Because it's a 1911, not a Glock!

[Laketime]

For as long as I can remember,1911's needed a break in period of 500 rounds before trusting your life or a match to them.From my Norinco up to my Ed Brown and everything else in between,I followed this basic well known rule of thumb.On other well known forums,this practice seems to indicate poorly made 1911's.really.........I have had plenty that ran flawlessly right out of the box and others that needed the full break in before settling down to become one inch groupers at 25 yards.I don't understand how this basic practice has been lost by the younger shooters these days.I read posts where guys are sending their guns back to the factory for a FTF or FTE on their first 50 rounds.As a young shooter back 35 yrs ago ,we learned to listen to the elders and vetrans as to what to do.My first Colt jammed quite a bit before becoming a tact driver.but never did I feel compelled to bash and tell Colt how to make a gun.End of rant

 

[Fat Frank]

Patience and perseverance are lost practices.

I would wager that not many of these same people have ever spent an entire day fishing, just to relax.

 

[2hawk]

I see your rant, and raise you one:

This is an example of the age of instant gratification, and the ability of the internet to confer "expert" status to anyone who wants to claim it. The "why" and "how" of break-in is lost to the ages, or at least to the aged.

Trying to explain the mechanics of guns to many people is like trying to explain rocket science to a dog. Except the dog doesn't claim to know what you're talking about.

 

[sigp220.45]

I don't think it's too much to expect a gun to work out of the box.

500 rounds to a non-handloader is a significant chunk of change.

I've owned 1911s for almost 40 years. Some worked well and some didn't. I've only had 2 Glocks, but they have both been 100 percent reliable straight out of the box.

 

[da gimp]

I guess that I was truly blessed in my purchase of 1911/1911A1's then...... the only one I ever had problems on was a stainless framed Essex with a blued Colt Gold Cup upper in .45ACP...... until I discovered using good grease on the rails of the receivers in place of good gun oil, it developed galling because of the 2 different metals & wouldn't cycle properly. using good grease solved the problem, but I was still leery of it and traded it off.............

I cannot remember any problems with any blued or satin nickeled Colt1911a1's , new or used, nor problems with any USGI 1911/1911A1 parkerized/Dulite pistol either, as long as I used Colt or USGI mags.......

 

[Arik]

Yes I expect the gun to work out of the box. These are not hand made guns. Most parts come off of CNC, forging, casting molds. It's computerized.

When it comes to guns I'm not interested in listening to elders cause a lot of them are still stuck in the old days.

Here's what random elders have told me at the range.
-all ammo will rust my gun if I don't instantly clean at the range
-7.62x39 is not powerful enough. No explanation as to what just not powerful enough
-7.62x39 is only good for 50 yards
-30-30 is good for 500 yards
-loading a full mag will cause malfunction in any gun
-best SD ammo is fmj
-I can chamber any caliber in an AK cause it was designed that way
-night sights cause cancer
-223 is only ment to wound

This is just of the top of my head.

Yes I believe that a gun should be able to work properly out of the box. If it doesn't there is a problem.

This isn't about instant gratification it's about a product either working or not. I'm not interested in diagnosing problems, I'm interested in functional firearms. They are not objects of beauty or hold any kind of awe inspiration to me. They are simply tools for self defense. If they don't work I move on to something that does. A 1911 is not a Glock and I have no problems throwing either in the trash if they don't work.

My Norinco has fed anything and everything since day one. My Springfield TRP has gone through 1000 rounds of wolf ammo on its first time out without any cleaning, lubing, rain dancing. ...nothing. if they did I wouldn't own them. On the other hand I had problems with two M&Ps. I no longer own them

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've owned several 1911's and Glocks. Every Glock has run like a sewing machine right out of the box. Can't say that for a few of the 1911's that I've owned. Break in period or no.

Not saying that Glock is better. But that has been my experience with both guns.

 

[Mydogmax]

I have a couple of 1911's and a couple of M&P's. Love the look and feel of the 1911's. Trust the M&P's.

 

[Eltioloco]

Here's what random elders have told me at the range.
-all ammo will rust my gun if I don't instantly clean at the range
-7.62x39 is not powerful enough. No explanation as to what just not powerful enough
-7.62x39 is only good for 50 yards
-30-30 is good for 500 yards
-loading a full mag will cause malfunction in any gun
-best SD ammo is fmj
-I can chamber any caliber in an AK cause it was designed that way
-night sights cause cancer
-223 is only ment to wound

This is just of the top of my head.

You need to get a better class of Elders.

The 1911's that I have had all worked fine out of the box. Except that damn series 70 Gold Cup, I never could get that gun to shoot!
Ken

 

[Laketime]

I see your rant, and raise you one:

This is an example of the age of instant gratification, and the ability of the internet to confer "expert" status to anyone who wants to claim it. The "why" and "how" of break-in is lost to the ages, or at least to the aged.

Trying to explain the mechanics of guns to many people is like trying to explain rocket science to a dog.Except the dog doesn't claim to know what you're talking about.

Perfectly said

 

[Laketime]

I don't think it's too much to expect a gun to work out of the box.

500 rounds to a non-handloader is a significant chunk of change.

I've owned 1911s for almost 40 years. Some worked well and some didn't. I've only had 2 Glocks, but they have both been 100 percent reliable straight out of the box.

A lot of experts have felt that to be a small price to pay ,for what has been considered by many to be the greatest fighting hand gun .

 

[badge]

I do like the 1911 platform. I do not like a weapon that " must " have a 500 round " break in ". Yes,.. Glocks run just fine right out of the box. I like and expect that. But, if your a dyed in the wool 1911 man and know that's what these weapons have to have and can abide by same, god bless you.

 

[Laketime]

Yes I expect the gun to work out of the box. These are not hand made guns. Most parts come off of CNC, forging, casting molds. It's computerized.

When it comes to guns I'm not interested in listening to elders cause a lot of them are still stuck in the old days.

Here's what random elders have told me at the range.
-all ammo will rust my gun if I don't instantly clean at the range
-7.62x39 is not powerful enough. No explanation as to what just not powerful enough
-7.62x39 is only good for 50 yards
-30-30 is good for 500 yards
-loading a full mag will cause malfunction in any gun
-best SD ammo is fmj
-I can chamber any caliber in an AK cause it was designed that way
-night sights cause cancer
-223 is only ment to wound

This is just of the top of my head.

Yes I believe that a gun should be able to work properly out of the box. If it doesn't there is a problem.

This isn't about instant gratification it's about a product either working or not. I'm not interested in diagnosing problems, I'm interested in functional firearms. They are not objects of beauty or hold any kind of awe inspiration to me. They are simply tools for self defense. If they don't work I move on to something that does. A 1911 is not a Glock and I have no problems throwing either in the trash if they don't work.

My Norinco has fed anything and everything since day one. My Springfield TRP has gone through 1000 rounds of wolf ammo on its first time out without any cleaning, lubing, rain dancing. ...nothing. if they did I wouldn't own them. On the other hand I had problems with two M&Ps. I no longer own them

Major League Baseball players don't whine because they have to break in a glove.while the bat is good to go from the start.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Major League Baseball players don't whine because they have to break in a glove.while the bat is good to go from the start.

Not really. It can take several tries to get a bat that feels just right. Oh..... And I was told that by an old timer.

 

[Absalom]

I'm kind of an old fart myself, but somehow, I can't really follow the contention that expecting a newly bought gun to actually work as designed is a sign of youthful impatience.
I can appreciate nostalgia for things that actually used to be better in the old days. Reliability of auto pistols is not among them. Manufacturers who want to make money today by selling generally overpriced versions of an old design can't rightfully expect not to be measured against the reliability standards of more modern designs. Accepting a lower quality standard as a shooter IMHO is not a sign of wisdom, patience and perseverance.

 

[Laketime]

Not really. It can take several tries to get a bat that feels just right. Oh..... And I was told that by an old timer.

Ok I surrender LOL....but you get my point.Breaking in a new 1911 is half the fun of ownership.If it was good enough for Jeff Cooper it should be fine for the rest of us.Bye the way and this is not directed to you,the good Col never used his wife's nail polish on any of his weapons.

 

[Kanewpadle]

To add: IF one has a problem with a 1911, patience is indeed needed. I have seen many "rookies" have nothing but problems trying to get a 1911 to work properly each and every time.

Many of them cannot accurately describe the problem they're having. "It doesn't work right" they whine. And then they are ready to get rid of it!

One very big reason why Glock is so popular. They almost always work and continue to work out of the box. If it doesn't, they can watch a boob tube video and fix it or take it to a Glock armorer and have it fixed.

But it takes much more than an armorer to PROPERLY diagnose and fix a 1911. That's if it indeed need fixing.

The problem isn't necessarily unmet expectations. It's pure laziness.

To trust your life to a gun like a 1911 takes a serious commitment. Some have it. Some don't.

 

[2hawk]

I figured this was lost as an edit to my first post, so just to clarify:

I want a gun that runs like a top right out of the box. But, if I am understanding the OP's point, making sure that your gun is totally reliable is something that can only be done with putting rounds downrange. That 500 number is one that I have used, not so much as to work bugs out, but just to be sure that there weren't any bugs, period.

I've probably been lucky, none of my 1911's needed any major fixes to be accurate and reliable. But, be it Glock, S&W, or a 1911, I will certainly run at least 2-300 rounds through it before carrying it. ymmv.

 

[Laketime]

I'm kind of an old fart myself, but somehow, I can't really follow the contention that expecting a newly bought gun to actually work as designed is a sign of youthful impatience.
I can appreciate nostalgia for things that actually used to be better in the old days. Reliability of auto pistols is not among them. Manufacturers who want to make money today by selling generally overpriced versions of an old design can't rightfully expect not to be measured against the reliability standards of more modern designs. Accepting a lower quality standard as a shooter IMHO is not a sign of wisdom, patience and perseverance.

It's been that way for ever with 1911's.Some are fine but all are expected to get a break in.

 

[Laketime]

To add: IF one has a problem with a 1911, patience is indeed needed. I have seen many "rookies" have nothing but problems trying to get a 1911 to work properly each and every time.

Many of them cannot accurately describe the problem they're having. "It doesn't work right" they whine. And then they are ready to get rid of it!

One very big reason why Glock is so popular. They almost always work and continue to work out of the box. If it doesn't, they can watch a boob tube video and fix it or take it to a Glock armorer and have it fixed.

But it takes much more than an armorer to PROPERLY diagnose and fix a 1911. That's if it indeed need fixing.

The problem isn't necessarily unmet expectations. It's pure laziness.

To trust your life to a gun like a 1911 takes a serious commitment. Some have it. Some don't.

Most of these issues will work out as it breaks in.occasionally an extractor might need tweaking.