Colt quality...

The problem with MIM isn't MIM. With good materials and adherence to quality control throughout the process, good MIM is quite good. In some instances, it's even superior to barstock in wear characteristics.
Click to expand...
Exactly. For instance the past trouble with Rugers SR1911 front sights breaking was not due to the fact that they were MIM, they broke because of faulty heat-treating.
 
Ruger

. For instance the past trouble with Rugers SR1911 front sights breaking was not due to the fact that they were MIM, they broke because of faulty heat-treating.
Click to expand...

MIM isn't heat treated...at least not in the conventional sense. It's installed as it it comes from the sintering oven. More than likely, the sights that broke had internal flaws from not being completely "cooked" or from improper mixing of the powder and the binder.
 
1911Turner:
MIM isn't heat treated...at least not in the conventional sense. It's installed as it it comes from the sintering oven. More than likely, the sights that broke had internal flaws from not being completely "cooked" or from improper mixing of the powder and the binder.

Nice thing I find is today is if an MIM part will fail, it most likely will fail quickly when you first start shooting the firearm.
 
I've had various Colt 1911s over the years with mixed results, but I bought a stainless Series 70 Gov't Model about a year and a half ago and it is top notch and 100% reliable out of the box.
 
MIM

Nice thing I find is today is if an MIM part will fail, it most likely will fail quickly when you first start shooting the firearm.
Click to expand...

This.

If an MIM part holds up for a few hundred cycles, it'll likely last for 25,000 or more.
 
I feel confident that if I did get a Colt, that it would be good... just need to get over the series 80 to get one.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. Colt makes some Series 70 and some of the Talo models out there don't have the firing pin block. Here's a link describing the Wiley Clapp models. The CCO and Commander are aluminum framed and the Government is steel framed. The "new" Series 70s are running around $900 at Buds and the Wiley Clapp models around $1200.
 
BigJimP said:
And only as one example...but in the last 6 months, just in 1911's at my local range...I've seen 3 guns with cracks in Firing Pin blocks..( they were MIM - one Kimber, two Springfields ) / and while the parts are not that expensive to replace, personally, I find MIM parts aggravating.
Click to expand...

That's interesting, since Springfield doesn't use a firing pin block.
 
Maybe firing pin stop?
I know someone who cracked his every 10k rounds or so, though I've never cracked any of mine.
 
As someone who has been buying Colt 1911s new since the 1970s I think you have a much better chance of getting a very good new one these days without looking at it first.

Historically the strike at Colt was from 1985-1990 I think. Add to that the fact they did not start investing heavily in new machinery until maybe 10 years ago and it is not surprising that for a time there was an issue with some of their products.

To this day I still prefer looking at any gun before I buy it. I am blessed with having a lot of gun stores to go to here in the SW and I have seen 1911s I would not want to buy based on fit and finish from SA, Kimber, DW, S&W, RIA, Ruger........ well every 1911 manufacturer including Colt that has 1911 models for sale in gun stores for under $3K.
 
In my opinion, Colt has (almost) always made great pistols and the ones today are as good or better than they have ever been.
In the past few years Colt transitioned to CNC machines to machine the blanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top