Posted: 2/13/2008 8:12:24 AM EDT
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ive been doing a lot of thinking, and ive decided to purchase a colt 1911 for my 21st birthday. at first I was thinking about getting a kimber, but the more i read, the more i thought "just get a colt, you already have a collection going." so im looking for you guys here to possibly help me with a decision since im finding little information on colts website about their pistols. here is what im looking for... *a full size pistol *i need it to extremely reliable, and easy to maintain as this will be a learner 1911 for me too *i want it as smooth and simple as possible things i dont care about... *special grips *stainless steel, or park. i dont care, i only care about function really *rails (ive got a surefire flashlight for that) I want to keep this pistol as stock as possible, but I want to be able to CCW it if I want. anyone have any ideas and possibly pictures for me? |
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If you want to keep it as stock as possible and want a larger size then the Commander XSE probably makes the most sense. I prefer the older Pre 80 guns no longer made by Colt, but you have ambitions to carry so their pre-80s (old or new) are generally out due to the way they are set up (poor sites and thumb/grip safeties for some. This is if you insist on going stock. If you don't, the door is wide open with both the used and new market. |
i wish to purchase this pistol as stock as possible. all i plan to do to it is add crimson trace laser grips and a few wilson combat mags. i want accurate sights(1" or so at 25yds.) but i dont need to put all rounds through the same hole. what im really worried about is this 1911 being forgiving because it is likely that i will mess up occassionally while stripping it to clean it. |
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There really aren't any breakable parts on an m1911/M1911A1 patterned 1911 when it comes to field stripping. There are only idiot marks made by (guess who) when re-installing the slide stop. None of my guns (bought firsthand) have them. If you are going to add CTGs, you have more wiggle room with choices (although I prefer the sights to be the main targeting system to rely upon. With some exceptions the chances of having a functionally problematic new Colt in 4.25"-5" range are rather slim. The odds of having some aesthetic blemishes or crap on them (even horrifyingly excessive crap) are fairly decent unfortunately, but you seem to be concerned with a reliable platform to knock around. There are quite a few 1911s in the 5" variety to choose from. The ones with the best finish will be the Special Combat Government and the 1918 reproduction (both of which make less than ideal CCWs). The S70 reproduction and the XSE are the ones I would consider if I had to carry a new colt. The Former has the closest thing to a "proper" firing system IMO (I do not like the Series 80 firing pin block, which comes on all colts that aren't reproductions). The drawbacks to the S70 repro are the hit/miss quality in terms of fit/finish, the standard grip safety which may not be as comfortable to shoot, and the standard ejection port, which will ding up your brass should you reload, and maybe send a few pieces straight at you. the ejection port never bothered me. The XSE is the modern interpretation of the 1911 from colt and has better sights, more comfortble grip safety (unless it's that horrible duck bill, in which case I'd prefer the standard) and the lowered/flared ejection port. The draback is that it is a Series 80 firing system which is not something I am personally interested in. If you are bound and determined to CCW a full size 1911, NOW is the time to try it while you're unspoiled. The 5" is a great range/defense/duty gun, and many like it for CCW, but I prefer a commander or a compact. Also, I would not go with the NRM colts (that is the value series). For a value series gun they actually offer a good deal, and look a hell of a lot better than the ugly 1991s they replaced, but since this is your first, only and completely stock 1911, you would be better off spending another $150 or so on a 1911 with a few more perks, IMO. |
thanks for the info, i was just looking at the XSE's (now that i found the proper part of the site to look at). I was also looking at the GI 1911 from SA. I really like its looks, do you think that it is a comparable pistol in terms of quality, reliability, etc? i just noticed this on the colt site, and found this site for a larger picture. anyone have any opinions or experience with this pistol? should i see into getting a different set of sights for it later on? www.impactguns.com/store/098289041395.html |
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ok, ive changed my mind, after careful consideration, more reading, looking at firearms and companies, ive decided that the pistol i will pick up will be....... a springfield armory GI .45 (also considering the milspec). I love the looks of this pistol and it has what im looking for, not to mention a $612 pricetag ($700 for milspec). i think this would be a great start to a SA collection. anyone want to add their opinion about this company or firearm? |
yeah, i figured that out after i posted. i just want all my shots within a 6" circle at 25 yards. that would be ok for now. this is really just a quality learner, practice, and all around beat up gun. when I get comfortable with 1911's ill look into getting something more specialized. |
At this 1911 Site www.1911forum.com |
thanks, ill look. |