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1911 experts/owners

DocHolliday331DocHolliday331 Member Posts: 48 ✭✭
edited July 2002 in Ask the Experts
I recently purchased a colt 1991A1 series 80 - w/ the intention of getting some upgrades done by wilson.
I test fired it at range and it malfunctioned a four times out of fifty. No good. Im thinking that this could be due to the gun being new and not broked in.?
Anyways - while my gun is at Wilson should I have them polish and throat the barrel or is this a waste of money. Im getting sights, beavertail, slide re-finish, hammer, sear and trigger job. Im Broke! Money IS an issue. Is my gun going to continue to malfunction if I do not purchase "reliability package"? Iv'e hear people w/ this gun say that it is very reliable.
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Comments

  • DocHolliday331DocHolliday331 Member Posts: 48 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    ok ok maybe I didn't NEED the beavertail but the reason I got that is because three of my malfunctions were failure to fire - the guy at the range told me it may be my grip saftey. I have "0" experience shooting 1911's so I listened to him. Thanks for advice - I'll put a couple hundred more rounds through it and see how it does then.
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  • jokor3jokor3 Member Posts: 75 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    polish the ramp and throat and also have the ejection port relieved in order to enjoy shooting something besides 230gr. fmj or round ball ammo
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most old-style 1911 guns need a trigger job, polished ramp, tuned extractor, ejection port opened, and better sights.

    I think you might have better served (for less dollars) by buying a Kimber or Springfield Armory with most of the work done at the factory, but I started with a Colt and had it worked up.

    You don't necessarily need to send your gun to Wilson, you might be able to find a nearby smith who is quite competent. I wound up getting most of my gun worked over locally in two stages. I bought all the parts and let the men work their magic. The cost of the parts and the work easily exceeded the cost of the gun but I have a gun that needs no apologies and makes mincemeat of the ten ring with the factory barrel.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • jaoobjaoob Member Posts: 441 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    First thing I did when I got my 1991 was to take it apart. Took a little steel wool to the barrel and frame ramp to polish. Oiled it and put back together and worked the slide 50 or so times. Went to the range and never had a problem. This was with hardball.

    Jim
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  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    Naa Na Naa NA Naaaaaaa, Should have bought a "KIMBER".
    Sorry, not really making fun of you Doc, but by the time you pay for all your upgrades youll spend more money and still have less gun. I have never had a single malfunction with my Kimber ss target, shot flawlessly strait from the box. Hope you get your problems fixed.

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If your going to send it to Wilson because you want to.I would go ahead and have the works done.I know a few people not many but they sent their guns to Wilson and were very happy.Ive done enough reading about Wilson that I would trust them with any of my 1911s.But if you just think the gun is not reliable and your going to send it to Wilson I would listen to the other guys and give it a break in period.

    Good Luck.

    Rugster
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  • William81William81 Member Posts: 25,350 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I hope this will help somewhat. I purchased a Colt 1991A1 five years ago. I put 500 or so rounds through it the first year and had a few
    failures to feed with Hollow Points. I took it to a local gunsmith
    and had him do a trigger job, polished the feed ramp and add an Amb.
    Safety. (I'm a lefty) I have since put 2000 plus rounds of various types of ammo through it without a single problem.

    I am very happy with it as it sits, I may put better sights on it in the future. Good luck with your modifications

    Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Liberals....
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  • toolman9mmtoolman9mm Member Posts: 337 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have a colt gold cup national match series 70 and have never had a problem. i also have a norinco 1911 copy that also feeds perfectly. i would stick with your colt. it could be as easy as polishing that feed ramp. good luck tom
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  • punchiepunchie Member Posts: 2,792 ✭
    edited November -1
    Saxon said it, "If it does not say Colt, it is just a copy". However, some copies are better than others. I currently have 10 1911s, 5 are Colts. Guess which ones have appreciated in value?

    Customization is the nature of the human beast. How often have any of us taken ANYTHING that worked well originally and tried to improve(?) it. If you see modifications that you want, Go for it! I filled my 'needs' with one revolver, one shotgun and one rifle years and years ago. Now I get them because I 'want' them.

    AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY
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  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Guns are sort of like cars.....you can buy one without a radio, no heater or air conditioning, with black wall tires, and cheap hub caps.....but not much excitement in driving something like that. Life is too short to have ugly guns....get it dressed up to suit your tastes and enjoy....
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  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a gunsmith that does fantastic work. He also recieves my Gunbroker purchases and is listed on this site. Drop him an email. He'll do everything wilson will do and even use wilson parts if you like. He does alot of competition guns but does carry pieces also. Try this link.
    www.burnt-mill.com



    Woods
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