Rate your experiece with Colt 1911..
- Thread starter jeremiah
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boofus
Guest
My first Colt was a Delta Elite so it's sort of a 1911. The thing was terrible. Every two or three rounds and it would jam. The extractor would slip off the rim of the shell casing and leave it in the chamber. Then the next round would ride up the ramp and mash the spent shell and lock up the slide.
It sure did look pretty though, but I didn't feel like it was reliable enough for a good time at the range, much less carry.
If for some reason I get tricked into buying another 1911 pattern pistol it will probably be a Kimber.
It sure did look pretty though, but I didn't feel like it was reliable enough for a good time at the range, much less carry.
If for some reason I get tricked into buying another 1911 pattern pistol it will probably be a Kimber.
HankB
Member
I had a Colt Mk IV Series '70 Government Model - if your dictionary has an illustration for "Jammamatic" this POS ought to be it. It was a rare event if it made it though a magazine of hardball without jamming.
Worse, was Colt's factory NON service - repeated trips for warranty work (with me paying shipping each time) resulted in NO repeat NO improvement.
This made me vow never to buy another Colt . . . and I haven't.
I understand they're making some pistols that actually work now, but with other - quality! - suppliers to choose from, I see no need to get another pony pistol.
Worse, was Colt's factory NON service - repeated trips for warranty work (with me paying shipping each time) resulted in NO repeat NO improvement.
This made me vow never to buy another Colt . . . and I haven't.
I understand they're making some pistols that actually work now, but with other - quality! - suppliers to choose from, I see no need to get another pony pistol.
Rob96
Member
I have a stainless NRM Colt 1991A1, and an old roll mark 1991A1. Both have rpoven to be totally reliable and extremely accurate in their stock configuration.
cslinger
Member
NRM Colt 1991A1 here. Basic bone stock gun. Very very reliable, no break in period needed, beautiful bluing. Big thumbs up from me.
Chris
Chris
Black Majik
Member
The NRM Colt Government was my first pistol. It's absolutely fun to shoot.
I rate it: 10 out of 10.
I rate it: 10 out of 10.
wildehond
Member
I have a Series 70 Mark IV. It is the only Auto I own and I carry it everyday for the last two years. I had a CZ75 before that. It is very reliable and I love it.
wildehond
wildehond
John Forsyth
Member
In the last two years, one XSE LW Commander, one new issue S70, and one NRM SS S80. All have worked right out of the box, accurate enough for me, and no FTF or FTE with my reloads. The S70 is just downright beautiful.
Thinking about getting myself a new S80 Goverment model in .38Super for my birthday next month.
Thinking about getting myself a new S80 Goverment model in .38Super for my birthday next month.
SouthpawShootr
Member
Depends on what you're interested in. I have no experience with the new guns, but I have 3 older Colts. A Government Model purchased in the late '80s, a 1991 Commander purchased somewhere in the mid-90s, and a stainless Officer's ACP from the about the same period. All have done well. My Government wasn't impressive until I put Bomars on it (the original sights stunk, to put it nicely). You'd think I dopped in a match barrel. Accuracy was phenomenal. The Commander did as well. Officer's was acceptable accuracy-wise. Fit and finish on all were excellent, particularly on my Government model. Very nice high luster blue.
Only experience I have with Colts is w/ my buddy's NRM Colt 1991. Basic gun, lack of beavertail means it bites my hand. Frame-slide fit was loose. Trigger was heavy and creepy. Sights were small and hard to use. Accuracy was average. No failures of any kind, however, and the finish was great. It is a beautiful gun to look at. If it were mine, though, I'd have quite a bit of work done on it. Novak sights, beavertail grip safety, and a trigger job at least.
photo_guy
Member
I've got a S70 Colt 1911a1 in 9mm that has been very reliable. It did need some tweaking when I first got it but it was used so it is likely the prior owner did something to it and I can't attribute it to Colt quality. I have put many thousand rounds through it without any issues.
I also have a Colt S70 repro that has been A-OK out of the box. Hasn't seen a lot of use yet but so far, so good.
I also have a Colt S70 repro that has been A-OK out of the box. Hasn't seen a lot of use yet but so far, so good.
nhhillbilly
Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2003
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I have an 1911 70's has been a great gun. This is an from the 70's though. MY M4 look a like from 2000 works great. I know this is not a handgun but the quality is there.
Wildalaska
member
If you are lucky enough to get a new Colt, you are getting perhaps the finest 1911 pistol made since the glory days of the 20s and 30s.
The finest 1911 on the market today, bar none.
An opinion held by not only us, but by numerous custom smiths.
We have the wherewithal to sell any 1911s we want. We chose to sell Colts, despite all the delays in gettin them. They are worth waiting for. Nothing on the market compares.
End of story
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Wildpony'sbehindAlaska
The finest 1911 on the market today, bar none.
An opinion held by not only us, but by numerous custom smiths.
We have the wherewithal to sell any 1911s we want. We chose to sell Colts, despite all the delays in gettin them. They are worth waiting for. Nothing on the market compares.
End of story
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Discuss
Wildpony'sbehindAlaska
mcmoyer
Member
I have two 1911's...both NRM, one Government model & one a Commander. Both are just great...quality all the way...have not had a failure in either. Have I said that I like them a lot??
And they are indeed beautiful to behold.
And they are indeed beautiful to behold.
nero45acp
Member
I've owned a Kimber, 2 SA's, a Dan Wesson, and 3 Colts. The Colts are/were more reliable than the others. Despite the fact that they are looser than the others, the Colts are every bit as accurate as any 1911 I've ever shot. My Colt M1911A1 WW2 Reproduction is the only 1911 I've ever owned that has been 100% reliable out of the box.
nero
nero
StephenT
Member
In my experience, Colt makes a quality products, at least for the guns I've owned. I've got a very reliable commander size 1991A1 in stainless that has been extremely accurate. With checkered wood grips, it's my favorite 45 right now. However, I did have a gunsmith get rid of the plastic and lighten up the gritty trigger pull. It's a great gun now.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Well I haven't owned an offical Colt auto-loader in a while; but when I
did, they served me well. Here are the ones that I put my faith in quite
a few year's ago:
a) .45 cal steel Combat Commander
b) .45 cal Lightweight (CLW) Commander
d) several .45 cal 70 series Colt Government models
e) 2x 70 series .45 cal Colt Gold Cup National Match Guns
*FootNote: the first two on the list, I stole for $125 each.
Like I said, all of them were fine weapons. Wish I had 'em all again. On
the lighter side, I even owned a Colt Jr. 22 cal short auto-loader that
served me well. I just never trusted that caliber at all. So all in all, I
will have to give the old Colt's a thumbs up!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
did, they served me well. Here are the ones that I put my faith in quite
a few year's ago:
a) .45 cal steel Combat Commander
b) .45 cal Lightweight (CLW) Commander
d) several .45 cal 70 series Colt Government models
e) 2x 70 series .45 cal Colt Gold Cup National Match Guns
*FootNote: the first two on the list, I stole for $125 each.
Like I said, all of them were fine weapons. Wish I had 'em all again. On
the lighter side, I even owned a Colt Jr. 22 cal short auto-loader that
served me well. I just never trusted that caliber at all. So all in all, I
will have to give the old Colt's a thumbs up!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Black_Talon
Member
Had a couple of Series 70's back in the late '70's, also had a couple of lwt Commanders and a steel Commander in the late '70's/early '80's. All worked just fine right out of the box, but of course I had to "customize" them a bit anyway. Fast-forward through a bunch of Springfields to a couple of years ago when I got an ORM Series 80. It's also been very trouble-free and is quite accurate, right out of the box.
It's safe to say that my experience with Colt-made 1911's has been very positive.
It's safe to say that my experience with Colt-made 1911's has been very positive.
Stevie-Ray
Member
My first was 1903 Pocket Auto .32 ACP. Handed down to me when my father died, I have fired it very little. About 2 boxes worth. Not very reliable, and not very accurate. But it has sentimental value. Next was a Mark IV series 80 which was ultra-reliable, but alas, not very accurate. I customized it myself for pin shooting. It is now the most accurate gun I own, and my pride and joy. Next was a Delta Elite. Only thing I've done to it was make it prettier than it already was by putting ivory polymer grips on it. It has been and is a perfect weapon, flawless in reliability, accurate, and fun to shoot. It is also the weapon I would keep if I had to give up all others, as indicated in one or two threads.
If they weren't so expensive, I'd probably have a dozen. Even so, I'm sure I'm not done buying Colts.
If they weren't so expensive, I'd probably have a dozen. Even so, I'm sure I'm not done buying Colts.
10-Ring
Member
I started a few years ago w/ a stock 1991 that soon turned into a project that went wrong. Late last year I bought an XSE that has been absolutely awesome! Recommend Colt products highly & to leave the tinkering to the pros!
wally
Member
I've three Colts 1911s purchased new in the early to mid 80's
First was what is now called Series 70 Government model. This has been my worst out of the box experience with any new handgun, but I learned a lot fixing it and its been very reliable since. Factory extractor broke circa 1995 after very many thousands of rounds -- I used to shoot IPSC with it. Would have been a much easier fix if forums like this existed back then!
Second was Series 80 Government model. Fine out of the box but had a defective slide lock that would seemingly randomly lock back prematurely with any ammo. Replaced it and the gun has been fine since.
Last was a Series 80 Officers ACP. No problems with it whatsoever.
--wally.
First was what is now called Series 70 Government model. This has been my worst out of the box experience with any new handgun, but I learned a lot fixing it and its been very reliable since. Factory extractor broke circa 1995 after very many thousands of rounds -- I used to shoot IPSC with it. Would have been a much easier fix if forums like this existed back then!
Second was Series 80 Government model. Fine out of the box but had a defective slide lock that would seemingly randomly lock back prematurely with any ammo. Replaced it and the gun has been fine since.
Last was a Series 80 Officers ACP. No problems with it whatsoever.
--wally.
stans
Member
I have two genuine Colt 1911's. The first is a Colt that was assembled by an armorer in the U.S. Army. The slide and frame are mismatched as are many of the small parts. It has been very reliable and is reasonably accurate. My other Colt 1911 is a stainless steel Delta Elite. It has been a flawless performer, ultra reliable (will even feed a whole magazine of empty cases), and can hold groups of around 3 inches at 25 yards.
Dorrin79
Member
I own two 1911 type pistols, a Springfield mil-spec and a Charles Daly EMS (4") I recently acquired.
The Springfield's gone about 800rds to date with no troubles, with the original extractor.
The Daly, which is a surprisingly well-fit and accurate little gun, has been good through 200 rds; I had a few failures to extract/eject with the mags that came with the gun, but using my wolff-upgraded chip mccormick's, it's been fine.
Both are good pistols; good trigger, accurate. Neither, of course, is a BHP. But that's another thread.
The Springfield's gone about 800rds to date with no troubles, with the original extractor.
The Daly, which is a surprisingly well-fit and accurate little gun, has been good through 200 rds; I had a few failures to extract/eject with the mags that came with the gun, but using my wolff-upgraded chip mccormick's, it's been fine.
Both are good pistols; good trigger, accurate. Neither, of course, is a BHP. But that's another thread.
Lt. G
Member
I shot my father's Colt at the young age of eleven. I was in awe. I currently own 7 Colt 45 in 70s series, CCO, WWI, WWI repros, Delta Elite SS, Sistemias
All run great no failures and dead nuts on target. My Coilt rifles are the same.
I find all of them easy to disassemble and put back together. Great weapons.
Don't get me wrong my safe also has Kimbers, Sig 220, 245s, Para-Ords, Glocks all in 45 caliber.
They just don't see as much playtime as my Colts.
Buy it, if you don't like it sell it to me, <grin>
All run great no failures and dead nuts on target. My Coilt rifles are the same.
I find all of them easy to disassemble and put back together. Great weapons.
Don't get me wrong my safe also has Kimbers, Sig 220, 245s, Para-Ords, Glocks all in 45 caliber.
They just don't see as much playtime as my Colts.
Buy it, if you don't like it sell it to me, <grin>
Rob96
Member
"Looser" is actually original spec which translates into reliability. The accuracy comes from the good barrel to slide fit that Colt does. I shot my stainless Colt side by side with my Brothers Kimber Custom Classic. I used the same ammo from the same boxes (2 or 3 different kinds). I could not get the Kimber to group like the Colt, despite the Kimbers tight fit. But it did have a couple failures.
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