Model 686 v. 1911

Here's my experiences with the 1911's so far. In 1975 I purchased a new colt combat commander 1911 in 45acp that had nothing but feeding problems, I got rid of it. In 1980 I purchased a colt government model 1911 in 45acp that also had feeding problems with front and rear loose sights. I got rid of this one too. In 1990 I purchased a new SA series 90 1911 as it was called then. It would stove pipe 1rd per 8rd mag. This as 1911 was the better quality model with the tighter slide to frame rail fit, the larger sights in black park park finish. It's one sweet looker. I just left it in the safe and shot other guns. In 1995 I found a used Chinese norinco 1911 full size government clone. This is actually the first 1911 to function properly and show me what all the 1911 hype is all about. But it had a loose barrel bushing in the slide. Being it has a forged frame and slide these make great platforms for doing builds. I purchased every 1911 DVD on gun smithing the 1911 I could find and watched them over and over. I wanted to do a bargain basement build using cheap parts just to see how good it could be. I purchased a new $59 USGI BARREL and a national match IAI barrel bushing $9 and a FLGR Kit $12. I did all the fitting. She now shoots 1 , 3 shot clover leaf per 8rd mag using Russian wolf 45acp ball ammo at 25yds. Seeing this it renewed my faith in the 1911's. Now I wanted to purchase a new 1911 just to see if it would function right out of the box. In '05 I was torn between the new SA 1911 GI basic model and the new Auto-Ordnance Army WW 2 model. I purchased both. The new AO 1911 was $389 and the new SA 1911 was $424. Both function flawlessly right out of the box. The new AO has 500rds of flawless testing on it right now. The new SA isn't far behind its been flawless flawlessly functioning too. My point is you don't need to spend 2k to get a decent cycling 1911' now I remembered my 90's SA 1911 in the safe. The extractor needed tuning. Now it also functions flawlessly too. Yup it sat for two decades in the safe till I fixed it. With the new 1911's in '05. I been looking for a shooter , beater low cost 1911 but what I found are better than I was looking for. I may try a Turkish 1911 next.

So you don't need to spend big bucks for a good cycling 1911. Even a low cost 1911 will serve you well.
Most of the time with jams, stove pipes or ftf it's the magazine or the extractor causing the problem.

For home security I say get both the 357mag and the 1911. But the best home security is the 12ga. Pump just the noisy rack of the pump will make the bad guys give up. The 12ga 00 buck in 2 3/4" shell throws nine 38cal balls out the barrel with each shot. My dogs are my first alarm, the ratchet on the 12ga is a warning what's comming next.

I have no experience with the s&w 1911 yet. But I'll bet it a good pistol..
 
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I like em both and you need them both as a matter of fact don't stop there you also need a 29, 28, 27, maybe a couple sigs and how about a Blackhawk and so on and so on I guess it's a disease, oh well
 
You folks realize this is an old thread and the guy bought the 686 last July? Offering advice now is pointless.
 
You folks realize this is an old thread and the guy bought the 686 last July? Offering advice now is pointless.


Even though its old it doesn't mean it isn't relevant today. Someone pondering the same question now may find the new posts helpful.
 
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Here's my experiences with the 1911's so far. In 1975 I purchased a new colt combat commander 1911 in 45acp that had nothing but feeding problems, I got rid of it. In 1980 I purchased a colt government model 1911 in 45acp that also had feeding problems with front and rear loose sights. I got rid of this one too. In 1990 I purchased a new SA series 90 1911 as it was called then. It would stove pipe 1rd per 8rd mag. This as 1911 was the better quality model with the tighter slide to frame rail fit, the larger sights in black park park finish. It's one sweet looker. I just left it in the safe and shot other guns. In 1995 I found a used Chinese norinco 1911 full size government clone. This is actually the first 1911 to function properly and show me what all the 1911 hype is all about. But it had a loose barrel bushing in the slide. Being it has a forged frame and slide these make great platforms for doing builds. I purchased every 1911 DVD on gun smithing the 1911 I could find and watched them over and over. I wanted to do a bargain basement build using cheap parts just to see how good it could be. I purchased a new $59 USGI BARREL and a national match IAI barrel bushing $9 and a FLGR Kit $12. I did all the fitting. She now shoots 1 , 3 shot clover leaf per 8rd mag using Russian wolf 45acp ball ammo at 25yds. Seeing this it renewed my faith in the 1911's. Now I wanted to purchase a new 1911 just to see if it would function right out of the box. In '05 I was torn between the new SA 1911 GI basic model and the new Auto-Ordnance Army WW 2 model. I purchased both. The new AO 1911 was $389 and the new SA 1911 was $424. Both function flawlessly right out of the box. The new AO has 500rds of flawless testing on it right now. The new SA isn't far behind its been flawless flawlessly functioning too. My point is you don't need to spend 2k to get a decent cycling 1911' now I remembered my 90's SA 1911 in the safe. The extractor needed tuning. Now it also functions flawlessly too. Yup it sat for two decades in the safe till I fixed it. With the new 1911's in '05. I been looking for a shooter , beater low cost 1911 but what I found are better than I was looking for. I may try a Turkish 1911 next.

So you don't need to spend big bucks for a good cycling 1911. Even a low cost 1911 will serve you well.
Most of the time with jams, stove pipes or ftf it's the magazine or the extractor causing the problem.

For home security I say get both the 357mag and the 1911. But the best home security is the 12ga. Pump just the noisy rack of the pump will make the bad guys give up. The 12ga 00 buck in 2 3/4" shell throws nine 38cal balls out the barrel with each shot. My dogs are my first alarm, the ratchet on the 12ga is a warning what's comming next.

I have no experience with the s&w 1911 yet. But I'll bet it a good pistol..

Yes, I know this is an old thread- but BigBill, my experience pretty well matches yours and I agree you don't need to spend a lot for a reliable, accurate 1911. My father in law bought a Colt Series 80 in the early 1990s and at the same time I bought a Norinco 1911A1. The Colt would jam on the 4th or 5th round in almost every magazine. He had it ported, polished the ramp, extractor tuned, more ramp work, etc. Nothing worked. My Norinco ate everything I put in the magazine, just not quite as accurate as the Colt. He sold the Colt in frustration, I still have the Norinco. It doesn't shoot the tightest groups, but I might try your bushing suggestion.

I also have a 686-1. It is my favorite handgun for carrying around our property. It is the last handgun I would sell. Reliable accurate and versatile.

And the 870 is always on hand, ready to go.
 
Old thread

I posted on this when it was started. I have a 586 no dash, which I mentioned. I kind of put down 1911's. I am on my second one now! Still have the 586, am waiting on my 686-2 to arrive. My first 1911 was a pig-in-a-poke when I got it. Got it to run good. Sold it and bought a Sig 1911. Outstanding! You can't have too many guns! I just strive to have quality stuff! Bob
 
Well, I have both - a 686 and a S&W1911 E Series.

Would not want to have to make a choice. They both shoot great and look great.

They are, obviously, entirely different platforms, which makes comparisons difficult.

I keep the 1911 for home protection; my wife prefers the 686.

I shoot both about equally well (or poorly, depending on your perspective) so that's no basis for comparison.




The 1911 can hold 2 more rounds :D

I guess I'm no help at all :eek:

Seven shooter? Yesterday I picked up a 686-5 Mountain Gun, seven shot, no lock, one of the 1998 guns I think but I'm ready to be corrected. 4" bbl (light weight), CCN52**. And then, well, before that, last Sunday, picked up a Para-Ord P10 .45, smaller in profile than my Shield, it is a fat boy though. Much better trigger than the Shield, those Pigs of Plastic can't hold a candle to a S&W revolver or even an un-breathed on 1911.
 
Unless you are the OP, you should start a new thread rather than dig up an old one. People are now giving advice to a guy that made up his mind back in July of last year and bought the 686. Most don't take time to actually read every post in a long thread. Starting a new thread makes it more relevant.

Edit to add: See the reply directly above this...talking to the guy who made up his mind 11 months ago. THAT is why you don't resurrect old threads and you start new ones.

Looks like the people replying above don't really care.
 
Philosophaster , Im a little late but Welcome to the Forum.
 
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Opinions, opinions, opinions. Everybody has one including me. A few people have said buy both. That sounds like the answer to me. Personally I just don't have a desire to own a 1911. Nothing against them and they certainly come with tons of history behind them. Not saying I'll never own one but not right now. My Glocks might not be as pretty but they go bang every time and I just am not inclined to become a gunsmith at my age. It seems as if nothing captures my attention like a vintage Smith.
 
Heck, I don't know if it's new or not. Don't have any first hand experience with 1911s anyway. I'm just repeating what others have told me. My understanding is that the 1911 does require some tweaking from time to time. I have no knowledge at all in that area. What I do know is that my Glocks shoot every time no matter what ammo I feed them. And I don't mean to demean the 1911 crowd in any way.
 
new? not hardly, but the myth is highly overblown.

Glock owners tend to spread it with abandon.... not to demean the glock crowd in any way :rolleyes:
 
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^
Not really. There is no standard across the 1911 manufacturing line. Every manufacturer makes them slightly different. Buy a trigger from Wilson to put in your Kimber and chances are it wont "drop in". Same if you but a SA barrel bushing and attempt to install it on another SA or any other 1911. The internal extractor has to be property tuned to the gun....its not just a drop in part. If you file just a hair too much you ruin the part

with Glocks (any polymer guns) all one has to do is drop the part in and go

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