[natedog]

How good are the new, basic Colt 1911A1's? The Series 70 Government Model Reproduction, the 1991 NRM, etc. Fit, finish, accuracy, reliability?

[Parker Dean]

Reports seem to vary from "the best out there" to " the worst piece of junk to ever inflict itself upon the face of the earth." More of the former than the latter IMO, but when one is a clunker it seems to be beset by multiple problems.

Personal theory, and that's all it is, is that the parts that are rejected on the line during normal operations are saved and re-introduced as a batch for another go around. Only the most egregiously botched parts are ultimately rejected. I say this as it's the only explanation I can come up with that would explain the apparent split-personality of new Colts and also the multiple-problems-on-the-same-gun issue.

[dsk]

I assume your "theory" was meant tongue-in-cheek. The new pistols Colt has been putting out are better than anything they've made since the mid 1960's. However, as with any brand the occasional dog does get out. What must be understood however is that 99% of the complaints are with cosmetics or fitting, not actual functioning. The fact is Colt workers still perform many operations by hand, including polishing the frame and slide. If the slide edges are wavy on your pistol it's because the actual worker did it. Most other pistols are machine-polished which means they often don't look as good, but at least the edges remain straight.

The bottom line is you'll rarely ever hear about someone's new Colt being a jammomatic or being pathetically inaccurate. New Colts also use superior materials compared with much of their competiton (only a few parts are MIM). The slide/frame fit will often be more loose than a Kimber or SA, but the fact is Ordnance specs called for slight play there to begin with. Tight slides are for match pistols that aren't expected to run 1000's of rounds without failure. I really don't care what others say regarding this issue. The 1911 simply wasn't designed to run with a tight slide! My most reliable Colt is a late 80's gun with a very loose slide, and you know what? In 75,000+ rounds it's jammed maybe two or three times. It also grouped under 1.5" at 25 yards when the barrel was still fresh. The new Colts are tighter than my older gun, but they are still loose enough to run even when extremely dirty. So unless you think very tight = very good you'll like the new Colts.

[Wildalaska]

Joining in here, I can honestly say that I have seen, felt, fondled, shot and sold well over 400+ new Colt autos in the past 2 years...

I have sent TWO guns back to Colt (poor barrel lug fit and poor sight dovetail cut)...they took about a week to fix...I have had 3 cases of rear sights falling out, which we fixed in a few minutes....I have seen THREE extractors break, which we fixed in a few minutes with FREE extractors provided by Colt...

Every once in a while we rethroat a new one because it wont feed wadcutters....

I think that Colts are by far the best 1911s out there.....

I dont think much of the clones.....

WilddancinhorseAlaska

[Nightcrawler]

I love mine! Long live the Prancing Pony! Accept no substitutions! :D

[Morgan]

I'm a dedicated HK man, primarily because Glocks aren't reliable enough for me. :evil:

Seriously, I picked up a Series 80 NRM Government model a few months ago, and I couldn't be happier with it. Colt is now giving the frame and barrel ramp a weird throating (like a little dimple cut), and it feeds GD 200gr +p, my duty ammo, just fine. It hasn't had a single problem in about 500 rds, probably 200 GD, 300 ball. All I've done is put in an 18.5# recoil spring.

If I had to carry this Colt I wouldn't complain.

[Rob96]

Colt is the best thing going rightnow.

[LFW]

I ditto Morgan's experience. First time I looked at that odd, dimpled ramp I thought "this will never work" but it works great. I wonder who came up with this configuration of feed ramp? I wonder if others will start using it?--Leigh

[Kestrel]

The new/current Colts are simply the best 1911 production guns out there right now. (I'm not comparing to semi-production/custom guns.) Better parts, excellent cosmetics - just classic.

Steve

[Sean Smith]

Ditto. New Colts are very nice. In fact, the 01991 I had was spectacular considering it only cost $570.

[natedog]

What are the diffences between the 1991 colt and the series 70 repro?

[Rob96]

1991A1 has the Series 80 firing pin safety. Also has the long trigger and flat mainspring housing. Great gun. I have the stainless version.

[Soap]

Mine rocks. Not a hiccup so far...

[happyguy]

Colt is the best bang for your buck in a 1911, bar none.

Regards,
Happyguy:D

[BigG]

I bought a new one and it is fit like a watch. Beautiful workmanship.

[Black Majik]

I love my Seres 80 NRM Colt.

Fit and Finish is nice. Only gripe is the sharp edges.

Accuracy is above average, though this is my first 1911 so I dont have much to compare to.

Reliability wise? Absolutely flawless. No malfunctions yet :)

[E=MC^2]

it feeds GD 200gr +p, my duty ammo, just fine.

My choice as well, but for concealed carry.

I purchased a new Colt Gunsite this summer and am very pleased with it. I can honestly say I've never had a malfuntion after over 3,000 rounds. This does not include my experiences with Cor-Bons since I can't even get one to chamber. I've tried 2 of their bullet weights.

Fit and function are excellant. It was actually the first horse I've ever owned and later led me to the purchase of a NIB original Series 70. Now my stable has two horses.:) I also plan on adding a new Defender in the spring.

I think they're probably the best deal out there as well. Deal would include future resale value, since I'm seeing used models being sold for just 5-10% less than when they were new.

[John Forsyth]

In the past year I have picked up a XSE LW Commander, a new release blue S70, and a SS NRM 1991. They all run, are fit and finished the way they should. I would not have bought three new ones in a year if I was not happy with them. If you want the real thing, get a Colt.

[natedog]

So the phrase, "If it's not a Colt, it's just a copy" isn't just marketing bull?

[dsk]

What are the diffences between the 1991 colt and the series 70 repro?

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series70/

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series80/

.....I just bought one of the new WW1 replicas, and will have a review of that online soon.

[Parker Dean]

So the phrase, "If it's not a Colt, it's just a copy" isn't just marketing bull?


Depends on the person, of course. For me it's true.

I bought a DW Razorback this year because I had long wanted a 10mm 1911 and it was cheaper and easier than trying to find a used Delta Gold Cup. It's a nice gun but I knew even before I had it in my hands that it would always be "just" a clone. You could liken it to Harley's versus the Japanese bikes. Sure the imports may do everything better and be cheaper but there's just something about having a real Harley.

Needless to say I'm waiting to see what Colt's upcoming production plans look like.

[Sean Smith]

Sure the imports may do everything better and be cheaper but there's just something about having a real Harley.

Comparing current production guns, I don't believe that is true. Current Colts are functionally equal to or superior than their competition. Visit the DW forum and you will see that the Razorbacks have had lots of reliability problems. Dittto Series II Kimbers in general. Tradition be damned, I like my Colts because they work.

BTW, I owned a nice pre-Series II Kimber Stainess Target model, so I'm not reflexively "anti-everything but Colt." But based on my experience with a new one, talking to gunsmiths, and reading reviews about them they really ARE an outstanding value.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The current Colts are the best out there right now.


I'm not much a fan of the 1911 pistol---but I still look 'em over----if I were to buy a new one---it would be a Colt.

I also have to add---I've never been impressed with Kimber---Springfield--Para etc....and the Kimber in particular seems very---well uuummm "cheesy". Esp considering the high price tag.

[Parker Dean]

Comparing current production guns, I don't believe that is true. Current Colts are functionally equal to or superior than their competition. Visit the DW forum and you will see that the Razorbacks have had lots of reliability problems. Dittto Series II Kimbers in general.


Actually I should've made it clearer that I was speaking specifically of the motorcycles in the passage that refers to, and not trying to draw a direct comparison between they and the respective firearms manufacturers on every level.

[RandyC]

An SS Series 70 is my first Colt and I couldn't be happier. I was thinking maybe a full size Kimber ( I have a Series 1 Pro Carry) or maybe a DW. But I got the Colt and I haven't looked back. It does everything I want it to do and it hasn't hiccupped once in the first 250 rounds.

[dsk]

The few issues with new Colts always seem to be related to cosmetics, not functioning. Believe it or not a lot of the final polishing, fitting and assembly work on Colts is still done by hand.