While I have had no problems with my 1911, I will admit I don't shoot it much, less than a 1000 rounds through it. 45 ammo is friggen hi here so I shoot 9mm.
Having said that, my next pistol purchase will be the Para 18-9 which is a 1911 that shoots 9mm. So next year I will be able to give the same answer but have lots of range time on it

I've had a couple over the years that ran perfectly from the factory- the first two to come to mind are a Springfield Armory TRP Operator and a TRP. I've been in the 1911 game for quite a few years and the platform can be very reliable, but I've found that generally, non custom 1911s require a few tweaks before they're truly reliable (1000 rounds or more with no malfunctions).


http://webpages.charter.net/the.batm...endability.htm
http://www.10-8performance.com/id32.html

One half the Colts are used and the others are Wilsons; I have no problem that I couldn't fix my own.

Have 5 1911's 2 springfields, 2 colts, and one custom target long slide currently as shooters. My first Colt bought new in 1976 had one break down after near 5000 rnds. when the sear broke, easy repair and only problem I've had to date.

Like you said, since break-in. That included, new recoil spring, new magazine spring and follower. Hate polymer followers and love metal like JMB designed. Now it( My Detonics Combat Master) runs like a fine tuned piece of machineryh. Just like I knew it could.

Bill

My RIA A1 has never missed a lick,

Tabdog

I had 1 stove pipe on my trp (operator). It was the last round in the clip and I am thinking that I may have limp wristed it a little because I knew it was the last round. The round went where I pointed but it stove piped none the less. It was also 2 year old defense ammo I was burning up. (rem gold sabre)

The TRP (operator) probably hasn't had or is close to having 1000 rounds through it. I would imagine that it is plenty broken in.

Originally Posted by Wandering Man

I'm just curious, is my gun the only 1911 that runs flawlessly?

Since its break-in period (500 - 700 rounds), how many failures have you had with your 1911?

Please elaborate:

What gun were you shooting? Delta Elite

Had it been cleaned and lubed recently? Yes

How many rounds between cleanings before choking? 65+/-

What ammo did it choke on? PMC

Please, don't tell us about your "friend's" gun or the "friend of a friend's" gun. I want to hear directly from 1911 shooters.

Thanks,

WM

I determined that at that time (I had purchased it used from a dealer) that it may not have been fully broken in. It was requiring a cleaning every 50+ rounds.

Had my first one last night after the bowling pin shoot. Failure to feed. 230 LRN, 8.1 gr AA#5 (Missouri bullets). More testing to follow. I had shot approx 60 rds up to that point, with no issues, aside from my poor performance.
Pistol in question is a SA Trophy Match w/ approx 800 to 900 total rds through it. Only other possible issue was I was using a new magazine (Wilson) maybe 80 total rds through it.

Originally Posted by Overkill0084

Had my first one last night after the bowling pin shoot. Failure to feed. 230 LRN, 8.1 gr AA#5 (Missouri bullets). More testing to follow. I had shot approx 60 rds up to that point, with no issues, aside from my poor performance.
Pistol in question is a SA Trophy Match w/ approx 800 to 900 total rds through it. Only other possible issue was I was using a new magazine (Wilson) maybe 80 total rds through it.

If you are going to use LRN's, it's worth it to buy the Wolff recoil spring to aide in feeding them. I did and my 4" chews thru the LRN's now with no issue. Also, after that many rounds, you're probably due for a recoil spring replacement anyhow.

Originally Posted by zhurdan

If you are going to use LRN's, it's worth it to buy the Wolff recoil spring to aide in feeding them. I did and my 4" chews thru the LRN's now with no issue. Also, after that many rounds, you're probably due for a recoil spring replacement anyhow.

I've shot mostly Cast bullets to this point. I've not have any other problems. I haven't checked it out yet. It could just be some crud/bullet lube build-up on the feed ramp. I will be cleaning/inspecting it this evening. I will check the ammo as well, maybe I left something out of spec. Unlikely, but possible.
While a different weight spring may be appropriate, I seriously doubt that the current one is worn out after less than 1000 rds. Especially considering that my loads are comfortably under max. The only factory stuff I've used is WWB & Fed Champion, not terribly hot stuff. I would think 2000 to 2500 rds would not be an unreasonable expectation for a decent recoil spring.

Originally Posted by Overkill0084

I've shot mostly Cast bullets to this point. I've not have any other problems. I haven't checked it out yet. It could just be some crud/bullet lube build-up on the feed ramp. I will be cleaning/inspecting it this evening. I will check the ammo as well, maybe I left something out of spec. Unlikely, but possible.
While a different weight spring may be appropriate, I seriously doubt that the current one is worn out after less than 1000 rds. Especially considering that my loads are comfortably under max. The only factory stuff I've used is WWB & Fed Champion, not terribly hot stuff. I would think 2000 to 2500 rds would not be an unreasonable expectation for a decent recoil spring.

Yeah, perhaps. On a 5 inch gun it's not as bad, but on shorter 1911's, springs are like diapers. Use 'em up then throw 'em out and replace with a fresh one.

I cleaned it last night when I got off work. Careful inspection revealed nothing amiss w/ the pistol. There was an odd wear spot on the Mag follower and it's only had about 80 rds through it. The mag is a Wilson w/ a plastic follower. The round that jammed had a ding on the bullet that may or may not have contributed to the issue. I can't tell if it was the cause or the result.
I will test it it out when I have time to see if I can repeat the malfunction. The odd wear on the mag follower makes me lean toward a mag issue.

Update: Upon further review, I believe that the pain is self inflicted. My lack of attention to detail in the reloading process. I adjusted the Seat/Crimp die for a more aggressive crimp, and the problem got better. Lee Factory Crimp die inbound. It was also suggested by a knowledgable friend that I consider changing to a slightly heavier recoil spring (18.5) i.e. slam the door shut harder. Worth a test anyway.

Only three relating to magazine problems. Last round was jumping the feed lips and the pistol was locking back as empty. A Wilson 7 rounder and 2 Old Colt (1970s) magazines cured it.

This is with my Lightweight Government Model from Colt.

I have a Colt Combat Commander that my Father-in-law gave me for my birthday over 25 years ago. I've personally fired 2-300 rounds through it with 5 or so failures all due to magazine problems. All of the problems were with U.S. Government issue magazines.

About 500 rounds through my Rock Island 9mm 1911 Tactical. Zero failures.

Remington 1911R1 cleaned and lubed when purchased and cleaned and lubed after each range session. Thought it was having an accuracy problem. Sent back to factory, installed a new barrel assy and smoothed the trigger to 3+ lbs. Helped accuracy a bunch. I don't believe in 'break in'. Has not skipped a beat with UMC 230 gr ball.

Springfield Mil-Spec, 2,000 rounds, all fmj, mostly WWB, 0 failures. New Kimber Pro Carry II, prior to the last trip to the factory, 500 rounds with 30 lock opens before mag empty, FTF maybe 15. I hope she will shoot 100% now.

I've had my PT1911 since 2008 and with the exception to the infamous thumb safety braking, Taurus sent me a replacement within a week I have not had any failure of any kind, to date I have over 11K+ round with regular spring (wolf) changes and polishing fire control parts every 2,500 round with magnification check, all my MIM parts show little wear, I think the internals will go another 10K. when ever I do replace any part I will use Taurus warranty I believe the parts will be true drop in and have proved to me to be of very high quality.

I have 7 1911's 6 Kimbers and 1 POS Auto-ordanance. The first Kimber I bought was a Custom stainless target in1998.It propably has in excess of 15,000 rounds through it.Someone told me what a POS it was and how it would be a jamomatic. So,I proceded to shoot the gun for 5,000 Rds with out a major tear down. It got dirty as hell and would start to slow down after shooting lots of rounds in extended sessions and at that point I would have a FTFeed. All I did when I had a FTFeed was hose the gun down w/Brake cleaner or gun blaster and drop some lube on the rails and pins and go back to firing. The gun shoots like a dream and i have not had a parts failure yet! (thats why I have 5 more in the safe) I bought all of my Kimbers Between 1998 and 2001.I have had more FTF w/my Glocks than my 1911's.

Sorry double post!!!

For years I didn't think about reliability of semi-autos. My Star-PD suffered from "smoke stacks" but that was from limp wristing (it was my first auto). I've had a Colt Commander, Colt Combat Commander, and a Colt Stainless Steel Gold Cup. I never had any failures of any kind with any of them. Those guns carried me over a period of 18 years with the Gold Cup having the longest time in my corral.

I always cleaned my guns after each range session. I would shoot about 50 rounds a week--I would miss some weeks so I would estimate about 2,000 rounds per year. I replace the recoil spring on the Gold Cup a couple of times. We had a gun smith at the range and he would suggest this. He kept a supply of springs and I guess he was just trying to drum up business but for the few dollars involved I would replace the springs every couple of years.

I kept my Berretta 950 (.25 caliber) in my rear pocket; I hadn't fired it in a long while and it refused to fire. When I removed the magazine I found that the rounds were all corroded from the perspiration. Fresh ammo solved the issue (and taught me a lesson--shoot your weapons on a regular basis if you want reliable functioning).

Packard - good lesson for ALL of us.

Yes Sir that is the big thing to do, Always cleaned my guns after each range session. If I shoot one or 100 that day,They get a bath.A Clean pistol is ready to fire. And if your in love with your pistol, She will love you for this. Flitz Polish is the best,
Flitz Gun & Knife Care Kit..
Flitz - Gun/Knife Care Kit