I'm Giving Up On 1911s

[peacebutready]

The specs of the current models are all over the place, and the very thought that the newer guns should run perfectly, out of the box, is unreasonable. While parts are held to tighter tolerances because of modern manufacturing methods, those tighter tolerances don't necessarily translate to a perfect end product. The newer specs vary greatly from the original.

If it doesn't run out of the box, I personally am not interested unless I had plans to send it off for 'smithing right away. The problem there is a good chance one's 1911 will be butchered by a 'smith. I know from experience.

Tighter tolerances without the requisite quality. I'll take looser.

In the 1970's Randall, and a couple of other manufacturers got into the 1911 business, challenging Colt for market share.

This competition is good for the consumers. For some reason, it didn't seem to prevent more lemons than what should have been, IMO.

Will any of the modern 1911's, straight from the factory, run 6,000 rounds, without a failure? Hardly. However, if you spec'd that 1911 back to the original John Browning model, you might be talking real reliability.

There's an opportunity for a modern manufacturer to do just that!

Anyone know what kind of groups the original 1911 was held to? My memory is telling me either 8 or 10 inches at 50 yards.

Thanks for the good post, pendennis.

 

[pendennis]

If it doesn't run out of the box, I personally am not interested unless I had plans to send it off for 'smithing right away. The problem there is a good chance one's 1911 will be butchered by a 'smith. I know from experience.

Tighter tolerances without the requisite quality. I'll take looser.

This competition is good for the consumers. For some reason, it didn't seem to prevent more lemons than what should have been, IMO.

There's an opportunity for a modern manufacturer to do just that!

Anyone know what kind of groups the original 1911 was held to? My memory is telling me either 8 or 10 inches at 50 yards...

I readily agree, that competition is always good for the survival and improvement of an existing product.

I would only add, that the changes wrought weren't always for the better. Remember the gall-o-matics by AMT? And the Colt Series 70 twelve year experiment with collet bushings, was great for the target shooter, but not a great bet, especially for a life-or-death gun.

Thanks for your observations.

 

[exdetsgt]

Thanks again, pendennis for the insight.

I might point out that there is a 1918 GI replica made by Cimarron, a company specializing in replicas. I saw a shiny blue new one in a gunshop and bought it on impulse. It appears to be a no frills milspec 1911. Maybe because of that it ran flawlessly right out of the box with a variety of different new/old ammo and never hiccuped.

The ONLY reason I sold it was to get a commander length for EDC. At present I am kicking myself for selling it, as the hi-zoot commander I bought has had a handful of problems, most of which have been resolved. As someone suggested we should name the brand: American Classic Commander (duo-tone). But it sure is pretty. Also, the Novak sights are dead-on. Needed no adjusting.

 

[peacebutready]

I might point out that there is a 1918 GI replica made by Cimarron, a company specializing in replicas. I saw a shiny blue new one in a gunshop and bought it on impulse. It appears to be a no frills milspec 1911. Maybe because of that it ran flawlessly right out of the box with a variety of different new/old ammo and never hiccuped.

Oof. Sounds sweet.

The ONLY reason I sold it was to get a commander length for EDC. At present I am kicking myself for selling it, as the hi-zoot commander I bought has had a handful of problems, most of which have been resolved. As someone suggested we should name the brand: American Classic Commander (duo-tone). But it sure is pretty. Also, the Novak sights are dead-on. Needed no adjusting.

I think American Classic is Shooter Arms Manufacturing in the Philipinnes.

Cimarron is Armscor in the Philippines.

 

[exdetsgt]

You are right about Armscor and the Cimarron. However, I believe American Classic's parent company is Metroarms. And, yes, both are made in the Philippines.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Where was that sale on Delta Elites? I would love to save 70% on a new one.

So get in the wayback machine and set it for Bill Goodman's Gun & Knife Show in Detroit, 1989.

Sorry you think there are no perfect 1911s, but all your whining doesn't make it any less true.