You have gotten some great advice in this thread. I can't add too much, but now my three cents.sylus27 wrote:Hey guys - had a question about how you guys check your guns for reliability. BTW - I do have other extremely reliable guns I use for carry, but don't want an expensive 1911 to turn into a "range only" gun
1. Reliability is the #1 criteria. As pbwalker says: Buy a gun manufactured by a reputable manufacturer. Your life may depend on it. I would rather have one quality gun that a dozen guns of lesser or questionable reliability.
2. If you find out that you have a magazine with problems and can't quickly find the root of the malfunction, trash it or use it for spare parts. Compared to losing your life, they aren't that expensive.
3. As for "expensive range guns," I have several and they will out-perform any "carry gun" on the market. They have been worked on and tuned by a master gunsmith and have better triggers and accuracy than any of my carry guns. If you don't have a need or use for a "range only" then sell it or trade it for something you will use.