Is a new Colt 1911 a good investment.

[rec999allis]

I have been looking at getting a 1911 and I decided to look into the Colt series 70 model # 01970A1CS or the stainless # 01070A1CS. I like the Colts because they still have more of the original 1911 A-1 design to them. I looked at the Springfield Armory mil-specs but I would rather go with an american made gun. My question to whoever is, is a Colt 1911 still a good top of the line gun and is it worth investing in. I plan to use it for target shooting and my main home defence weapon. I don't plan on getting one until sometime after July but I would like to know from someone that owns or has shot one if it is a quality firearm.

 

[absolute0]

A Colt'll hold it's value better if that's what you mean.

The answer to your question "is it a good investment" is the same as it is to most questions:

"it all depends"

What price are you paying initially, how do you care for it and use it, how long will you hold onto it, what part of the country are you in, etc. etc. etc.

FWIW I say, buy guns you like and love them up

Invest in real estate and naked lady trading cards

 

[mjolnir]

...if it is a quality firearm[?]

Yes, the machining is more refined than on a Springfield, and the quality of the small parts is better, but you have to inspect them carefully for cosmetic flaws that sometimes slip through. I'd say for every 5 new Colts, 4 are just fine but 1 has a problem (that usually doesn't affect functioning).

You can feel the difference between a Springfield and a Colt...The mil-spec/GI slide to frame fit will be looser, have a harder trigger pull, more movement of the barrel in battery, mainspring housings that aren't flush with the frame, etc. Small differences, and I like and own them, but they're not Colts.

I'd say currently made Colt's are the best made since the glory days of old.

And if Colt goes belly up anytime soon, they'll definitely be a better investment.

 

[AirPower]

they hold up value extremely well, probably the best in the firearms, due to the name recognition. But if you are into it just for the money, you can probably get better return from real estate or stocks.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Yes, I think overall Colt's hold their value better than other guns. They are easier to sell also. There will always be Colt collectors out there who will want to buy your gun.

I think overall, Colt makes a better 1911 than Kimber or Springfield, but not as good as Smith and Wesson.

It is too bad Colt is such a crappily run organization.

 

[Pilot]

No the Colt nor almost any gun is not a good investment. If you want an investment, buy stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. Will it hold its value? Probably. Will it earn you as good a return as the other options? No. Buy it because you like it and want to shoot it. Just my $.02.

 

[rec999allis]

What I meant by is it a good investment is is it a quality firearm that will last me a long time and do the job it is meant to do without too many problems. If I bought the gun I would keep it forever. I just want to be sure it will be around forever or at least as long as I'm around. I talked to my gun dealer today and he says that I would be better with a Springfield mil-spec. But I think he says this because he dose not carry the Colt 1911 line but he dose carry the Springfield line. Dose anybody know if that is the case with dealers, say that the Springfield is better than the Colt just because he carrys the Springfield and not the Colt?

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Springfields are good guns, but it is silly to claim they are better than Colts. Springfield uses more MIM parts than Colt. Their fit and finish is not usually as good.

However, as far as functionality is concerned, I doubt you will see little difference. The MIM parts may be more likely to break, according to various people on the internet, but I have several guns with MIM parts, and none have ever failed, nor have I actually seen someone else MIM parts fail.

As far as accuracy is concerned, I think you will see little difference between the two.

Either the Springfield or the Colt can be counted on to last a lifetime. I don't think any major parts of either will wear out until long after you are dead.

The main advantage of Colt is the Prancing Pony on the side of the gun. That alone adds about $300 to the price. There will always be Colt collectors out there who will want to buy your gun if you decide to get rid of it.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Despite also owning a Rock Island Armory and a Norinco 1911A1, I'd choose a Colt over any other brand (I have four). That's just the way I am....and a LOT of other people. As mentioned previously, there are quite a few "Colt collectors".....For resale value, well........go to just about any pawnshop and look for used Colts. In the last two years, I've only seen four used Colt 1911s around here. I couldn't tell you how many Kimbers, Springfields, Paras, and the others I've seen....I know there's been a BUNCH of them.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I recently handled and examined a NIB Series 70 Government Model. I purchased it as a gift and inspected it before having my dealer ship it off to the next FFL.

It was SLICK. The trigger pull was amazing, the fit and finish were top notch.

And Colts don't depreciate in value much if you ever do wish to sell it, or are unhappy with it for any reason.

 

[MarshallDodge]

If I were to buy a Colt today it would be one of the original 70 series, not the new stuff. I have seen them between $500 and $600. Gold Cups are around $800-$900.

I would be hard pressed to purchase a new Colt today but people are still stuck on the name so you probably wouldn't lose much if you went to sell it.

 

[f155mph]

Colt rules! I just got one and I love it.

 

[dsk]

A Colt will do great as your "only" gun, as the quality of the small parts is better and they tend to be reliable out of the box. Having said that, you really need to inspect any new one closely, as Colt is still suffering from the Monday gun / Friday gun syndrome. While they usually all work well, some have had some pretty glaring cosmetic anomalies that make you wonder what kind of blind man handles their QC inspections.