Aluminum frame on 1911. How long will it last?
- Thread starter Spirex288
- Start date
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. I've got a Commander that I've been shooting for about 15 years. No unusual wear. I do use a buffer and a heavier than normal recoil spring to avoid battering. I also have a Lightweight SA Gov't Model that's been fired several thousand rounds with no problems. I do doubt that an aluminum-framed pistol will maintain as tight a slide-to-frame fit as an all steel gun. Best.
VictorLouis
New member
A local 'smith says that a ramped barrel, or a steel feedramp insert are the way to go. On the LW Comm. that I had, the anodizing wore off of the feedramp within a thousand rounds. Then again, I know that an early model was tested by firing around 10K rounds of ball with no apprarent adverse effects.?
Libertarian
New member
If my P14-45 is anything like the rest; about 200 rounds. After that the galling on the feed ramp became so bad that nothing but FMJ-RN would feed without jamming. My pistol will be in for a ramped barrel next month.
(BTW, I didn't shoot it that much and the warranty expired before the feed ramp did.)
(BTW, I didn't shoot it that much and the warranty expired before the feed ramp did.)
Rocky Road
Retired Screen Name
Spirex288--
I have no experience with the Kimber alloy .45, but perhaps the following experience and observations might help---
My LW Colt Commander was made in 1969 and was used when I bought it in 73. I've probably only put some 4,000 rounds through it. In about 1971, Skeeter Skelton did an article for Shooting Times magazine in which he put over 5,000 full power loads through a CLW. It still shot quite well from a Ransom Rest. My old gun looks like a disaster area, but this is mostly from constant carry. The slide's been refinished twice and the frame went gray long ago.
I've probably carried this pistol 70 percent of the days for the past quarter century. A short, light weight .45 auto is not the most pleasant pistol to shoot and is a piece to carry much and shoot little. The "New" will wear off the pistol before a year is out. If you're fortunate enough to be able to go to the range once a week for a whole year, and put 50 rounds through THAT pistol each time, that's only 2,600 rounds in a year. But if you only shoot it half the time, it'll take you some four years to do 5K rounds. If it will do three inch groups at 25 yards, that's great. Five inches is plenty of accuracy for self defense. That's about what mine will do, and it is no trick to stay on a silhouette target at 50 yards. No trick for the pistol, that it. Its getting to be a stretch for my eyes.
If you take even decent care of the Kimber and use loads no hotter than factory, there's no reason your grand children shouldn't enjoy the same pistol.
Best of luck---
RR
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---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
I have no experience with the Kimber alloy .45, but perhaps the following experience and observations might help---
My LW Colt Commander was made in 1969 and was used when I bought it in 73. I've probably only put some 4,000 rounds through it. In about 1971, Skeeter Skelton did an article for Shooting Times magazine in which he put over 5,000 full power loads through a CLW. It still shot quite well from a Ransom Rest. My old gun looks like a disaster area, but this is mostly from constant carry. The slide's been refinished twice and the frame went gray long ago.
I've probably carried this pistol 70 percent of the days for the past quarter century. A short, light weight .45 auto is not the most pleasant pistol to shoot and is a piece to carry much and shoot little. The "New" will wear off the pistol before a year is out. If you're fortunate enough to be able to go to the range once a week for a whole year, and put 50 rounds through THAT pistol each time, that's only 2,600 rounds in a year. But if you only shoot it half the time, it'll take you some four years to do 5K rounds. If it will do three inch groups at 25 yards, that's great. Five inches is plenty of accuracy for self defense. That's about what mine will do, and it is no trick to stay on a silhouette target at 50 yards. No trick for the pistol, that it. Its getting to be a stretch for my eyes.
If you take even decent care of the Kimber and use loads no hotter than factory, there's no reason your grand children shouldn't enjoy the same pistol.
Best of luck---
RR
------------------
---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
If you take care of it and don't abuse it, you should be able to give it to a grandchild.
I have a Colt Lightweight Officer's ACP that I bought in 93. It has close to 7000 rounds through it with no excessive wear. I expect to have it for a long time..
Buy the Kimber, you'll like it! Mark / Fl
I have a Colt Lightweight Officer's ACP that I bought in 93. It has close to 7000 rounds through it with no excessive wear. I expect to have it for a long time..
Buy the Kimber, you'll like it! Mark / Fl
Not a colt but sig has alum. frame.I have no real idea how many rds have been shot through mine as I bought it used.Its an early model with the colt style front sight.I know I have put 20,000 rds through it,No wear signs and fit is still as good as when I bought it with no decrease in accuracy.
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Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
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Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.