1911 Pistols: Myth vs Reality And My Experience

Had a Kimber Stainless that ran awesome right out of the box. Wish I still had it.

I had a Colt back in the early 1990's that was 100% reliable with any type of ammo I feed it. Had a couple of springfield's that wouldn't run reliably on certain hollow points without some work. You have mentioned that 1911's have soul and character. That's part I the reason I don't like the MIM parts. I never had a problem with the parts but it just bothers me to have cheaply made parts on an otherwise quality handgun. So I usually change them all out.

I have a several 1911s. Everything from a Colt Officers Model to a STI high capacity plastic frame with a dot scope on it. I have them in 45 ACP, 45 GAP, 40 S&W, 38 Super and 9x19. All of them run perfect when fed good ammo through good mags. I have owned one Lemon and it was a Para.

I've always had a thing for 1911's. I've only owned 2, first was a new Springfield Micro Compact years ago and never had an issue with it. I sold it after getting my second 1911 a Kimber Pro Carry II. I still have and carry the Kimber. By far one of the best hand guns I've owned. No issues ever, it shoots like butter, and is very accurate.

I owned 4 colts so far, only got my Defender left, hate myself for ever traded/sold them. Not a single problem for any of them. The only problematic 1911 was one by rock island I used to have.

I've owned 4. Three ran right from the first shot. I did have a lemon Kimber - even a trip back to Yonkers didn't fix it.

Seems like the expensive Kimbers are the ones having a lot of problems.

I had a Kimber that had excessive slide/frame wear that i had to send back for warranty work. They sent a new one back that worked perfect but i sold it because i never wanted to deal with Kimber's customer service again. They told me the wear was normal even after i sent them a picture so i brought it to a gunsmith that was a Kimber dealer who agreed something was obviously wrong, yet again they told the gunsmith it was normal. After a 2 months of complaining i finally got them to do the warranty work on it but it took another 4 months for them to send a replacement back to me.

I don't think Kimbers are more expensive, on average, than other comparable brands. New ones start under $800 and many are under $1000. They're all the same basic gun. They get more expensive with the frills they add.

I have to admit I'm not a fan of Series II Kimbers (or Series 80 Colts, for that matter). I don't like firing pin safeties and think they're unnecessary. I prefer my 1911s without firing pin safeties regardless of the brand. But I do own a Series 80 Special Combat Gov't and an Ultra Aegis II 9MM. The other 3 or either Series 70 or pre-Series II.

I'm on the waiting list for one of the new Colt USMC pistols...even though it's a Series 80 gun.

ETA: I was fortunate enough to own a Springfield Professional Model (the FBI HRT spec gun) for a while. I have to admit that was the best, most accurate, most pleasing 1911 I've ever had the pleasure of shooting. I really regret getting rid of that gun.

I have owned three 1911's now. A Colt Series 70 was used. A brand new GI Model Springfield, and a Citadel that I bought off of a member here. All chambered in .45 ACP. No problems with any of them.