Quality 1911 parts. All of them.

[bhxob]

So guys, first off, nice forum.

Secondly: I was firing off some rounds at a range recently, from this little beastie

http://images.bhxob.com/phone/kuc.jpg

Suddenly, after taking a shot, the magazine dropped right out of the gun. At first it appeared that the magazine release was just sticking so I tried pushing it back from the opposite side, put a magazine in place, took another shot, and the mag drops right back out. At this moment I had gotten the point and stopped firing the gun. I did a quick field strip and found that the magazine release had snapped in half.

This was an issue for me since this is my primary CCW. My backup is a P3AT which, aside from it's concealability, I loathe (by which I mean tolerate, for it's given purpose).

So I ran out the next day, to a gun show that was running over the weekend. All of the local vendors were there so it seemed like good timing. You know how many standard 1911 mag releases there were at the show? Three of them, and only one in a proper finish. I bought it and have it in place now, but I know well enough that it's a piece of crap. I don't expect it will break on me right now, and it will work for the purposes of carrying the gun. However, it certainly isn't any better than the part Kimber supplied with the gun, and that part is broken.

So I want to know: Where do you buy your gun parts, specifically 1911 parts, and who makes the good parts. None of this powdered MIM shit.

[fatman1683]

I get all my gun parts from Brownells, and I usually buy Ed Brown. There's only been one or two parts I wanted that Ed Brown doesn't make, and for those I went with EGW.

Honestly though, I'd call Kimber first. A broken mag release is definitely a warranty issue, and they should be willing to replace the part.

[Nitrogen]

I recommend Ed Brown or Wilson Combat 1911 parts.

I find these parts available at gunshows for okay prices. Brownells prices can suck sometimes, so shop around. You might even find a local store that stocks the parts.

If you happen to be near Plano, TX, I recommend Gunmaster (5001 Avenue K # 102, Plano, TX - (972) 423-0121) they stock a whole range of Ed Brown 1911 parts. (Plug plug)

Brownells and midway can fuck you on shipping if you buy cheap parts (like pins or screws) that arent part of a larger order, so having a local supplier can help.

[Fang]

Nothing inherently wrong with MIM; if it's made properly, it's stronger than a casting. However, Kimber had a period where they were trying to do all their MIM in-house and didn't do too well with it.

[sza]

Brownells prices can suck sometimes, so shop around.

Just FYI, if you're shopping at Brownells and you haven't modified your profile to say "Gunsmith - No retail sales" you're throwing away like 10% on every purchase. Just checking that one box gets you an instant discount on everything.