Posted: 3/19/2015 5:19:10 PM EDT
| Ive never seen anyone rant and rave about one on the forum. Does anyone have one? I was set on a DW but this one is really grabbing my attention and it's in the same price point. I thought they were rare but they're all over GB. How does it stack up to DW |
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Isn't that the MARSOC 1911?
I shot some at a range w those dudes in A-stan. I personally own a SA full rail operator that I'd take over that Colt every single time. So I'm not sure what all the hype is/was over. One cool thing though (and maybe it's only on their issue weapons), all their S/N's started with "EGA#####". And they all had Wilson mags. Good on them. |
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Yes the m45A1 is a series 80. Actually there are two versions the custom shop one - includes hand fitting of parts trigger job test target cleaning kit and pelican case with msrp at 2k. Initially these were marked USMC on the slide but this was stopped at the request ( order ?) of the corps. Those are going for cray money. They all are marked m45A1 now.
There is another "production" version ( what marsoc actually specified to allow field replacement of parts with little to no fitting) without hand fitting and it comes in a blue colt plastic box and these run about 1600 this is the version I own. The way Larry vickers tells it, compared to all other 1911's out there colt still runs closest to spec on all critical dimensions and those that in some specimens may be a touch off are an easy fix. He did say the same thing about Springfield. He flatly states everyone else tends to have certain critical dimensions that are off and in some cases ( he mentioned kimber specifically) some of these issues can not be undone. He is very fussy about 1911's and said it is certainly possible you may have another brand that runs fine but subject it to hard use and it will fail, or some parts may develop uneven wear at an unacceptable rate. His focus is strictly fighting pistols. You may have a gun that runs fine on a particular load or when perfectly clean and lubed, but the colt and Springfield are the ones he said he would choose to take to war. ( even admitting he would not take to war the wilson he was using for the class!) finally he even admitted with the choices available today, he would not even take a 1911 to war but something else entirely. |
| I wanted the Colt at first but could not abide the baby-shit color. Then the collector frenzy started on the 'USMC' ones. I guess there are so many other options for a good working 1911 that I never think about the 'M45A1' anymore. As far as collecting, one that had actually become U.S. Property would be interesting but they will be impossible to find on the civilian market. All the other ones are essentially reproductions. I don't see the point in it. |
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This is the Colt precision combat sight for right eye dominant shooters. The left corner of the sight is removed so the operator can scan his sector while targeting with their right eye. http://i61.tinypic.com/10db39s.jpg Huh? 
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Huh? Quoted:
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This is the Colt precision combat sight for right eye dominant shooters. The left corner of the sight is removed so the operator can scan his sector while targeting with their right eye. http://i61.tinypic.com/10db39s.jpg Huh? 
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| DW builds a good 1911 but I'd take the Colt Custom shop model over it any day. Both are going to have similar quality but the Colt CS model is hand fitted and is going to appreciate more in value in the long run. Would you rather have a Colt passed down to you from your Grand Daddy or a CZ? |
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DW Specialist is still better and cheaper. Quoted:
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The DW is better and cheaper. The commercial M45A1 is produced in Colt's custom shop. So, no. DW Specialist is still better and cheaper. Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. |
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Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. Quoted:
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The DW is better and cheaper. The commercial M45A1 is produced in Colt's custom shop. So, no. DW Specialist is still better and cheaper. Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. Not exactly, many of the requirements for longevity and reliability were waived and the contract was awarded. |
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Quoted: This is the Colt precision combat sight for right eye dominant shooters. The left corner of the sight is removed so the operator can scan his sector while targeting with their right eye. http://i61.tinypic.com/10db39s.jpg |
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Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. Quoted:
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The DW is better and cheaper. The commercial M45A1 is produced in Colt's custom shop. So, no. DW Specialist is still better and cheaper. Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. My Dan Wesson is a better gun than any of the Colts I have owned which is half a dozen. The rear sight I posted above came on a 70 series repro which comes out of the custom shop. |
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This is the Colt precision combat sight for right eye dominant shooters. The left corner of the sight is removed so the operator can scan his sector while targeting with their right eye. http://i61.tinypic.com/10db39s.jpg probably their tooling messed up a bunch of sights and they just had to make up some bull shit to sell them. "no that's not a defect, its a feature!" and the fanboys ate it up hook line and sinker. 
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Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. Quoted:
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The DW is better and cheaper. The commercial M45A1 is produced in Colt's custom shop. So, no. DW Specialist is still better and cheaper. Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. 
I collect Colts and have the MARSOC Colt M45A1 because I needed to have one. I'll take a DW Specialist or a TRP Operator over that clunky thing any day. |
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Not exactly, many of the requirements for longevity and reliability were waived and the contract was awarded. Quoted:
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The DW is better and cheaper. The commercial M45A1 is produced in Colt's custom shop. So, no. DW Specialist is still better and cheaper. Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. Not exactly, many of the requirements for longevity and reliability were waived and the contract was awarded. Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. |
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My TRP Operator has 36000 down the pipe, at least half of that overpressure ammo. Nothing has cracked. Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. My TRP Operator has 36000 down the pipe, at least half of that overpressure ammo. Nothing has cracked. Cool. It's not a Colt, obviously. |
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My Dan Wesson is a better gun than any of the Colts I have owned which is half a dozen. The rear sight I posted above came on a 70 series repro which comes out of the custom shop. Quoted:
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The DW is better and cheaper. The commercial M45A1 is produced in Colt's custom shop. So, no. DW Specialist is still better and cheaper. Your opinion. The Colt survived testing and vetting to win the USMC .45 contract, as far as I know the DW didn't even try to compete. My Dan Wesson is a better gun than any of the Colts I have owned which is half a dozen. The rear sight I posted above came on a 70 series repro which comes out of the custom shop. Even with your example that is a subjective statement. DW's are great but you have to compare apples to apples. You would have to compare the DW line to the CCS model colt's. The quality of work coming of the CCS is top notch from what I've seen. |
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. |
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You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. It failed the trials. |
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You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. Several thousand rounds thru a 1911 is nothing, since I have already said I have one with over 30k, and two competition 1911s that are over 10k each. |
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It failed the trials. Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. It failed the trials. Concur. Either way it was a failure but Colt did address it. |
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Several thousand rounds thru a 1911 is nothing, since I have already said I have one with over 30k, and two competition 1911s that are over 10k each. Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. Several thousand rounds thru a 1911 is nothing, since I have already said I have one with over 30k, and two competition 1911s that are over 10k each. You're absolutely right but have you looked at the FCS on the XSE models? The serrations are narrower and extend further back on the slide where the rails are past the dust cover. That's too much metal to be missing in that area. It's a bad design and it's what entered the trials and is exactly where it broke. Look at the slides on the approved M45A1 and you will see they made the FCS serrations wider and they also stopped before the rails & dust cover. Colt also added the dual recoil springs for added insurance. It would be interesting to see it put through a trial again. These guns were issued 2-3 years ago and have surely had some rounds put on them by now. How many have we seen comeback with a cracked slide since they starting issuing them? |
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My Dan Wesson is a better gun than any of the Colts I have owned which is half a dozen. The rear sight I posted above came on a 70 series repro which comes out of the custom shop. the series 70 repro has a custom shop box but is not made In the custom shop. They are regular ole production guns. This was confirmed by Colt on 1911forum. I forget the reason but I think it has something to do with offering the pistol w/o the series 80 parts and their legal dept. "It's A custom gun, so we don't need those parts" type of thing |
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You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. 1 of 10 guns frame cracked, it was not plus P ammo, it was standard TZ head stamp 45 and there was set a cleaning and lubrication schedule for the guns during the test That was phase 2 of the 3 phase. Phase 3 was were I many of the requirments were waived |
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You're absolutely right but have you looked at the FCS on the XSE models? The serrations are narrower and extend further back on the slide where the rails are past the dust cover. That's too much metal to be missing in that area. It's a bad design and it's what entered the trials and is exactly where it broke. Look at the slides on the approved M45A1 and you will see they made the FCS serrations wider and they also stopped before the rails & dust cover. Colt also added the dual recoil springs for added insurance. It would be interesting to see it put through a trial again. These guns were issued 2-3 years ago and have surely had some rounds put on them by now. How many have we seen comeback with a cracked slide since they starting issuing them? Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. Several thousand rounds thru a 1911 is nothing, since I have already said I have one with over 30k, and two competition 1911s that are over 10k each. You're absolutely right but have you looked at the FCS on the XSE models? The serrations are narrower and extend further back on the slide where the rails are past the dust cover. That's too much metal to be missing in that area. It's a bad design and it's what entered the trials and is exactly where it broke. Look at the slides on the approved M45A1 and you will see they made the FCS serrations wider and they also stopped before the rails & dust cover. Colt also added the dual recoil springs for added insurance. It would be interesting to see it put through a trial again. These guns were issued 2-3 years ago and have surely had some rounds put on them by now. How many have we seen comeback with a cracked slide since they starting issuing them? There have been quite a few issues with them, especially the Cerakote flaking off and causing problems. There have been fitment issues and QC issues. The QC, especially in sourced parts, has been addressed not just in this gun but across the board. I have one of the USMC marked M45A1s, I have never fired it, it sits in its case and looks pretty. Thats all its ever going to do. I have fired a bunch of the issued ones and they are tack drivers, one of the best firing 1911s I have shot. (I don't claim to be a 1911 officianado or expert) I have personally never experienced any of the claimed issues, but I am aware of them. Just like anyother weapons system, some people like em, some don't. I won't speculate on the trials and what won and what was waived, but they have a gun from Colt. A stipulation in the contracts was that the gun had to be easy to repair/replace parts with little to no hand fitting as described further up in the thread. So comparing a basically off the shelf gun to a DW or other custom gun isn't really a comparison. Do they come from the custom shop? Yes. Are they custom built guns? NO! Everyone has their brand love/hate. Some Springfields are pristine works of art, some are not. Some people hate Kimber, some don't. |
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1 of 10 guns frame cracked, it was not plus P ammo, it was standard TZ head stamp 45 and there was set a cleaning and lubrication schedule for the guns during the test That was phase 2 of the 3 phase. Phase 3 was were I many of the requirments were waived Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. 1 of 10 guns frame cracked, it was not plus P ammo, it was standard TZ head stamp 45 and there was set a cleaning and lubrication schedule for the guns during the test That was phase 2 of the 3 phase. Phase 3 was were I many of the requirments were waived The actual tests were available on a .gov or .mil website a while back. I don't remember any of the frames being an issue (they might have been). If I recall, the maintenance requirements were also extreme and the guns were ran dry with lots of high pressure loads. If anyone can find the actual tests, post it. Found the phase 2 test. I stand corrected. One of the frames did crack - http://looserounds.com/2012/07/30/colt-rail-gun-4000-round-test/ I forgot about the hot and cold tests as well as salt, mud, and drop testing. They dropped the thing on concrete in -25 and plus 120. |
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Every time this shit ends up with 3 yr olds crying Colt sux and my gun is the better option. bottom line is get what you like and not what other people like,
its your money. Both are capable of making good guns and honest fuck ups so just look them over good before buying. |
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There have been quite a few issues with them, especially the Cerakote flaking off and causing problems. There have been fitment issues and QC issues. The QC, especially in sourced parts, has been addressed not just in this gun but across the board. I have one of the USMC marked M45A1s, I have never fired it, it sits in its case and looks pretty. Thats all its ever going to do. I have fired a bunch of the issued ones and they are tack drivers, one of the best firing 1911s I have shot. (I don't claim to be a 1911 officianado or expert) I have personally never experienced any of the claimed issues, but I am aware of them. Just like anyother weapons system, some people like em, some don't. I won't speculate on the trials and what won and what was waived, but they have a gun from Colt. A stipulation in the contracts was that the gun had to be easy to repair/replace parts with little to no hand fitting as described further up in the thread. So comparing a basically off the shelf gun to a DW or other custom gun isn't really a comparison. Do they come from the custom shop? Yes. Are they custom built guns? NO! Everyone has their brand love/hate. Some Springfields are pristine works of art, some are not. Some people hate Kimber, some don't. Quoted:
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Yep. Cracked framed must be a feature. You're misinformed. The frame wasn't cracked. It was the slide and it was after several thousand +P rounds without lubrication. Colt resolved it by redesigning the front cocking serrations and the dual recoil springs. The Colt hate is strong as always. I doubt the majority of the internet commandos here have shot that many rounds in their lifetime to even worry about cracking a slide. Several thousand rounds thru a 1911 is nothing, since I have already said I have one with over 30k, and two competition 1911s that are over 10k each. You're absolutely right but have you looked at the FCS on the XSE models? The serrations are narrower and extend further back on the slide where the rails are past the dust cover. That's too much metal to be missing in that area. It's a bad design and it's what entered the trials and is exactly where it broke. Look at the slides on the approved M45A1 and you will see they made the FCS serrations wider and they also stopped before the rails & dust cover. Colt also added the dual recoil springs for added insurance. It would be interesting to see it put through a trial again. These guns were issued 2-3 years ago and have surely had some rounds put on them by now. How many have we seen comeback with a cracked slide since they starting issuing them? There have been quite a few issues with them, especially the Cerakote flaking off and causing problems. There have been fitment issues and QC issues. The QC, especially in sourced parts, has been addressed not just in this gun but across the board. I have one of the USMC marked M45A1s, I have never fired it, it sits in its case and looks pretty. Thats all its ever going to do. I have fired a bunch of the issued ones and they are tack drivers, one of the best firing 1911s I have shot. (I don't claim to be a 1911 officianado or expert) I have personally never experienced any of the claimed issues, but I am aware of them. Just like anyother weapons system, some people like em, some don't. I won't speculate on the trials and what won and what was waived, but they have a gun from Colt. A stipulation in the contracts was that the gun had to be easy to repair/replace parts with little to no hand fitting as described further up in the thread. So comparing a basically off the shelf gun to a DW or other custom gun isn't really a comparison. Do they come from the custom shop? Yes. Are they custom built guns? NO! Everyone has their brand love/hate. Some Springfields are pristine works of art, some are not. Some people hate Kimber, some don't. I have one of the USMC marked ones that I've never shot either. I haven't heard about the fitment and QC issues but I could see that being a problem on a 1911 since it's not a good plug and play platform. You can look at the pictures from people that actually shoot their M45A1's and see the cerakote flaked off. My Dad has a USMC marked one that is still NIB as well and his has a couple of specs where the coating didn't bond or has flaked off. I'm not sure why cerakote was selected or what that means for longevity on the issued guns. As for brand favorites, I do like Colt but I also like SA, Kimber, DW, Les Baer, Wilson, & etc but I don't think there is a 'best'. All of them have their strengths and weaknesses and the 'best' is subjective. |
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Every time this shit ends up with 3 yr olds crying Colt sux and my gun is the better option. bottom line is get what you like and not what other people like, its your money. Both are capable of making good guns and honest fuck ups so just look them over good before buying. Exactly. The subject has been beat to death on the Colt M45A1 contract award and slide cracking. Everyone that isn't a Colt fan is going to complain and say something else is better. MARSOC got what they wanted. End of story. |
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I've tried to be a Colt fan over and over and they disappoint me over and over. I've owned Colts, Springfields, Kimbers, an Ed Brown, and now a DW. Some of the issues I've had with Colt 1911s are:
The rear sight pictured earlier An XSE Commander that locked up after the first 3 rounds fired due to the slide wedging itself onto the front of the frame rails An XSE Gov't that rattled like a can of Krylon after 1000 rounds A 1991 NRM Gov't that had the VIS beaten flat within the first 300 rounds and the tips of the barrel feet were hitting the frame Numerous cosmetic and machining issues Almost every gun had a poorly staked plunger tube My DW is far and away a better gun than any of the Colts I've owned. |
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The DW is better and cheaper. You state this as a factual statement. Can you quantify what makes the DW better than the Colt? Would you please cite your background with the platform. Unit 1911 armorer, professional gunsmith, professional shooter? Thanks. |