[Swamp Yankee]

Would like some input from anyone that has purchased a Colt 1911 pistol manufactured in the past 2 to 3 years.
In particular :
What model did you buy?
How does it function?
How is the accuracy?
Does it have any ammo likes or dislikes?
How is the fit and finish?
Did you have any 'smithing done and why?
If you've had any issues, how did Colt handle it?
Would you buy another one based upon your experience?

Thanks in advance for the responses.
Take Care

[RON in PA]

Purchased "new rollmaked" Colt Government 1911(basic, no frills model) last August. Quality is excellent: SS barrel, blued, polished flats, good 3-dot sights and nice wood grips with diamond pattern. Approx. 850 rounds with no problems except twice failed to feed the last round in an 8 round Wilson mag. This is a known problem with the mags and not a gun problem, have switched to exclusive use of 7 rounders. Limited use of JHP ammo, but no problems. Factory ball and handloads (ball equivilent) shoot into ragged one hole groups at 7 yards, have not bench rested.

Essentially no problems and have not had to deal with Colt. Would buy another without hesitation. By the way, I'm a firm believer in basic, unmodified 1911s as designed by the US Cavalry and JMB and shot with ball ammo so have not modified, nor will I modify.

:D :D :D :D

[makarov]

How much are the new roll-marked 1911's going for? Comparable price to Springfield Mil-Spec? I like the idea of a Colt 1911 as close to original as possible.

[ruger357]

Dealer in my area is selling the blued one for $575.00.

[Sean Smith]

My experience was about the same with my 01991. Very accurate, very reliable and nice-looking gun.

http://www.pistolsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13743

[boing]

What model did you buy?--Stainless Commander, 2 years ago.

How does it function?--Erractically, over about 1200 rounds.

How is the accuracy?--Fine.

Does it have any ammo likes or dislikes?--Didn't like ammo.

How is the fit and finish?--A couple of minor dings from the factory, sharp edge on the grip safety/frame interface, solid slide/frame fit (just right, not too tight), small parts generally fitted well.

Did you have any 'smithing done and why?--Reliability overhaul to fix various feeding problems (unsuccessful)

If you've had any issues, how did Colt handle it?--Colt refused to cover shipping cost (which is consistent with their stated policy), and didn't respond to the letter I mailed.

Would you buy another one based upon your experience?--No.

But I might give them another chance in the future, if they show a consistent enough improvement. My Kimber was no darling, either.

[dsk]

I've bought four:

*New rollmark blued Series 80. It had a few feeding issues and a couple of manufacturing anomalies. Consequently I turned it into a custom project. A couple hundred dollars later I'm happy with it.

*New production Series 70. No problems at all, however I passed over several others in the case that had cosmetic anomalies. You can read a review on mine at http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series70

*New rollmark stainless Series 80. Again no problems with mine, again I passed over a couple I saw beforehand with cosmetic flaws. Again, a review of mine can be found at http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series80

*WW2 Reproduction M1911A1. I bought mine LNIB, but had to sell it recently due to financial issues. I had no problems with it, but guess what about the bit regarding passing over others?

In a nutshell, Colts seem to be very good in the functioning department these days, but they are still having trouble with cosmetic issues such as straight edges, even polishing, and fitting of parts. My recommendation is to get one, but look it over really good before you buy.

[Wildalaska]

I've got a bunch of Colts, but Im biding my time for the 1920 Commercial repro..

Thats gonna be an unmodified gun that Im gonna carry!

[BigG]

I bought a XS Concealed Carry Model. It is flawless and could not be nicer. The dehorning, for example, is even all over with perfectly rounded edges, NOT like a competing brand that looks like it was tumbled with a barrel full of rocks to dehorn it.

I think you've always had to look at guns (and other products before you buy). At least I have. I'm not much on ordering things or buying sight unseen. YMMV

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Colt XS all-steel Combat Commander-----PERFECT!!!


Problem is---they don't make 'em anymore.

[10-Ring]

Bought a stainless '91a1 2 years ago and it has been fine. Good shooter, reliable, satisfactory accuracy & has shot everything I've fed it.

[Mike Irwin]

Colt QC on their 1911s has come a LONG way in the last 5 to 7 years.

[DoubleAction]

During the past two years I've purchased a new Colt Re-Issued Series 70 Government Model, and a Gold Cup Trophy with the BoMar rear sight. The Series 70 is the perfect specimen of a well fitted pistol, with high polished flats, and no signs of burrs or sloppy machine marks. The Trophy features a steel checkered mainspring housing, dove tail front sight, with a trigger that breaks clean at 3 1/2 lbs. As much as I was surprised by what I got in return for my money with these two pistols, I have seen other Re-Issued Series 70 Government Models with very sloppy fitting to the slide and frame.

[garrettwc]

What model did you buy? New roll marked Commander blued

How does it function? just fine

How is the accuracy? POA = POI no complaints

Does it have any ammo likes or dislikes? none that I have found

How is the fit and finish? Excellent. Blueing is even and beautiful. Wood grips with good color and lots of figure in them.

Did you have any 'smithing done and why? Replaced a broken extractor, changed sights to set that fit my eyes better

If you've had any issues, how did Colt handle it? Not applicable

Would you buy another one based upon your experience? In a heartbeat. Trying to decide between a series 70 and a 38 super full size model.

[Black Majik]

What model did you buy?
- NRM Government Blued

How does it function?
- Beautifully. Only a few malfunctions in thousands of rounds.

How is the accuracy?
- Easy to do one ragged hole at 7 yrds offhand. Good accuracy

Does it have any ammo likes or dislikes?
- Loves WWB value packs. Thats all I feed it :D

How is the fit and finish?
- Beautiful finish. Slight movement with the slide to frame fit.

Did you have any 'smithing done and why?
- No smithing required. Though it came with a McCormicks trigger and a trigger job.

If you've had any issues, how did Colt handle it?-
- No issues. N/A

Would you buy another one based upon your experience?
- Absolutely. I'll buy another one down the road for a project gun sent to John Jardine. :)

[tex_n_cal]

Among new production Colts - say made since 1990, I have 7:

A 1991A1 Old rollmark, made in 1991 - homely, but never jams, accurate.

Enhanced Blue Gold Cup - never jams, and just as accurate as the Kimber it replaced.

Colt Defender - had some issues, fussy with certain types of ammo and tended to ding my forehead with ejected cases. It's now fixed, and I trust it completely with its preferred ammo.

.40 Double Eagle Commander. I knew it was a dog when I bought it, and I have since discovered it was in actuality the bastard child of a dog and a cat. I haven't worked on it recently, but it remains a challenge.

Enhanced Blue .38 Super Gov't Model - completely reliable, accurate, a couple minor cosmetic issues, and needs a trigger job. Nice Pistol.

Two 1991A1 Stainless NRM Gov't Models. The first is about two years old - the second is a month old. The first has some of the cosmetic gripes DSK mentions, which I of course didn't notice until I read his complaints online.:rolleyes: It shoots flawlessly.

The second is darn near flawless cosmetically, and I'm seriously thinking of making it a safe queen.

Colt right now has a better batting average than Kimber, and I expect to buy more of them.:)

[nero45acp]

I recently bought a Colt WW2 Reproduction M1911A1 and I very pleased with it. I've put about 800 rounds thru it and thus far it has been 100% reliable. I have no intention of modifying it in any way.
I'm currently saving for a Colt Python Elite 4" stainless, and if Colt ever makes 9mm 1911's again, I'm there!!


nero

[farscott]

What model did you buy?
One blued Series 70 reproduction, three stainless Series 70 reproductions, and one stainless NRM 1991. I have since sold the blued Series 70.

How does it function?
All but one of the stainless Series 70's functions with no issues. That one is a mess and is being rectified by my smith as part of the work I am having done. I did speak with Colt Customer Service and the rep asked for it back, but Colt was unwilling to send out a prepaid shipping label (like S&W does).

How is the accuracy?
Better than I can shoot. The 1991 is the most accurate and has turned in a few sub one-inch (25-yard) five shot groups from the bench.

Does it have any ammo likes or dislikes?
Feeds 230-grain ball, 230-grain Golden Sabers, and 230-grain Starfire with no issues. That is the limit of factory loads I have tried.

How is the fit and finish?
Pretty good on all except the problem Series 70. That pistol has a slide that is proud of the frame in the rear. All show signs of hand polishing and the flats do not always meet the rounds in straight lines. The edges are very sharp and need to be dressed; otherwise, hands and holsters get torn. The Colt bead blast on the rounds and unpolished frame parts is fairly coarse.

Did you have any 'smithing done and why?
Lots of smithing, some for personal likes, and some to make the pistols more user friendly. Dehorning is a must for me, especially on the front of the frame dust cover, and the pistols as received from the factory have thumb safeties that seem to be mushy when pushing the safety "OFF". I also like to have the rounds and unpolished frame sections bead blasted to a smoother finish to avoid "grabbing" the holster. I have had the sights replaced (my eyes are really bad), the front strap serrated (helps me grip), and replace all of the fire-control parts for a better feel. One of the stainless Series 70's (the problem one) is being transformed into a retro custom. One is stock other than grips and has been used as a carry pistol; it will be dehorned as soon as I can get to it.

If you've had any issues, how did Colt handle it?
See the above comments. I did not give Colt a chance and am letting my smith handle it, so I cannot comment.

Would you buy another one based upon your experience?
Oh yeah. I like my Colt 1911's.

[threefeathers]

You can see my new El series on this site. It is in 38 Super and functioned flawlessly. It is so well made I thought it might be a 50s gun.

My 1991 Stainless ORM Commander needed much work. It was the Perfect base gun for an extensive modification by Mike Chulmeduka of All Custom in Sierra Vista. It feeds absolutely everything. I have Fidem Meam Noto engraved on the slide.

New Roll Mark Commander was excellent, shot three boxes of Winchester White Box right from the box. I'm having the front strap stippled because I like in not that I need it. The quality control is really advanced. The General has done a wonderful job at Colt and should be up for Exec of the year.

[Rob96]

I purchased a NRM Colt in stainless this past July:

Finish is beautiful, fit has some minor issues.

Reliability: 100%

Accuracy: POA = POI

Ammo: Loves it.

I also have an ORM model that is fit better and performs just as well.

[andrew17]

In particular :
What model did you buy? NRM blued purchased in March '04

How does it function? Feeds and exctracts well. No stoppages yet.

How is the accuracy? Good

Does it have any ammo likes or dislikes? Have only used Win ball so far.

How is the fit and finish? fit= good finish=excellent

Did you have any 'smithing done and why? No

If you've had any issues, how did Colt handle it? None so far

Would you buy another one based upon your experience? YES

[unitman]

What model did you buy? 1991 NRM COMBAT COMMANDER IN JANUARY 2004

How does it function? PERFECTLY SO FAR WITH 700 RNDS

How is the accuracy? EXCELLENT

Does it have any ammo likes or dislikes? NONE THAT I KNOW OF, I ONLY HAVE USED 230 GRN FMJ

How is the fit and finish? EXCELLENT, FLAWLESS

Did you have any 'smithing done and why? NO, NONE NEEDED NOR DESIRED

If you've had any issues, how did Colt handle it? NOT APPLICABLE

Would you buy another one based upon your experience? ABSOLUTELY! I PLAN TO BUY A FULL SIZE GOVERNMENT MODEL