Reliability question... - The Firearms Forum

glocknut · 06-24-2009, 01:14 AM

I have read about it and several people have admitted it to me including the gunshop owner....

And that is that the smaller mini 45 1911s do not have the same reliability track record as the medium commander sized or the full sized 1911s have.

The gunshop owner said there are things that can be done to bring the mini 1911s closer to the reliability but it never is quite as reliable as a good working commander.

So my question is this. Just how much "LESS" reliable are the mini 1911s? The one i am looking at is a Kimber.

Wouldn't it be better to carry a 9mm in a kind of gun that does not have reliablility issues with their smaller guns? Or is the mini close enough.

What kind of cycling problems occur on these mini 1911s ?? Why are the mini 1911s noted for being less reliable than full size 1911s??

mike
gn

Shooter45 · 06-24-2009, 07:08 AM

The recoil spring really takes a beating on the smaller 1911's and should be changed often. A lot of gun owners fail to do this and when the pistol starts giving trouble, it's considered "junk' and traded to the local gunshop. I change the recoil spring in my Kimber every 800 rounds, use good quality ( Wilson) mags, keep the weapon lubed and never have any problems.

It's really all about maintainance.

carver · 06-24-2009, 07:21 AM

I can't really answer you question, but it seems that Shooter45 might just have a solution to the problem. I have noticed over the years that a lot of the "small" semi-autos have problems, no matter what caliber they are chambered for.

glocknut · 06-24-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooter45

The recoil spring really takes a beating on the smaller 1911's and should be changed often. A lot of gun owners fail to do this and when the pistol starts giving trouble, it's considered "junk' and traded to the local gunshop. I change the recoil spring in my Kimber every 800 rounds, use good quality ( Wilson) mags, keep the weapon lubed and never have any problems.

It's really all about maintainance.

Every 800 rounds?!!!!

That tells me one thing right there... A revolver would make a better gun for CCW !!!!!

So i assume the medium commander size 1911s are a little hard on their springs as well?
How often do commander sized 1911s need their recoil springs changed out?

What do those springs run "generally" speaking? And what brand is best? Wolf Brand? Or original manufacturer springs?

mike
gn

Shooter45 · 06-24-2009, 03:45 PM

I change the Commander spring about every 2000 rounds and replace it with a #20 Wolfe Variable Power spring. Cost around $6.

glocknut · 06-24-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooter45

I change the Commander spring about every 2000 rounds and replace it with a #20 Wolfe Variable Power spring. Cost around $6.

Oh...that's not too bad. I was afraid that those springs would have been $20 or more. That's a relief!

Thanks Sam!

mike
gn

bountyh · 06-24-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glocknut

The gunshop owner said there are things that can be done to bring the mini 1911s closer to the reliability but it never is quite as reliable as a good working commander.
gn

+1 Even some top notch makers like STI have had problems with the 1911 shorties. The cycling reliability diminishes with barrel length.

bountyh · 06-24-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glocknut

Every 800 rounds?!!!!
That tells me one thing right there... A revolver would make a better gun for CCW !!!!!

True, a good revolver is always a better choice to protect your life than a bottom feeder. Fewer things to go wrong and if you run into a bad round of ammo, a good round is just a trigger pull away (as opposed to the standard semiauto drill of pee your pants then do a tap-rack-pull).

Shooter45 · 06-24-2009, 05:18 PM

And that's why the military still uses revolvers.

johnlives4christ · 06-24-2009, 05:33 PM

i had a compact springfield armory 1911 for a while. it had a 3 1/2 barrel. i never had any trouble out of it, i think i shot a couple hundred rounds out of it. but it did have a new spring. most of the time if i get a used gun i intend to keep i change the springs, depending of course on what it is.

Doc1911 · 06-30-2009, 06:52 AM

One of the companies I purchase from says 2500 rds for a 5", 1500 rds for a 4.25" and below that every 500-800 rounds (depending on the weapon). Personally I would not own a short (below 4"). The above changes are based on normal ammo - hot stuff you change them more often.

DWARREN123 · 07-01-2009, 08:47 AM

All sub-compact type pistols are hard on their recoil systems. The recoil system must be small enough to fit and still handle the forces of firing.
The less power the round has the less stress it must handle but still more than larger pistols.

06-24-2009, 01:14 AM	#1
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Reliability question... I have read about it and several people have admitted it to me including the gunshop owner.... And that is that the smaller mini 45 1911s do not have the same reliability track record as the medium commander sized or the full sized 1911s have. The gunshop owner said there are things that can be done to bring the mini 1911s closer to the reliability but it never is quite as reliable as a good working commander. So my question is this. Just how much "LESS" reliable are the mini 1911s? The one i am looking at is a Kimber. Wouldn't it be better to carry a 9mm in a kind of gun that does not have reliablility issues with their smaller guns? Or is the mini close enough. What kind of cycling problems occur on these mini 1911s ?? Why are the mini 1911s noted for being less reliable than full size 1911s?? mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone.... --> Last edited by glocknut; 06-24-2009 at 01:16 AM..

06-24-2009, 07:21 AM	#3
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,541	Re: Reliability question... I can't really answer you question, but it seems that Shooter45 might just have a solution to the problem. I have noticed over the years that a lot of the "small" semi-autos have problems, no matter what caliber they are chambered for. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

06-24-2009, 03:45 PM	#5
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,790	Re: Reliability question... I change the Commander spring about every 2000 rounds and replace it with a #20 Wolfe Variable Power spring. Cost around $6.

06-24-2009, 05:18 PM	#9
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,790	Re: Reliability question... And that's why the military still uses revolvers.

06-24-2009, 05:33 PM	#10
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Reliability question... i had a compact springfield armory 1911 for a while. it had a 3 1/2 barrel. i never had any trouble out of it, i think i shot a couple hundred rounds out of it. but it did have a new spring. most of the time if i get a used gun i intend to keep i change the springs, depending of course on what it is.

06-24-2009, 07:08 AM	#2
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,790	Re: Reliability question... The recoil spring really takes a beating on the smaller 1911's and should be changed often. A lot of gun owners fail to do this and when the pistol starts giving trouble, it's considered "junk' and traded to the local gunshop. I change the recoil spring in my Kimber every 800 rounds, use good quality ( Wilson) mags, keep the weapon lubed and never have any problems. It's really all about maintainance. Attached Images

06-30-2009, 06:52 AM	#11
Doc1911 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 874	Re: Reliability question... One of the companies I purchase from says 2500 rds for a 5", 1500 rds for a 4.25" and below that every 500-800 rounds (depending on the weapon). Personally I would not own a short (below 4"). The above changes are based on normal ammo - hot stuff you change them more often. __________________ _____ Sincerely, Doc NRA Life Member

07-01-2009, 08:47 AM	#12
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 764	Re: Reliability question... All sub-compact type pistols are hard on their recoil systems. The recoil system must be small enough to fit and still handle the forces of firing. The less power the round has the less stress it must handle but still more than larger pistols. __________________ Have a nice day!