1911 Warranty Utilization Poll

[MRboost]

Well I want to find out who has been happy with their 1911 and if they have had to use their factory warranty or not. I am looking to purchase one soon and would like to get some data on which companies have been holding up through the test of time, which ones are taking care of their paying customers and any potential recurring issues.

Thanks for your participation!

Please list
-year bought
-model
-warranty work performed (how many rounds fired after purchase)
-out of warrranty work performed (how many rounds fired after purchase)
-were you satisfied with the level or work performed and the turnaround time and customer service you were provided

[Black Majik]

Only time I've had to use a warranty so far was for my Les Baer Custom Carry.

I broke the extractor claw at around 3K rounds. Shipped the slide to them, and had them fit me a spare extractor.

I called in to Brenda at LB during lunch, she confirmed they received the slide a few moments ago. The next morning around 10am, she called me again to tell me they were shipping my slideback.

Turnaround time was less than 24 hours from receiving my slide. Waived the first extractor also.

Overall great experience.

[AJAX22]

I have a 1991A1, I've never had a missfire or jam.



It has never been in for warranty work, and it has taken a lot of abuse in its life

[MRboost]

Holy COW!!! WTF did it get run over by a tank?

There were only 10 slots for the poll, but other makes are definitely welcome to participate.

Les Baer 24 turnaround is definitely something to be impressed with. Maybe the hefty price tag is worth its weight in this case.

[AJAX22]

That is the infamous "Uggliest 1911 in the world"

It sat in an evidence bag covered with blood spatter for a very long time.

[rorschach]

Of the 1911's I own, my only issue was with a SW1911 I bought new in 2003. The trigger stop screw was installed backwards, and I was unable to adjust it. I needed to take it all apart, remove the trigger, turn the allen screw around and reassemble. No big deal for me, I was going to take it apart anyway, but it could have been an issue for someone who is unable to detail strip a 1911.

[damndave]

never had 1 problem with my Kimber 1911

[ripcurlksm]

cant go wrong with a Kimber

[Kruzr]

I've sent 1911's back to Kimber for a broken adjustable sight, a Les Baer for broken barrel lugs, an Ed Brown for a broken thumb safety flange, and a Springfield that wouldn't feed or shoot POA. Best service for me was Kimber, then Brown, then Baer and the service I got from Springfield made sure I would never buy another new one.

I can't remember all the years or the round count at the time except the Baer which had about 5500 rounds down it when a bottom lug broke off. That is about what is predictable when a barrel is out of time. The Springer was the only brand new gun I've ever sent back. Also the only one that wasn't fixed by the maker.

[Beelzy]

Colt.

Warranty work??

Rarely are those words together in the same sentence in my experience.

[Bug Splat]

That is the infamous "Uggliest 1911 in the world"

It sat in an evidence bag covered with blood spatter for a very long time.

Oh you can not just leave it there! Where is the rest of the story?!?

[DirtSailor]

I've only had my Springfield for less than a month and have only shot 100 rounds through it, but no waranty work so far.

If this is any indication, I also have a Springfield XD-40 that I've owned for several years which has had several hundred rounds through it and have had no problems.

[Coffee]

Kudos to the person that made the poll - well worded.


Colt XSE stainless full size - 0 problems, round count: 500?, 2008.



I've dug and dug and dug for this type of info on 1911 forums - it will be interesting to see if the results match my conclusion based on that research.

[MRboost]

Thanks guys this is all interesting info! So I do find it interesting how Springfield has this touted Lifetime Warranty, but they didn't fix an issue on a brand new gun?!?!? What use is that warranty then?

I know Dan Wesson has the CZ warranty of 5 years and Kimber is 1 year. I was leaning away from a Kimber for that reason, but I suppose if you shoot the crap out of it the first year and it doesn't break, then it should be pretty solid?

I plan on shooting 3000-5000 rounds a year out of mine. Is that considered extreme usage in any way?

[Kishfisser]

Kimber, bought new, first mag 2 failures and every mag after for 700 rds. 2-3 failures. 4 brands of magazines, 4-5 brands of factory new ammunition, cleaned every 100 rounds. Now it is back at Kimber hopefully it will get straight. I followed all the break in instructions to the T.

My only complaint so far with Kimber is the need to wait around for UPS, who can show up with a call tag sometime in the next 3 days.

I have not written off the Kimber, as it was very very accurate when the rounds would chamber.

On another note 3 Springfields with not a single failure with an average of 1500 rds. each. So no info from me on warranty.