[MasterGunner01]

Re: M1911 reliability problems.
1. Inadequate sights. Replace G.I. sights with modern, bold, high visibility sights.
2. Lousy trigger pull. Replace G.I. stamped trigger with fitted, serrated, long target trigger with over travel set screw. Get trigger job to clean up pull to a crisp 3.5 to 4.5 pounds.
3. Stove pipe jams. Change recoil spring to correct weight for ammo being used. Replace original ejector with Combat Commander type ejector with extension ("finger"). Totally eliminates this kind of jam.
4. Wood or plastic grips make pistol difficult to control. Replace grips with Pahmayr or Uncle Mike's neoprene grips of choice. (I prefer Pachmayr’s original design without finger grooves.)
5. Weak springs cause malfunctions. Refresh springs with Wolff spring kit.
6. Sloppy barrel-to-slide lockup. Replace barrel link with different height link.

[yarddog]

The only design problem I have ever encountered in the 1911 is the staked in spring tunnel for the safety and slide stop.

I have had a couple get loose.

[MileHi]

6. Sloppy barrel-to-slide lockup. Replace barrel link with different height link.

How do you measure this?

[riverrunner]

There seem to be a lot of people here that know how to fix the problems of the 1911 design.