Considering First 1911....

[308win]

Colt 1991A1 works first time every time. No problems. Had a Millett adjustable sight installed along with a new front sight - I think the front sight is too short as I have to adjust the rear sight very high to get POI. I have one Wilson Combat 8rd mag (gave over $35.00 for it - got took but oh well) and 5 Chip MacCormick 8rd mags for less than 11.00 each. No diff in perfomance of mags - the Wilson appears higher quality and is made of heavier stampings wiht plastic follower but the performance of the Wilson and Chip McCormicks are same. I leave them both loaded and wouldn't hesitate to grab the CM first although I admit I leave the Wilson in the pistol.

 

[Poohgyrr]

FWIW, my wife is partial to her Colt 1991 A1, stock except for some minor action work. It's been reliable and accurate.

Of course, she also likes my Hi Power, truly a fantastic pistol.

 

[mparris71]

What kind of magazines came with your Springfield?

Mine came with Metal Form 7rders, very good mags.

 

[triage1998]

PeteyPete...I picked up a NRM Colt 1911 this summer. I was looking at either the Springfield Milspec or the NRM Colt. Saw a blued NRM Colt "NIB" for 5 bills and snatched her up (best price I've ever seen on a NRM Colt)I have about 500 rounds through her so far without a hitch. NRM Colts are getting great reviews over at 1911forums.com.

 

[PeteyPete]

triage1998, great find and beautiful gun!

I'm really torn here...I love the name and history that goes along w/ the Colt name...but i love the extras that the Patriot comes with. I have no idea what i'm going to do.

Colt 1991A1 "Gubament Model" vs. Dan Wesson Patriot Expert :banghead:

I have time to sort it out though, i have to wait for some extra handgun permits to come in from my local police chief. For all those who don't already know...stay outta Jersey.

 

[Siggyboy]

Petey,

Here's some things to consider....both are very good guns, it really just depends on what features you prefer.

The Patriot has an external extractor. The 1911 extractor has always been one of the weaker links (along with crappy mags) in the otherwise almost perfect design. An external extractor will not need to be tuned & polished, have the tunnel cleaned, etc. That said, I don't like the looks of them, especially on a blued model, and I've never had a problem with the standard 1911 extractor. 1911 purests usually don't care for the external extractors. In any case, I think this is mostly a looks issue.

Both the Patriot and the Colt use high quality forged steel slides and frames. Colt is well known for its good steel and the Patriot uses quality slides & frames supplied by S&W (as does, or at least did, Kimber & Wilson).

I find the Colt grip tang to be uncomfortable and need to install a beavertail grip safety. The Colt tang digs into my hand and I can't get a good high grip with it. If you prefer a beavertail safety, you'll have to get one installed on the Colt. Also, the Colt sights are rather primative and the gun has some sharp edges. Other than that, the Colt is a great gun!

The Patriot comes standard with a beavertail safety (CMC safety that is nickel plated so on the stainless gun the finish doesn't quite match). The Patriot also comes with much better sights than the Colt. The Patriot also has front cocking serrations. I prefer just the straight rear cocking serrations on the Colt, which as more of a purest, I find more attractive than front cheese graters.

My Patriot came with a test target of 5 rounds in one ragged hole. The gun was very accurate and very smooth, no doubt a great deal and just as good as the new Colts. My Patriot was a relatively earlier one and since then I think DW might have been having some quality control issues as they couldn't keep up with demand...they may have also switched barrels...you can research all that on the 1911 forum. I have to say that mine was a great gun though.

So, either way these two guns are comparable in quality and price so your choice mostly depends on what features and looks most appeal to you.

 

[duncan]

NIB Springfield Loaded
Used Kimber Classic or Custom

Have both and they are great guns.

 

[RandyC]

I had the same decision to make -- Colt or Dan Wesson?

Dan Wesson: an exceptional looking weapon, tight as it can be, extraordinarilly accurate, and a good price. But quite a few MIM internals.

Colt: Holds its value better. Nearly all forged steel internals. And Colt's quality is back up there. And, of course there's that pony on the slide.

I doubt you'll go wrong either way. I went for the Colt, something that can be passed down for generations. But I don't see either taking the place of my carry piece, a series 1 Kimber Pro Carry. I think you've done a pretty good job of narrowing down the field and you'll be happy with either choice.

 

[Dorrin79]

I've been very happy with my SA Mil-Spec

hard to beat for the price.

If price is not as much of a concern, there are certainly nicer 1911s, though.

 

[Daniel T]

I'd go with the prancing pony. I have in the past, and definitely will again in the future.

 

[litman252]

A link for ya:


Wesson or SA Loaded

Tony

 

[Drjones]

Those are two totally different guns.

Do you really want all the bells and whistles that the loaded has? It is a nice gun. I've shot one once and loved it, however, I decided its not quite what I want.

The 1991A1 is a bare-bones mil-spec pistol and I've decided that is what I want.

I've done a lot of research and have learned that both companies produce fine guns. I decided on the Colt because I want the name. Samuel Colt was the first to invent the design, and I don't want a copy, I want the real thing. Just my take on it.

As far as overall quality; you are not going to find a single manufacturer of ANYTHING that puts out a perfect product 100% of the time. Of course you'll find people who have had bad experiences with both manufacturer.

On the whole, they both put out excellent firearms. Oh, I believe that Colts are still American made, whereas Springfield does a lot of their production in South America. Brazil, IIRC.

Being "patriotic" by purchasing a foreign-made copy of an American firearm doesn't make much sense to me.

Just remember that dissatisfied customers are often the most vocal. Very often you don't hear from the satisfied customers.

 

[middy]

Samuel Colt was the first to invent the design

Browning designed it! Infidel!

 

[tex_n_cal]

another recommendation for a 1991A1:

 

[Black Majik]

dunno if you guys noticed but this post is 8 months old.



Oh yeah, for those interested in the 1911 design. There's only one:
The NRM Colt Governments

 

[threefeathers]

THe NRM Colts are the way to go. A Colt NEVER loses value.