Most reliable 1911 caliber?

[Ron3]

Or are they similar? I would guess build quality and tuning are the most important factors.

But generally which is more reliable, 9x19, .38 super, .40 auto, 10mm auto or .45 acp?

I left out other calibers because parts are probably much more rare for the smaller 7.65 and 9x17 models.

[rushca01]

45 and 38 for sure. 9mm tends to be much more picky.

[replacement]

I believe it is more about the firearm than the round but agree 9mm tends to be more challenging. 45 even in 3inch barrels always have run well for me. - disclaimer, no expert it's just a hobby.

[Pilot1]

I only have .45 ACP 1911's, so take this with a grain of salt. Mine are very reliable, and since the .45 ACP and .38 Super were specifically designed for the 1911, I would think they are the most reliable.

[gaijin]

The 1911 was designed around a cartridge; .45 ACP.
The COAL was/is (in ball configuration) 1.280".
Both the .45 ACP and .38 Super share this COAL.
As a rule, they WILL be the most reliable.

That said, advancements in magazine design have made the 9 mm equally reliable in a well set up ("tuned") pistol .

[Ron3]

Thanks guys. If I get another 1911 it will a .38.

[Redstate]

They say the 9mm is not very reliable; however, I would never know it with my RIA 9mm. It eats up anything and everything (9mm that is) I feed it. I can't even try to get it to malfunction.

[gaijin]

I've had three "chokes" with two 9mm 1911's in 25K rds.
These were due to "Glock bulged" crap range brass that would not chamber.
Operator error as I had not "drop checked" that bag of 500 loaded rounds.
The 9's work.
I use Metalform 9 & 10 round mags. in the 9's.

In Super I use Metalform 9 rounders and Tripp or McCormick 10 round mags.
Other than needing "gorilla" thumbs to load the new 10 rounders, I've never had any issues.
If left fully loaded, the 10 rd. mags take a set and become easier to load.

[badness]

are you kidding?

.45 auto.

EDIT: didn't see you already made your decision.

[Ron3]

are you kidding?

.45 auto.

EDIT: didn't see you already made your decision.

Not really a .45 fan. Pleasant to fire, but the other lower recoiling calibers with their faster split times and higher mag capacity are just more practical to me.