Bad experiences with the 1911

[tomrkba]

The 1911 pistol is driving me nuts. I have owned quite a few of them over the years to the tune of about $20,000+ in production guns and currently over $11,000 in semi-custom/custom guns. This is only the cost of the guns and doesn't include ammo, range fees, gas, test ammo, sundries, and magazines. Of those, only my Nighthawk T4, Springfield EMP, and Dan Wesson Valor Commander 9mm actually function. My Colt WW I Repro doesn't count as it's unfired (the first one I had, along with an XSE, were great). The T4 and Valor always ran; the EMP needed several trips to SACS to get sorted out. My other custom guns are jamtastic.

I've tried cheap. Then I tried around $1,000 and $1,500. Finally, I tried $2,800-$3,500. Of the expensive ones in the latter category, only the T4 runs. My history shows that I have a total 85% 1911 failure rate! My $400 tupperware guns do what my expensive ones cannot: work! I am wasting too much time, money and energy on this platform.

It's maddening and driving me back to fantastic plastic (or at least my SIG P220).

 

[BillBro68]

Wow! My 40 years experience has been just about the polar opposite of yours and I've never, ever had any "custom" 1911s. Ain't the world funny?

 

[rmac]

Be a bit more specific: what guns and what problems for a certain gun.

 

[Babboonbobo]

Did you pick all these guns up used or new??

Where they good deals that someone fu€Ked with in their garage?

Well known gunsmith builds or never heard of smiths??

I have never had any of these issue you speak of and I have quite a few 1911s sitting in my safe right now. From cheap ATIs to multiple Nighthawks, Guncrafters, Ed Browns, Wilsons, Les Baers, Kimbers, Colts and used to have plenty of Dan Wesson's to but sold them off and I have not had any issues with any of them.
So more specifics on models and problems might help work the issues out.

 

[CECannonJr]

Give us some specifics. Maybe we can help. My 1911's are the most dependable weapons I have. I built 2 of them myself and they are problem free. I keep a piece of Tupperware ready to defend my home and the wife and me so that just in case, my 1911's don't have to spend any time in gun purgatory.

This is a helpful group of gentlemen here who I am confident can help solve any issue with a 1911.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

My experience is just the opposite.

Suggest the OP check his mags and invest in training specific to the 1911 so his instructors can iron-out the perceived but unmentioned problems.

 

[boatdoc]

only issue I have ever had with my 1911s are with 9mms. most had to be sent back because they ejected hot brass to my face. extractor/ejector touch ups fixed them all.

tell us what is wrong with each and maybe we can help get you back to loving your 1911s too.

sometimes an adjustment or mor e lube helps a lot

 

[switchback]

Hhhmm, my history with the m1911A1 is a long one. I've never had the issues the OP refers too. In fact only an original Colt series 70 has been problematic. Too be clear, most all have been gov't length 45 autos, with a few cmdr length both combat and lightweight. Again mostly 45auto. Both these sizes have also been chambered in super38. Mostly I have avoided 9mm, as I have other launchers for this round, also have avoided 3" barreled versions. But have had several Colt officer 45autos and all functioned well. with the occassional brass to the forehead.

OP, please be a bit more specific, perhaps someone here can help? Oh and most of mine are production pistols from Colt and Springfield. I do not have a large gathering of semi-custom pistols.

 

[Bender]

An EMP isn't a 1911

 

[Babboonbobo]

I guess op gave up, hasn't been back since he posted his frustration with the 1911 platform. I guess he'll turn them all in the next time they run a local governmental "buy back" program for $50 each since they're all junk????

 

[switchback]

I'd certainly be interested to know what model semi-custom from NH aren't running? Not that it can't happen, but a simple call to receive an RMA would solve any issues. Same for Wilson, Baer, ACW, Guncrafter, etc, etc. mostly those shops, regardless of ones favorite, bend over backward to fix issues. Especially if contacted with respect, clearly stating the issue.

As I stated , I no longer own a full stable of higher end semi-custom 1911s, but my CS experience with Springfield, S&W (revolver), and even Colts has always been exemplary. While I've owned 1911s from Wilson, Guncrafter and Baer, I have never needed to use their CS. Maybe I'm just lucky?

I pared down to pistols I shoot, sold off a few military m1911A1s, all the semi-customs except a Baer TRS from 2007, and a couple custom pieces plus a couple production pieces from Colt & Springfield. It works for me, occassionally I get the urge when viewing nice pieces from you guys and gals. But try to resist.

 

[CECannonJr]

I'd certainly be interested to know what model semi-custom from NH aren't running? Not that it can't happen, but a simple call to receive an RMA would solve any issues. Same for Wilson, Baer, ACW, Guncrafter, etc, etc. mostly those shops, regardless of ones favorite, bend over backward to fix issues. Especially if contacted with respect, clearly stating the issue.

As I stated , I no longer own a full stable of higher end semi-custom 1911s, but my CS experience with Springfield, S&W (revolver), and even Colts has always been exemplary. While I've owned 1911s from Wilson, Guncrafter and Baer, I have never needed to use their CS. Maybe I'm just lucky?

I pared down to pistols I shoot, sold off a few military m1911A1s, all the semi-customs except a Baer TRS from 2007, and a couple custom pieces plus a couple production pieces from Colt & Springfield. It works for me, occassionally I get the urge when viewing nice pieces from you guys and gals. But try to resist.

I'm starting to question the OP's motivation. His stated experience just doesn't jibe with the exemplary record of the 1911 design. Even Hi-points and Norinco's run good. However, I strongly detest a 1911 made anywhere but the USA.

 

[Bender]

I guess I'm lucky. I've never had a 1911 that didn't function that wasn't magazine or ammo related.

 

[Mike D]

I've had a few of the so called low in/imports back in the day. They had their problems, but as I recall, a highly polished feed ramp, mag. change, and a good cleaning had them running like champs. Nothing like the failure rate the OP talks about. Count me on the lucky side I guess.

 

[STI]

Well a 100% total different experience here than the OP I have owned about 12 1911s' only 1 fed ball great but not much else the other 11 fed anything you loaded and also empty cases from the magazines perfect I have 6 now and all feed any ammo loaded in them unless OAL to long which a friend had some of we tried, I have carried 1911s' on duty and also in after life and totally trust mine, sorry to hear of a problem there seem many details to be omitted though. Like to see/hear more info on your experiences please.

 

[Babboonbobo]

I guess I'm lucky. I've never had a 1911 that didn't function that wasn't magazine or ammo related.

Me three!!

 

[Mike A1]

I am wasting too much time, money and energy on this platform.

Seems like it's tupperware for you. The 1911 has & will remain the finest example of a simple lead spitter I have ever owned.
All 11 of my Colts from 1917 to 2011 are bullet proof with 45acp 230gr FMJ Ball ammo.

My only plastics are A Sig-P250 & a Kahr CW45. I trust the Kahr but after 1 year of back & froth my Sig works now, however
I do not trust it at all. They gave me a 1911 in service not a Ruger, so what more do we need 2 know?

The 1911 may be the most copied pistol ever & the fact no one has trouble working on or building a 1911 speaks for it's self.
My 1 1918 Colt had a crack in the frame so I got another, that one is finished in the 1911 build without any 1911A1 features.
Now I have a squeaky tight Military 1918 Colt 1911. So simple, I only needed to buy a trigger track stone I had everything else
to fit the Frame to my 1918 slide.

Anyone know if you can build a Sig P250 from parts? Good luck I still am looking for spares for my Sig P250.
Plastic do not belong in Guns & cars just my .02

 

[switchback]

I've attempted to help out 2 of my friends with 2022? sigs. Sig doesn't support the model at all. One has a cracked hammer, finally after searching for days found a hammer and bought it. Not the entire hammer box as it is out of production anf not available anywhere. Sig and everyone else warned DO NOT disassemble the hammer box, sig said even their techs aren't trained to do this. I followed the advice, cleaned and lubed returned to me friend with the replacement hammer saying" if it breaks we will attempt to replace hammer only in hammer box, as what is there to lose?" He understood. The other 2022 is just a mess, is not DAK but someone removed the decocker leading to a seriously dangerous firearm IMO.

Pretty disappointing , again IMO, that Sig does not support several of the firearms they manufactured and sold. I've always liked the 220 and 226. But own none and likely never will. Parts and factory service are spotty at best ON THE POLYMER pistols. Not including 320 as I know nothing about it

So good luck on parts for your 250. Does sig support the 250?

 

[ThePlumber]

You didn't list any custom 1911s.

 

[Mike A1]

So good luck on parts for your 250. Does sig support the 250?

So I figured it for a throw away pistol, that cost way too much.
German Sigs maybe, but the POS I bought is not good quality.

A lot of firearms are/were made in the USA & they were great
as for Sig. Who knows what happened.

As for 1911s I have gotten a hold of parts almost everywhere.
Mil surplus to who knows who, make parts for the 1911.

To me a custom 1911 is where I fit a wide hammer &
flat MSH, long smooth trigger. I can not stand the arched MSH
short trigger 1911A1 it just don't feel right too me.

I am also a true Colt lover, it's hard to picture another 1911, yet
many makers have made the 1911 more pretty. Only pretty is only
skin deep ya know.

Truth be know the 1911 is just what it is! The best designed pistol in the
whole damn world. Thank you JMB.