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Be sure to read this post! Beware of scammers. https://www.indianagunowners.com/threads/classifieds-new-online-payment-guidelines-rules-paypal-venmo-zelle-etc.511734/
The TRUTH about the 1911!!
- Thread starter lovemachine
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TheBoss930
Marksman
interesting
Key words to take away from this video "You get what you pay for" and my personal favorite "Do not be surprised when your $400 1911 does not run right".
I cannot stand the reputation lesser 1911 manufacturers have given the platform out of all the 1911's I have there has yet to be a malfunction in any of them (minus the one time I messed up the crimp on the .45 reloads and it would not chamber). Also it makes me happy that a from all accounts very good gunsmith recommends the Range Officer.
But IMHO if you buy from a reputable make such as Springfield, Colt, Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat for example the guns will work and be reliable as long as you do you part and maintain the pistols.
I cannot stand the reputation lesser 1911 manufacturers have given the platform out of all the 1911's I have there has yet to be a malfunction in any of them (minus the one time I messed up the crimp on the .45 reloads and it would not chamber). Also it makes me happy that a from all accounts very good gunsmith recommends the Range Officer.
But IMHO if you buy from a reputable make such as Springfield, Colt, Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat for example the guns will work and be reliable as long as you do you part and maintain the pistols.
There is nothing wrong with using certain parts that are MIM such as the Sear and Disconnect being the most common, it is where parts come under allot of stress such as thumb safeties, hammers, extractors, slide stops and the like as they take allot of impact type forces where a forged and machined bar stock piece would fare much better.
Kimber is probably the worst offender with a boat load of parts being MIM in their particular pistols even more so than Springfield with Colt probably having the least. When you get into the more expensive 1911's such as Dan Wesson or Wilson Combat the entire guns are all bar stock machines parts which is nice because they generally have longer service lives and I personally think they are of a higher quality fit and finish wise.
The only 1911 in my own collection that has MIM parts at this point is my MC Operator but eventually that will be rectified when and if the parts ever fail which at this point is doubtful since it is approaching 3000+ rounds.
I would guess that M&P and Glock are full of MIM parts. My current carry 1911 and my competition 1911 both have MIM parts. Someday I will have those refit but for now they run fine. Non-MIM in 1911 and 870 extractors are regarded by most as having a longer service life.
Mim in extractors are better than hammer, sear, disconnector, slide stop, and safety. I've completely stripped and finished several middle of the road 1911's like kimber, sig, s&w, Sti and refit them with quality steel parts. I trust them all with my life. I'm not a glock hater either. I love my glocks. Point being 1911 shouldn't have mim parts. Side note. Dave does all my machining and refenishing and is top notch. I highly recommend him
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I put the MC Operator on the same level as the TRP personally. The Dan Wesson has all bar stock parts and the Duty Treat finish is really the best firearms finish I have ever seen. The parts on the Dan Wesson guns also receive more fitting and tighter tolerances as well. If you want a 1911 with a rail I HIGHLY suggest the Specialist from Dan Wesson it is the perfect "Duty" style 1911 out there, ledge night sights, magwell, Duty Treat and the amazing Dan Wesson tolerances it really is awesome. If I had known about them when I bought my MC I would have the Specialist now instead of the Operator but oh well live and learn I guess.
CZ-USA DW Specialist - CZ-USA
Sorry I misspoke. I meant non-MIM in all 1911 parts and non-MIM 870 extractors should be of higher quality and provide longer service life. That said my 1911s with MIM parts are running just fine. Doesn't mean they won't break next range session. Same could be said for any gun. If or when those parts wear out I will have the guns refit with non-MIM parts.
No. But I think you will start about 13. Thats what I found a Guardian for recently.
Dan Wesson is a fine gun. Buy once cry once......... I know you are looking at 1911s and like most of us budget is a concern. Hard to shell out $1500-$3000 on a gun that most likely will only go to the range. Little easier to justify for those who carry 1911s. You should be able to get into a nice 1911 for $1200. Don't sweat the non-MIM thing. Parts can be upgraded, guns can be refinished.
I enjoy building up to a good quality 1911.
Find a nice Springer with what I consider good slide/frame fit up and go from there.
That is what I do as a passion/hobby/near obsession.
I have 2 MC Operators and a TRP. None of them have the MIM pieces in them any more and it is so very obvious when you run them.
The TRP is stainless so no coating issues and the MC's have been refinished (one has the other is waiting on color selection..
)
If you want to start out with a slick piece then do the DW offerings but even these can use some love on the triggers. (JMHO please)
If you want to find a nice used Operator or TRP run it while you save your penny's and then let one of the capable people that post up in the Forum have it for a few days. You will be in it far less than the DW and it will run right with it.
Again, JMHO from personal experience. Absolutely no knock on the DW offerings.
Find a nice Springer with what I consider good slide/frame fit up and go from there.
That is what I do as a passion/hobby/near obsession.
I have 2 MC Operators and a TRP. None of them have the MIM pieces in them any more and it is so very obvious when you run them.
The TRP is stainless so no coating issues and the MC's have been refinished (one has the other is waiting on color selection..
)If you want to start out with a slick piece then do the DW offerings but even these can use some love on the triggers. (JMHO please)
If you want to find a nice used Operator or TRP run it while you save your penny's and then let one of the capable people that post up in the Forum have it for a few days. You will be in it far less than the DW and it will run right with it.
Again, JMHO from personal experience. Absolutely no knock on the DW offerings.
Most are if they have the Duty Treat finish (generally a $300 upgrade or so), there is a BNIB Dan Wesson Specialist in stainless that is $1300 right now and that is a good deal.
The Stainless models run around the $1300 price point while the Duty Treat stuff runs around $1600-$1700 generally, I personally go for Duty Treat as I love the finish and my Dan Wessons are my EDC guns so I justified the cost in my head.
Just my personal opinion but a stainless Dan Wesson Specialist beats the hell out of a TRP any day of the week and as VERT said if you find that stainless is not for you then it can be refinished easily. Nice thing about the Dan Wesson though is you will never have to worry about "Upgrading" parts because it is fully loaded with the best parts available.
I swear Dan Wesson needs to start paying my ass a commission lol
