Colt 1911 Gov't vs... Everything Else

[army_eod]

I own four Colt 1911s, one SA custom 1911 and a Kimber Ultra II. I like all of them. They are all great firearms.
I always prefer Colts. My latest is the higher end which usually goes for about 1800 but I picked it up for 1450.
I have no need for any more 1911s, but if someone wanted to give a Gold Cup National Match in Blue, I would take it.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

He should also identify what he expects from a grip safety, GI or beavertail, and sights, adjustable or fixed. Choose wrong and he'll spend some time, money, and effort fixing his choice.

Most folks new to 1911's don't realize the different grip tangs required for a GI or beavertail grip safety, and the different sight dovetails.

I do know a bit. Not an expert by any means, or even proficient, but not stumbling blind. GI beavertail, fixed white dot sights.

 

[Paul7]

I’ve owned Springfield and Ruger and the Ruger also represents a good value at its price point. I’d probably buy that one before a Colt.

Not quite the same, Colt uses forged frames, Ruger's are cast.

 

[JTQ]

GI beavertail, fixed white dot sights.

Just for clarity, a GI grip safety is not a beavertail.

 

[JTQ]

As an example. Look at the two Colt's bannockburn has pictured in post #15. Both can probably be had for less than $1,000.

Both probably have 3-dot sights, but the top gun has a rear sight in a Novak dovetail. The bottom gun has a rear sight in a GI dovetail. Each sight may be perfectly fine, but if you want to change them to something else, not all aftermarket sights will fit all 1911 sight dovetails.

In addition, the top Colt has a beavertail grip safety. The bottom Colt has a GI grip safety. You cannot easily swap between the two. Choosing correctly at the beginning makes a difference.

View attachment 904551
View attachment 904552

 

[Mr. Mosin]

As an example. Look at the two Colt's bannockburn has pictured in post #15. Both can probably be had for less than $1,000.

Both probably have 3-dot sights, but the top gun has a rear sight in a Novak dovetail. The bottom gun has a rear sight in a GI dovetail. Each sight may be perfectly fine, but if you want to change them to something else, not all aftermarket sights will fit all 1911 sight dovetails.

In addition, the top Colt has a beavertail grip safety. The bottom Colt has a GI grip safety. You cannot easily swap between the two. Choosing correctly at the beginning makes a difference.

Gah. I was half asleep. I apologise.

 

[mavracer]

The one brand that consistently out-shines at its price point: used Kimber.

Not mine, was a good price until I had to replace the hammer,sear and safety.
As to the OP my Colt Combat Elite is about as well manufactured 1911 as I've seen in the sub 1K price point. A close second would be SA Range Officer series.

 

[JDR]

I bought my DW Valor used but LN a few years back for about $1,100.00. But I wouldn’t sell it for any price. I’d like to find a Springfield TRP used but in great shape at a fair price. I’d also like to find an STI Spartan 5.0 for anywhere close to what they went for new. The DW I have, the TRP and the STI Spartan 5.0 I’d like to have, these would all work great for what I’d want to use a 1911 for, which is primarily as range guns. IMHO, if you’re buying good value with your money, a used but practically new 1911 is a great way to go.

 

[Old Dog]

The TRP is a very worthy 1911. As are most Dan Wessons.

 

[sequins]

My colt government is extremely accurate. Better than a rock island for sure. I'm very happy with my 2018 government model and would recommend it. I had considered a Ruger in 10mm but decided I preferred the pony and 45, a classic.

 

[SRSTAdam21]

Best sub $1000 1911 I own is this Colt Competition 9. It’s a nice series 70.

 

[peacemaker45]

I've owned two Colts, a Springfield, two Tauruses, (Tauri?) an Argentine Sistema, a Ruger CMD, and an STI. Of those, I still own the STI, for USPSA Single Stack (it's the best 1911 I've ever shot, and that includes several Wilsons, an Ed Brown, and a Clark Custom,) and the Ruger as a carry gun. The only one I regret selling I'd the Sistema.

You may note, that neither Colt appears in either list.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I can't say anything about the colt i have shot a Ruger sr1911 and a $3000. 1911 in my hands they shot the same

 

[Pat Riot]

I just popped in to say “You should buy a Glock.”

Sorry...couldn’t help myself...

 

[Paul7]

I can't say anything about the colt i have shot a Ruger sr1911 and a $3000. 1911 in my hands they shot the same

Interesting comment.

 

[JR24]

I can't say anything about the colt i have shot a Ruger sr1911 and a $3000. 1911 in my hands they shot the same

Interesting comment.

Have to agree, well not with the Ruger, but I shoot my VBob and Valkyrie better than I do my fathers Wilson CQB and a few other semi customs I've shot beside.

Now, I know the quality and accuracy are better but I have more trigger time with my well used Dan Wessons.

I can say I did not shoot my Ruger as well as I do my VBob before I sold the SR1911.

 

[Paul7]

Have to agree, well not with the Ruger, but I shoot my VBob and Valkyrie better than I do my fathers Wilson CQB and a few other semi customs I've shot beside.

Now, I know the quality and accuracy are better but I have more trigger time with my well used Dan Wessons.

I can say I did not shoot my Ruger as well as I do my VBob before I sold the SR1911.

I shot my Colt GCNM better than a Dan Wesson Valor I used to own, supposedly a better gun.

 

[HisSoldier]

It isn’t so much that colt isn’t living up to its name, it’s just that everyone else has gotten better.

The last new Colt I bought was, upon examination, to be forever after the last new Colt for me. MIM small parts instead of parts machined from forgings or barstock, but what really blew my mind was the plastic trigger and MSH. Maybe someone else was first at that but I don't know about it. After replacing those parts it's OK, oh, and after eliminating the series 80 FPS.

 

[Paul7]

The last new Colt I bought was, upon examination, to be forever after the last new Colt for me. MIM small parts instead of parts machined from forgings or barstock, but what really blew my mind was the plastic trigger and MSH. Maybe someone else was first at that but I don't know about it. After replacing those parts it's OK, oh, and after eliminating the series 80 FPS.

Yet Ruger is praised here and they don't even have a forged slide and frame like Colt. Would love to hear from anyone who had any of those MIM parts fail.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yet Ruger is praised here and they don't even have a forged slide and frame like Colt.

Did they change something on the 1911SR?
Are they using a different parts than they are providing to customer manufacturers?

As far as I know, their slide has always been forged

 

[Paul7]

Did they change something on the 1911SR?
Are they using a different parts than they are providing to customer manufacturers?

As far as I know, their slide has always been forged

Sorry, should have said Ruger has forged slide and cast frame, Colt forges both.

 

[tipoc]

Colt makes some very good 1911s these days at a true mid-range price point. I'm not sure that anyone does it better and it's still a Colt.

Dan Wesson/CZ make makes pistols that are best classified as semi custom factory guns and are several hundred dollars above most Colt's. Particularly the base models. It's hard to find a new DW for less than a grand.

It's easy to find a Colt in the $700-$900. that will be a good and reliable shooter, sometimes for less.

Below are the websites for Colt and Dan Wesson for comparison purposes.

https://www.colt.com/category/pistols

https://danwessonfirearms.com/product/a2/