happens. Am I doing something wrong? I pull the Pin clean gun then push pin back in.
 
grubbylabs said:
I have been reading and hearing about this "Idiot" scratch but in taking the gun apart to clean several times since I picket it up I fail to see how this happens. Am I doing something wrong? I pull the Pin clean gun then push pin back in.
Click to expand...

I've heard claims that the Army actually taught this method of seating the slide stop. It's not in the manual, but then again lots of things were done that weren't in the manual, like shoe polish on your M1 stock.

Tom
 
On many 1911s, the slide release lever cannot be pressed straight in, it has to be finessed a little in order to clear the retaining pin. It's easy to make a semi-circular scratch in the frame if you don't do it just right.

The levers can be modified so that they can be pushed straight in, and some newer pistols have this feature from the factory. It's long overdue in my opinion.
 
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