Reliability of 10mm 1911's

I used to have a Colt Delta Elite a long time ago, and for reasons long forgotten I ended up trading it. I have a Glock 20 and 29, which are both 100% reliable, but I really have never liked the fat grip on the large frame Glocks. I do not intend to get rid of either of the Glocks because they always work, but I find myself wishing I still had a 10mm 1911.

I have seen some recent Kimber 1911s in 10mm, but have never been a huge fan of Kimbers based on my experience with Kimbers in 45 ACP in the 90s. I owned several back then, and none were ever 100% reliable. Does anyone have experience with the new Kimbers in 10mm?

How about Colt and Springfield these days?

Love to hear your experience with recently produced 1911s in 10mm. I am open to manufacturer.

 

I’ve got a Dan Wesson Bruin that’s been 100% reliable for me so far.

 

I have considered DW also, but the only Bruin I see has 6" barrel... rather stick with 5" so it fits my other 1911 holsters.

 

The Razorback is in 10mm and is a standard 5", if you can find one.

 

LGS had a Kimber 10MM for $850 and a Kimber Raptor for $1250. Not sure I’m really interested in a 10MM 1911 anymore myself

 

I have an RIA 10mm. It's been reliable.

 

I have the Springfield TRP 1911 with 6" barrel, very reliable, the also sell it in 5" barrel.

 

My first 10mm was a RIA ultra fs hc 1911. It was the most unreliable gun I ever had. It jammed every other round. Thinking it was an magazine issue I ordered replacement factory mags, same issue. Had it sent back to the factory, gone for a few weeks, when it came back it still had the same problem. I ended up taking it back to the same store I got it from. The owner took it back and I used the money for a Glock 20 which I still have.

 

The 10 kicks a little more and some have issues with the recoil I like the 10 in the 1911 platform

 

I would recommend the Ruger 10mm 1911. I have a Kimber 1911 (in 45acp) i do not trust. The Springfields are great (I have the Ronin), the Wessons are amazing too (I have the Razorback). I have a recent stainless Colt DE and a blued Colt DE (1987).
The Colts shoot great, but, you cannot shoot full power 10mm out of them. The Barrels are NOT fully supported.
The first 4 I mentioned have fully supported barrels. I find the Ruger to be the best out of the box.
Any of the other 3 will suit your needs, but the Ronin is the only one price wise close to the Ruger. JMO

 

My Kimber TLE II has been very reliable and accurate.

 

Same here; I have a SR1911 in 10mm, looks good, shoots good, hasn't blown up yet, couple of thousand rounds through it, all my reloads, most on the upper end of the power spectrum. The Ruger has a bushingless design with a full length guide rod, extended thumb safety only on the left side, nice sights. Trigger isn't spectacular, but I'd consider it above average.

 

I placed a drop of my daughters nail polish on the front sight and changed the grip panels (I think I sweat battery acid).
It has been a great pistol!

 

The Ruger has the plunger tube cast as part of the frame,don't have to worry about it coming loose.

 

I had an issue with my Ruger SR1911-10. Ruger made it right, but ultimately I sent it down the road (with full disclosure). I'm understandably wary about 10mm in the 1911 platform.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/sr1911-10-barrel-lower-lug-is-cracked.863248/

 

I remember this thread, I look every time I return fro the range. I have not noticed this problem with my SR1911.
I will continue to look after every range trip.

 

As serious issue as it is, this will not harm you in any way - the pistol will just stop working, that's it. Even if the lug completely shears off you will be not injured in any way, just can't happen.

10mm Auto and .45 ACP have roughly the same OAL, so the platform is OK to "recalliber" - real problems arise when you try to convert 1911 to work with shorter cartridges, mainly from inadequately designed magazines. As for the longevity of 1911 type pistols in 10mm - it's a whole different matter... They are not designed that strong to handle the bigger recoil impulse in a long run. I don't mean they are fragile, or hand grenades waiting to happen by any means, they just do not meet the desired goal at 100%. It's like a pistol, designed and build for 9mm Luger, but factory rechambered for .40 S&W (as most of them are) - you can't expect to reach the same round count, the pistol will just wear faster from the more powerful round.

 

The only 10mm I currently own is a RIA Ultra FS that I like plenty. I often carry it while hiking but I've been eyeing Sig's P320.

These days while on the trail, a Springfield XDm 5.25 (converted to .460 Rowland) is more often on the hip.

Even if I purchase the P320, I like the RIA enough to hold onto it.

 

I have 2 of them. A Colt Delta Elite Gold Cup that has been flawless


and a Springfield Range Officer Elite Operator that has shot anything I have stuffed in the mags.


I also have two other 10mm's that are not 1911's. A S&W stainless 1066 and a Springfield XDM 4.5 that are great to shoot as well.

 

I broke my barrel link when i 1st got my RIA 10MM. I was running some hot loads. They replaced the slide and barrel and link. They tuned and lubed it.

 

I have owned and shot two different Colt Delta Elites in 10 mm over the past 20 years. Both of them ran like a fine clock and would shoot anything I put thru them be handloads or factory ammo. Why 2 Delta Elites you ask, well my younger Son conned me out of the first one! FYI, a great practice load was a 200 gr LSWC over Blue Dot in once fired 10mm cases.

 

I have a Kimber Eclipse plus 10mm. It was super tight from the factory and not reliable. One trip to the factory and it came back reworked and has been absolutely flawless. Yes, it should have left the factory running right but Kimber took care off it quickly and I am thankful for that.
I also have a late 80s Delta Elite which needed to have the extractor replaced and has been flawless after some gunsmith attention (it did not have any issues with chamber support or cracks). I sent it to Fords and had it re-engraved and refinished (waited 7 months...). Looks brand new and runs like a top.

 

I recommend the Ruger SR1911 in 10mm. Quite a gun for the money. Very happy with mine.

 

Also have the Ruger. Have had zero issues. But my round count is not very high ( under 500 ). Been pleased with it.

 

Love those grips!!