A Day At The Range has a review of a 1,000 round range test of a S&W1911 Rail gun. Hilton Yam has similar experiences with the S&W1911 E-Series.
My 5″ Stainless 1911 has about 15,000 Rounds through it with no breakages, and all the failures I’ve had have been ammo-related (out of spec handloads), or magazine related (Chip McCormick Shooting Stars which I replaced with Wilson Combat). And I bought this gun used. This one got a trigger job because it had been messed with by the previous owner, and I dumped the full-length guide rod because they suck and the Wilson replacement parts were honest-to-god drop-in.
The Scandium Commander has probably a bit over 1,000 (I haven’t been as meticulous with my record keeping as the 5″ was my first handgun so when I went to the range, I brought this gun) no Magazine issues because I learned that lesson. Still occasionally get an out-of-spec handload hiccup, this gun given its lighter CAN stovepipe if I have a bad flinch. This one has the factory trigger which is a clean 5 pounds, the FLGR gone for drop-in Wilson parts, also I added Chip McCormick slimline grips for better carry…it does mean the grip is now thinner than I prefer, but its set for carry, not shooting, and it still shoots VERY well.
So yeah S&W1911s, I stand by them. And say what you will about the external extractor…but you can’t say they don’t work!
What was the failure on your McCormick’s?
5 came with my Kimber Fullsize when I got it used. And I’ve had to toss 3 of ’em.
All had the bottom pads warp so the magazines would overseat.
And yeah, swapped out to Wilson and had nary a problem.
I had feed-lip spread. First they wouldn’t drop free, then rounds would porpoise and would fail to feed, and the cases would have two groves at 3 and 9 O’clock (With the well at 6, and the slide at noon) ground into the case rim..
Not sure what model Jay has, but he was shooting my commander the other day with some of his mags and I noticed the Chips wouldn’t drop free
Huh.
Opposite end.
Yeah, I wasn’t impressed with Chip mags. Generic factory mags give me less headaches.
Weer’d, have you tried the CMC powermag plus? They work great in my Dan Wesson.
Wilsons have given me ZERO issues, so I’m pretty much done playing the mag game.
I’ve heard many people who’ve had good luck with CMC mags….I’ve had 4 in a row cause serious feeding issues. That’s all I need.
I’ve used all three mags mentioned with my Les Baer and had nary an issue with any. That said, if I were in Weer’d’s position with that rate of failure, I’d dump them and never look back.
Agreed.
Once you find a mag brand that works, just stick with it.
Over time you can replace all your “range mags” with said brand and you’ll be in good shape.