Does my Colt LW Commander have a short expected "life"?

[fatelvis]

I was told by a couple guys at the range that my series 70 Colt Lightweight Commander wont hold up "nearly as long" as a steel framed pistol, even when shooting light to moderate loads. They said the alloy used back then wasn't as durable as today's. Is this true? I hope not, because this is my favorite pistol to date! Thanks guys-

 

[mikeinct]

I would not use that "Favorite" in repeated long strings of rapid fire, match use & practice sessions. If you are just using it for normal practice. Every three to six months with target loads. Fifty rounds ? I'm going say with that old Colt will last two life times...Mike in Ct

 

[Ggmac]

I wore a few out . Slide stop pin gets enlarged in the frame .The barrel batters the aluminum frame pretty hard in this area . Change you recoil spring every year and use the appropriate spring rate .
Hope this makes sense ,no COFFEE yet

 

[mikeinct]

Oh.. I have an older Kimber 3inch w an alloy frame. I've been pounding on that unit for ten years & it still shoots really well. Don't sweat it. Mike

 

[Ggmac]

Oh.. I have an older Kimber 3inch w an alloy frame. I've been pounding on that unit for ten years & it still shoots really well. Don't sweat it. Mike

It's like comparing apples to oranges , the early series seventy frames were NOT the same alloy as your newer Kimber !

 

[joshb]

I wore a few out . Slide stop pin gets enlarged in the frame .The barrel batters the aluminum frame pretty hard in this area . Change you recoil spring every year and use the appropriate spring rate .
Hope this makes sense ,no COFFEE yet

You shoot pistols too?

 

[Ggmac]

You shoot pistols too?

Only accurate ones .
When I did my apprenticeship the only pistols to work on - colt 1911, colt and Smith revolvers , Smith autos (59) some browning Hi powers .
It was simple back then . Now just my old 45 parts are pretty valuable , I was shocked buy what was offered for some military slides .

 

[mikeinct]

I'll grant you the Lil Kimber is a brute. The recoil spring is for full house defense loads. I shoot both kinds of ammo thru mine..But the man said TARGET ammo..Let him enjoy his fav. pistol.. Just be sensible about it. I like the watching the recoil spring comment. Very Important to keeping things right/tight...mike

 

[Leo Smith]

I was told by a couple guys at the range that my series 70 Colt Lightweight Commander wont hold up "nearly as long" as a steel framed pistol, even when shooting light to moderate loads. They said the alloy used back then wasn't as durable as today's. Is this true? I hope not, because this is my favorite pistol to date! Thanks guys-

What are they using it for a Hammer?

 

[JFrank]

Spring selection is definitely something I watch carefully, most manufacturers install too heavy of main and recoil, IMO I also shy away from hotter loads but that’s just me. My smith had a 1911 light just recently that had a cracked frame”
His suspicions were the the owner had beat the hell out of it somehow or drove over it with a truck.
(Back to springs)
I watch where the empty rounds are landing , preferably into a bucket about 5 foot off my right shoulder is perfect!
J

 

[Pappy42]

I would shoot it! If anyone in this thread lives long enough; tell us how many rounds/years it lasted.

 

[msinc]

Keep a really good quality recoil buffer pad in the gun and plenty of grease on everything. The new spring thing is of course a good idea too. I work on a lot of different guns and without exception, most of the ones I see worn out got that way because they were not lubed and in most cases shot bone dry.
If there ever was a gun that should always be shot with plenty of lube its the 1911 and variants. Ever watch an old gangster movie?? One of the few gun related things that Hollywood got right was the wiseguy with a rag rubbing on his 1911.

 

[JimT]

I was told by a couple guys at the range that my series 70 Colt Lightweight Commander wont hold up "nearly as long" as a steel framed pistol, even when shooting light to moderate loads. They said the alloy used back then wasn't as durable as today's. Is this true? I hope not, because this is my favorite pistol to date! Thanks guys-

I think these guys know what they are talking about. Shoot that thing and change the recoil spring at regular intervals.

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=246556#/topics/246556?page=1

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Youll never wear it out under normal use

 

[fatelvis]

Thanks for the responses guys. I see a bit of a difference in opinions, but all seem to agree with keeping a fresh recoil spring in it. I will be sure to do that and shoot it with normal loads. One more question: will shooting 185 or 200 grain bullets at normal speeds lessen the battering of the slide stop, over 230 grains? Or am I thinking too much? Lol