Most reliable 1911 single stack?

[GmanCdp]

On 2/2/2019 at 2:14 PM, IHAVEGAS said:

 

Caliber? 

Had a 45 premier 2 that treated me well, bought a 9mm P2 and it has a couple issues that should not come with a 2k+ gun. 

 

Yup was a 45ACP.. Now I did order a new Ultimate Master that took 4 months to get ,only to sell it after 2-3k with issues. Sold it to a member here and he never had any issue with it

[kalaikanui]

Find a used STI Trojan in .40, they come up on the classified here fairly frequently and in your desired price range often with mags.

[AF2010]

27 minutes ago, kalaikanui said:

Find a used STI Trojan in .40, they come up on the classified here fairly frequently and in your desired price range often with mags.

I recommend this as well.

 

Had mine for a few weeks now and couldnt be more impressed.Wish I would have bought one sooner.

[XRING1911]

Night Heine Competiton Model 9mm

Never failed me and is softest shooting 1911 I have shot.

 

[davidb72]

A lot of folks have recommended the Sig Max but I don't consider that a 1911 as it has the external extractor.

I would recommend an STI TROJAN from Dawson Precision if they still have some. Get it from them with their tuning package and you can just shoot it and shoot it with no issues.

I have had mine for about 4 years now and can't say one bad word about it - I use the Dawson magazines which I think are Metalform mags with the Dawson basepads.

My gun runs my 147 gr and 135 gr reloads fine - has been very accurate and is a pleasure to shoot.

[jcc7x7]

Be very careful with STI

Make sure you can handle it first.

Lots of quality issues for several years.

Just take some time to read threads here on problems and length of time for repairs

 

[BOISCOID]

There are a sti trojan for sale in the classifieds here and on practiscore that fit well with in your budget.  If you can stretch there is a great akai for sale as well.

For new look at the following in no particular order. 

Trojan from dawson precision, they have a sale for fully tuned models. 

Dan wesson pm9 if you want to go SS minor. 

Sig max like many have mentioned. 

https://classifieds.practiscore.com/firearms/pistols/sti-trojan-40-cal-w-7-mags_i1769

Edited February 24, 2019 by BOISCOID
correction

[RePete]

It looks like the Trojan is sold, but the Spartan, IMO, isn't a good deal.

 

He's asking 

$850.00 for a used gun that was about $600 new, even though it has a few extras, I don't think that it's worth it.

[BOISCOID]

9 hours ago, RePete said:

It looks like the Trojan is sold, but the Spartan, IMO, isn't a good deal.

 

He's asking 

$850.00 for a used gun that was about $600 new, even though it has a few extras, I don't think that it's worth it.

 After further research, I agree.  I was under the impression that the spartan was just a 9mm variant of the trojan.

[mont1120]

On 1/23/2019 at 3:40 PM, CHA-LEE said:

The biggest variable in reliability of any gun primarily depends on the quality of ammo you are feeding it followed closely by how well you maintain the magazines. If you feed the gun junk ammo, and never maintain the magazines, who builds the gun doesn't matter. You WILL have reliability problems.

 

I have lost count of how many times I have seen shooters blame poor reliability on guns, when they should be looking in the mirror for the root cause. The vast majority of gun reliability issues are self induced by the user in some manner or another.

 

I can safely raise my hand on this item. Turns out most of my feeding issues were related to my reloads in my Kimber.  Just because they worked well in another 1911 does not mean anything. There are times you need to pay close attention to the food that feeds the bear, otherwise things go really bad at the most inopportune time. My good friend bought the SIG Max, and I would get that model for sure. I shoot a Custom Kimber, and have a RO as a back up, but that SIG Max, well it is really nice. I think what frame feels the best in your hand is the pick.  I certainly would not go super cheap. You will end up trading it or sinking a lot of extra money into it.

Edited February 26, 2019 by mont1120
clicked too soon

[jpm2953]

My springfield stainless loaded 9mm has been 100% reliable. It feeds any bullet profile I have shot through it. Smooth as silk now too.  17lb mainspring, 10lb recoil spring. I picked it up fully kitted out with Techwell IPSC magwell, Techwell grips, Dawson sights, EGW drop in trigger and Aftec Extractor for $800. Came with 5 Wilson Magazines too.

 

I have a PM9 as well and its been 100% reliable as well. It has a really tight chamber though and I have to hand plunk my ammo in it. Stuff that passes a Hundo gauge will not always plunk test. I only use it as my back up gun.....luckily my springfield keeps on ticking.

[JNW]

My most reliable 1911 out of the box is my Kimber - honest.  All I’ve done is tweaked the sear spring to get a safe 3.25# pull.  However, my DW PM9 is an absolute joy and after having the  trigger group tuned up by a competent 1911 pistol smith it is perfect.  Get a Dan Wesson - either the PM9 or PM45.  You won’t regret it and if you want to sell it a line of expectant buyers will form.

Jeff

[JJM7288]

Second JNW, my PM9 and Valors in both .45 and 9mm are 100% reliable out of the box. I added magwells to each, Dawson FO front sights, 10-8 rear on the Valors and milled the PM9 rear sight notch to .125" wide. 

 

Dan Wesson 1911's are a very good value pistol.

Edited March 3, 2019 by JJM7288
Rear sight

[IHAVEGAS]

58 minutes ago, JJM7288 said:

Dan Wesson 1911's are a very good value pistol.

 

Why? 

Not snarking, just wondering what you get that you wouldn't get on something like a stainless steel Springfield range officer for about half the cost. 

[JJM7288]

5 minutes ago, IHAVEGAS said:

 

Why? 

Not snarking, just wondering what you get that you wouldn't get on something like a stainless steel Springfield range officer for about half the cost. 

I had a Springfield loaded .45, perhaps not a fair comparison to the RO? It was an okay pistol.

Dan Wesson slide and bushing fit is much tighter. DW uses all machined internal parts and the trigger out of the box is very good.

 

Comments on the RO (I see) always shooting it for a time than take it to a GS to have the parts installed the DW already has.

 

I purchased the 9mm Valor and PM9 used, and I mean slightly used for $1000 each. They have been reliable, excluding sights they have everything I need and want out of the box. My ability to shoot them in USPSA is lacking and believe until I am an A class competitor they will serve me well.

 

I bought the .45 Valor Duty Treat new, it was $1600. At that price point maybe a Les Baer (used) is a better value? The Valor is a great pistol and it too has not failed a single time.

 

I case gauge every round, use Tripp and Wilson magazines exclusively, that probably helps also.

 

[mvmojo]

I've got both a Springfield RO in 9mm and a Dan Wesson Specialist in 9mm.  While the RO is a fine gun, the DW is in a different class altogether.  It is fit much tighter, the slide feels like it is on ball bearings, it has an exceptional 2.2 lb trigger and in my hands is more accurate than my RO.  Is it worth double the price?  I guess that's up to each person to decide for themselves!

[hlpressley]

My wife has shot a Springfield RO for the last year or so. Likely pushing 10k rounds with no issues. She loves that gun! 

[robertg5322]

Not saying "your Springfield gun" isn't perfect but Springfield Armory has a stellar customer service reputation built on a foundation of crap QC.

 

Every one I've owned or felt was loose, rattly and gritty. Internals are junk and the goody .220 BTGS radius makes replacing that part with a better fitted one a major pain.

[mvmojo]

Jeez, that seems a little harsh!  I've got 3 Springfield 1911, a 9mm RO, a .45 RO & a .45 TRP, and I know several people who also have the 9mm RO.  None are loose, rattly or gritty.  They all shoot very well and will eat any ammo fed them.  Granted, my DW has better fit, but I'm no way am I going to get rid of the Springfield's.  Sorry your experience hasn't mirrored mine!

''

[robertg5322]

49 minutes ago, mvmojo said:

Jeez, that seems a little harsh!  I've got 3 Springfield 1911, a 9mm RO, a .45 RO & a .45 TRP, and I know several people who also have the 9mm RO.  None are loose, rattly or gritty.  They all shoot very well and will eat any ammo fed them.  Granted, my DW has better fit, but I'm no way am I going to get rid of the Springfield's.  Sorry your experience hasn't mirrored mine!

''

Like I wrote, I'm not saying yours are. Mine were/are. And for $1,000.00 (which is what my 9mm Loaded Target cost) it's not too much to expect the gun to be built right.

[AverageJoeShooting]

spring field RO in 9mm 

i just bought one for my wife and she loves it

 

[IHAVEGAS]

13 hours ago, robertg5322 said:

Like I wrote, I'm not saying yours are. Mine were/are. And for $1,000.00 (which is what my 9mm Loaded Target cost) it's not too much to expect the gun to be built right.

 

https://www.ingunowners.com/forums/handguns/465010-dan-wesson-valor-10mm-ss-galling-up-during-break.html

 

Probably the most detail I've seen on Dan Wesson SS guns galling and their warranty department but if you do a search for "Dan Wesson galling" you will find other threads.

Seems like you will find problems with every builder. I don't like DW's warranty being limited to 5 years (I shoot more than a typical buyer and all guns break now and then) but it seems like a lot of buyers do not even bother to compare warranties. 

 

I'm assuming the link will work for non members of that forum. 

Edited March 4, 2019 by IHAVEGAS

[robertg5322]

2 hours ago, IHAVEGAS said:

 

https://www.ingunowners.com/forums/handguns/465010-dan-wesson-valor-10mm-ss-galling-up-during-break.html

 

Probably the most detail I've seen on Dan Wesson SS guns galling and their warranty department but if you do a search for "Dan Wesson galling" you will find other threads.

Seems like you will find problems with every builder. I don't like DW's warranty being limited to 5 years (I shoot more than a typical buyer and all guns break now and then) but it seems like a lot of buyers do not even bother to compare warranties. 

 

I'm assuming the link will work for non members of that forum. 

I don't own and haven't shot a Dan Wesson 1911, so I can't comment on them other than to say those that own them seem to like them. I had read about the galling issue. 

 

Theres not a company out there that is perfect, and some are less perfect than others. My beef is when the company wont correct the causes of its issues.

 

Springfield's customer service people rave about isn't free. Its factored into their product prices. People like me who will fix all but the most glaring issues get the short end. The guy who sends his gun back because the trigger is at 5 lbs, and the sights aren't aligned gets his work subsidized. 

 

At least with Dan Wesson you get quality internals and a standard BTGS radius.

 

And I figure if I haven't broken a gun in five years, when/if it does break, it's not a manufacturer defect.

 

If I was doing it again, I'd go Sig for 1911s. Same price point as Springfield, Kimber or most decent quality guns and you get front strap checkering. Funky slide, but who cares about aesthetics?

[mvmojo]

58 minutes ago, robertg5322 said:

Springfield's customer service people rave about isn't free. Its factored into their product prices. People like me who will fix all but the most glaring issues get the short end. The guy who sends his gun back because the trigger is at 5 lbs, and the sights aren't aligned gets his work subsidized. 

 

Isn't everything a manufacturer does factored into their product prices?  Advertising is a fairly big cost to most companies.  If you don't look at their ads and make up your mind as to what gun to buy based on friends recommendations, reviews, etc., then aren't you subsidizing the guy who reads every ad with a fine tooth comb and makes his decision based on who touts their product the best?  It's the same with best in class numerically controlled manufacturing equipment vs a bunch of old/worn machine tools, employee training, internal quality control processes, packaging, etc.  At the end of the day, customers pay for every aspect of a company's costs whether you think they add value or not.

 

I'd much rather buy from a company with a reputation for great customer service than from one who has the rep of "once it's shipped, if you have a problem, go see a gun smith, we don't want to hear from you, we don't answer our phones and we're not going to help you!"  I remember a marketing study from 50 yrs ago where the data showed that every happy customer told 4 people about how great the product was, whereas every unhappy customer told 19 people the product sucked!  This was long before the internet where product problems now travel with the speed of light!  To stay in business a company has to take care of their customers, even if it's only a very small percentage that need help and even if the help they need seems trivial to other customers.  

[robertg5322]

11 minutes ago, mvmojo said:

Isn't everything a manufacturer does factored into their product prices?  Advertising is a fairly big cost to most companies.  If you don't look at their ads and make up your mind as to what gun to buy based on friends recommendations, reviews, etc., then aren't you subsidizing the guy who reads every ad with a fine tooth comb and makes his decision based on who touts their product the best?  It's the same with best in class numerically controlled manufacturing equipment vs a bunch of old/worn machine tools, employee training, internal quality control processes, packaging, etc.  At the end of the day, customers pay for every aspect of a company's costs whether you think they add value or not.

 

I'd much rather buy from a company with a reputation for great customer service than from one who has the rep of "once it's shipped, if you have a problem, go see a gun smith, we don't want to hear from you, we don't answer our phones and we're not going to help you!"  I remember a marketing study from 50 yrs ago where the data showed that every happy customer told 4 people about how great the product was, whereas every unhappy customer told 19 people the product sucked!  This was long before the internet where product problems now travel with the speed of light!  To stay in business a company has to take care of their customers, even if it's only a very small percentage that need help and even if the help they need seems trivial to other customers.  

I'd much rather buy from a company that didn't have such an atrocious QC history. And a standard BTGS radius.