Is it just me or do SA firearms seem to need a lot of repairs?

I think the part about the forum magnifying percieved problems because everyone with an ill 1911 comes here is very true.

That said, here's my take on 1911 reliability: there are basically two sets of manufacturers. The "value for the money" guys and the high end guys. A few manufacturers have something inbetween, and some do both.

IMO when buying from the "value" lines, you're acknowledging that you're buying inferior small parts, barrels, trigger, and fitting, and in return getting your pistol for $1500 less than some other people paid. Whith these guns, I see the purpose as buying a good frame & slide and then knowing that you may end up modifying or replacing the rest sometime during the gun's life.

Within the value lines, I like SA the best. No lawyer safeties. Forged frame and slide (last I checked). Acceptable small parts. No S&W politics. And a design that's closer to the origional 1911 (and therefore easier to work on) than most.

If the potential issues that come with budget parts worry you, then it's time to open up the wallet and give Ed Brown or Nighthawk or Wilson a call. And then realize that it's still a mechanical system, and failures happen even with the expensive stuff.

I don't perceive that SAs have more trips back to the shop, based on what I read on these boards.

I have 4 SA 1911s and a M1A Socom, and I sold a SA V-12 several years ago that I wish I had back. I also sold a SA 9mm with Novaks 1 or 2 years ago.

I have customized (actually my local 'smith did the work, which all related to getting the 5 - 6 lb. trigger pull down to about 2.5 lb.) a V-16 that is one of the best guns I own. He also had to tighten the barrel fit, which was quite loose out of the box.

I shot it yesterday with my STI Trojan 6" 45 ACP and my LB Ultimate Master (comped) yesterday, and it outshot both of them consistently. It is clearly going nowhere, except to the range in my range bag.

My 9mm with Novaks was a great gun. The only reason I sold it was to get a 9mm with Bomar style sights. The SA 9mm with Bomar - style sights had exensive rust out of the box, but SA replaced it with a clean one. I had the trigger components on it replaced (with a STI long trigger and C & S sear, hammer, etc.) to get the pull down to about 2.5 lb. It is currently in the shop getting the extractor replaced, but it has been a great gun and I have no complaints.

My M1A has been great out of the box.

My SA Trophy Match 40 S & W has been fairly problematic. It is currently in the shop because it chronically fails to feed (i.e. nosedives). It has also had a litany of sight-related problems. Notwithstanding those problems, the detail work on the gun is great, I have had my 'smith get the pull down to about 2.5 lb (as per above mods), and I plan to shoot it a lot when it gets out of the shop.

I plan to keep buying SAs as long as they keep doing such a great job in the R & D and product development areas.

I regard their production guns as base guns for light modification and heavy shooting.

M1A Socom no problems
Parked loaded no problems
3 parked GIs no problems
1 stainless Mil-Spec no problems
1 loaded operator no problems
1 MC operator no problems
1 black stainless loaded no problems
1 9 MM XD no problems

1 Para Tac-Four FTF, FTE broken mag release, many cast parts. Sold
Kimber Ultra Carry II long story, returned 4 times, repaired myself and SOLD.
Kimber series I Custom. Great gun. Sold
Rock River 5 inch EC hard chrome. 'Nuff said, never to be sold.
Les Baer TRS. Tight, nice. Too many 1911s, Sold.
Rock Island Armory. Family member gun. Broken extractor. 5 inch groups at 10 yards. Traded quickly for SA GI.

Deez.

It burns my ass to here that alot of munufatures have a crappy get rich quick philosphy. But most problems can be avoided by doing some homework.

From what I have seen is that most problems or caused by operator error and ignorant ******** trying to "pimp" out their guns. Same people that drive their cars 10,000 miles with out a oill change and install funky ass after market parts that were not specificly desinged for it either.

I never had to send a gun off for repairs. Maybe it is luck? I think alot of it is operator error (like computer problems). But then I know how to properly take care of my guns and I know my and its limitations. Maybe its due to my training in the army or because I grew up around them.

I have Bushmaster m4 with 3000 rounds. I here alot of people having problems with them but I never had a problem with it. It eats anything I feed it and its tack driver. I even fed it rusty nasty magizines thats older then me. I get a sense that most have never been properly trained in the art of fireams or were never in the military when they bitch about when they can't get thier colaspable stock to extend.

SA Milspec bought back in 93, have no problems but there are some cosmetic issues but that is what you get with a 400 dollar pistol. Had a coupel of issues with cheap magazines. goes bang everytime. not that accurate but that is a 400 peice.

SA ss loaded, little nicer, had some magizine issues to, but goes bang everytime. accurate and reliable.

SA ss TRP, brand new but have 250 rounds threw it, I can load empty brass so that is a indication of reliablility. Its also accurate as hell. Has the fit, finnish, and functioning of my kimber CDP.

SA xd40 tactical, eats anything except has some proplems with wolf flat nose. Besides that it goes bang with all other ammo. Its reliable and get more accurate the more I shoot it.

Kimber CDP 5 inch, close tie in accuracy between it and the TRP. very good fit and finish goes bang everytime.

If some keep having trouble then maybe they should just get a sling shot.

I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that she was having a bad day. I sent the slide, frame and comped barrel to be fitted. The extractor never worked and I had been using one from another 1911. The ejector was loose.I was told $125-150 to fit the barrel. 4-6 wks turn around. They first fitted another bull barrel which I hadn't requested, then called me to find out what I wanted done with the comped barrel .At 8 wks I was calling 2x a wk to find out what the hold-up was. I guess Deb finally couldn't answer my questions and passed me off to Dave Williams. At that point, (9wks) I only talked to her long enough to get transferred to Dave. Nice guy, never any bad words from him or Deb, just frustration about the time frame and most of the time they didn't even know what point of repair and fitting my gun was at. At 13 wks, Dave called to say it was done and instructions to mainly shoot+P out of it because the comp "worked so well". My $125-150 was upped to $295. When I questioned the increase I was told they did some "extra" things such as tighten slide to frame and a couple of other things I don't remember now, or requested then. If they would have called first and asked, I would have gladly said yes, but I wasn't called first. I felt then and now, that that expense should be on them if they did the work without my authorization. That's what I mean when I say my gun was held hostage and I was given the choice of pay their $$$ or they keep my gun. I have never said anything negative about the work that was done because it IS TOP RATE. The gun shoots one hole groups. I'm upset at the way it was handled and the response from Deb when I questioned the total amount and the time (13 wks) to finish my gun when originally quoted 4-6 wks and $125-150. If this is bad mouthing someone, than they shouldn't treat someone as I was treated.
Sorry to hijack this thread, but I felt an explanation was in order. Just because anyone else dosn't have a bad experience doesn't mean it can't happen. Tracy