Officers 1911 9 or 45?

[Potshot]

Guys, a question about officers model...which caliber is more reliable in these?

I don't care about 9 vs 45 itself, or other models, I have plenty of 1911s.

Only question here is cycling reliability.

 

[Gazz]

No experience with the 9mm but my .45 Officers ACP has always been a runner.

 

[Stoney]

both

 

[Potshot]

Thanks Gazz, nice G.

Stone, u got both?

 

[Stoney]

yes

 

[Potshot]

Is this mostly a spring maintenance thing?

Always heard horror stories on the Officers models.

Been watching Ken Hackathorn and Bill Wilson videos on the subject, and thinking of building one...

 

[Potshot]

Found a decent price on a Remington R1 3.5" slide and barrel, we'll see how it turns out!

 

[Pluribus]

The big Spring debate that you mention is mostly in that the original Colt officer size had a double recoil spring system. Others insist on using a standard diameter size recoil spring guide and spring diameter of sufficient tension. Still others insist on some sort of flat helical spring being the ideal on such a pistol that short. It’s either a tater or, a per-tater. Might even be a spud. They all seem to work somehow, someway.

What flavor Coke do you want? lol

Good luck on your upcoming project!

 

[SmokeEater2]

I had one of the little Colt Defenders in .45 and it was completely reliable with ball and Silvertip ammo. Recoil is surprisingly manageable.

Good little pistols but I found that I carried a Commander size more often so it just got sold in the purge to fund a Nighthawk sale.

 

[NFADLR]

My commander and officers along with a mug thats never been used, two of my favorite colts.

 

[metalreptile]

I think a lot of Officer's models have problems not due to the gun itself, but to the shooter. A smaller 45 requires a slightly firmer grip to function properly in most cases. Older or weaker hands may not provide the grip needed for reliable cycling. Which is my case. I have had two Officer's models in the not too distant past, and both would jam no matter what I tried. A Kimber, and a Rock Island.The Commander size never gives me a problem, and both Officer's are long gone. Sadly, it doesn't matter as much where vision is concerned. Dang aging. Beats the alternative tho.
Just my two cents, YMMV

 

[FalstenRedux]

I have two old Kimber Compacts (officer's size grip and a slightly longer slide) in .45. The all steel has always been very reliable. The aluminum-framed version used to have stoppages occasionally, but it hasn't happened in a long time. Both have Wolff recoil springs. I think Metalreptile might have a good point as well about "limpwristing", and that could have contributed to the sensitivity on the lighter pistol. I think it might have just needed some wearing in as well. It would be interesting to know if the 9mm versions tended to suffer less from that issue.

 

[gw104]

I haven't seen a shortie that I couldn't make run yet. I used to get a lot of RIA compacts that were jam-o-matics for really cheap. Little file work and spring changes and they were good to go.

 

[hueyville]

Have one of the first year production Colt Officers in 45 and still does exactly what it's supposed to do without any parts failures or observed wear other than cosmetic.

 

[alphadog58]

I had a Colt stainless Officers model in .45 that was a jam-o-matic. Tried several different spring setups, polished the feed ramp, different ammo, to no good end. Sold it and replaced it with a Rock Island (Philipines) Officers in .45. It eats everything. Put Colt wraparound rubber grips on it and a Wilson link to tighten it up some and it is totally reliable. YMMV.
Larry

 

[Potshot]

Guys I am having a hell of a time with the recoil setup. I'd like to get a supported type recoil plug/guide rod/ spring. My slide is set up for a hat type reverse plug. Any suggestions? It's done when I can get this.

 

[KoKodog]

Early Colt Officers model here ..... picked it up used at a decent price way back when, ditched the stock 2 spring setup and milled the slide for a one piece guide rod and put a wolff spring in it , absolutely cannot limp wrist it w/ Cor-Bon 185gr JHP +P's, VZ Simonick Gunner grips on it and my full size 1911, skateboard tape wrapped around the front of the grip and held by the VZ grips, you can get a death grip on it w/ this setup and it helps prevent limp writing it, did some hard cleaning on it when I first got it slide seemed to gall just a little, greased the rails and pumped a box of Remington 185gr JHP +P's strong arming it to keep down muzzle flip and keep the slide going in as straight a line as possible, now I keep a few drops of Mobile One 0-5 full synthetic oil on each rail, when its time to change springs I'm going to try a flat spring

 

[raubvogel]

45mm

 

[Potshot]

Shot the thing the other day, still need to get a better recoil spring plug. Running EGW 22lb flat spring/guide rod setup. Had some lower lug to guide rod battering so I relieved that.

 

[medicmike]

I just picked up a Kimber Ultra Carry II in 45. My employer have us a mid-year bonus to spend on "wellness". So for my mental wellness I bought something I have wanted a long time. Haven't shot it yet, the short grip is going to take some getting used to but getting there with some dry-fire practice.

 

[Colts4me]

Spent a great deal of time with 1911 Colt officers model and Springfield armory officers. Really grip sensitive, certainly not a one handed shooter.

What happens in recoil is the next round down moves ahead too soon and jams. With a solid grip that won't happen unless you have a weak magazine spring.

 

[hueyville]

When I work church security often carry my Officers Model as a backup to either a Colt 5" with "carry comp" or a ported 6" Long Slide with adjustable tritium sights because threading rounds through a crowd of panicking old ladies and kids and want follow up shots to be fast. Have my original Colt O model and a Kimber Compact that's been built into a tiny carry comp. Go to this page and order one of the kits with half dozen spring choices for whatever spring guide your running (mine both are full length as binding can not be an issue at first but may creep in with wear) and just swap springs till you find what works for you.

I am 59 and can still one hand my Officers models without any function issues but I do manual labor with tools.that require work at least most days. Running power tools and wrenches while taking a shooting break at least three days a week to run single stack 1911s will help keep a man sharp but began buying minor caliber 1911s about ten years ago when I began shooting with man in late 80s through his mid/late 90s till he passed. Like my wife now he could only handle mid frame 380s at that stage so I know the day may come running big pistols may fade or require modifications.

Wolff Officers Model Spring Kits

 

[meltblown]

I just picked up a Kimber Ultra Carry II in 45. My employer have us a mid-year bonus to spend on "wellness". So for my mental wellness I bought something I have wanted a long time. Haven't shot it yet, the short grip is going to take some getting used to but getting there with some dry-fire practice.

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I have a similar version but a custom shop one I picked up for $800. The lower is black and alloy. Is that lower SS? Anyway, I like mine and pretty damned easy to hit the center.

 

[medicmike]

I have a similar version but a custom shop one I picked up for $800. The lower is black and alloy. Is that lower SS? Anyway, I like mine and pretty damned easy to hit the center.

The frame is alloy with a silver finish. I just have to find the time to get to the range now! My kid has the black alloy frame model and just loves it.

 

[gw104]

Wilson 22 or 24 pound recoil springs work fine in all my officer models. All have fitted flat bottom FPS also.