Colt XSE opinions?

[Pony Express]

Hello folks
For my first pistol I'm looking at 1911's mostly, and I like the looks and feel of the Colt XSE government. I'll be using it mostly for concealed carry. I have read some decent reviews (via google) about it but I was wondering what you folks thought of it. Anybody have any advice regarding it?

Thanks, happy shooting

 

[Oro]

Very good guns, good value in the marketplace vs. other offerings from other companies.

I have/had two colts made in the last two years - excellent quality and ready to go out of the box with great triggers.

Some people have no problem concealing a Government Model. Others find it terribly uncomfortable over time. I think the Colt O4691 (Combat Commander) is a better cc gun than the full-size XSE (and about $100 or more cheaper). If you like the full size XSE, there is nothing wrong with it at all and it's a good value among 1911-style pistols.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

get a champion operator. much nicer for the same money.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colts makes good pistols. American made and 3 MIM parts if I remember right. If I was going to carry I would go with a Commander . I find the 3/4 inch less barrel makes a difference in sitting For me. I also like a Commander balance better . Thats why I have more Colt Commanders than Gov models Your money will be well spent on a Colt They hold value better than a Springfield plus American made

 

[wgp]

I have an XSE Commander and an XSE Lightweight Commander. Both are excellent pistols. I prefer the lighter model for carry. I agree with the prior comment that the Commander models are somewhat preferable for concealed carry. Actually I prefer models with the shorter grip, such as the CCO, as the grip is usually harder to conceal than the barrel.

 

[silversport]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=485429&highlight=government

...mine is currently getting the once over by my friend Teddy Jacobson but you can see by my review they are pretty nice as is too...
Bill

 

[Pilot]

My next gun will be a Colt LW Commander XSE. A friend has one that I've shot. Sweet trigger, reliable and accurate.

 

[ttheel]

My next gun will be a Colt LW Commander XSE. A friend has one that I've shot. Sweet trigger, reliable and accurate

I am also very seriously considering this model for my next purchase. From what I understand it is a very well balanced and reliable model.

 

[smoketheresfire]

I have an XSE Combat Elite. While it has been more accurate than my Kimber, its fit and finish left something to be desired (rattles when shaken, poor trigger fitting, other small stuff). Their CS sucks as well.

No reliability issues though (mine is post recall), and it sure is pretty. Colt will hold its value well. I guess my only reservation is that you pay a few hundred extra for the little Pony emblem. You could get a lot more gun in a Springfield (Champion Operator as stated before) or Kimber (TLE) for the price you will pay for the Colt. Also for carry, you don't want a gun you will be afraid to F up. Because it won't be pretty for long. The Champion Operator starts out ugly (OD green , jk) and has a durable finish, so you won't be so worried about it all the time.

 

[surfinUSA]

I also have a new Colt Combat Elite XSE that was not not subject to the recall. Fit and finish are excellent and so is the trigger. I was actually looking for a new Delta Elite and found this instead and I'm glad I did (I already have a G20, and one gun that shoots hard to find expensive ammo, an does it well, is enough).

The Combat Elite is the finest out of the factory 1911 I have owned. I would certainly recommend any Colt XSE 1911 pistol. I also like that its American made and truely believe its better than the Springfields or any other factory 1911 out there. If I didn't get the Colt I would have gotten a S&W 1911.

 

[SSN Vet]

Colt makes 1911s that work...

One of the reasons they tend to be very reliable, right out of the box, is (imo) that they build them with the design fit tolerances, which are not uber tight.

Other makers machine their 1911s very tight, and get lots of accolades for doing so. They also tell you that you have to pump 400 to 500 rounds through the pistol b4 you can expect it to function reliably

I have just passed the 500 round mark with a new Series 80 Commander and the darn thing has been flawless.... feeding everything from ball to hollow points to lead semi-wad cutters. The trigger (complete with the 'dreaded' firing pin block) is really nice. Paid $740 off of a dealer listing on Gunbroker.com.

With the XSE series, you pay about $200 more, and get the high rise beaver tail, the light weight trigger, nice rose wood grips, foward serrrations and an enlarged ejection port, and skeleton hammer.

If you want a scandiom framed lightweight commander.... you'll have to spring for the XSE.

I'd suggest buying local and reading up on some of the cosmetic flaws that pop up every so often, so that you are sure to get a pistol that you doesn't have any of these issues, which may evoke bad vibrations (but will not affect function or reliability).

 

[mothermopar]

Its a Colt... what more REALLY needs to be said?!?!

I own an XSE in SS.

*Yes, there's only 3 MIM parts in a Colt 1911.

 

[wgp]

Re the prior comment about preferring the Springfield, I only have one experience with a Springfield (forgot the model but it's essentially a Commander clone) and while that pistol is very well finished and attractive, the trigger is so heavy it's awful. Totally different from my Colts. Maybe it's only that particular pistol, but it sure bothered me.

 

[smoothdraw]

Colt XSE if you like it then get it. It's a very good weapon. Pretty accurate

 

[trbon8r]

For the extra money you pay for a Colt you get more than just a pony stamped on the slide. You get better quality small parts than RI, SA or Kimber. Slides stops, hammers, extractors, pins, firing pin stops, are all made from bar stock instead of MIM. Bluing is better on the Colt than other brands as well. Not to mention you keep some Americans working instead of sending your money to some other country. To me that is worth an extra couple hundred bucks.

 

[rklessdriver]

The COLT XSE's are pretty nice pistols for the money. I would offer that if you like it then you should buy it. There is nothing to be gained by buying something else in it's price range (unless you like all MIM small parts and/or a pistol thats made in a foreign country).

I think for the most part COLT has the bugs worked out of their CNC machines (it's only taken like 2+ yrs...) - BUT I would agree with the advice to buy localy so you can inspect the piece for the common mis-machining before you put your hard earned $$$ down.
1. Off center recoil spring guide tunnel
2. Resulting slide rub on inside of tunnel


I've bought 2 new COLT's in the past year. A regular 80 Series Commander and an XSE Combat Elite. I bought both from a local dealer at a local gun show and carefully inspected both before buying. Both have been fantastic pistols that I will keep forever and I have been so impressed with their 100% fit, finish and function (so far) that I am currently saving my pennies for a new COLT XSE Rail Gun.
Will

 

[allen4150]

Mine is reliable with rn bullets, but won't feed swc worth a s%i*.
I keep reading where people tout " mine will feed empty cases all day"
Well, mine won't do that ever, ............ not even ONE time.

The xse doesn't have a throated barrel.....(the little dimple AINT hackin' it) yeah I know that's blasphemy, but when the damn end of the bullet is stuck against the feed ramp/barrel junction, maybe something SHOULD be changed. As it is, it DOES NOT work with SWC.

I'm not a pistol-smith, but it seems to me the only changes are the front slide serrations, bobbed hammer, and a FLGR. No functional enhancements as best I can tell.