Any of you 1911 guys tell me what happened here?

[ATex7239]

You generally respond with a lecture attitude like you are/were an operator. Clearly you were not. Spare us with the know it all BS.Just stop. No one cares.

I most definitely was not an “operator” or law enforcement or anything of the sort nor have I ever claimed to be. However I do train with firearms frequently including formal classes and force on force training. Also I train in martial arts several times a week. All on my own time and dime. Doing this over the years has presented the opportunity for me to learn from others who are more experienced. With that I have formed opinions based on what I have learned. I share my opinions and folks can take it or leave it. Makes no difference to me. Civilians can learn to fight and shoot too.

 

[Cropduster172]

I most definitely was not an “operator” or law enforcement or anything of the sort nor have I ever claimed to be. However I do train with firearms frequently including formal classes and force on force training. Also I train in martial arts several times a week. All on my own time and dime. Doing this over the years has presented the opportunity for me to learn from others who are more experienced. With that I have formed opinions based on what I have learned. I share my opinions and folks can take it or leave it. Makes no difference to me. Civilians can learn to fight and shoot too.

Good for you. I'm sure your Mom's proud. Most folks here don't care. But you keep on keeping on Chad.
If you never walked the walk, just understand the value of your opinion. It's called self awareness.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

I have some that are classics, like the OP. I have some that are improved versions with external extractors, etc.

Whether we are talking about the classic design, or the slightly improved ones, the replacement parts require honing and fitting, but I haven’t really seen the need for upkeep.

Once a gun is properly set up, it runs reliably.

And that includes the classic design.

The challenge with inexpensive versions, is that they may, or may not, have been set up correctly from the factory.

I think your points are mostly valid; I just think dealing with 1911s is annoying. I am a high volume competitor and have had Colt, Sig, and S&W (love external extractors). No abuse aside from real, actual range use.

Eventually, their unique parts wear out - their internal extractors, their barrel bushings, their barrel linkages… ugh. I appreciate them and think their history is neat, so I might own a GI one, but I think a lot of progress has been made since.

 

[Astro14]

I think your points are mostly valid; I just think dealing with 1911s is annoying. I am a high volume competitor and have had Colt, Sig, and S&W (love external extractors). No abuse aside from real, actual range use.

Eventually, their unique parts wear out - their internal extractors, their barrel bushings, their barrel linkages… ugh. I appreciate them and think their history is neat, so I might own a GI one, but I think a lot of progress has been made since.

At that rate of use - well - I see your point. Once the round count is in the 10s of thousands, it's a different game.

That said, my H&K (duty gun) was extremely durable - have you tired an H&K?

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

As to 1911 magazines, I've had great luck with Chip McCormicks. Not long ago I picked up a passel of Kimber mags at a good price, but haven't used them yet. Anybody had any good or bad luck with them?

 

[Astro14]

No experience (good or bad) with Kimber.

Chip McCormick magazines have been great.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

At that rate of use - well - I see your point. Once the round count is in the 10s of thousands, it's a different game.

That said, my H&K (duty gun) was extremely durable - have you tired an H&K?

USP, P2000, and VP9. All sold, not a huge fan of the huge slide releases in rapid fire. They chew up my support hand and/or causes stoppages for me. I’m mostly onto M&Ps and the ubiquitous Glock, but am becoming a fan of the Beretta APX. Supposedly it went through some pretty rigorous reliability testing.

I like lots of others though. CZs are big in competition, I do well with them too (hard not to imo). Also a few lesser known brands. I believe there are some heavily modernized 1911-ish models coming out I’d be curious to try.

 

[mr_boring]

The most popular pistol design of all time is a turd. Got it....... thx BITOG

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

The most popular pistol design of all time is a turd. Got it....... thx BITOG

Glocks aren't turds.

 

[Stumpy]

I'd pull the long guide rod out and just use Wolff springs. Both Kimber's I had came with a owner's manual that clearly stated to change the recoil spring every 5000 rounds. The only other gun maker to do that was Sig back in the 80's.

 

[frankbee3]

Further, and I am not saying that @Cropduster172 did this, I see a lot of guys at the gun range abuse their guns without knowing that they are abusing them.

E.g. putting a single round in the chamber, and slamming the slide home after wards. Total extractor abuse. You load the gun from the magazine, so that the round slides under the extractor hook. Slamming the slide forward with a round already in the chamber forces the extractor to jump the cartridge rim, a task for which it was not designed. On something like a 1911, that can cause extractor problems.

Not the fault of the gun, but the fault of the operator.

A Glock is more tolerant of this abuse, but it remains an abusive practice no matter what platform. On a 1911, you’re going to need a new extractor if that’s your habit, and the extractor tension will need to be checked when that new extractor is installed. On a Glock, it’s an easy spring install to restore proper function.

Astro, thanks for this information. I have a bare bones Springfield 1911 and am happy to learn how not to abuse the firearm. I am a Browning Hi Power and 1911 fan.

 

[Hohn]

ATI happened

I didn't want to go there, but ATI isn't exactly using top shelf parts.

Another vote for FL guide rod and Wolff spring kit. I recommend the heaviest spring that will function with your lightest loads.

 

[Cropduster172]

Maintenance is one of those things people often forget about when it comes to firearms or they falsely assume cleaning is the only maintenance item needed. Some guns can go longer than others, but every gun is going to break at certain point without proper maintenance. The 1911 is a phenomenal gun, but it does require frequent maintenance to maintain proper operation.

Preventative maintenance is always better than reactive maintenance especially if you are trusting your life to it.

This is true. I'm thinking a kinked spring was the problem. I've replaced the spring with a 14lb one. I'll try that for awhile and work my way up to 16 or maybe 18.

 

[Tempest1]

Wolff indicates factory spring for a Commander is 18 lbs.
https://www.gunsprings.com/COLT/COMMANDER+SERIES+PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID2