Aluminum Frame vs. Steel Frame

[NORMAN]

Does anyone have actual experience with the life span of a aluminum frame gun preferably a 1911 ?? My wife wants a 3" 1911 but I would like it in a steel frame but all I seem to find are alum. frames.

I know alum. will be lighter but steel will last longer.

Just trying to see if a alum. will hold up. I know they say an alum. frame is good for maybe 10,000 rounds.

Thanks

[seamusTX]

See what the Internet experts have to say about the aluminum-frame SIG P-series. IMHO, your hand will fall off before the receiver wears out.

- -Jim

[G.A. Heath]

I have never owned an aluminum framed 1911, but I have shot one along side my compact RIA 1911. The little aluminum framed gun had more noticeable recoil but showed no appreciable wear and had been through 3000 rounds according to its owner. You might look at the Rock Island Armory compact 1911s if you want an all steel gun, they feature a 3.5 inch barrel setup.

[RiverRat]

Does anyone have actual experience with the life span of a aluminum frame gun preferably a 1911 ?? My wife wants a 3" 1911 but I would like it in a steel frame but all I seem to find are alum. frames.

I know alum. will be lighter but steel will last longer.

Just trying to see if a alum. will hold up. I know they say an alum. frame is good for maybe 10,000 rounds.

Thanks

Norman,
I wouldn't worry about an alum frame unless you intend lots competition shooting. I wouldn't expect you to do much competition work with 3" barrel though. For carry, you (she) will grow to appreciate a little lighter gun (especially if your wife is lugging it in a purse). There is a slight difference in recoil, but once again, if it's for carry your expectation is that it provide you self defense.

Here's what my wife carries in her purse. Take your wife out and let her shoot some different guns, you might be surprised when she takes up with a little 1911. I bought it for ME last Christmas, let her shoot it, and somehow it made a home in HER purse and I had to go get another (poor ME).....couldn't find another New Agent so ended up with a Defender. Both have been absolutely reliable.

It's a 3" Colt New Agent .45
Most of the time, I carry a 3" Colt Defender .45.....both are aluminum framed.
We also carry Springfield XD's sometimes and they are plastic frames. Never had a concern.

10K rounds of .45 is over $4000.00 at today's prices. That's a lot of shooting with personal defense pistol. 50 rounds at a practice with a 3" gun is about all I'm good for per day. 10K rounds would be 200 range sessions at 50 rounds a go. Just my take

[MoJo]

The biggest problem with aluminum frame 1911 pistols is ramp damage from shooting a steady diet of hollowpoints. In a carry gun that gets carried a lot and shot little this shouldn't be a problem. Once you prove the gun will function with a HP load use FMJ for your practice and limit HP to a few rounds every so often to be sure the gun still likes them.

Some folks have a steel ramp installed in their alloy frames this is a costly job and not worth it for occasional use of HPs.

[DoubleJ]

That Avatar o' mine runs pretty good, and I've managed to put several hunnerd rounds through it. shot more than a few matches with it, too.

[MoJo]

I've seen a few 1911 aluminum frames running about 20,000 rounds before needing to be replaced.

/

That's what I'm talking about. The average shooter won't wear one out in a lifetime.

[shooter4]

Beretta, Sig, Taurus, all use aluminum frames.......steel is unnecesary.........all the Kimber, Springfield, and Para frames.........high quality aluminum goes a long way.........

[The Annoyed Man]

The biggest problem with aluminum frame 1911 pistols is ramp damage from shooting a steady diet of hollowpoints. In a carry gun that gets carried a lot and shot little this shouldn't be a problem. Once you prove the gun will function with a HP load use FMJ for your practice and limit HP to a few rounds every so often to be sure the gun still likes them.

Some folks have a steel ramp installed in their alloy frames this is a costly job and not worth it for occasional use of HPs.

Many 3" lightweight 1911s like the Kimber Ultra Carry II series use a ramped barrel. There is no ramp in the frame, so that particular issue is moot.

[Jungle Work]

I have steel framed guns and aluminum framed guns.
I like both. Aluminum won't last as long as steel, but far lighter to carry in a CHL mode. I shoot my aluminum framed guns a lot, but have yet to wear one out.
I would caution you that if you buy a aluminum framed gun, get some Wilson or other magazines with composite followers as metal follower will eat up the
aluminum frame, ie the feed ramp.....

Jungle Work