Most reliable 1911 out of box?

[Wastemore]

Hawkeye,

I can agree with everthing you said about short-cycles being concealable and more comfy. They're not. I did purchase my micro because I thought it would be easier to carry. It is- when you take weight into account, but I don't use IWB holsters, I use a Ross M9S:

http://www.gunaccessories.com/RossLeather/M9.asp

one of the problems I struggle with is printing because there isn't enough slide to stabilize her and she does tend to lay-over on me. But man, the weight factor is beautiful. The other issue I have is almost all of the Commander/Gov size pistols have sharp eges and it tears up my clothes. The Micro is nicely beveled and never digs in on me. I could send off my Champion or full-size and have it de-burred... but, I'm too lazy.

 

[IndianaDean]

S&W

Smith and Wesson.....

 

[Mute]

I've shot a great number of 1911s over the years including box stock, semi-custom and full house guns. Most of the full house guns -most- work from the start. However, the only direct from the factory guns I've tried that worked without tweaking through at least a couple of hundred rounds of everything from ball to hollowpoints were the following:

Any SA Professional
Most SA Govt.
Most Colt Govt. (Series 70 or 80)
Most Colt Combat Commanders (pre-Series 80 and NRM)
Most Series 1 Kimber Classics

What does this tell me? From the major 1911 manfacturers, their base model guns seem to be the best in terms of reliability out of the box.

 

[timn]

Find a good used Colt 70 series.

 

[dawgtraxx]

1911 tuner great quote










If there are no dogs in Heaven,when I die I want to go where they went-Will Rogers

 

[Gordon]

Buy a WWII bubbaized Colt 1911a1 for say $400 like I did . I stripped off the hacked Ithaca slide (on a 1942 Colt frame with all the correct pieces) ,replaced the pachmeyer rubber crap with a correct arched Knurled Mainspring and Coltwood type 2 grips($ new old stock $30 on E-bay) Bought a nice 95% Colt 1911a1 slide on e bay for $105, put in a GI extractor and firing pin, the Ithaca slide had the old round GI firing pin stop;$20.Put in a GI sear and new GI springs(new old stock on e bay) $25. Now the original Ithaca slide monstrosoty did have an OK throated Colt GI barrel and bushing which was kinda loose, so I bought for $130 (on e bay) a new in the bag Colt 1963 marked fitted barrel, link and bushing from unissued Army Marksmanship Unit stock.
Wonder of wonders ! All the GI issue new parts slide right together with NO fitting (except a couple passes with a slip stone on the sear)and the piece is real tight(not like a Gold Cup, just fits snugly:correct clearences) in all areas and functions 100% with everything I've fed it so far! It groups REAL TIGHT with Hornady TAP +P 230 grain ammo that I am keeping it loaded with, like 3" rested at 25 yards!!!!! With GI sights(which I did knock over a little to center the groups)I can see them every bit as good(in good light) as my Novak or Bomar guns, just takes longer which makes me aim closer!!! I am stoked on GI guns and this one won't be a safe queen!!!

 

[tc300mag1]

My Springfields have been flawless

 

[Jammer Six]

Hawkeye, I couldn't have said it better!

Make a 1911 small or tight, and reliability suffers.

I owned a Micro, for a minute, and wrote about it here: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=567480#post567480

The only people I think should own a Micro are people who are going to be in a gunfight against me.

The magic is in how thin a 1911 is. I learned that when I reached for my Micro, and came out with my milspec.

Now I own SA milspecs.

 

[Jeff Timm]

If you must go for a small pistol in .45 ACP, then get a SIG P245.

Geoff
Who prefers his M1911's full size.

 

[ulflyer]

Offer to Hurrakane

Come on over to N.C. and you can shoot my untweaked Colt Defender, Colt 1991A1 (Tuner Tweaked), a Colt LW Commander, and a couple of Norks to see what floats your boat the best. Bring your own ammo, and bring money cause you gonna love the Defender and Comander. You can't have my 1991A1 or Norks tho.

Edit: And you want a real hoot, you can try a recently acquired S&W (shhhh.. revolver) in 45 LC thats a real tack driver if you can shoot that good (I can't, but it makes me look good).

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Hawkeye, I couldn't have said it better!

Make a 1911 small or tight, and reliability suffers.

I owned a Micro, for a minute, and wrote about it here: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=567480#post567480

The only people I think should own a Micro are people who are going to be in a gunfight against me.

The magic is in how thin a 1911 is. I learned that when I reached for my Micro, and came out with my milspec.

Now I own SA milspecs.

The Milspec is a really nice 1911A1. Great value. I have a GI Model, but the Milspec is better for practical use. The GI is for nostalgia.

 

[Hagen442]

MOST RELIABLE 1911 OUT OF THE BOX

I have several Colt 1911s but , the Honest Truth is the Springfield Govt. is the most reliable in my Opinion.

I am basing my opinion on IDPA shooting, not normal range shooting.
I have seen less malfuctions with the Springfield Govt. Models, this does not include the High End Customs such as Wilson Combat and ETC.
Still use one of my Colts in some of the Night Shoots, some days Excellent, some days ( Why Me ).

Note: My normal Ankle gun is a baby 1911 Colt Mustang.

 

[Longbow]

Just my opinion but anything other than a 5" 1911 is a crap shoot when it comes to reliability.

..and power/ballistic.

 

[3rdpig]

I've never seen or shot a micro 1911 that could earn the label "reliable". I love BHP's and 1911's but for a sub compact pistol a Glock is the most reliable I've found, they just seem to scale down well.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I've never seen or shot a micro 1911 that could earn the label "reliable". I love BHP's and 1911's but for a sub compact pistol a Glock is the most reliable I've found, they just seem to scale down well.

Agreed. I have a sub compact Glock in .40 SW. Never fails, but it also has no charm, is blocky, and has the typical spongy Glock trigger.