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Steel vs aluminum frame
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In regards to frame material in 1911 type handgun. Life expectancy of a steel frame will be longer than an aluminum frame. Can any of you folks put a number to the difference?


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Posts: 240 | Location: texas | Registered: 05 March 2005Reply With Quote
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Dick

I have been using the same Colt Commander [the one most people call the Lightweight Commander] since the early 1970's. It has the Aluminium frame.

I have shot this handgun several thousand times.
I have used it at work for a backup gun, and as an off duty gun.

I have jumped out of airplanes with it, and I have carried it under water.
I was carrying it the day I was married.

I have shot a lot of living things with it, including one deer, several mountain grouse, other small game for the pot and snakes with the CCI/Speer shotshells.

I have carried it when backpacking and fishing in big bear country, and when bear hunting too.

Bottom line is, I would not pick an aluminium framed 1911 for an IPSC or an IDPA competition gun, but for a Carry 1911, even if it gets shot a LOT, I think the aluminium frame will not be a concern...

Do not remember for sure, but chances are the last time we shot together, I was wearing it...


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Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002Reply With Quote
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I wonder if they use the original AL alloy or are using a Scandium -aluminum alloy like some S&Ws ?
 
Posts: 7636 | Registered: 10 October 2002Reply With Quote
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Tony

Thanks for the info. The answers I have received on this question have been all over the place. I have had more than one gentleman say 1,500 rounds max on an aluminum frame. Not sure what guns or ammo they were shooting but I don’t think that is much of a life span for a 1911. Still doing my due-diligence but it’s looking like aluminum.

Enjoyed the Australia report (still living my hunting life through you). Hope you and yours are doing well.


“I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior,
except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919)
 
Posts: 240 | Location: texas | Registered: 05 March 2005Reply With Quote
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Dick

I can assure you I have well over 1500 rounds through this Colt, and it still shoots great.


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Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002Reply With Quote
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Dick

You should expect more than adequate service life out of an alloy framed 1911 if you are using it for concealed carry, general law enforcement use, as a backup, or a "fun gun". But I would not recommend it for any high volume shooting use. It should be fine for several thousand rounds.

I am a true believer in steel framed pistols. I own two full frame 1911s and they are built to take just about any sort of use and abuse. But I carry a New Agent under my coat 5 days a week and then some. I practice with it occassionally and I qualify with it. That only amounts to about 300 rounds per year. The ergonomics are the same as my other 1911s. I shoot those more and the proficency carries over to the New Agent. I was having aches and pains from constant carrying of the full frame guns. For concealed carry, especially day in and day out, alloy is the way to go.

Choose a good one. I carry a Colt but there are other well made brands. Just don't go cheap.




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Posts: 10900 | Location: North of the Columbia | Registered: 28 April 2008Reply With Quote
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It does depend on initial quality. I have built competition guns on both. Aluminum frame usually good for 30-40k rounds, steel 60-150k rounds. for any kind of normal use, don't worry about it
 
Posts: 569 | Location: Escaped to Montana  | Registered: 01 March 2004Reply With Quote
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Grenadier the Colt New Agent 1911 is a slick little carry gun.


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Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002Reply With Quote
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Thanks to all for your input.


“I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior,
except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919)
 
Posts: 240 | Location: texas | Registered: 05 March 2005Reply With Quote
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What about the "Tupper Ware" guns and their life span?

Stepchild


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Posts: 1326 | Location: glennie, mi. USA | Registered: 14 July 2003Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by stepchild 2:
What about the "Tupper Ware" guns and their life span?

Stepcpagehild


Random facts.
A SIG 226 will shoot around 20,000 rounds before the frame rails break.
I have shot a couple of Glocks over 67,000 rounds each with no problems.

I have also shot a couple of 1911's in 45 ACP over 100,000 rounds each.

Some handgun designs are just more rugged than others


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Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002Reply With Quote
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Sorry, but Glocks are more 'rugged' than 1911's.
 
Posts: 366 | Registered: 30 November 2006Reply With Quote
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I know they are popular but they just don't trip my trigger. All steel works for me.

Stepchild


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Posts: 1326 | Location: glennie, mi. USA | Registered: 14 July 2003Reply With Quote
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I used a commander for year and when I finally retired it, I had 2 1911s built up on Caspian titanium frames. They are not quite as light as aluminium but as strong as steel. I find them the perfect compromise.
 
Posts: 477 | Location: western arkansas | Registered: 11 July 2010Reply With Quote
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IMHO, and in my personal shooting experience, I do not think any semiauto can come close to a 1911.

The Glock 17's are pretty good guns. There had been some problems with the 40's. I hace personally seen a few of the metal recoil inserts break.

I do not know anyone that has shot the 45ACP Glocks enough to allow me to form an opinion on their service life.

There have been many, many times that I shot over 1000 rounds a day, sometimes for 5 to 10 days in a row through a Glock 17, 9mm.

The only part I ever broke on a Glock was the trigger return spring.

This was sometime durring a 50 round Official Qualification. I had cleaned and lubed the gun the night before and it was discovered after the qualification, when cleaning the gun.
The gun had shot the 50 rounds with no problems.


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