1911’s in general, 9mm versions specifically

[Formidilosus]

Any reason one is preferred over the other? From what I understand 80 is theoretically safer while the 70 has a better trigger? That's what I got from a bit on Youtube, but didn't spend a lot of time there.

Theoretically is the key phrase. Technically yes- an original series 70 can fire when dropped…. Except it has to be at the exact angle, muzzle down, on concrete, from about shoulder height- exactly. The thing is, guns tend to rotate and fall where the weight is- the grip- first which will not fire an original series 70. In any case it is mitigated by a Ti firing pin and extra power firing pin spring. I am not aware of any legitimate 1911 being sold that doesn’t have those two items.
Even without them, it isn’t an actual issue. 1911’s have been used extremely heavily for more than 100 years and firing from being dropped is near unheard of. A series 70 with Ti firing pin and extra power firing pin spring firing from a drop in use is unheard of.

The P320 issue was that it fired when dropped a certain way on its butt or grip- muzzle up. Which is where pistols want to rotate and land on, and it’s muzzle up when it does so. Even if you could get a series 70 1911 to fire while dropped- it’s muzzle down on concrete- the only thing that is happening is some rock pepper- but it isn’t happening.



As for series 80, it adds a mechanical firing on block actuated by the trigger. A good smith can make an excellent trigger from a series 80.

 

[WhoGarrDen]

I'm looking to pick up a 1911 on a budget and there's a local classified with a Springfield RO Elite 5" for $700. It lists "EGW Ignition Parts"...is that a worthy upgrade or something that may cause trouble later? I'm torn between this and a Garrison - I love both the blued and steel with the wood grips. I don't see a big difference between the RO and the Garrisons other than finish. Ambidextrous safety doesn't really appeal to me unless I'm missing something vital.

I much prefer the "classic" look over tactical, which has ruled out some of the other entry-level options discussed here. I have a P320 compact but just don't enjoy it that much. Probably going to offload it and pick up the 1911.

I plan to carry this while hunting/in the field, and I've already taken note of the recommended upgrades to the system once I have it.

 

[Formidilosus]

I'm looking to pick up a 1911 on a budget and there's a local classified with a Springfield RO Elite 5" for $700. It lists "EGW Ignition Parts"...is that a worthy upgrade or something that may cause trouble later?

If done correctly, that’s a good thing.

 

[Formidilosus]

2x Tisas Night Stalker 9mm’s. Functioned without issue, and shot well. About 25 yards-

This one needed a 6 o’clock hold with the issued sights.




This one shot POA on the tip of the front sight- 96-2x

 

[RockAndSage]

If done correctly, that’s a good thing.

Speaking of gun parts, early on I had a string of extractor problems with them going out of tune, which I eventually learned came from improper steels and improper heat-treating, along with probably some geometry issues that weren't uncommon at the time. Then Bill Laughridge over at Cylinder & Slide came out with their twice heat-treated spring-steel extractors, and better geometries. And, problems solved. But I haven't seen them in-stock for awhile, and have been wanting to pick a few up as spares. Mentioned this this to a friend, who had some interesting news.

It turns out that C&S has completely discontinued them. And that they told him for their new custom builds, they're actually using exactly what you recommended here - Wilson's Bulletproof extractors.

 

[Bluumoon]

2x Tisas Night Stalker 9mm’s. Functioned without issue, and shot well. About 25 yards-

This one needed a 6 o’clock hold with the issued sights.
View attachment 909979



This one shot POA on the tip of the front sight- 96-2x
View attachment 909980

DS or single stack? I believe they make both

 

[Formidilosus]

DS or single stack? I believe they make both

Single stacks.

 

[Southernfried]

Isn’t the single stack made with a steel frame and the double stacks have a polymer?

 

[Formidilosus]

Isn’t the single stack made with a steel frame and the double stacks have a polymer?

Yes.

 

[Scottf270]

I'm gonna get one of those Tisas Nightstalkers in 9mm and put a red dot on it. At 64 either the sights are blurry or the target is blurry.

 

[Southernfried]

Yes.

Thanks, since this thread started I’ve been trying to read and watch all the videos I could on the Tisas DS and the Sig 320 with the Brouwer 1811 conversions. They are just ounces apart from one another.

 

[Bowfinn]

I'm gonna get one of those Tisas Nightstalkers in 9mm and put a red dot on it. At 64 either the sights are blurry or the target is blurry.

Doesn’t the same thing happen when you’re 5?

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks, since this thread started I’ve been trying to read and watch all the videos I could on the Tisas DS and the Sig 320 with the Brouwer 1811 conversions. They are just ounces apart from one another.

The Sig P320 wouldn’t be an option at this point.

 

[Southernfried]

The Sig P320 wouldn’t be an option at this point.

Yea we are on vacation and I just read about the poor airman. I’m a couple of days behind in the news. Just a shame.

 

[Formidilosus]

Yea we are on vacation and I just read about the poor airman. I’m a couple of days behind in the news. Just a shame.

It’s a lot more than the latest incident. While the hysteria may be overblown, there are issues. And now that it isn’t hard to get a 9mm 1911 that works, I can’t see the reason to choose the Sig.

 

[jonpall]

It’s a lot more than the latest incident. While the hysteria may be overblown, there are issues. And now that it isn’t hard to get a 9mm 1911 that works, I can’t see the reason to choose the Sig.

You used to be called a conspiracy theorist if you thought the p320s had issues. Excuses like aftermarket triggers, blaming the person handling the gun, etc only work for so long as more reports come out. That combined with sig's poor response have me passing on sigs for a while.

 

[Formidilosus]

You used to be called a conspiracy theorist if you thought the p320s had issues. Excuses like aftermarket triggers, blaming the person handling the gun, etc only work for so long as more reports come out. That combined with sig's poor response have me passing on sigs for a while.

There certainly were a lot of issues with people and 320’s- it is an unforgiving pistol of poor gun-handling. There were issues with holsters. If it weren’t for the initial drop firing issue, and the unforgiving nature of the pistol- I think it is very likely that the actual 1 in 1,000,000 pistols or whatever that have tolerance stacking and issues would have just been swept away as poor gun handling. But, with those- there are too many people watching for issues now.

 

[jonpall]

There certainly were a lot of issues with people and 320’s- it is an unforgiving pistol of poor gun-handling. There were issues with holsters. If it weren’t for the initial drop firing issue, and the unforgiving nature of the pistol- I think it is very likely that the actual 1 in 1,000,000 pistols or whatever that have tolerance stacking and issues would have just been swept away as poor gun handling. But, with those- there are too many people watching for issues now.

Agree. They have no margin for error now because any issue is magnified. Fortunately there are other options that don't have these issues like you mentioned before.

 

[Southernfried]

It’s a lot more than the latest incident. While the hysteria may be overblown, there are issues. And now that it isn’t hard to get a 9mm 1911 that works, I can’t see the reason to choose the Sig.

I was thinking it was the same with the hysteria, till this incident. I found out today, the thumb safety on the M17/18/320 isn’t really the same type safety I was thinking it was. Hopefully they can get it straight. But has anyone heard of any issues with the 365? I haven’t ? But it is a different system from what I have read…..thanks again for this thread.

 

[Thegman]

You used to be called a conspiracy theorist if you thought the p320s had issues. Excuses like aftermarket triggers, blaming the person handling the gun, etc only work for so long as more reports come out. That combined with sig's poor response have me passing on sigs for a while.

I was certainly one that dismissed the UD. Seems like several things would have to fail for it to happen, which seemed extremely unlikely to me, but wouldn't the first time I was wrong. In this case, being an M18, it had the addition of a manual safety, which would normally be engaged in a holster. Makes it even more strange.

I have to wonder if the military is going to scrap the Sigs and go back to the drawing board...?