Thread: 1911 - Disappointed

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Ah, A question I know more about than SR shaving!

First off, you've bought a nice (and expensive) pistol and it should work well (once cleaned to get rid of any manufacturing/shipping "gunk") right out of the box. However, if it's double stack as you said, it's not a Para 1911...
If I were you I'd 1) clean the pistol well, 2) get a box of quality ammo and 3) do a test firing of 50 rounds while being sure you have a tight grip and good shooting position during all 50 rounds. If you still have a problem, it is probably the pistol....OR....the double stack grip is just too big for your hand to maintain control...If you want a 45 in double stack, look at the new Sig P227.

+1 on all counts. I don't recall if OP mentioned what malfunctions are being experienced: FTF/stovepipes (could be bullet shape issue); FTE (limp-wristing, or various pistol issues); or something else.

OP - Let us know what you find out. Providing specifics after you run the tests may offer more insights.

Also, 250 rounds isn't even full familiarization with a new pistol in most folk's opinion, if your intent is carry or competition.

Originally Posted by BobH

I think Harold may have a good point about giving it a real thorough cleaning. If the tolerances are tighter than mil spec issue in order to accurize them then they can get very finicky and are really sensitive to dirt and gunk build up.

Bob

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Funny little axiom of pistols (and many other weapons) that has been well covered in this thread but not stated

As accuracy gets better, tolerances must get tighter, as tolerances get tighter, reliability decreases...


The break in periods, tuning, cleaning, tweaking, all carefully and selectively open up certain tolerances of the system...

This is interesting to me. I always wanted to get a Para but didn't because; I always knew/or was told they had larger than normal break-in periods because of the above mentioned "tight tolerances." Which of course, in theory leads to a more " accurate " pistol in the long-run.

Another thing to consider is ammo. It just might be that a tight pistol needs ammo that is up to snuff in the power department to work reliably too. Some actions like the Luger toggle action will not tolerate weak loads to cycle reliably.

Bob

Originally Posted by DamnStraight

Preface:

As a long-time Glock user and quasi-gun enthusiast, I was longing to get a 1911 and finally did. On a budget, I bought the Taurus PT1911 stainless steel. I really enjoyed it. It ran flawlessly.

I couldn't help but think the Taurus wasn't a quality "battle" gun therefore I eventually splurged and bought a Para Black Ops (double stack) 1911 thinking this would be/operate better than the Taurus.

Boy was I wrong. Every 4 or 5 rounds it would fail to feed or eject. After finally getting in touch with their support, I was told of a $250 - 500 round break in period is. "normal" for 1911's! What?

Like I said earlier, I'm only used to platforms that simply run and run and gobble up any ammo I get my hands on. And my PT1911 from Taurus seemed to be no exception.

What's your experience with the 1911? I'm sure it's a stiff ejector, but for $1000, shouldn't it.... I don't know... work right out of the box?

Thanks,
~mike

I've always heard of the "break in period" but my Kimber ultra raptor II 3" barrel 1911 never had the issue of hanging spent shells unless it was running dry and needing oil. Pretty sure Kimber has similar tolerances. I'd say make sure its clean as a whistle, oil the points of friction well, and as stated before, limp wristing might be a thought as well as the ammo choice.

My buddies kimber is a fail monster... With FTF and fte... He handed it to me as I've built two 1911's from scratch... I used an Arkansas finger stone to polish the rails and then a dremel to polish and reshape the feed ramp... Not one failure to feed or eject since..


Disassemble the gun and see how the slide and frame fit.. If it doesn't feel like glass put some polishing compound or CrOx on the rails and cycle the gun 500-1000 times refreshing as you go... Next run you finger on a non oiled feed ramp... If you feel any bumps or burrs something is not right there... Go get it worked on by a professional... Also fte can be a ejection hook tension problem... Go get it looked at

Originally Posted by DamnStraight

Preface:

As a long-time Glock user and quasi-gun enthusiast, I was longing to get a 1911 and finally did. On a budget, I bought the Taurus PT1911 stainless steel. I really enjoyed it. It ran flawlessly.

I couldn't help but think the Taurus wasn't a quality "battle" gun therefore I eventually splurged and bought a Para Black Ops (double stack) 1911 thinking this would be/operate better than the Taurus.

Boy was I wrong. Every 4 or 5 rounds it would fail to feed or eject. After finally getting in touch with their support, I was told of a $250 - 500 round break in period is. "normal" for 1911's! What?

Like I said earlier, I'm only used to platforms that simply run and run and gobble up any ammo I get my hands on. And my PT1911 from Taurus seemed to be no exception.

What's your experience with the 1911? I'm sure it's a stiff ejector, but for $1000, shouldn't it.... I don't know... work right out of the box?


Thanks,
~mike

Not to criticize, just curious questions, as I am, by no means, a weapons expert.
Why did you feel that the Taurus was not a quality "battle" gun? I assume you mean a carry piece for self defense?

If this is the case, then your Taurus fit 2 very important categories, you enjoyed it(meaning you felt comfortable shooting it & experienced with it's functioning),, it ran flawlessly (confidence in it's performance).

Another similarity with women, sometimes we think we are trading up; then we find out the beauty queen can't cook or clean house.

If your 1911 was meant to be a range/contest gun, then you can cut her a little slack, as your life is not on the line. Then experiment with modifications & types of ammo, have fun with her, if this is the case.

The 1911's in my life have always been Colts & hardball was the only ammo in the mag. I have never needed a "break in peroid"; again,,I keep them clean after each use & only run hardball. My 1911's are for self defense, I take them to the range on occasion.

I say keep your Para for target & competition & the Taurus for self defense. Money can't buy reliability in guns.
Just my thoughts.

I was a steadfast Colt 1911 guy for 20 years. Got my first one as a high school graduation gift from my Dad. Carried one over 15 years in the military, owned several for my own use, and came to really know the 1911 well and become very comfortable with it. On a whim I picked up a Glock in a trade. Against my strongest protestations and resistance, I was in short time forced to acknowledge the simplicity and reliability of the Glock. Today, if I had to choose one sidearm as a general purpose secondary weapon, it would be without a doubt a Glock (21 ). They have completely won me over.

No issues with my 1911s (SA, Colt, Sig)...love 'em. They will eat up any ammo thrown through them. In line to pick up another one soon (thinking of a Colt Commander or a semi-custom).

I'm not familiar with Paras. Is the OPs model a full size 5"/Gov?
Wildly general comment and only based on my limited personal observations but it seems, the shorter barrels tend to 'show' a slight bit less reliability (which should still be a very high level). If build quality is all the same, perhaps the shorter barrels demand greater attention to detail in form (?) or perhaps the perfect recipe for the 1911 includes the 5" barrel...

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, it is the little things that bite you in the behind and that is one of them.

Bob

I agree! I'm a police officer and an NRA Instructor. I shoot fairly well. I'm never the most impressive shot (as always feel I can improve).

I took the pistol out again today and discovered it was most likely the ammo!!!

Thanks for all of your input, advise as well as offers to help me. I still think I'll upgrade some of the peices and parts as well as work the ramp, etc., to make
this a better, more reliable platform.

Here is a picture of my shooting this gun at 5 yards.

I'm going to check the cheap ammo out with a case gave and calipers and see what the difference is between that and Winchester ammo that fed w/o issue.

As I've mentioned, I'm a Glock guy (to a fault). Bigger grips work better for me that's what led to the double stack platform. And yes, I stand corrected.

The reason I didn't think the Taurus PT1911 isn't "Battle ready is more my lack of information and familiarization with anything other than Glock, SigSauer, S&W M&P's, XD's.

At that, and in hopes I don't open a can of worms, I like the 9mm +P ammo. Again, this is as personal to each shooter as aftershave for preference in SRs. :-)

I hope to keep growing I my exposure, experience in all areas of firearms. As cost go up, seems like my exposure goes down! Unfortunate...

I'd almost bet that is why the pistol has such a long break in period, it is tight and needs to lap itself in. At the end of the recommended break in period I would not be surprised if the pistol was less finicky about what ammo you feed it. In any event it is good you got her solved.

Bob