Is there such a thing as a CRAPPY 1911?

[jaybet]

I've been drooling over the photos of the "1911 Pix" Thread, and enjoying people's descriptions of their 1911s and all the aspects of them. What I'm wondering is, out of all you folks that love the 1911- is there REALLY a BAD 1911? Does anyone know of a brand or model that is just a horrible POS?

[CZShooter]

I've had poor experiences with Llama 1911s. The lock-up was excessively sloppy...accuracy was poor...and it kept thunking me in the head with hot brass. The rest that I've shot (Kimbers, Sprinfields, Colts, Paras, couple of no-name GIs) have been pretty good.

[jnevis]

I have an Isreali 1911 that borders on crappy mainly due to the sights being very small and it shoots low. I'd love to replace them but I'm not sure what cut to order and the local gunsmith is a hack so I'd have to send it off to someone and it isn't worth the expense.   I recently replaced all the springs and a couple other parts and  I realized that I'd spent almost as much in parts (springs, mags, and guide rod) as I paid for the pistol ($450).  Still goes bang every time.

[ratcatcher55]

I had an old Remington Rand that had was worn out. It went bang everytime but so sloppy the SGTMAJ told me to use it only as a club. I had it in 1979 and it was probably made in the 1940's.

I bought a Springfield Fully Loaded in 2006 that was a POS.
Rear sights came loose after every 50 rounds.
Guide rod backed out constantly
Slide was not true and it was nearly impossible to take apart to clean.
Last but not least, the barrel lug broke. Total rounds through the pistol...less than 1000.

I sent it to Jim Garthwaite and he made it a sweet shooting pistol. I would have saved money buying the Kimber Eclipse II I wanted in the first place.

[tombogan03884]

I had an Auto Ordanance that was a POS, even compared to the Llama.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

In our group we have Kimber, S&W, Ruger, STI, Springfield and Rock River.  All are good guns.  However, there are little things some like and don't like:
1.  The closer the tolerances the cleaner you need to keep the gun;
2.  The looser the gun the more reliable in dirty dusty conditions (the Ruger rattles but shoots when muddy);
3.  The S&W will throw brass anywhere and everywhere, the STI will pile the brass at your feet, and the Kimber will put it in your friend's pocket;
4.  The Rock River has tight clearance and needs mag well (even though we have all added them to the rest).

This is just a partial list, but it shows that one guy's hate is another's like.  I'm sure there is some crap out there, but if you find one your friend has you like, one your gunsmith likes or a name brand your comfortable with it will be a good gun for you.

Every maker has a lemon from time to time, but I've always found they will correct it.

[ericire12]

Q: Is there such a thing as a CRAPPY 1911?
A: Yes.


Q: Is there such a thing as a CRAPPY Glock?
A: No.



"Get yourself a Glock and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."

[jnevis]

Q: Is there such a thing as a CRAPPY 1911?
A: Yes.


Q: Is there such a thing as a CRAPPY Glock?
A: No.



"Get yourself a Glock and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."

That's funny     As much as I like my G23 and 17 the 1911 fits better in my hand.  If it doesn't fit well you aren't going to shoot it well, therefore "crappy pistol".  Absolutely HATE the feel of a G21!  21SF is much better but are hard to find here.  Plus the Glock and 1911 luckily are customizable to fit what you are doing with it.  I've seen some "tweaked" Glocks and 1911s that simply didn't run.  Either one LEFT ALONE can be a great gun.

[ericire12]

That's funny     As much as I like my G23 and 17 the 1911 fits better in my hand.  If it doesn't fit well you aren't going to shoot it well, therefore "crappy pistol". 

Hmmmmm.... if only Glock would get off their high horse and introduce interchangeable backstraps....... Then maybe more consumers such as yourself would not have to buy one of their competitors guns simply b/c the Glock doesnt feel right in your hand....... It makes perfect sense to me! 

[jaybet]

Hey, hey, hey! Enough with the Glocks!
No...seriously folks, what I'm seeing is there are a couple of companies that maybe are just plain poor quality, then all I'm seeing is what looks like lemons, but I'm not seeing any mainstream models or brands that don't stand up. So that means that the design is JUST THAT GOOD