What have y'all found is the cause of most problems in the 1911?

Most of the problems I have found with 1911s that make them not run are with the:

  • Extractor

    Votes: 51 32.1%
  • Ejector

    Votes: 10 6.3%
  • Grip safety

    Votes: 4 2.5%
  • Thumb safety

    Votes: 4 2.5%
  • Barrel

    Votes: 2 1.3%
  • Hammer

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Mainspring

    Votes: 5 3.1%
  • Recoil spring

    Votes: 11 6.9%
  • Magazine follower

    Votes: 49 30.8%
  • Magazine spring

    Votes: 54 34.0%
  • Magazine lips

    Votes: 64 40.3%
  • Feed ramp

    Votes: 36 22.6%
  • Slide

    Votes: 3 1.9%
  • Frame

    Votes: 1 0.6%
  • Hammer

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    159
Status
Not open for further replies.

jlbraun

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2005
Messages
2,213
Just asking, I'm interested in what the design's strengths and weaknesses are.
 
Most problems: reloaded ammo

Design weakness: grip screw bushings should be left hand threads

Joe
 
Seems like the "main" most common I had issue with the last couple was the extractor not being correctly tuned.

Mags are also a big issue. Some mags are the issue, some guns are the issue. I've had high dollar Wilsons work fine in one gun and not all that great in another. The best luck I've had with mags, has been stock Colt mags and GI contract mags. The seem to work in any gun I put them in.

Springfields frames are very inconsistant. They make up their own specs as they go, and they can vary in the same serial number run on the same model. I've had issues with their slide to frame fit too.

My Kimber UC's feed ramp was boogered up by the followers of the Kimber mags to the point a groove was worn into it. The grip safety was also non functional on it. I've had that issue with a couple other 1911's too over the years. Dont trust them till you prove they work, and even then, watch them.

Staked on aftermarket sights are a joke. They dont usually stay on all that long. Dovetailed front sights are one of the better design changes for the 1911.

Thumb safeties either to tight or to loose.

Plunger tubes that fly off.

Grip screws and bushings that come off with the grips.

FLGR's causing troubles.

FLGR/double spring set ups on the short guns.
 
i voted for magazines in total (springs, lips, followers etc)

but the real causes are crap ammo and loose nuts behind the gun
 
The biggest problem by far is that, everyone & his dog have built 1911 design guns & magazines over the years.

A true mil-spec gun will have very few if any problems.

But all the other clones & copies may have any number of things wrong with them right out of the box.

Like:
Out of spec pin holes.
Improper parts fitting.
Improper barrel fitting.
Improper feed ramp cuts.
"Improved" extractor designs that aren't.
Glued in ejectors.
Glued in grip screw bushings.
And on, and on!

Don't blame the 1911 design for most problems today.
Blame the cost cutters that tried to build them without following the well-known directions!

rcmodel
 
I agree with rcmodel. You forgot to add in your poll, "thoughtless manufacturing using questionable parts and materials, combined with a total lack of inspection and quality control."
 
Yep, the rabid proliferation of 1911 designs & manufacturers have given the beloved old warhorse a blackeye or two. I've had several from most the major players & the FIRST thing I do is pitch the new factory mags into a shoebox on my shelf. I've been so completely pleased over the years with Wilson Combat replacement mags that I've decided buying them for all my 1911-style pistols is as important as my other favorite necessity, a new holster!
 
Not much, bad magazine which makes 0 sense as quality ones aren't too expensive. Extractor can be a weak point, I voted on that. Crap ammo. Remember I'm mainly speaking on modern quality 1911 pattern psitols. The part that can cause headaches also is the plunger tube up above the left grip.

On guns I've examined and owned but mainly 1911 sorta clones like Llamas, this often seems loose.
 
Some are screwed in, some are staked in. Either way, they seem to come out on a fairly regular basis.
 
6...5...4...3...2...1...

An older, built-to-print, with parts meeting the original specification for workmanship and material, and magazines made like they used to be... REAL 1911 platform pistol... :neener: :evil: :neener: :D
 
An older, built-to-print, with parts meeting the original specification for workmanship and material, and magazines made like they used to be... REAL 1911 platform pistol...

Yea, verily. Sad that so many of the younger 1911 fans have never had a chance to handle a real one.

Anyway...On topic! Most problems are eliminated by Magazines...Proper extractor setup...Ammunition. In that order. The rest comes from bad specs. Tweakable, but headachy at times.
 
Magazines.

I've only had one 1911 that was a genuine POS, a "Barely Ordnance". Everything else runs with good mags. Sure, I've got my preference in pistols, but almost all will run if given good ammo, good care and good mags.

Quote:
Too many sharp edges.
Every time I shoot, clean, repair a 1911A1...I always get cuts

Maybe a little hard work will toughen your hands up! :D
 
1990 Colt Series 80 1911 modified using Wilson parts. Has never failed to send them down range. No failure to fire. No jams of any kind. And no parts failures in 18 years of service...
 
In another recent thread the plunger tube was discussed as well as failure to activate the grip safety. Which led to discussion of the merits of an integral plunger tube and the staking or removal of the grip safety.

However IME, mags are the biggest issue.
 
I have never had a 1911 issue that changing the magazine didn't fix. I don't bother trying to diagnose mags beyond replacing the spring. Mags are consumable item IMO.

(knocks on wooden skull)

Of course, my three 1911s are Colt, Sistema and Sistema.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top