Posted: 7/14/2011 8:27:18 PM EDT
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Does anyone have any first hand experience with these? I'd imagine that the aluminum in the new production frames has to at least be on par with the original steel frames, but the almighty Google consensus seems to say they only last to 15,000 rounds or so (I'll admit that'd be more than I'd shoot, but it's still kind of a turn off). How much weight is saved versus a steel frame? Do you think they'd last a while with .45 super or 10mm? Weight would seem to be about that of an unloaded Glock 20, so I can't imagine recoil would be that bad.
EDIT: Thank you for the replies. I went camping for the weekend, so I'm afraid I wasn't able to thank you guys sooner. I would say thanks with a post, but I'm afraid that would just bump up an old thread. 
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| kimber claims their alloy frames are good for 20,000plus rounds. i have one and it is much lighter than steel. if you are wanting this for ccw then that may be a plus for you. now as far as 10mm or 45 super i would stay away from alloy. 10mm is a high pressure round and 45acp is a low pressure round. the 1911 platform was never intended for use with super power rounds like that. so if you were gonna buy or build one in that caliber i would get a forged steel frame. jmo. |
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Quoted:
the almighty Google consensus seems to say they only last to 15,000 rounds or so (I'll admit that'd be more than I'd shoot, but it's still kind of a turn off). Many guys will shoot that in a year, myself, more like 3. I don't like how loose and rattley they get as they wear, either. How much weight is saved versus a steel frame? About half a pound. Do you think they'd last a while with .45 super or 10mm? No, I don't think so, but never tried it, nor will I. I'm fairly certain there are no alloy framed 10mm production 1911's anyhow. Weight would seem to be about that of an unloaded Glock 20, so I can't imagine recoil would be that bad. It will be a bit worse than a Glock in .45 or 10mm. The Glock has a wider grip that distributes the recoil force, and the polymer frame also flexes further softening the blow. |
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My LW Commanders carry great. Recoil is again, relative. More muzzle flip but no issue for a carry piece concidering the application. I would not use one for action shooting as a primary. . Steel frame Govt. model is for all that stuff. Alloy gun can always be used though. I would reccommend looking at the platform for carry.
ETA; I am speaking specifically about Commanders. |
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I have two SA Champions, one in SS and the other is a LW, for most shooting I use the SS, and only occasionally use the LW for carry purposes. My new Colt Agent has an aluminum frame as well, but I can't see doing LOTS and LOTS of shooting with a gun that small anyway, maybe 200-300 rounds a year at most. 15000/300= 50 years of use.
Now my main shooting 1911's are my Kimber Custom Classic Stainless, and my SA Champion SS, both get probably a hundred rounds every month or every other month, so would get me to that 15000 round mark somewhere around 10 years or so, so if it had an aluminum frame it would definitely wear out in my lifetime. So if you are looking for a shoot once or twice a year and carry, go ahead and get something in aluminum, but if you want something to shoot and shoot in matches etc, I'd go with steel. Just my .02. |
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I wouldn't worry about the pressure level of a cartridge fired from an aluminum frame as I would the slide velocity.
.38 Super and 9x19 both are relatively high pressure cartridges, but have successfully used in Commanders for over 60 years. Though high pressure, neither one provides the slide velocity that the .45 ACP does, and the .45 ACP has also been successfully used for over 60 years. 9x23mm, having a similar slide velocity to .45 ACP, should have a similar service life, (the frame, anyway, not considering the barrel here). The 10mm might be a bit rougher on the frame, because the slide velocity is potentially higher, but not because the pressure is higher. The steel barrrel and slide work together to contain the pressure, the frame just takes the beating that then results. I like my .38 Super Commander, and my .45 New Agent. If some one gave me an aluminum framed 10mm, I would gladly shoot it with the various 10mm lite loads, but would avoid the full house 10mm stuff. I would also avoid the .45 Super. Just my feelings, I have shot my Commander quite a bit, and the New Agent some. If I wanted to shoot some thing in the full house 10mm/.45 Super range, I would want a steel frame both for durability, and to add weight to dampen recoil. A full strength mainspring and a small aperture firing pin stop will go a long way towards helping to tame the jump of the light alloy frames. Theoretically, it should also be gentler to an aluminum frame. |
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Just a pet peeve: While "alloy" is used as shorthand for aluminum alloys, nearly all the metals used in building firearms are alloys, not the pure element. By very definition, steel is always an alloy. This is correct. To include all metal products we see. Of Ti. , Steel and Aluminum, in this context, alloy framed guns do translate to alluminum Framed . It is also the only one I forget how to spell. |