Posted: 4/10/2009 7:08:02 PM EDT
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I am considering my first partaking of the kool aid by browsing through my choices of Colt 1911's. I currently own a Springfield, and have shot it alot with great enjoyment. I handled a SS Colt 1991 at my local shop, and loved the feel of the trigger as compared to my springfield. So I have been thinking of picking one up to add to the collection. But I have never owned one, and don't personally know anyone who does.
I know this is probably going to stir up a stinky storm, but I was just wondering how the overall quality and reliability of the current Colt pistols are as compared to other manufacturers such as Springfield, Wilson, etc. I haven't been able to find a lot of details yet, so I am wondering if there are any particular models that I should be looking at over others, or if there are any models I should stay away from. Are all models made in the US, are all their parts milled, or do they use MIM parts on any models or all models, etc. I have read up on the difference between the series 80 and 70, and personally don't have a preference there. I am not opposed to the firing pin block, as a matter of fact the one I handled at the store was a series 80 and it felt great! Any info people could share that could help my decision would be appreciated. If I am going to drop in the neighborhood of a $1000 on a pistol, I just want to make sure that I am getting my money's worth, and not just paying for a name while getting something that is basically constructed using the same materials and methods as a $600 Springfield Mil-spec for instance. I am just too ingnorant on the Colts at this point to throw money at them, and need an education. Thanks! |
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I have a new XSE Commander in stainless and it has been fine (knock on wood) for about 300-400 rounds so far. if you read some of the recent posts on http://forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=14 you can get an idea about some of the things people are seeing with their new colts. as for me, i do have that off-center spring plug hole (WTF is that?) but I don't have the dust cover rubbing issue. So far, I've fed it UMC, Blazer, some unknown stuff and some old hand loads someone gave me, both JHP and FMJ and so far, so good. Being a Colt, it does have some sharp edges and I'm thinking of having Colt or Wilson de-horn it.
All in all, I'm very happy with it. It supposedly has less MIM parts than other 1911s in the same price range. |
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I bought a new model Combat Elite late last year from GunBroker. I got it in and thought I had properly inspected everything at the dealer. The day came to pick it up. Took it home, found the plunger tube loose and dangling on the side. When thet haphazardly mounted the plunger tube, they also impinged the plunger channel, and the slide stop plunger was not engaing the slide stop.The slide lock lever would not stay put, and would fall out when pistol was tilted to the left and the slide was racked. The left inside of the dust cover was rubbing against the left side of the slide, causing a premature wear mark in the bluing. The magazines would not drop free, as one of the grip spacers was not properly mounted, a piece of metal from that slop-job was protruding into the magazine well and rubbing against any magazine. The front sight was loose.
I was just kicking myself for missing these points. This thing should have been refused. I DX'ed the POS. Some are excellent, but be weary. I do believe the coolaid tastes better over in rifles 
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I purchased three new 1991 guns a few years back, around 2005 or so. The fit and finish on each is excellent, blowing away the Springfield Loaded I bought last year that had a boatload of fit / finish and functioning issues.
But Colt can turn out a stinker just like anyone else, so it's best to put an eyeball on the gun before you pay for it, IMO. 
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Quoted:
Quoted:...But Colt can turn out a stinker just like anyone else, so it's best to put an eyeball on the gun before you pay for it, IMO.
I agree and having the gun in hand before buying is always the best way to go regardless who made it.  Very true, I have a "few" Colts and I inspect them well before buying but I will say that sans someone screwing with them, they run very well. Even my cheaparse 1991 runs extremely well and thats had many rounds down the tube. Just got ran this AM with a fellow ARFcommer. Colt 1991, 150 for 150, Glock 19,149 for 150, one light strike, nothing wrong with the round, fired 2nd try. I really have little issues with my 1911s but then again, I maintain them, inspect them after use, and use hi quality parts in them when I work on them. I have also had POS in the past that I wasted LOTS of time and money to try to get them to work properly,and in the end, failed to do so. |
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I have three Colts, two in .45 and one a 9mm Commander I bought used. I have been very pleased with the .45s. The 9mm is having extraction issues so the extractor probably needs tuned or replaced. At any rate, I would not hesitate in recommending a Colt.
If you don't plan on doing a major overhaul and don't care about the 70 vs. 80 debate, I would get one of the 80 series XSEs since they come with better sights and other enhancements over the plain Government model. |
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The advise to handle one before buying is well taken. Actually, I was considering ordering one from my local shop, but maybe I should hold off until I can find one I like at a show or find one in stock somewhere that I can check out prior to commiting to it.
I would hate to drop that kinda money to order one, have it come in and be real unhappy with the finish, function, etc. Unfortunately, It looks like there will not be another show close to me in my state until July in Salem, and it falls on my weekend to work!! 
I might have to establish a "Plan B" to find a stocking dealer in VA. Still haven't completely settled on what I am going to get next, but a SS 1911 in the Colt variety is at the top of the list so far. Although I have entertained thoughts of precision rifles and a really nice shotgun lately as well. So many guns, and so little money. |
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My local shop offered to order me the 1911 of my desires a couple of weeks ago, but after the advice from the folks here, I decided against it. I thought I would just save up my cash and wait for a show or something and shop around until I could find one I really like that I could lay my hands on it and check it over real good.
Well I walked in the shop today, and they got a big grin and pulled out a used Gold Cup that just came in the shop today and handed it to me. Man that thing was sweet! I was suprised at how hard it was to rack the slide, seemed like every thing was really tight (I guess it locks up real tight for accuracy) but it had that same beautiful trigger that the other colt I handled had. Now I am really messed up! I am saving my money as hard as I can go. Hopefully I will be able to have the cash on hand to start seriously shopping around in the next couple of months. I guess the waiting is half the fun. That polished stainless finish is the bomb though, I have always loved that look. Kinda like the pistol the main character happens across in the movie "No country for old men" How hard is it to keep that finish from getting scratched up and looking like crap? Is it pretty durable? I would love to have something like that, but I don't want to be afraid to shoot or disassemble the gun. |
| I have a box stock 70 series repro. Probably around 500 rounds thru it with 0 failures. Extractor has become too loose and it is flinging shell cases every which way so that needs to be addressed soon. Trigger is awesome on this gun. Very accurate also. I'm happy with it so far. My only gripe is the cheap sights. I'm thinking of having the ejection port lowered and flared also. |
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I have a newer XSE (bought in 07) and it is a very good pistol. I have never had a malfunction of any type. A friend bought a 1991 commander last year and he hasn't had a single problem with it either. They both shoot well, and are both pretty accurate for out of the box. If I were to buy another COLT it would more than likely be the new Combat Elite, or a series 70.
And I am not bashing Springers with this....... I have 4 friends with Springfields (3 mil-specs, 1 GI) and none of them are as nice or reliable as our COLTs. One of them has about 500 worth of smith work and Is the only one that comes close (beats mine in the trigger pull area) to my XSE. The XSE and the Combat Elites come with good low mount sights and to me they make a big different. My only complaint about my XSE is the crappy "duckbill" grip safety ( I have corrected that with an Ed Brown beavertail). Long story short...... New Colts, in my experience, are great pistolsfor the money. |
| COLT is awesome, its no CUSTOM 1911, but imo, its one of the best, if not the best large scale 1911 producers. Ive had a few 1911s from other makers, and by far colt has been my favorite. Im not a koolaide drinker either. Zero issues what so ever with my Combat elite. Buy with confidence. |
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I've had very good luck over the years with Colt. They make a great handgun.
I've purchased two in the last year ( Combat Commander, New Agent both NIB) and have no complaints. After all, they've been making these pistols for almost 100 years. Good luck. Let us know what you decide to do. 
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