Reliable 1911 - .45ACP

El Gaucho

Inactive
Which 1911 type .45 auto is considered to be the most reliable with no after-market gunsmith modifications? I want out-of-the-box reliability with NO tweaking.

Is it Wilson, Kimber, Colt, Springfield, Para-Ordinance?

Your opinions please. I plan on buying my first 1911 within 2 weeks.

Gracias

El Gaucho
 
Hello,
What you decide to buy really depends on your budget. I own 2 Wilsons, 2 Kimbers, and a Springfield Armory. If you don't mind spending $1800+ go with a Wilson because you get the absolute best customer service hands down from them. However, if the price is too rich, I suggest that either Kimber or Springfield Armoury is good. Colt is still trying to get it's reputation for quality back so IMHO I would not buy from them yet. Kimber and SA both have their share of occasional issues but either of them are good choices. You can get a basic model for about $650+ depending on where you live. Hope this helps abit.
 
I have had no major reliability issues with any big-name manufactured 1911---Kimber, Para Ordnance, Springfield or Colt---I owned. However, I have the most rounds without any malfunction through the various Kimbers I've owned, so I would have to go with Kimber.
 
While I'll agree that any big-name 1911 will likely bear more punishment than you can deal out, I'll dispense some of my strange experiences from working at the range: Para Ords are extremely reliable and popular; they've outlasted Springfield Armory and STI guns easily.

However, one thing I will have to note about the Para Ord are the sights, especially on the limited; they sometimes have a habit of coming loose and falling off - some people reccomend a drop of lock-tite to hold them there. Also, make sure to handle the gun in your hands first; unless it's an LDA, P-series Paras are double-stack and have a bigger grip (but higher capacity).

I do, however, reccomend Kimber - they have a great finish, often all the neccessary accessories, and are good out-of-the-box without tweaking. I can't tell you much about their reliability, but they were pretty enough that I was just a few seconds away from getting one myself :)
 
I have had good luck with Colt and Charles Daly. (Yes, I really did use Colt and Charles Daly in the same sentence! Twice.;) :D )
 
I got a Thompson Auto-Ordnance Corp. a few years back and hung some MMC sights on it, got some good mags, and never looked back. 20 or so years ago is when that happened and the big old sloppy gun will still do what I expect it to do. I can't remember it ever having a hickup.
 

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I had an Auto Ordnance, but it did not live up to expectations. The big name guns are more likely to be more reliable, but lemons still get out of the factory. There is always the element of chance.
 
I agree, AO is usually trash. I would say go with either a Colt or Kimber. The new Colts have been functioning great. Most of the few complaints about the recent ones have been about minor things like cosmetics.
 
Lemme kick this back up to the top.
Am a glock and 9mm kind of guy, but keep thinking about .45. Seems a 1911 would be the choice for that caliber.

Sat down at TFL just now to ask: name me an honest solid starter 1911 brand - something 95th percentile tough, a frame suitable for possible future customizing, delivered without any fancy stuff, by a reputable and known supplier.

Thanks
 
Sounds like you just mentioned a Springfield Armory 1911A1.

But if you want something a bit higher and is full set up with no need for any further work... That would be a Springfield Armory 1911A1. ;)

Seriously though... give the Wilson KZ45 a few looks. It's not a traditional 1911... but its a good one. Very nice trigger, smooth action, good sights... everything you need for 900 bucks. (The last price on it that I saw)
 
I have 3 Kimbers, and 3 Springfields. None was absolutely reliable OTB.
For the Kimbers, I ended up sending two to custom gunsmiths for reliability jobs, because Kimber could not get them reliable They did try, but no cigar.

Two of the SA finally were made reliable by the factory, and I am still working on the third. I am afraid that it is only going to be reliable with ball and SWC.
SAs Customer Service is excellent.

I have never owned a Wilson's, but I would think you would have a better chance to get OTB reliability than with the other two. The price would be greater, however.

Jerry
 
My Kimbers have run like tops, without any problems for years. Tha one Colt 1911 I bought was a mess.
That said, if I had the scratch I would buy a Wilson CQB just 'cause it's cool!
 
They're all good.

I have never had a problem since I used Wilson's Combat mags for My Colt 1991A1. I never really noticed a "Reliability" difference between 1911's. Its a well designed gun and the flaw is in the mags not the gun.

If I were to go out and get another 1911 it would be the Springfield. I like the idea of a owning a Colt 45, but the Springfield 1911A1 seems like the best out of the box 1911 (without spending a $1000).
 
I guess that I got lucky with the A.O. I think that "a few years ago" was 1981. The only other stock 1911s are Colts. A Gold Cup N.M series 70 purchased new with no internal mods. has always run smoothly, A 1991 A1 which is N.I.B and an older series 80 Officers which runs very well. The Officers is going off to visit friends in CO this fall and will no longer be stock when it returns.
 
Want cheap, get a stock Springfield. At 450 or so, its a bargain compared to cheaper stuff like AO or chuck daly that is cheaper ot start with until you factor in the pain and suffering of shooting unreliable crap. My secondhand Springfield was not reliable when it can to me, but with 2 new springs, a little silver solder for the plunger tube and some time with some 2400 grit sandpaper everthing was much better. Gun now belongs to resident troublemaker, one Yankytrash. How is that thing doing? Speaking of which, his Norinco has been quite nice for what he's got in it, don't see many for sale though.

Now, Chuck Daly. I've heard how they have gotten better, but I had one and I don't see inferior metalwork, inferior metal, and piss poor assembly changing overnight. Maybe the assembly, not the other too. Therefore, I got two words to say about Chuck. One of 'em is Chuck and the other one rhymes.


Sistemas, I have one, want two, BUT! This isn't a starter gun. I got mine so I would have something to build, I want to do all the machine work, learn how to checker, etc. Eventually I envision a nice Hardchromed 11.43mm Limited-10 racegun. It's not a starter gun though, because never before have I felt a 16lb 1911 trigger, and with that hammer the size of Rhode Island those things have, never have I bled so from hammerbite.
 
Bought a Colt 1991 A1 matte finish Compact, has never malfunctioned, been shot alot, they can be had at around 450.00 NIB. Not as pretty as a Kimber but I would guess just as reliable, and a lot cheaper. *** my 2 cents ***:)
 
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