Colt Combat Elite ???

[mister2]

Howdy folks!

Got a Q or two for those knowledgeable in the Combat Elite.

The example I am looking at has the unusual FLGR with the angle cut on the breech-end button that interacts with a step on the link pin. There's name for this design which escapes my current dementia. Original or not? Worth it or not? It has also been to Pachmayr, which is one way of dating and determining provenance, but it also has a unique beavertail (perhaps proprietary to Pachmayr?) and a blended in (grip screw mounted) magwell.

For those who have not handcycled a 1911 with the above *enhanced* design for positive lockup, it feels strange because the slide almost seems to hit a shock absorber in the last 1/32" of return to battery. On a more practical level, the device makes it more difficult to reassemble the slide onto the frame because the slide must be pulled forward that last 1/32", so the bushing can do what it needs to do. Interestingly, snapping on the grip safety isn't enough for the bushing to clear the FLGR. No special tools needed, just a different handhold.

Finally, can I assume the new-fangled (now, old-fangled) lockup design is for accuracy? In the interest of easier servicing, is it a straight swap back to the original recoil system? Or is the barrel/slide assembly somehow tuned/fitted, making it best to leave it as is? I have no interest in changing out a staked-in linkpin, so that defines what my capabilities are.

Have I mentioned, I'm no pistolsmith? And I thank you in advance for your advice.

MR2

 

[JeffC]

Hello...

You said Combat Elite and I came running

One of my favorite Colts. What you're describing is the Dwyer Group Gripper, it uses a leafspring to press up against a special link to aid in vertical lock up. You can lose the set up and go back to stock, for that matter you could even leave the (Dwyer) link in if you want, it won't hurt anything.

 

[stans]

The Group Gripper works well in some guns, in others it seems to make little difference. I would not put one in a defensive 1911, just something else to fail when you need it most. The leaf spring will eventually lose tension and accuracy will drop off. It is best considered as a temporary solution to a permanent problem. Your best accuracy will come from a barrel that is properly fitted to the slide and the slide stop pin and a properly fitted barrel bushing.

 

[mister2]

Thank you both for your comments. It would have been impossible for me to visualize the original of such a discontinued piece without your inputs.

MR2

 

[JeffC]

Oh, they are still available....

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_guide_rods_gg.asp


http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_guide_rods_gg_f.asp

 

[mister2]

I meant....

Hey Jeff, thanks for the links, though. As an aside, my FLGR with Dwyer GG is one-piece, adding yet another iteration.

I meant the original Colt Combat Elite being a discontinued piece.

There's not a whole lot said about this elusive model in various books, and even a search on the significant websites devoted to the 1911 turns up only a cursory outline of when it started production and when running changes were made. Kuhnhausen does not mention it at all, even though his books probably went into print when the Elite was current production.

The ad pics in gunbroker shows a lot of mods to the used pieces for sale. Probably the most noticeable original feature was the "enhanced" grip safety which looked odd and was replaced long ago on the example I was looking at. And it's now clear to me that the Dwyer GG was not factory original on the Combat Elite, either. But the Commander hammer was, in the later models.

Thanks,
MR2