Posted: 3/10/2009 10:39:37 AM EDT
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What kinds of problems will surface on aluminum alloy framed 1911s that would normally not appear on steel framed 1911s?
Longevity vs steel? I've been looking at the SA Lightweight Operator but am not sure about the alloy frame. What say you expertS? |
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I have a SA Lightweight Gov't two-tone that has been a gem, zero problems... but I've never CCW'd it and it hasn't seen nearly the volume of rounds that my carry-guns have, so I'm not the best to speak on its durability over time/use. In fact, I'm posting more to see the other responses you'll get than to answer your question –– sorry.  |
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While I have not counted the rounds, my father's Colt LW Commander was purchased new in the early 70's and has been shot a good bit. The recoil is stiffer but there has been no issue with the structure. I know of another from the 60's that seems fine with normal firing. I doubt either of these have had more than 10K run through them but they haven't been safe queens either.
For a competition or range gun, I also prefer steel but that light frame makes a big difference to carry (to me). |
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I have a LW Colt Commander that I got from my dad. Dad bought it in the mid 1950s. The pistol has well over 100,000 rounds through it and the only problem I have had with the frame was the finish. The original finish wore down and some areas turned a plum color. I had the frame bead blasted and that fixed that. Its a two tone now.
No cracks ,nicks excesive wear problems with the frame at all. My colt alloy Commander has been all over the world with me and has been trouble free. 
RLTW |
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Quoted:
I have a LW Colt Commander that I got from my dad. Dad bought it in the mid 1950s. The pistol has well over 100,000 rounds through it and the only problem I have had with the frame was the finish. The original finish wore down and some areas turned a plum color. I had the frame bead blasted and that fixed that. Its a two tone now. No cracks ,nicks excesive wear problems with the frame at all. My colt alloy Commander has been all over the world with me and has been trouble free.
RLTW That's very good to know. 
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Have you investigated the S&W PD and Gunsite models. I just got a Gunsite model, and the frame is made of Scandium. Supposedly, the Scandium/Aluminum frame is many times stronger than standard aluminum frames. So far, I have been very impressed by my new 1911.
Thanks... Buffhunter 
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Not an expert,
I prefere the heavier all steel 1911's for everthing but carry. I bought a CDP because it was about 6 onces lighter. The heavier gun is easier to rapid fire but the lighter CDP is easier to move from target to target. You have to use plastic followers in your mags with AL frames. Like Wilson 47D. Standard mags, like the stock kimber ones, dig into the frame. The finish on my carry 1911 wears on the frame. I can probally just find an annodizing shop to re anno it. Might be cheaper than sending off for refinishing. I don't plan on shooting so much as to wear it out. I'll get a GI for that. |
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As others have already stated, felt recoil will be greater than a steel frame.
The frames can develop a crack right the top of the dust cover where it meets the frame rails. Usually this is cosmetic, but in some instances it can junk a frame. The feed ramp and the area below it can become dinged up by uncaptive metal mag followers. The frame is anodized, which is a thin but hard coating meant to protect the underlying metal. This can complicate future refinishing somewhat. |
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Quoted:
As others have already stated, felt recoil will be greater than a steel frame. The frames can develop a crack right the top of the dust cover where it meets the frame rails. Usually this is cosmetic, but in some instances it can junk a frame. The feed ramp and the area below it can become dinged up by uncaptive metal mag followers. The frame is anodized, which is a thin but hard coating meant to protect the underlying metal. This can complicate future refinishing somewhat. I saw a bubbasmithed Colt, the frame had been "polished" and the anodizing removed, the feed ramp area was very battered. I didn't want to bring it into the discussion because it wasn't a fair representation of alloy 1911s. It certainly turned me off them though. |
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How much will you be shooting it? IPSC? IDPA? Or just the sometime range use & CCW use the rest of the time?
If you're going to use it at a match at all, *I* would opt for a steel frame. While alloy frames are much better made these days, I still would be wary of using a LW frame for a lot of rds down the tube. Obviously a fresh recoil spring will negate this issue a good bit, but many shooters tend to let the spring slip once in a while. My .o2 |