1911 maintenance question.

[Will Carry]

I have fired about 1000 rds through my Colt Government series 80. Mostly 230gr FMJ. It is shooting like a dream. When should I start replacing parts that typically wear? Like the recoil spring and such. Any advice or web site links would be greatly appreciated. This is my go to gun at the range but I don't use it for self defense or concealed carry.

[Westwindmike]

I'd say, consult the manufacturer for their recommendations. I only change recoil springs in my Colt when it starts throwing brass further than usual.

[Guest mgjohn]

On full size 1911's IU replace recoil springs every 4000-5000 rounds, other parts are lifetime affairs unless they asr the cheap powder cast stuff some makers have started using. Not much to wear out or break on a well made 1911, John Browning did it right.

[timcalhoun]

3-5 K on recoil spring. Replace the FP spring every time you change the recoil. Mainspring (hammer spring) approx every 25k. Detail strip and clean it every 5k. If you carry it IWB I would detail strip and clean at least once a year regardless of round count. You wont believe how much lint finds its way into a gun when carried every day IWB. If you shoot only jacketed bullets start checking for barrel wear (accuracy) 80+k.

[JDM175]

Sorry but I am going to have to call B.S. on putting a 1000 rounds through a 1911. If you believe the internet there is no way a 1911 can handle that amount of rounds, it would self destruct in you hands. As we all know the only pistol known to man that can survive that amount of rounds is a G-Lock.

Ok seriously here is a good link for 1911 info:

http://www.10-8performance.com/Reliability_Round_Counts.html

Having said that I have a full size Colt Series 80 I have had since about 1995 and have put thousands and thousands of rounds through it. I have about 1700 through it this calendar year alone. I just replaced all my springs for the first time. Everything was still working well but I knew I was way overdue. Biggest thing I do is regular maintenance, I clean it good after shooting it every time (well at least every other time).

I have found both my full size and officers size (I guess officers are a smaller size after all) Colt series 80s have been solid and I shoot them a lot and do not baby them. Goog luck with yours it should serve you fine.

[Guest Moody]

As other stated, typically you'll go through springs, but that's about it. There is no need to replace anything else that's a quality hard part, really, unless you have some sort of catastrophic failure (in which you'll be thinking about other things, besides the gun, if it's a really bad failure).

A nice recoil spring can always be a good upgrade, regardless, after a few thousands round-count and you get an idea that you'd want to change it...

[Will Carry]

You mean I supposed to clean this gun?

Just kidding! Thanks for the feed back and links. My 1911 is THE best shooting pistol I own. I got my Crimsom Trace Grip dialed in DNO at 15 yards and it's a blast.