I have 6 Colts
I have 5 Kimbers
I have 1 Springfield
All my 1911's work. Of course all but one of the Colts, all of the Kimbers, and the Springfield are 5" barrels or said another way are Government sized. (1 Colt Combat commander in 9mm) Kimber and Springfield offer a lot of value for the dollar though.
Mine work. All of them, right from the box. Of course before I shoot any weapon I acquire, I tear it ALL THE WAY down. Inspect, tweak, new springs (often if brand new too), I replace several parts with parts I prefer or are "improved" or not stock (most of the new parts are related to the dimensions of my hands or INMNSHO "better" than original parts) clean, and lubricate BEFORE I SHOOT IT.
I do this with my Browning's, SIG's, Glock's, Rugers etc..... too. Even my many revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. My stuff works. I also clean every one of my firearms after every use, every single use without exception.
1911's are only for those that are willing to spend the time and money to first set them up properly or have them set up for the shooter. And maintain them properly. They also require more time to maintain. If you want a good reliable handgun with minimal need for maintenance, get a SIG,GLOCK,XD,RUGER etc.... all very good pistols (they all need their springs changed regularly too). But none of them compare to the 1911 for its strengths all steel, accurate, finest trigger, ergonomics, "pointability", and the fact that those ergos' can be made to fit virtually any hand out there, better than any other handgun, bar none. Those other pistols are for those that only want to 'drive' their handgun, not have a relationship with it. That is a very fair and honest statement. One other bit of advice, purchase the handgun any handgun in the caliber it was originally designed for.
A well set up and maintained 1911 is dead nuts reliable, accurate and durable. Just remember to change the "oil & filter" on schedule.
The Colt if maintained, will hold and probably increase in value over the years. Understand you ain't going to make a killing or get rich in most cases, just a nice increase. Most of the others, will depreciate, slowly very slowly with occaisonal upswings, but usually a downward trend in compared to the Colts.
No one is going to become rich and famous trading in Colts or poverty stricken dealing in Kimbers or Springfield's. Just some small marginal trends.
And then there are the killer statements:
#1. "COLT 45" To the question, what do you carry? Everyone, even folks who know nothing about guns, know what you have. To the answer, "Kimber 45". You will often get the follow up question, what is a "KIMBER" etc..... It will never happen with a Colt. Coming up on the second century for the Marque in America and 100 years for the model of the gun itself. People do know what it is. The combination IS uniquely AMERICAN.
#2. "If it ain't a COLT it's just a copy."
Go figure.
Fred
Stupid should hurt