Losing Faith in the 1911. Help

[Fisherman12]

In 2011 I bought my first 1911, a Springfield Loaded full size model. It was mostly okay but even through a thousand rounds would occasionally jam for no apparent reason. Though I suspected the extractor needed to be tuned, this was supposed to be my main self defense handgun, and I lost confidence in it and sold it. I don't believe in break-in periods and the like. A self defense handgun should work the first time, everytime, excluding user error and bad ammo.

In 2012, I bought a Colt 1991 Government model. Also had reliability problems, even after being sent back to Colt twice. Sold it, wouldn't trust for self defense.

A few weeks ago, I bought another Springfield, this time a Range Officer. Failures to lock back with several magazines (even when making sure I'm not riding the release), and has a stovepipe about every 300 rounds.

I can assure you in none of these cases were there limp wrists. I've been shooting pistols for years, including the very similar Hi Power, and hold the gun quite firmly. Never a problem with any of them except my 1911s.

Thing is, I want to have a government model as my main defensive pistol. It's a beautiful gun that I shoot very well and accurately. If I could just get a reliable one, it would be my "go to" handgun.

I hear from some that in order to get an absolutely reliable 1911 you have to spend upwards in the $3k range from a custom maker. Is this true? Or am I just unlucky?

I'd really like to be convinced in favor of the 1911. However, I don't want to trust a pistol that's finicky and has to be sent to the gunsmith in order to get working reliably. I also don't trust lemons, even after they're fixed. It's just me, whether I'm too picky or not is up to you.

 

[MIL-DOT]

1911's admitedly have a very cool,classic vibe going, but the headaches and issues from just so many of them make modern pistols, IMO, much more practical (not to mention,economical.)
I still find myself staring longingly at them on occasion, but I'm pretty sure I've owned my last 1911.

 

[Fiv3r]

I've never had an issue with my Springfield Loaded. Granted, I don't have 1000 rounds through mine yet, but it's getting close to that. I don't think I've had one issue short of it not liking Tula steel cased ammo much at all.

I did have a Regent 100 that wouldn't feed jhp for anything. It also hated Tula steel case.

About the only 1911 that I have had that was finicky was my RIA Officer length. It went back in for service 2 times before I just sort of lost faith in it and traded it toward my Springfield.

 

[BSA1]

Fisherman12,

Since you don't believe in breaking in a new semi-automatic handgun revolvers are the only choice.

 

[longknife12]

Only issue I've ever had with any 1911, I've shot them for 50+ years, was a case of cheap Wolf ammo a few years back. FTF was regular, after that, I've had no problems. It is my backup CC.
Dan

 

[minutemen1776]

Since you don't believe in breaking in a new semi-automatic handgun revolvers are the only choice.

Hardly. Stuff (including semiauto firearms) should WORK when they leave the manufacturer. Who would buy a washing machine that leaked for the first two weeks you owned it, or a microwave that burned food for its first 20 hours of use? Why should we expect any less from a 1911, especially when so many other semiautos will run 100 percent right out of the box?

(In case you can't tell, I also bought a Springfield Armory 1911 that was a very capable boat anchor but not a very good pistol.)

 

[Schwing]

Fisherman12,

Since you don't believe in breaking in a new semi-automatic handgun revolvers are the only choice.

I don't agree with this. I own many semi-automatic handguns that have never had any kind of break in period. I own multiple Berettas, Bersas, Springfields and Rugers that have been purchased new and have never had a failure of any kind from the first round up to tens of thousands of rounds... but none of them are 1911s.

Don't get me wrong. I love the look and feel of the classic design on 1911s I just don't believe I would personally carry one. I work with LEOs that do and trust them 100%. My own experience, however, has lead me to shoot them for pleasure and leave them at home for self defense.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I hear from some that in order to get an absolutely reliable 1911 you have to spend upwards in the $3k range from a custom maker. Is this true? Or am I just unlucky?

I don't think you need to spend that much for a reliable 1911, but if you are looking for a 1911 to stake your life on, I'd at least step up into the mid-priced range of offerings.

I've had good experiences with, and heard good feedback from serious users on, the Dan Wesson CBOB (now, VBOB, I guess). Another affordable 1911, with the reliability you need, would be least costly American made STI...the Trojan; but it has adjustable sights

 

[PolarOpposite]

Bad mags are often the gremlins for 1911 issues. Most oem mags have week springs. Tripp upgrade mag kits can take the mysteries out feed failures.

Every Colt 1911 Government I've had ran great right out of the box. My EDC is a Wiley Clapp Government.

Sorry you are having problems.

 

[BSA1]

Actually many mechanical machine manufacturers have recommended break-in procedures for their products but HEY! guys don't read directions do they?

My semi-autos must go 500 rounds trouble free excluding a cause from defective ammo, magazine or shooter error before I consider it reliabile for self-defense. If I have a problem I can not identify the cause of I start the tests all over.

It seems very foolish to spend 100's or 1,000's of dollars on a firearm but then be to cheap to spend the money for 500 rounds of ammunition to give the gun a good shakedown test.

Even in the best guns things break. Perhaps a weak spot in the ejector that cannot be detected when it was made.

Another advantage is by shooting 500 rounds over several range sessions lets me be very familiar with it's operation and handling characteristics.

One other advantage is it also gives a chance to chase away those pesky Gremlins.

 

[Saleen322]

I currently have four 1911s, three Springfields and a Dan Wesson. I compete with 3 of the 4 and I honestly can't tell you the last time I had any stoppage with any of them. At matches in the center fire class, 1911s outnumber all other models combined and that would not be the case if they were unreliable (and not more accurate than about anything else). I clean mine occasionally and keep oil on it but other than that, no worries.

As far as defense, I have a 12 gauge for home and compact 9mm when I carry. I have trained LE for over 25 years and I can clear a stoppage. If you take the odds of one getting in a gun fight multiplied times the odds of having a stoppage that is the odds of your gun failing in a confrontation. You are more likely to be struck by lightning or hit by falling space debris so it is not something worth me worrying about.

 

[jmr40]

This is typical of most 1911's. I've lost count of how many I've owned over the years and I've only ran across a few that I would call reliable. I've got a couple of S&W's in the safe and the Kimber that I gave my son are the only 3 I've ever owned that haven't been problematic. And I've owned quite a few Colts and Springfields too.

Based on past experiences ANY 1911 would be the last choice I'd make if I had to reach for a gun, even the current ones I own. I'd pick up a Glock out of a mud puddle before choosing any 1911 if my life were at risk.

But I still like the guns. One almost always goes to the range with me and they are the ideal gun for playing range games and target shooting.

It seems very foolish to spend 100's or 1,000's of dollars on a firearm but then be to cheap to spend the money for 500 rounds of ammunition to give the gun a good shakedown test.

It seems foolish to me to spend $600-$1,000 on a gun, then have to spend $300-$400 worth of ammo to make the gun do what it is supposed to do out of the box. I may well shoot 500 rounds through my gun, but if if doesn't work right out of the box, I've never seen one that started working right later, no matter how much ammo you run through it.

 

[Old Dog]

Though I suspected the extractor needed to be tuned, this was supposed to be my main self defense handgun, and I lost confidence in it and sold it.

So you never looked into this, nor had the extractor tuned or replaced? Simply sold the piece off?

I hear from some that in order to get an absolutely reliable 1911 you have to spend upwards in the $3k range from a custom maker Is this true?

Ah, no. Although I'm a huge fan of the Springfield Armory TRP, considering it possibly the best production 1911 out there (along with the Dan Wessons), I've owned at least nine or ten sub-$1000 1911s that've never malfunctioned ... All of my Springfields (with the exception of a Micro-Compact that had some teething issues, easily resolved) have been 100% reliable out of the box ...

Or am I just unlucky?

Either that or (no disrespect intended) you need to learn how 1911s work and how to maintain them.

However, I don't want to trust a pistol that's finicky and has to be sent to the gunsmith in order to get working reliably.

I've owned more than 20 production 1911s and never once needed to send one to a gunsmith to get one working reliably.

 

[verdun59]

Gee i've been lucky with CZ75B, Springfield XD, Ruger SR9C, even a Kahr PM9. Shot thousands of rounds with no problem, so you don't have to go to a revolver for reliability. On the other hand most revolver are more dependable than a whole lot of 1911s. As I see it as 1911s are the Harleys of the gun world. Great looking coming out of the factory, but sometimes needing a tiny bit ($$$$$$) of tweaking.

 

[Walkalong]

My 1911s just run and run and run. Am I just lucky?

 

[MICHAEL T]

Though I suspected the extractor needed to be tuned, this was supposed to be my main self defense handgun, and I lost confidence in it and sold it.

So rather than taking 15 min to tune the extractor. You sold it. If you buy a new car and has a flat tire on way home .Do you loose confidence and sell it . Or do you fix the flat.

I've been shooting pistols for years, including the very similar Hi Power

That doesn't mean you can shoot a 1911 . I have shot mine with thumb holding down grip safety and finger pulling trigger and if worked fine . Its possible , your part of problem.


I own several 1911 at present from low dollar American Classic , several Colts and a Dan Wesson CBOB . All worked as should from box . Guess I should buy lottery tickets as I am so lucky


I suggest because you loose confidence so easy .You buy a revolver .

 

[WC145]

I've owned a ton of 1911s - new, used, stock, custom, different brands, even one I built from a bag of parts I picked up at an IDPA match - and they have all run reliably with quality ammo and mags. I use Metalform, Wolff, Wilson, and Chip McCormick for carry mags depending on the caliber and size of the gun. I've been around long enough to know that the occasional failure is inevitable (though most of my guns have run 100%), that's why we train to clear jams, etc, when they occur and one of the reasons I always carried a BUG on duty. I've seen Glocks, XDs, M&Ps, 92s, PX4s, 1911s, you name it fail during training and qualifying, most of the time it is a simple ammo, mag, or grip problem, occasionally a gun just breaks but not very often. I had one 1911, a Fusion 9mm CCO that had feeding issues because it didn't have a ramped barrel, the original owner ordered it that way. I contacted Fusion and they made good on the warranty, they milled the frame and fitted a ramped barrel, no more trouble. Right now I've got half a dozen 1911s - 4 custom Colts, a warmed over Springfield, and a stock GSG .22 and I'd trust any of them for carry.

I'm not sure what could be causing the OP's issues but I'd start looking at mags and ammo. Then I'd start looking at how you handle the guns, you've had three different brand new, good quality 1911s and they've all had problems, you're the constant.

As far as break in periods, sometimes it's necessary for a mechanical device to work itself in. My SIG556 patrol rifle had a bunch of feeding problems when I first got it, it was embarrassing the first day of training and qualifying with it. After about 200 rounds the problems disappeared and I never had anymore trouble with it.

 

[JR47]

Kahr, and a number of other semi-auto manufacturers all advise that their products need a "break-in period". It's in the manual, which, of course many don't read.

Read you car's Owners manual, and you'll find that, even today, there are recommendations for the first several thousand miles. That is a polite explanation for a "break-in period".

I own Colt, Randal, Springfield, Charles Daly, Wilson Combat, Baer, Taurus, and Ruger 1911A1 pistols. The Colts have well over 2000 rounds in each Government, Commander, and Officers Models. The Randal has well over 6,000 rounds. Trouble-free.

Last round hold open is most often a magazine issue. Why blame the gun for a magazine issue?

I've had more trouble getting Beretta, Sig, and HK pistols to operate without failures. Things like cracked slides, out of spec barrels, and broken locking blocks all tend to make the guns unserviceable.

I've been at this for 50+ years, and really don't care what anyone feels is necessary for "reliability" in the broad sense. I trust 1911 pistols, and have since the 1960's, in SE Asia.

 

[CNobbe]

Only 1911 that gave me trouble was a Springfield Mil Spec which wouldn't lock back on any magazine. Sent it into springfield and they sure made it right.

The rest, Kimber, Colts, Ruger, and S&W have never given me problems. I hear Sig makes a great 1911 too, but am having too much fun with the S&Ws.

 

[Steve CT]

Three different 1911's from two very reputable manufacturers have not worked out for you. In spite of what you want the 1911 to be for you, it seems that maybe it's not the right gun for your needs.

On the other hand, you can continue to buy and try 1911's, maybe you will find one that is the right one for you.

I've owned 3 1911's (Taurus, Dan Wesson, SA) each has been a good gun. I still have the DW (the PT1911 was a trade in on this one) and the Springfield Champion, one of my carry pistols.

 

[PowerPistol]

In all my years at the range, i have never seen anyone with a 1911 that didnt jam occasionaly. For whatever reason, the owners seem to accept it.

 

[Jimmy E.]

I haven't had the good fortune to own a "lot" of 1911s but I can say that it seems to me that if you're not willing to work out a bug, you need a different platform. I had a Springfield Loaded and used it quite a while with no problems at all. It was carried Condition One and loaded with 230 grain JHPs. Never a failure in any way. I currently have, and sometimes carry, a Girsan 1911 that has never had any issues at all. The sucker is a bargain basement gun that runs like a Timex. The only reason I keep a 5" .45 XD is because it holds so many rounds (and I like it! ). I guess what I'm getting at is, learn to maintain, break in and properly use the pistol or try something else. Something may happen while you're trying to decide what to do!

 

[dbmjr1]

My $400 RIA GI will feed empty brass from the magazine with a Chip McCormick 10 round magazine. I would and do trust that pistol with my life. My Remington R-1 required several hundred rounds before it became equally as reliable. I now carry my Remington more, because I like the sights better.

On the other hand, my nephews wonder nine Gaston special suffered a malfunction so bad we could not clear it at the range with tools. (Most likely ammo induced, not the fault of the pistol)

Anything mechanical can fail.

I've had revolvers jam on me too. They generally become a brick when they fail.

 

[bikerdoc]

I have 3 1911's. All inexpensive, RIA, ATI, and Taurus. Nary a problem after many years and couple thousand rounds each. MY EDC is a CZ75 compact but my night stand gun is a 1911.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have a SA Loaded. It runs like a Swiss watch. It feeds anything and shoots great groups....Matter of fact, I shot it today.