1911 Reliability: Myths vs Facts

[sholling]

As those who own one can attest a properly built 1911 is not only accurate but a dead on reliable weapon as well. But as we all know there is a ton of FUD out there and some of it comes from manufacturers looking for excuses for the performance of their not quite finished products while pushing final fitting and repair costs off on the buyer. This article addresses some of that FUD and introduces a bit of real world 1911 wisdom.

http://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=4101

[Freq18Hz]

The tighter the fit, the better the potential for accuracy. The more accurate, the less potential for reliability.

That's just how it is. Manufacturers like Wilson seek to find a balance.


-Freq

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I have only ever owned sub-1K priced 1911's from S&W and Springfield and they run fine with no modifications.

[ParanoidCivilian]

Own a RIA. Not 1 issue yet.

[SNCaliber]

I had three or four FTRTB with my Sig 1911 the first 300 rounds, but out of the box it was tight as hell, now after 600 rounds through her, no problems whatsoever, runs smoothly like butter with no failures any more.

[stormvet]

Most new 1911s will run fine when standing still, slow shooting for accuracy and general plinking. The problems really start to show when aggressive firearm manipulation starts, speed reloads, shooting while moving and in odd angles. I own Kimbers and Springers that have all proven their reliability in aggressive shooting. Ammo also comes into play, especially if you are a reloader. In these times its not always easy to find your proven components. Forcing us to try new loads and specs. Crap mags are crap mags in a good gun or bad gun. Start with quality mags and stay with them.

[RobertMW]

Most new 1911s will run fine when standing still, slow shooting for accuracy and general plinking. The problems really start to show when aggressive firearm manipulation starts, speed reloads, shooting while moving and in odd angles. I own Kimbers and Springers that have all proven their reliability in aggressive shooting. Ammo also comes into play, especially if you are a reloader. In these times its not always easy to find your proven components. Forcing us to try new loads and specs. Crap mags are crap mags in a good gun or bad gun. Start with quality mags and stay with them.

^^^^Agreed


Also my .02

If anyone else has had the pleasure of getting a brand new Les Baer, Jardine, or similar. The Baers are known for being incredibly tight fitted, and that you need at least 500 rds. before you can think it will be reliable. While true, the P2 with 1.5" guarantee was stiff as a board out of the box, it never failed at all in the first 1000 rounds. If something was made correctly, it will work.

A massive amount of failures with a new pistol is not "break-in-able" its just broken.

[stormvet]

Robert, I'm going to steal that line. "It's not break-in-able, its just broken", very true. While I can live with a malfunction every once in a while with a new 1911 while your ammo does the final fitting that should of been done at the factory. If its every third or fourth mag you have a problem that more shooting will not take care of.

[parbo1]

Most new 1911s will run fine when standing still, slow shooting for accuracy and general plinking. The problems really start to show when aggressive firearm manipulation starts, speed reloads, shooting while moving and in odd angles. I own Kimbers and Springers that have all proven their reliability in aggressive shooting. Ammo also comes into play, especially if you are a reloader. In these times its not always easy to find your proven components. Forcing us to try new loads and specs. Crap mags are crap mags in a good gun or bad gun. Start with quality mags and stay with them.

I don't know if I should consider myself lucky, but this hasn't been my experience with the 3 Colt 1911's that I have. All of them have been 100% reliable out of the box and accurate as well. The only mods have been changing the sights.

[CK_32]

I saw that article on a 1911 forum as well.


Good points but I have to disagree running a machine or gun allowing metals to rub together does wear off small imperfections and tighter spots than others.

But I agree a 191- with the price tags they come will SHOULD run out of the box. No reason not to being were basically only paying that much for "perfection" and attention to detail and a show piece

[redcliff]

While I"ll cut the pistol some slack for the first 100 rounds to allow the barrel to fully seat itself in place on a very tight true match quality 1911, I have zero tolerance for anything beyond that in any 1911. My Springfield Pro is bank-vault tight in lockup (yes Les Baer tight) yet has never malfunctioned.

Most 1911 failures during the so called 500 round "break-in" can be attributed to improper lube application, improper extractor tension, reloaded ammo or unreliable magazines. When the pistol starts getting looser/worn in there is enough left over recoil spring energy when returning the slide to battery that it can offset some of those deficiencies although they still exist.

[9mmepiphany]

That is a very good article by Hilton.

While it is sometimes hard to get new owners of 1911s to even run through a 200 round reliability check, it really isn't much of a test.

I recommend taking a 2-3 day class of 1000-1200 rounds to see how that model holds up. It isn't just the number of rounds, but that number of rounds running through the gun in a condensed period of time combined with real speed handling. It will not only show any flaws in its operations, but will also point out it's sharp edges

I've had 1911s go through this with flying colors, but none of them were < $1500 models

[negolien]

I saw a program on Les Baers and the head shop guy said they are so tight they DO need a bit of time to wear in. Especially if you're trying to break em down So.....

[nokarma]

To me 1911's are race cars.
I take them out to the track IE compete with them.
When they work there is nothing better or faster.
If one breaks it goes to the gunsmith.
If you really shoot your guns you will wear parts out and break parts this will happen with any gun.
But I do not use them as daily drivers.
Glock = honda or daily driver.
Yes I have top end 1911's. STI/SVI and Jardines.

[M. D. Van Norman]

My used Springfield Champion (which I think retailed for $900–$1,100) was no gem out of the box. Most notably, the trigger was sloppy, and the extractor was loose. No amount of break-in would have fixed those problems.



I spent a few hundred dollars bringing the gun up to my specifications. Not all of the work was strictly necessary, of course, and to be fair, only the extractor caused any reliability problems.