The Art and Science of Keeping Your 1911 Running

[SwampDweller]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm gathering that perhaps the best mags for 100% reliability are the McCormick 7 round Power Mags, right?
It also sounds like the Wilson 47 (not D) 7 round magazines are also about as reliable as it gets.

What mags does Hilton use for serious use?

It also sounds like the Dan Wesson Valor may be the best choice for a 1911 unless I went with something like a Wilson Combat (but even then, would the Wilson have a better chance of being 100% out of the box?). However, it does seem there's a good chance it will not be 100% reliable out of the box and may need some work, meaning I'd either have to learn to be my own armorer or pay a competent 1911 gunsmith to do so, which seems unlikely as all the best ones are either not taking work or are years backlogged.

[Trooper224]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm gathering that perhaps the best mags for 100% reliability are the McCormick 7 round Power Mags, right?
It also sounds like the Wilson 47 (not D) 7 round magazines are also about as reliable as it gets.

What mags does Hilton use for serious use?

Eight round mags are fine, as long as they're designed as such and not retrofitted sevens. Several have been mentioned.

t also sounds like the Dan Wesson Valor may be the best choice for a 1911 unless I went with something like a Wilson Combat (but even then, would the Wilson have a better chance of being 100% out of the box?). However, it does seem there's a good chance it will not be 100% reliable out of the box and may need some work, meaning I'd either have to learn to be my own armorer or pay a competent 1911 gunsmith to do so, which seems unlikely as all the best ones are either not taking work or are years backlogged.

Not with today's Wilson Combat.

[SwampDweller]

Not with today's Wilson Combat.

Sadly, that seems to be what I hear about Wilson Combat pistols lately. Seems as though they've simply gone to a typical mass produced commercial line status.

It's my understanding that Wilson Combat lost out to the Springfield Custom Shop on the FBI HRT contract. That was a long time ago, but I've always wondered why these supposedly hand built master smith 1911s seem to have these little annoying reliability issues as frequently as most production 1911s like Springfields and Colts.

To be clear, my main goal is reliability, I'm not after super match grade accuracy. I want a combat-accurate 1911 that is combat-reliable.

[45dotACP]

Sadly, that seems to be what I hear about Wilson Combat pistols lately. Seems as though they've simply gone to a typical mass produced commercial line status.

It's my understanding that Wilson Combat lost out to the Springfield Custom Shop on the FBI HRT contract. That was a long time ago, but I've always wondered why these supposedly hand built master smith 1911s seem to have these little annoying reliability issues as frequently as most production 1911s like Springfields and Colts.

To be clear, my main goal is reliability, I'm not after super match grade accuracy. I want a combat-accurate 1911 that is combat-reliable.

"Combat reliable" 1911 means you'll definitely want to invest in learning how to identify if your gun is having trouble.

(e.g. A 1911 will tell you it's problems in a way that a glock will not.)

If a Glock is throwing brass into your face, it will still probably work. If a 1911 bounces shells off of your face, there is a problem.

If you're aware of the intricacies, a 1911 can easily be made to run as well as a Glock, but bear in mind the gun cannot just be treated like a lawnmower or a Honda Civic and still be expected to be as reliable as a Glock.

Definitely subscribe to Hilton Yams youtube channel. Watch ALL the videos about 1911s. He's got some absolute gold there.

I'd say if you want out of the box reliability, many will suggest a Dan Wesson, Springfield Pro, or a Staccato. Those are good suggestions.

But with a small investment of time and effort, you can get an 800 dollar Springfield to run just as well as a Dan Wesson or Staccato (minus the high capacity)

As a cheap bastard, it's what I'd suggest, but that's because I'm trying to save money.

As an aside, I just sent my Caspian in for refinishing. The old rust blue finish has finally worn bare. It was time.

I'm highly excited because it's gonna have the 2 tone Pachmayr look, but in Cerakote, because I don't wanna mess with bluing anymore except for my Alchemy

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[JTQ]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm gathering that perhaps the best mags for 100% reliability are the McCormick 7 round Power Mags, right?

Chip McCormick (CMC) doesn't make a full size 7 round PowerMag. Full size PowerMags are available in 8 or 10 round capacities. Actually, up to just a few years ago when the "Classic" line ( https://www.cmproducts.com/7-Round_c_260.html ) showed up in their line-up, they didn't offer any 7 round full size mags. Edit to add: I'm not recommending the "Classic" mag. It may be a great mag, but it is positioned in the line-up as a "bargain" mag.

The CMC claim to fame traditionally has been the Devel/Shooting Star follower. It is a very compact follower and is itself a spring. If you absolutely have to have a flush 8 rounder, the Devel follower is probably the best way to make that work.

[JTQ]

To add: The PowerMag has been the flagship of the CMC line-up for many years. The PowerMag+ is just a follower change and was designed for aluminum framed guns. In some video Hilton Yam commented he preferred the regular PowerMag follower over the PowerMag+ follower.

The CMC Railed PowerMag (RPM) is the new flagship model in the CMC line-up. It has a longer tube, one designed for 8 rounds, has the folded over "railed" feed lips that theoretically should be stronger, and has an improved spring and follower over the original PowerMag. If you don't mind the longer tube and the flared bumper pad, the RPM is their top mag. Some folks still prefer the original PowerMag, though.

[HCM]

Sadly, that seems to be what I hear about Wilson Combat pistols lately. Seems as though they've simply gone to a typical mass produced commercial line status.

It's my understanding that Wilson Combat lost out to the Springfield Custom Shop on the FBI HRT contract. That was a long time ago, but I've always wondered why these supposedly hand built master smith 1911s seem to have these little annoying reliability issues as frequently as most production 1911s like Springfields and Colts.

To be clear, my main goal is reliability, I'm not after super match grade accuracy. I want a combat-accurate 1911 that is combat-reliable.

What is your precise definitions for “combat reliable” and “combat accurate?”

Real numbers like mean rounds between failures, an X size group at Y distance with Z ammo.

The closest thing to those type specifications would be the FBI HRT/SWAT solicitation and that was 25 years ago.

The other thing is what is your budget ?

For me “a 1911” starts at a SA TRP or Long Beach operator IF you get a good one which is a 50/50 chance.

Dan Wesson Valor / Specialist is a lot better and more consistent for a little more $$$.

For serious use an SA PRO.. and it’s still not 100% it will be GTG out if the box.

If you are serious, an Alchemy or a GunCrafters 1911.

I had good luck in the past with Les Baer guns, but just like nighthawk and Wilson they are not what, or as consistent, as they used to be.

Power. So let’s say you start with a gun that is good to go. You either need to learn to be your own armorer, or you need to have more than one gun.

Durability, reliability, and most importantly, the logistics of keeping a 1911 running are why most organizations, including Hilton’s former organization dumped 1911s for more modern designs. Many organizations that used 1911s low ”for real”would have two guns per operator with one being used while the others in the maintenance cycle in order to have one working gun available at all times.

[SwampDweller]

What is your precise definitions for “combat reliable” and “combat accurate?”

Real numbers like mean rounds between failures, an X size group at Y distance with Z ammo.

The closest thing to those type specifications would be the FBI HRT/SWAT solicitation and that was 25 years ago.

The other thing is what is your budget ?

For me “a 1911” starts at a SA TRP or Long Beach operator IF you get a good one which is a 50/50 chance.

Dan Wesson Valor / Specialist is a lot better and more consistent for a little more $$$.

For serious use an SA PRO.. and it’s still not 100% it will be GTG out if the box.

If you are serious, an Alchemy or a GunCrafters 1911.

I had good luck in the past with Les Baer guns, but just like nighthawk and Wilson they are not what, or as consistent, as they used to be.

Power. So let’s say you start with a gun that is good to go. You either need to learn to be your own armorer, or you need to have more than one gun.

Durability, reliability, and most importantly, the logistics of keeping a 1911 running are why most organizations, including Hilton’s former organization dumped 1911s for more modern designs. Many organizations that used 1911s low ”for real”would have two guns per operator with one being used while the others in the maintenance cycle in order to have one working gun available at all times.

I require a pistol to be able to go at least 1000 rounds without a stoppage (with proper cleaning and lubrication) before I will consider it for "serious" use. As far as MRBS, I go with the typical government contract requirement of 2000 MRBS. I agree with the late great Todd that 2,000 MRBS is the mark for "long term reliability".

I haven't for sure decided on a budget, but I'm thinking it's around the Dan Wesson Valor area. In fact, it sounds like the DW might be the best bang for the buck in a 1911 of pretty good quality that has a decent chance of running 100% out of the box.

Combat accurate: More or less as accurate as a Glock or other common duty pistols.

[HCM]

I require a pistol to be able to go at least 1000 rounds without a stoppage (with proper cleaning and lubrication) before I will consider it for "serious" use. As far as MRBS, I go with the typical government contract requirement of 2000 MRBS. I agree with the late great Todd that 2,000 MRBS is the mark for "long term reliability".

I haven't for sure decided on a budget, but I'm thinking it's around the Dan Wesson Valor area. In fact, it sounds like the DW might be the best bang for the buck in a 1911 of pretty good quality that has a decent chance of running 100% out of the box.

Combat accurate: More or less as accurate as a Glock or other common duty pistols.

Dan Wesson is the best value and occupies the “sweet spot” Les Baer previously held before their prices went up.

[Robinson]

I require a pistol to be able to go at least 1000 rounds without a stoppage (with proper cleaning and lubrication) before I will consider it for "serious" use. As far as MRBS, I go with the typical government contract requirement of 2000 MRBS. I agree with the late great Todd that 2,000 MRBS is the mark for "long term reliability".

I've got multiple 45s and a 38 Super that beat that standard.

My SA Pro has been rock solid since the two malfs during the first 100 rounds, and I have Colt 45s that have never malfunctioned ever.

I have another SA Operator 45 -- one of the new ones -- that seems as well built as any TRP from what I can tell. It just doesn't have front strap checkering like the TRP.

My Nighthawk 45 Commander had a problem with locking the slide back before the magazine went dry, but I was able to address that myself with a file and stone. With that issue resolved it is a fantastic pistol and is my current carry gun.

All of the posts in this thread should start revealing to you the nature of going down the 1911 rabbit hole. There's nothing wrong with it as long as you understand the situation.