criteria for a good 1911?
 

Without mentioning any brand-name anywhere in this thread, what criteria would you suggest for deciding whether a specific 1911 is a good gun?

I don't know the answer, but maybe it would include:
-- shoot x number of rounds without a jam or stoppage.
-- shoot y number of inches for a 25 yard 5-shot benchrested group.
-- never give hammer bite.

Perhaps stuff like that? What criteria are important to you?

-Government 5"
-Not parkerized (been there done that prefer baked on teflon now)
-100% reliable any brand any reload. Doesn't have to be ramped
-No MIM parts (but I still trust the ones I have still)
-Extended beavertail grip safety (never have to worry on bite)
-Nice 4.5-5lb trigger
-Fixed combat sights (in a '8' pattern tritium, no brand name :) )
-Nice match barrel and bushing
-No more than 4" groups at 25yds. 2" or less preferred
-GI plug preferred (full length okay if one piece)
-Ambi safety (I'm a lefty)
-Lowered and flared ejection port
-Titanium firing pin and no firing pin safety
-16.5lb recoil spring
-Cocobolo or G10 grips
-Standard slide release and mag catch (nothing extended)
-Doesn't have to have front cocking serrations, but it's okay if it does
-Front grip doesn't have to have checkering, but I'd prefer 20lpi
-Magazine well beveled or extended mag well
-Reliable 7-round mags!

I think that's everything...

I concur. Strong criteria there!:supergrin:

-Government 5"
-Blued finish prefered
-GI grip safety
-4# trigger
-Target sights
-Match barrel and bushing
-Capable of 1.5" at 25, 3" at 50 yards
-GI plug
-GI safety
-Lowered and flared ejection port
-Series 70 type
-16.5lb recoil spring
-Wood grips always
-Standard slide release and mag catch (nothing extended)
-No front cocking serrations
-Magazine well beveled
-Metalform mags


This is my perfect gun.

full size, accurate enough to shoot a bad guy holding a hostage. .45 acp. and one that leaves your wallet empty

If you are asking for general specs like stainless/blue you will get strong opinions on both sides. If you want detailed lists(trigger pull, checkering, sights, etc) the possibilities are actually endless. Everyone likes slightly different specs.

My general specs.
-5"
-Stainless
-0 gun related malfunctions(bad rounds/magazines not included)
-2" 25 yard accuracy from machine rest.

Obviously I could go on for awhile with specific details but these are the biggies.

An excellent leather rig. Set aside at least $2-300 for a top shelf belt, holster, and mag pouch. You will thank yourself for years to come.

This:supergrin::wavey:

Some say if a gun doesn't go 1,000 rounds without a stoppage, then it is a piece of junk.

Would you include that as a criteria? Therefore, if you have an otherwise perfect gun, and it has a stoppage 1 time within 1,000 rounds, then it is a piece of junk?

That's probably to extreme. Most people would likely try to solve the problem. See if it was due to limpwristing, bad ammo, bad magazine, etc.

As long as the stoppage can be quickly cleared and the gun made to fire again within a second or two, that it probably wouldn't seem too big a deal.

Any thoughts on that? How many rounds required without any stoppages?

Required:
5" barrel
Forged frame and slide
One piece barrel
Forged fire control parts
2-4" groups at 25 yards
No more than 1 malfunction per 1,000 rounds (less is better)
Quality 4-7# trigger pull
Sights I can see and that can be used for one-handed cycling of action
No firing pin safety

Preferred:
Textured front strap
Recessed lanyard loop mainspring housing
Stainless construction
Durable finish (Duracoat, Roguard, etc.)
Solid trigger
GI guide rod
Thin grips
9mm firing pin
High cut frontstrap
Beavertail grip safety
Extended single sided thumb safety
No front cocking serrations