This is for the 1911 experts. When I was coming up, 50-odd years ago, the 1911 was considered by many to be the most reliable auto out there. I competed with one in the Navy and I have owned a MK IV Series 70, low serial #, for years and only had one malfunction with it ever, but that one was a doozy. It locked up in a shooting class to the point that TRB would not work and the mag would not drop. It took the instructor and I working on it, always pointed downrange of course, with a screwdriver to get it cleared. A round had sort of gone nose down somehow in the action, I can't really describe it. But then it ran fine again. I figured it was a mag problem, so I bought Wilson mags for it, but I really haven't had a chance to put it through its paces.
But now I am hearing on gun websites like TFB that 1911s are not considered reliable any more. A lot of trash talking. People talk about "reliability jobs" and "guns that are more reliable than a 1911," etc. I also saw the other thread running about a Kimber that is having problems. I thought that brand was pretty high-end. So what is the verdict? Is the design reliable or not? If not, why not? Or is it just relative to newer designs? Are there different manufacturers/models that have different reliability reputations?
But now I am hearing on gun websites like TFB that 1911s are not considered reliable any more. A lot of trash talking. People talk about "reliability jobs" and "guns that are more reliable than a 1911," etc. I also saw the other thread running about a Kimber that is having problems. I thought that brand was pretty high-end. So what is the verdict? Is the design reliable or not? If not, why not? Or is it just relative to newer designs? Are there different manufacturers/models that have different reliability reputations?