GUN STUFF

[WarrenJ]

The fun thing about 1911's is that they are so easy to work on.  They do need maintenance and new parts from time to time but parts are easy to come by and reasonably priced.  There is such a body of knowledge out there on any issue of 1911 performance that any problem can be diagnosed rapidly and usually fixed. Keep them lubed and replace the recoil springs every 2000 rounds or so, keep an eye on barrel bushing wear and fit and they just keep working. 

My main 1911 I got probably 4th hand.  I shot IPSC, Second Chance, IDPA, 3-Gun and carried it with me on a daily basis for the last 22 years.  The blue is completely worn off, its went through 2 barrels, innumerable recoil springs, a couple of extractors, a mainspring, a couple sets of grips and North of a quarter of a million rounds of 45 ACP.  My hands know that pistol like my toungue knows the back of my teeth. 

That being said, I think there are better guns out there for casual users or people not interested in understanding how their gun works.  I typically steer new shooters to the 9mm glock due to their extreme reliability, simplicity and tolerance of abuse.  (plus they don't blow up as often as the 45 glocks do)

[ducatiz]

Monsterlover check out the Auto Ordnance 1911s.  I think their "GI" model comes in around 600.  AO is owned by Kahr and they use the same CNC machines to cut the components and then are hand fitted.  Very high quality but not in the same class as a Kimber, Wilson or the aforementioned STI.

[fastwin]

Good post WarrenJ. Glocks are a favorite of mine but my love is 1911s. I have more than I deserve. I have a couple of STIs, one .40 one .45acp. Wilsons, Baers, Kimbers, gunsmith tuned Springfields and Colts (model 70s and 80s). Commander length, Officer length and lots of 5" Govt. models. Even a couple of Colt 9mm Commanders. I was raised on them as a kid (along with Hi-Powers) so single action pistols are second nature to me. They certainly are not for everyone and every circumstance but thankfully there are tons of other well made pistols in many calibers out there to check out.

The Marshall book on stopping power is a good one. We could have a 20+ page thread about that subject. My only comment would regard shot placement. That would be #1 in my book of self defense. Caliber/stopping power an obvious close #2. But then again... I'm a shotgun kind of guy anyway. A scattergun does kind of limit you to just home/business defense.

Half the fun of trying to find that perfect carry/defense pistol is in the search!

[WarrenJ]

In reference to glocks and custom 1911's - glocks are tools whereas a custom 1911 is a piece of personal weaponry - its like having a soulless Universal Japanese Motorcycle for transportation or having a wonderful, thundering, fit-like-a-glove, Ducati.

[fastwin]

Good analogy.

I have Jap sbks that I really like to ride. They are 100% reliable, need little to no maintenance and all they want is gas, oil, tires and insurance. But they are not Ducatis, Aprillas or MV Agustas. Sure they are fun, affordable, etc. but they are very Honda lawn mower-like. That being said, I love my Honda lawn mower too but it's doesn't make me love doing yard work and I damn sure don't spend hours staring at it in the garage or detailing it after I have used it. That's reserved for the Ducs. [moto]

I enjoy shooting my Glocks but I love shooting a favorite 1911.

[Monsterlover]

Recoil springs only last 2000 rounds? 

[fastwin]

Hot .45s can be hard on stock 16lb. recoil springs. (I think stock is 16??? ) Eighteen or 20lb. springs hold up very well to stock ball/defense loads and can last a good while. I've had no problems with 20 pounders regarding cycling, recoil and longevity. Changing recoil springs on auto pistols is just a way of life. No biggie.

[Monsterlover]

What's the advantage to a heavier spring?

Less recoil?

[Kopfjager]

What's the advantage to a heavier spring?

Less recoil?

Yes

[ducpainter]

Yes

Wouldn't it also cause the slide to slam back to battery?

[Kopfjager]

Wouldn't it also cause the slide to slam back to battery?

It will. It slows the slide up during recoil as well. You can go with too strong of a spring, so
you need to find what works best.

[ducpainter]

It will. It slows the slide up during recoil as well. You can go with too strong of a spring, so
you need to find what works best.

That was my point.

The recoil spring needs to be matched to the load/pistol, not necessarily the shooters preference.

[Kopfjager]

That was my point.

The recoil spring needs to be matched to the load/pistol, not necessarily the shooters preference.

Correct. I have a tackle box full of those make the beast with two backsers.

[fastwin]

Yep, kopf's right. You can go over board (on 1911s and other autos) and use higher rated springs that would only be good for damn hot plus p hand loads. Which would be overkill on normal loads. In my world the 20lb. spring upgrade over stock on most 1911s has handled every common load I have thrown at it. Commercial ball loads as well as old school Hydra-Shok and Corbon defense loads. Choosing the right recoil spring on any auto is just part of "tuning" the gun based on what ammo is fired.

[WarrenJ]

When we shot the 2nd Chance bowling pin shoot, I usually ran a real heavy 22-24 lb spring.  We were shooting 255 grain bullets with LOTS of Unique.  My standard, major powerfactor IPSC loads with 200grain HG 68's ran well with 20 lb springs.  I always felt that the heavier spring also helped a lumpy reload get into battery once in a while.