Posted: 7/12/2010 6:00:38 PM EDT
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I have been looking into getting my first 1911, so I went to my local gun shop and they had a Colt Rail Gun in stainless. I thought it had a nice feel to it but I would definitely want some modifications done to it (dehorned, polished feed ramps, hammer, trigger, and possibly some sort of black finish etc.). I have had HKs, Sigs, Glocks and they all seem to work great but are becoming...meh. As for a 1911, I want something that I can customize but also be 100% reliable. This will be my dedicated HD/SHTF gun. Making this gun run 100% reliable with any kind of ammo is my 1st priority. Accuracy is important to me but I'm not going to be in any competition shooting. I want a 1911 with a rail...so this is where the CRG caught my eye.
My question is, should I get the CRG and customize it the way I like or would I be better off ($$$) going with a Nighthawk or other custom 1911? What are the advantages/disadvantages of both? My budget is somewhere around $2200. |
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Don't mean to poo on Colt but times have changed and you should look at some other manufactures if you have 2K to spend. Example: Ed Brown Special Forces with Rail can be had for about $1800 in Like-New Condition. Believe me, most of the higher end semi-customs do not get shot much. Most used 1911 above $1500 retail are in like new condition. Some others are Kimber TLE/RL and Springfield Operator. The extra cash should be spent on ammo or a tact light for your railed 1911. |
| I think the Colt bashing is due to their old equipment. I asked and read that their new CNC equipment has been up and running for some time and the newest Colt 1911 examples are perfect. I'm picking up a XSE Rail Gun myself soon made on the newest equipment and will post pictures and a range report when I get it in my hand. |
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Quoted: I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Colt and use the rest for ammo, light and a custom holster. It's not that the other choices are bad but your money will be ALL gone with just the pistol and will that pistol do THAT much more than the CRG ? Quoted: If my budget were 2200 bucks I wouldnt be looking at a Colt. ...and this is what I needed to find out. It looks like I'll try and find a 1911 thats already built.  |
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Quoted:
Don't mean to poo on Colt but times have changed and you should look at some other manufactures if you have 2K to spend. Example: Ed Brown Special Forces with Rail can be had for about $1800 in Like-New Condition. Believe me, most of the higher end semi-customs do not get shot much. Most used 1911 above $1500 retail are in like new condition. Some others are Kimber TLE/RL and Springfield Operator. The extra cash should be spent on ammo or a tact light for your railed 1911. Yeah the newer Colts I've from the last year, fit a hell of a lot better than the ones I've seen from the early 90s. I know our local GS stopped carying the Colt 1911 for a lot of years due to the looser fit to other 1911s in a lower price point. |
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Quoted: And another reason was "they went out of business" or was it "they don't sell to civilians" or was it...Quoted: Don't mean to poo on Colt but times have changed and you should look at some other manufactures if you have 2K to spend. Example: Ed Brown Special Forces with Rail can be had for about $1800 in Like-New Condition. Believe me, most of the higher end semi-customs do not get shot much. Most used 1911 above $1500 retail are in like new condition. Some others are Kimber TLE/RL and Springfield Operator. The extra cash should be spent on ammo or a tact light for your railed 1911. Yeah the newer Colts I've from the last year, fit a hell of a lot better than the ones I've seen from the early 90s. I know our local GS stopped carying the Colt 1911 for a lot of years due to the looser fit to other 1911s in a lower price point. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
And another reason was "they went out of business" or was it "they don't sell to civilians" or was it...Quoted:
Don't mean to poo on Colt but times have changed and you should look at some other manufactures if you have 2K to spend. Example: Ed Brown Special Forces with Rail can be had for about $1800 in Like-New Condition. Believe me, most of the higher end semi-customs do not get shot much. Most used 1911 above $1500 retail are in like new condition. Some others are Kimber TLE/RL and Springfield Operator. The extra cash should be spent on ammo or a tact light for your railed 1911. Yeah the newer Colts I've from the last year, fit a hell of a lot better than the ones I've seen from the early 90s. I know our local GS stopped carying the Colt 1911 for a lot of years due to the looser fit to other 1911s in a lower price point.
they may have lowered production numbers in those years as other gs in the area only would have one or 2 models to pick from every few months. The area I live in if you trip and fall odds are high it will be into a mom and pop gunshop or bar. |
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I drink the koolade and the new Colt models are less than perfect. The machining is far better than what they put out just 5 years ago but fitment of small parts such as triggers and safeties leaves much to be desired. The front sight on my CRG was not a match height-wise to the Novak rear and shot 6" low.
My experience with the 1911 pre-dates the factory semi-custom era so replacing triggers, sights and safeties are SOP. I added $215 in parts (thankfully the grip safety was fitted well, not requiring replacement) and a TLR1 light and my total cash outlay is $1300. This is the most I have ever put into a 1911 but far less than a Wilson, Baer, Brown or Nighthawk, and comparable to a new MC Operator or Warrior, if you can find one. My CRG now sports the same trigger, safeties and front sight as my S70 stainless. I prefer stainless because modifications don't require refinishing. I can't disagree more that 1911s should not be altered with custom fitment and parts. An experienced 1911 smith can do wonders for the functionality and accuracy of a standard production 1911. I believe the Operator is the best value for a railed 1911, if a body doesn't have particular preferences. Buy if you can find one, and use the remaining $ for a good holster, additional mags and ammo. |