How well do alloy frame M1911's hold up...

Hi, Allen,

Depends on what you mean by "regular shooting" and to some extent on what gun. I have seen a couple of alloy Colt Commanders crack at the slide stop pin hole and one at the slide stop hole. Both places are under stress when the barrel/slide is stopped in its forward travel by the slide stop pin.
All three guns had well over 5000 rounds through them.

Jim
 
That frame crack at the slide stop hole is more of a problem the heavier a recoil spring you use. People use the heavy springs to reduce the force of the slide travelling back. Use a lighter spring and a Sprinco reducer to reduce impact. The new ones that are coming out have an additional replacable shock pad built into the recoil assembly.
 
Hello all. I have a couple of lightly modified '70s Commanders with alloy frames as well as a Springfield LW Gov't Model. I use the 18.5lb conventional recoil spring and do use the Dillon shok buffs religiously. One of the Commanders and the LW Gov't Model have had well over 5000 rounds through them with no cracks. I have seen the cracks near the slide stop hole in the aluminum frame, but think that the Shok Buff provides some help in this regard. Whether or not the extra power spring does or not, I don't know. Best.
 
My Commander has a 20lb Wilson recoil spring and shock buff in it. Built in 1959 and still running strong, no signs of wear. I shoot it a lot! :)
 
Some might say if you can afford enough ammo to break your gun you can afford to get it fixed.

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
Allen, I have a 7 year old Colt Lightweight Officers ACP with about 5 to 6 thousand rounds through it.. No problems to date.. I feel it's nicely broken in.. BTW I am using the Wilson guide rod and a 24 pound Wolff spring in the gun and have since the gun was 6 months old. Mark / FL
 
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