Are Colt 1911s really all that?

[WAYNO]

I've owned many different 1911's from all the expected manufacturers. Modern 1911's have all worked marvelously for me. I can't say the same for earlier 1911's, regardless of maker.
I think no matter what 1911's a feller owns, he needs to include at least one genuine Colt. For no reason other than my preference.

 

[jbett98]

One thing to consider with pre Gold Cup Colt 1911's (National Match) pistols is that Colt removed weight from the slide, so they could shoot target grade wad cutter ammo. The spring weight is around 11 lbs or so.
If you decide to shoot full power loads, you need to increase the spring up around 16-18 lbs to keep the slide from battering itself to pieces.
I inherited a beautiful 1968 National Match and instead of sourcing wad cutter ammo, I went and bought a vintage Colt Ace .22 long rifle conversion kit from a member here.
The conversion slide matches the vintage Colt 1911 frame and it feels like you're shooting normal .45 acp loads with an accuracy that's better then my skill level.

 

[nammac]

I don't know, I've a Combat Commander XSE I picked up in 2015, it's a tight frame to slide fit and rattle free. More accurate than I'm capable of. And a keeper.

 

[po18guy]

This 1974 Combat Commander provided much comfort as I rode my motorcycle around the US many years back. Had I been caught with it in Massachusetts, I might still be in jail. If I had been caught with it in Texas, I would have received the tourist of the month award.

 

[Tazman308]

I build 1911s and have experience with most makes. I think Springfield makes a better gun for a lower price. I bought a Delta Elite 5" 10mm and kept the barrel, slide, and frame, dumped all the other parts (all LOW QUALITY AND MIM) and it is one of my best pistols. Colt uses plastic parts (mainspring housing and recoil spring guide) and I don't think plastic belongs in a 1911. They also rattle as the slide to frame fit is crap. Colt was owned by an investment company and they figured that people would buy them for the name so they used unskilled labor to assemble cheap parts into a shiny gun for the last couple decades. Now owned by CZ, maybe they will try to build a pistol worthy of the Colt name.

Buy a Springfield, they are by far a better gun.

 

[RVTECH]

Colt uses plastic parts (mainspring housing and recoil spring guide) and I don't think plastic belongs in a 1911.

LOL! neither do I but my 'new' RIA 1911 'wears' an old Colt plastic arched MSH that was on my 1991 A1 HOWEVER I am going to order two NEW steel ones for both the RIA and the 1991 - and maybe offer up the plastic one for FREE to whoever may want it.

Oh, and don't forget plastic triggers also. My 80's era LW Commander had a PLASTIC trigger along with the arched MSH now on my RIA.

They also rattle as the slide to frame fit is crap.

Not all of them. I have owned several Colt 1911s and they have all been pretty tight with good slide to frame fit. Even my 1991 A1 (new in 2003) was very tight when new and still is after many 1000s of rounds through it.

BTW does anybody have a 1911 with a lanyard loop on the MSH? Does it get in the way or cause any problems?

Reason I ask is SARCO has steel arched MSHs for like $16 bucks but they have the lanyard loop. I guess I COULD cut the loops off and oil blacken them but if no issue I'll just leave them on.

 

[Quirt Evans]

"Better" is pretty subjective.
The standard "Govt. model" 1911s from Colt do tend to feel a little "loose" compared to some other brands, but that's a reflection of what they were originally designed as.
They're a combat pistol, designed/built for the average soldier to be able to take apart and put back together without needing a bushing wrench, and be able to have sand and grit and dirty ammo in them and still stop the guy who's coming at you with a bayonet at 5 yds..
A nicely fitted high dollar 1911 is a joy at the range, but if I had to deploy and face real combat conditions I want a Colt.
And a Colt will always retain a higher percentage of its price if you sell it.
Regarding 1911s in general, most of them are decent pistols, but when people who don't understand what they're doing start changing all kinds of parts to "fix" what wasn't broke they can end up with an unreliable pistol, then they blame the gun.

 

[Koda]

BTW does anybody have a 1911 with a lanyard loop on the MSH? Does it get in the way or cause any problems?

Yes, and no it doesn't get in the way at all because the ones I got are flush fitting loops.....
Fusion Firearms, $40 each, come in different checkering and stainless or blued.

Mainspring Housing / Magwells

Professional grade mainspring housing and mag wells. Built and designed for easy installation on all 1911 pistols and clones.

fusionfirearms.com

 

[Cerberus Group]

What's the deal with Colt 1911s really? My LGS owner seems to think they're the cream of the crop and I know there's plenty that would agree, but I've also seen a lot of posts showing poor machining/finishing, referencing periods of low quality throughout production, stuff like that. And it seems that some of that is expected in association with the brand, so why the great reputation if they're known for that?

I haven't read all the posts, but will respond to the OP

Poor workmanship does mean the design is flawed, it just means the person/maker, producing/assembling/building said model didn't do their job correctly.

1911s will run alongside any other make or model of handgun if made correctly, they are a machine...they don't have a choice.

The problem with 1911s...just because they are running, doesn't mean they are running correctly. They can chew on themselves for awhile before they implode...just need to know the signs.

I think Larry Vickers said it best...if you treat your handgun like you treat your lawnmower...buy a Glock.

I've seen every make and model of handgun have their problems...no such thing as perfection in an imperfect world.

 

[RVTECH]

Yes, and no it doesn't get in the way at all because the ones I got are flush fitting loops....

Well, I can see how a flush fitting loop would NOT cause a problem but I was referring to the 'exposed' style - and $16 is a lot less than $40 per.

 

[Koda]

Well, I can see how a flush fitting loop would NOT cause a problem but I was referring to the 'exposed' style - and $16 is a lot less than $40 per.
View attachment 2167789

Ive often wondered if the original laynard housing would interfere with "slamming" magazines home in an emergency reload. Ive never tried one, but otherwise weren't these used in battle? Id imagine they don't interfere with anything. For $16 give one a try.

 

[RVTECH]

For $16 give one a try.

I no doubt will and if necessary I can cut the loop off and make it look like it was never there!

 

[titsonritz]

Colt is and has been for many years the yard stick by which all others are measured in the AR and 1911 world, as well as the SSA and Python in single action and double action revolvers respectively.

 

[titsonritz]

The old Colts are works of art, along with being good guns. The first one I had was a 1951 Government Model. The bluing was unlike any other 1911 ever made. It was a very accurate and reliable gun. It had been reworked and had a Kings barrel bushing, so who knows what other attention it had been given. I sold it, bought it back and then sold it again.

The loose slide to frame fit of a Colt is to ensure it works as it should, when it should. Remember, this gun was designed as a fighting un for use in the harshest environments. It also has very little to do with accuracy, no matter what you heard. The 1951 rattled when shook and was target grade accurate.

The reason I don't have any Colts left (I've had a few) is because I don't feel guilty using my Dan Wesson as a tool. Scratches and bumps on that gun don't bother me at all.

If y'all want a fantastic 1911, I have an Ed Brown I'd sell. It's too nice to beat up like my DW.

^^^This. I just don't feel guilty about using a Colt like tool and beat the piss out of it.

 

[orygun]

^^^This. I just don't feel guilty about using a Colt like tool and beat the piss out of it.

Funny you mention this. With the exception of the LW Commander I once had, all of the other 1911's have been so pretty (and valuable) that I couldn't bring myself to really use them. The Colt M4 carbine I bought used, but brand new? That one I have no qualms about using as intended.

 

[Tony617]

I am impressed with my build quality on my Colt MK IV Series 70. The slide does not wobble at all but I have only fired 500 rounds through it so far. But need to call Colt/CZ since my serial number is not found with the serial number lookup.

 

[21tango]

What's the deal with Colt 1911s really? My LGS owner seems to think they're the cream of the crop and I know there's plenty that would agree, but I've also seen a lot of posts showing poor machining/finishing, referencing periods of low quality throughout production, stuff like that. And it seems that some of that is expected in association with the brand, so why the great reputation if they're known for that?

Colt makes a pretty good 1911. Quality is on par with Springfield. A step up would be Dan Wesson and its a considerable step up, les baer Wilson combat and nighthawk are top shelf semi custom. Colts have a following so they keep their value but they are certainly not the best

 

[stnielsen]

What's the deal with Colt 1911s really? My LGS owner seems to think they're the cream of the crop and I know there's plenty that would agree, but I've also seen a lot of posts showing poor machining/finishing, referencing periods of low quality throughout production, stuff like that. And it seems that some of that is expected in association with the brand, so why the great reputation if they're known for that?

The two guns that I am the most accurate with are 1911's. A 5" Kimber Raptor 45 ACP and a 9mm Springfield Armory EMP 4. I have other pistols with 4" plus barrels, but I cannot shot those as accurately as the 1911's. The 9mm Springfield EMP is only about 1" wide and has a shorter grip than the Kimber, so it conceals well under a jacket. It's also easy to put extra single stack magazines in my pocket.

 

[ma96782]

Aloha, Mark

PS....But you know something?
One will pull my pants down faster.
Cough, cough....
Because of the weight of the gun. LOL.

 

[fredball]

Canik / Girsan /Springfield / Kimber/ paraordance all as good or better and less $$$$$$$$$$