1911 types - what is the weakest part?

B

bubbaturbo

New member
I have had a lot of 1911 type pistols and I guess they are my favorite. However, I have had a few problems with some. For me, it always seems to involve the slide stop and/or plunger tube assembly. These two parts get my vote for the weakest link(s) in 1911 type guns. I think Para-Ordnance has the right idea as far as plunger tubes go.
 
When they are installed properly, the plunger tubes never give any problem. Same for properly made slide stops. I will vote for the triple leaf sear/trigger/grip saftey spring as the weakest link. These sometimes weaken imperceptibly and then one day something doesn't work. Next is the extractor. Both, properly made, will have few problems, but I consider them weak points.

The real problem with most of the 1911 clones is simply that parts are not being made well and/or are being made in ways that do not have the durability needed. The 1911 was designed to be made from milled steel. Making parts out of plastic, cheap alloys, powdered metal, and other quick tricks increases chances of failure, claims to the contrary.

Jim
 
The only part I've ever broken on a 1911 was the slide stop, although I've had problems with a plunger tube that wasn't staked properly. Front sights can also launch if not properly staked, but I've never encountered that.
I have had to replace my recoil spring every 2000 cycles or so, and I think that's the weakest point on the gun; unless, of course, you consider the box mag, which is a weak point in any semi design.

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Shoot straight regards, Richard at The Shottist's Center http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=45acp45lc
 
I've seen a few broken barrel bushings and I just had to replace a worn slide stop. Quality of parts is more important. Lack thereof can be a very weak point as with any gun.
 
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