Colt Enhanced 1911s

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Can anyone explain and or have a picture of the difference between a regular Colt MkIV and the Enhanced models? Are they worth the extra $$?
 
Going by memory here, the original enhanced 1911s had the following: a cut behind the trigger guard to lower the gun in the shooter's grip; a flat "rib" on the top of the slide; 3-dot sights; a flared and lowered ejection port. They may have had a different hammer also. I have an older catalog around that dates to the introduction of these models...1991 or so, I think. I'll see if I can dig it up. The info above is based on memory so don't hold me too strictly to it.
 
Yeah....All the stuff JNewell mentioned and the hammer was elongated Commander style, and beavertail grip safety. Colt was trying supply features typically wanted by 1911 enthusiasts. And up the price also. The only enhanced I still have is a .38 super (the only reason I kept it). I much prefer the original round top slide and spur hammer.
 
Enhanced versions of Colt 1911s are not worth more money. If anything, they are worth less, since they are less in demand than the more "classic" looking Colts generally. They aren't bad guns or anything; it is just that the differences are cosmetic, and not necessarily that popular anyway.

In fairness, they ARE completely free of hammer bite.

Here are some pics showing pre-enhanced vs. enhanced Colts:

http://www.geocities.com/mr_motorhead/10tech.html#delta
 
The best 1911 I ever owned, and I have owned many, is a Colt Enhanced Combat Elite.
 
I like the enhanced models and find the quality control better than the original 70 Series. YMMV
 
My Colt is an Enhanced Commander I bought in 1992. Out of the box, it was a QC nightmare, but Colt had Bain & Davis here on the Left Coast tune it up on their dime and it ran error free for a long time.

It's off at Tripp Research now getting a tune up and a face lift. Can't wait to see what the Tripps pull off.

As a rule, I agree that they have no more value then a traditional 1991/S80 pistol. It's a cosmetic/personal taste issue.
 
I am a HUGE fan of the undercut triggerguard. I think it is a great modification
Click to expand...

I have to say that I am, too. Without disagreeing with any of the comments above, I do very much like (1) the undercut triggerguard and (2) the flat sight rib.
 
Nice pic -- that's a replacement trigger, right? I think the Colt 1911s were shipping with a plastic trigger and MSH. I replaced both with metal parts...the plastic MSH was probably fine, but plastic is...well, plastic.
 
Enhanced Ultimate officers ACP

attachment.php
Here is my enhanced ultimate officer's ACP

Mine had a polished steel extended trigger, a flat serated polished steel mainspring housing, and the spade grip safety, beveled mag well, lowered flared ejection port, ribbed flattop slide, 3 dot NM sight. It was made in 1993.
 

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Nice pic -- that's a replacement trigger, right? I think the Colt 1911s were shipping with a plastic trigger and MSH. I replaced both with metal parts...the plastic MSH was probably fine, but plastic is...well, plastic.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Yea the trigger is a Wilson part that I had and I just stuck it in there until I can find one I like more and also replace the arched plastic MSH with a strait metal one.
 
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