Opinions on Colt XSE?

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With a $600 divide I'd get prices on reliability work first. Either one can reach the stratosphere with a little imagination but function always comes first. For a Colt: http://www.rodgerspistolsmithing.com/. Once you see his feed ramps you'll flip, and they're done right. If you get out alive grab a set of grips or sights and pile up the empty brass till you decide what you want to do next.
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If you're set on a DW consider buying it here: https://severnscustom.com/Home_Page.html. They are given an inspection on check in by a real gunsmith who also has a great relation with DW.
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Thanks for the links.

Dude, I'm still confused. Paralysis of Analysis I guess...
 
OK, if you're considering the Combat Elite; no 100 Years rollmark so no pressure. If you're thinking XSE it will have the rollmark through November. If you don't like the rollmark you'll have to wait a good 4 months or so to both be clear of it and get the new features.

If you're considering the DW you may want to keep in mind that 2010 prices were held over for 2011 so you'll have to wager on whether or not 2012 will see the line held again.

I know it doesn't make things any easier. You could always have a garage sale, donate plasma and sell any single firearm you may have that you dislike. You may be surprised how easy it is to give up what you don't want for something you do. I don't subtract from my collection but I never say never.
 
I own Colt's, to me Colt's make the 1911! I also like Springfield's pistols, however Colt's hold their value better, I wouldn't own a Kimber.

This CRG is simply superb, it came off of the new CNC machines and is fitted from the factory with a national match barrel, contrary to all of the internet commando bashing, this pistol has not a single sharp edge.

It appears that Colt has finally decided to re-enter the 1911 market, and they are intent on kicking some ass....
 

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For my first 1911 I found a used XSE for $600. I didn't get it at the time but handled it and it had everything I wanted. I think they look great. I went back two weeks later to buy it. Well, you know the story. It weren't dare no moe :banghead: Ended up buying an officers model.
 
I know it doesn't make things any easier. You could always have a garage sale, donate plasma and sell any single firearm you may have that you dislike. You may be surprised how easy it is to give up what you don't want for something you do. I don't subtract from my collection but I never say never.
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That's funny... All options are on the table ;)

I'm leaning towards the Colt Government for my first, but I don't think I want the "100 Years" stamp. Then I guess I'll send it to Bob Rogers for a little work.

Hangingrock keeps posting those nice pics and I think he has subliminally sold me on the idea of a Colt :D
 
If you plan on useing your 1911 hard, scratches, holster wear, and all that.....

Then try to find a DW blem. Usually just a scratch or nick. They put a detailed list of why it's a blem in the box, so you'll be able to see if it's just cosmetic or not.
 
If you plan on useing your 1911 hard, scratches, holster wear, and all that.....

Then try to find a DW blem. Usually just a scratch or nick. They put a detailed list of why it's a blem in the box, so you'll be able to see if it's just cosmetic or not.
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Where would you look for one of these?
 
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=607390&highlight=colt

In May, when I bought my SIGP220, I asked to see the new Colt M1911's. I had read John Taffin articles about how the new Colts were better built than ever, heard Colt fans say the same thing. I asked the store manager about this and he shook his head and handed me two factory new Colts when I asked to examine them.

They were as loose as my series 80's M1911's from the 80's. The manager then put the cheapest Springfield Armory M1911, I think it was the GI model on the table. This pistol was half to 2/3rds the price of a Colt. And it was tight, amazingly tight. I mean as tight as the old NM pistols.

Colt, I ain't paying extra for the name, they have to give me value for the money.
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Colt 1911

I've also been contemplating a new Colt. I am torn between the XSE Lightweight Commander or the 1991 series. Both are stainless Commander models, but the XSE has the white dot carry sights, where as the 1991 series has the standard fixed sights. The XSE is also the lighter of the two. Decisions, decisions .... ;)
There are hundreds of 1911's out there, but it appears hard to beat the Colt for overall value.
 
That spells happiness!

Internet: a magical land where you can discover everything you own or dream of is a POS to someone.

Reality: some companies sell all they can produce despite those odds. Tight does not equate to accurate. Most "reviewers" need to justify what they did purchase. Many complaints about other brands are "resolved" with "Meh, send it back to ..., their CS is top notch, lifetime warranty, fixed mine 3 times and now it's my favorite!"

I know what my smiths shoot and it starts with _._. Ok, one has a few Caspians too.
 
What is one thing that the guns considered to be the elite reliable guns(AK47's, Mossberg 500's, Glocks, etc) have in common? None of these guns are considered tight guns, and in fact they all are pretty loose. Loose tolerances tends to = reliable in most everything from guns to automobiles. I feel sure that when John Browning and Colt designed the 1911 they said something like "hmmm GI's are going to be rolling around in the dirt with these things so we should probably make them where they can eat dirt and still function properly." If Colt felt the need they could easily tighten up the tolerances on their 1911's. With that said yes Springfield's feel like very smooth/tight tolerance 1911's. They feel different than a Colt.(at least to me)

Still my Colt CE is anything but some rattle trap, and is actually a very smooth racking gun with not much play in it other than a little too much in the trigger. If you shake it around it is absolutely rock solid with nothing shaking or jiggling around in the least. If I shake my Glock around some of those parts are going to have some play and movement, and you're going to hear the firing pin rattling around unless the gun is cocked. I will admit that I have felt looser new Colts than mine though, but nothing that's a deal breaker or anything.
 
I had an issue with my XSE, first the thumb safety broke, there was a flaw in the metal, then something happened with the firing pin-or something, it wouldn't fire (light firing pin strikes on the primer), then I let it sit in a box for 6 months and lets just say rust is no good.

It sounds like I had a worse experience with this firearm then most.

Anyway, sent it in to Colt, they went to town on it - and refinished it for free, as you can see on most XSE the sides of the hammer are not blued, mine came back blued. They sent it back to me with about a dozen things listed on the work order.

My firearm wasn't "right" the first time, well they corrected the problem and its been a champ ever since.


Hey: every company on earth makes a lemon, it happens: Colt went above and beyond to fix the issue, even fixed my screw up.
 
Colts IMHO hold their values better than any other 1911.
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I would normally agree with that 100%, but I've seen '08-'09 DW CBOBs going for $1000ish in gently used condition. I payed $860ish for mine new in '08.

Jason
 
XSE Combat Commander is my favorite semiauto. I have a very high opinion of it. Shoots good, looks good. For me it was a good value for the price. I am a bit of a Colt loyalist, but this one hasn't disappointed me in any way.
 
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