Originally posted by Arrowman:
Howard, no disrespect, but please show me an alloy frame that failed, and its ammo count (factory only, I don't trust failures in reload-shooting weapons to be the gun's fault.) Then we can talk about durability.
I've seen procarry's at 20,000 rounds that look better than HD's at 5,000.. YMMV
Not to start a flame war, but I have made my feelings known many times in the past on this issue. Personally, I do not subscribe to the notion that an Alloy frame 1911 is one that must be "shot little, but carried a lot". In fact, I have carried many different Alloy framed Colt's over the years, and a number of them have sustained very high round counts in my possession, some had high round counts before I ever owned them.
In my personal experience, not a single one failed due to over use. I have heard of some that have, and a couple that were "Shot Out", but information has been inconclusive as to what the root cause was. Possibly over pressured loads adding undue stress, possibly poor care, and feeding of the child. Consider the the 7075 Alloy Kimber uses is a bit more durable that the alloy the Colt LWT was made with.
I will quickly admit that I don't expect an Alloy to stand up to the same levels of abuse a steel framed gun would. I would never expect to see one surpass 100k rounds, but then, I don't think too many people here would ever manage 25,000 rounds with a particular gun, but whose to say.
I will also admit that the Feed Ramp is one area that should be monitored if you choose to shoot certain JHP styles, though much has improved in recent years in terms of design, and ogive or profile of the current JHP's. A ramped barrel, or steel ramp insert is a realistic and worthwile upgrade to combat this issue, though I tend to shoot mainly ball, and don't have many concerns in this area.
I go through spurts. Recently, with 45acp, I was averaging about 200 rounds per session, 3 times a week, though lately, it has been more like 200 rounds 3 times a month.
Anyway, with care, and due diligence, most Alloy frames with survive under most conditions that the average shooter would engage in. Some people are extremely hard on their guns, some aren't. You'd have to be the judge, but I think many get a little overboard when it comes to not wanting to shoot an Alloy for fear of damage due to excessive use.
Enjoy!
