which 1911A1 should I buy ?

[reliquary]

Not with the proper kind and amount of dry-lube.  It, the M16, and the M60 all worked well in Alaska, down to -15 or so, when treated properly. 
 
In that regard, the only failures to fire I've ever experienced with 55+ years of handgun experience were with revolvers: Smith Model 10 (broken internal part), Smith Model 19 (broken firing pin), and H&R Model 923 (broken mainspring).  That includes 32K through one accurized 1911A1 in competitions, according to the logbook.

[SharonAnne]

after several rounds in the extreme cold why would a slide get sticky? It would be heating up and to my mind it would slide better not worse. Not having shot at -20F I do not know from experience but why would a slide getting warmer run worse?

[FourBee]

after several rounds in the extreme cold why would a slide get sticky? It would be heating up and to my mind it would slide better not worse. Not having shot at -20F I do not know from experience but why would a slide getting warmer run worse?

The weapon would only heat up if it were continuously being fired, which isn't even logical for a handgun.  We determined the reason for it's sluggish action was due to heavy amounts of lube, which would been alright except for the unexpected cold front that moved in.

[reliquary]

As I said...properly maintained...I should have specified that, in my training, that included using the proper kind of lube. 
 
In extreme cold, ordinary lubes, including engine oil, become more like cranberry sauce. 

[FourBee]

As I said...properly maintained...I should have specified that, in my training, that included using the proper kind of lube. 
 
In extreme cold, ordinary lubes, including engine oil, become more like cranberry sauce.

You did, and I agreed wholeheartedly.  Just wanted to share what happened to my buddy's gun in a cold snap, and I wasn't too happy with mine, but it would shoot when needed.

[FourBee]

Here's my personal preference.  I can't help it.  I've always had an attraction for the old standard 1911's.

My wife favors a more stylish 9mm.

[SharonAnne]

4B fire one magazine of 45acp and put your finger on the top of the chamber, hot! Fire one round and grab the muzzle, definitely not cold. It does not take long to warm a barrel.

[FourBee]

4B fire one magazine of 45acp and put your finger on the top of the chamber, hot! Fire one round and grab the muzzle, definitely not cold. It does not take long to warm a barrel.

UmHm.

[williamlayton]

I don't know nuthin--I stays away from cold----BUTTTTT.
My friends what do like the cold climes say that they would prefer that it be not heavily oiled. They even say to let the thing stay outside because if it stays inside and then goes outside it will collect moister and freeze up.
Now if'n it stayed close to my body when I carry it around its gonna be OK because I don't get cold--refuse to, if that is better understood.
I don't over lub and most would consider my guns dry---I like em that way.
Blessings