I have recently been looking for a new 1911 style pistol to
replace my Colt 1991A1 that had been in my arsenal for some
time, and was getting a bit outdated.   I was looking for a
pistol that was a bit more "high speed" or fancy if you will.

After looking at offerings from all of the various manufacturers,
I decided on the Colt XSE Government Model.

This pistol seemed to have all the features that I wanted in a
1911 style pistol, and a few others.

I chose the stainless model because this pistol was going to be
used for range work and CCW, and the stainless was the exact
same price as the blued model.
The gun has the Colt series 80 firing pin lock, and if this system
affects the trigger pull as much as some 1911 purists say, it is
hard for me to believe it as the trigger on this example is very
crisp and smooth.   It breaks very clean at about 4-1/2 lbs,
with no perceptible creep or hesitation.   This is very unusual
in an out of the box mass produced pistol in my experience.

The pistol also has a full-length guide rod.
Although I feel this feature to be unnessessary, it is included
on this model as standard and I see no need to change it.

The sights are Novak low profile, or at least Colt's version of
them.  The only drawback that I can possibly see with them,
is that they have the 3 white dot affair on them.  Some shooters
prefer the 3 dot sights, however I am not one of them.
I have confirmed, with a timer, that I can get on target faster
without them.   Therefore, I will most likely black them out.

The safety is an Ambi extended type.
This is also the only negative aspect of the pistol so far.
The safety was a little rough to get up into the ON position.
This required me to stone the fitment surfaces a bit to get a
smooth engagement surface.   This is a small thing, but I feel
that on a pistol in this price range, it should have been done
at the Colt factory.

Well, the bottom line with any handgun is,
HOW DOES IT SHOOT ?

I the case of this Colt, pretty damn well.
At least as well as my old hands can get it to shoot.

The top pic here is the pistol lying on the test target I fired at
the range after taking delivery of the pistol.



This is the pistol itself,



And one of the opposite side.






The top group was fired first at 5 yds, as a warm up to see how
the pistol handled in some close range drills.
The large hole was the first magazine of 8 rounds.
The rounds that impacted low were from the second and third
magazine.  I started heeling the pistol, due to me getting
tired, and from the excitment of a new pistol.  This is a normal
thing, right ?  Please tell me it is.    

The lower group was fired at 12yds, rapid fire from 12yds.
Some were from the ready, and some shots were fired from
the draw from the holster.  Not bad considering that I am not
the most skilled with a handgun.


In summary I like the pistol, and I think that anyone in the market
for a mid line 1911 style pistol, should give the XSE some
serious consideration.

Best regards,

Scott

Great Range Report...........For a Great 1911

I love mine

Get rid of that anti-beavertail grip safety and it'll be near perfection


Good shootin' bro.

Quoted: Get rid of that anti-beavertail grip safety and it'll be near perfection Good shootin' bro.

What kind would you recomend ?

What kind would you recomend ?

If the stock one works for you, which it appears it does, then stick with it. All that matters is if it feels good and works for you.

Quoted: Quoted: What kind would you recomend ? If the stock one works for you, which it appears it does, then stick with it. All that matters is if it feels good and works for you. except it's butt ugly..... A properly fitted Ed Brown Beavertail will allow you to get a higher grip on the pistol as well as being drop dead sexy.

Don't get me wrong, a 1911 with anice beavertail grip safety looks fantastic. Believe it or not, I actually shoot the 1911 better with the gov't grip safety.