Colt 1911 Quality

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I literally just looked at in stock options on gun.deals when I posted that...

Simple enough to look yourself, still deals out there in both 9mm and .45.

Now, yes, the good deals on the old Valors are indeed mostly gone short of a GunBroker miracle.

Edit: for instance

https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product...stol-acp-5-81-wood-grip-black-stainless-steel

I was skeptical the Vigils were as nice as other DWs at first but the few I've looked over have been very well fit.

Edit 2: i see you said steel frame. I did not see the OP specifying a steel frame or caliber.

Still

https://www.themodernsportsmanonline.com/products/handguns-dan-wesson-01946-806703019468-01946-2954

The A2 is a decently priced gun. I am not arguing that it isn't solid but again compare it to this Colt. https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product...p-5-81-blue-g10-wlogo-grip-blued-carbon-steel

Both are come with match barrels, novak style sights, beavertail grip safety. Both guns are blued. The Colt has a fiber optic front which may of may not appeal to the buyer but on paper and on target are these two guns going to perform that much different. Now I believe that the DW will be better finished. It will have less sharp edges and maybe feel a little better in the hand during longer range sessions but on paper I don't think one is going to out shoot the other. The DW is $270 more. Is it worth is maybe but that is not an apples to apple comparison which was my point. It is not just a couple, by couple I think 2, hundred dollars more to get to a DW. These days it is $300ish which is 32% higher than the Colt.

Look at this target. It was shot at 15 yards offhand. 3 different 1911s. Colt 1911 Classic NIB, a Colt 1911 Don Williams Full House Custom and a Guncrafter Industries No Name in 9mm. The stock $700 Colt shot as nice as the other 2 which cost 3X to 4X as much. A lot has to do with me as a shooter. I am duffer with a nice set of clubs but still the stock Colt performed.It is tight. It doesn't rattle. The barrel locks up tight. If I fit a match barrel bushing I am sure it will shoot even tighter.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/57ovxml-jpg.895117/


Ha! Your the 1911 man, many of your posts have helped me out big time, so thanks. I'm just trying to figure out the appeal of a modern day Colt for the price. I reload so I appreciate bomars. The Gold Cup I compared to the DW Pointman I eventually purchased was massively different. One felt like a toy and one felt like a piece of art. Purchased through Armslist for less than the Colt.

Anyone can have thier opinion. Mine is Colt isn't all that special. I treasure my WW2 Colt 1911. But brand loyalty is ridiculous. I'll shoot Rock Islands, I own a Ruger 1911, a Clack Kimber, and in my opinion, my DW is the best. I shot against an Ed Brown, definitely felt a little slicker, but the owner was out shot. I guess buy what suits you.

You are being too kind. I like 1911s and have had and still have a few. It is not that I do not like DW. I do. I have a CBOB and a Valykrie Commander in 9mm currently. I almost bought a Blued Valor but passed recently. They are really good guns but not without issue. Their blued guns had issues with blotchy finishes. They have galling issue with the slide and frame. There have also been sight height issues where guns would not shoot POA to POI. That said I still think they are the best production 1911 on the market but they are not cheap these days. Colts are cheaper than most people think. The Colt O1911C Govt was selling at $655 before Christmas. The Competition guns sell for $750 to $850 all the time. The current production is very good. In the end shoot what you like. Don't worry about what other people think of your gun as long as you are happy with your choice is it runs well for you.
 
The A2 is a decently priced gun. I am not arguing that it isn't solid but again compare it to this Colt. https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product...p-5-81-blue-g10-wlogo-grip-blued-carbon-steel

Both are come with match barrels, novak style sights, beavertail grip safety. Both guns are blued. The Colt has a fiber optic front which may of may not appeal to the buyer but on paper and on target are these two guns going to perform that much different. Now I believe that the DW will be better finished. It will have less sharp edges and maybe feel a little better in the hand during longer range sessions but on paper I don't think one is going to out shoot the other. The DW is $270 more. Is it worth is maybe but that is not an apples to apple comparison which was my point. It is not just a couple, by couple I think 2, hundred dollars more to get to a DW. These days it is $300ish which is 32% higher than the Colt.

Look at this target. It was shot at 15 yards offhand. 3 different 1911s. Colt 1911 Classic NIB, a Colt 1911 Don Williams Full House Custom and a Guncrafter Industries No Name in 9mm. The stock $700 Colt shot as nice as the other 2 which cost 3X to 4X as much. A lot has to do with me as a shooter. I am duffer with a nice set of clubs but still the stock Colt performed.It is tight. It doesn't rattle. The barrel locks up tight. If I fit a match barrel bushing I am sure it will shoot even tighter.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/57ovxml-jpg.895117/




You are being too kind. I like 1911s and have had and still have a few. It is not that I do not like DW. I do. I have a CBOB and a Valykrie Commander in 9mm currently. I almost bought a Blued Valor but passed recently. They are really good guns but not without issue. Their blued guns had issues with blotchy finishes. They have galling issue with the slide and frame. There have also been sight height issues where guns would not shoot POA to POI. That said I still think they are the best production 1911 on the market but they are not cheap these days. Colts are cheaper than most people think. The Colt O1911C Govt was selling at $655 before Christmas. The Competition guns sell for $750 to $850 all the time. The current production is very good. In the end shoot what you like. Don't worry about what other people think of your gun as long as you are happy with your choice is it runs well for you.

Yep, fair enough. I was just showing there were some options out there. Personally I find the Colt Competition their best value, but am at the point where I've got my basics covered and won't be buying production 1911s anymore.

The basic Series 70 is nice, but for my preferences and hand size I just need a few things more (beavertail, medium to long trigger, different safety design) for my comfort and preference, but that of course is just my preference.

It's a great time to be in the 1911 market, something for everyone.
 
They are really good guns but not without issue. Their blued guns had issues with blotchy finishes. They have galling issue with the slide and frame. There have also been sight height issues where guns would not shoot POA to POI. That said I still think they are the best production 1911 on the market but they are not cheap these days.
Weren't these issues solved? I remember reading that the galling was on the stainless models. The last A2 I looked at had beautiful uniform bluing.

I do agree that they're the best mass produced 1911 out there.
 
Weren't these issues solved? I remember reading that the galling was on the stainless models. The last A2 I looked at had beautiful uniform bluing.

I do agree that they're the best mass produced 1911 out there.

All I've heard was the galling issues on the stainless. A relative had one lock up from galling. A call to CS an his gun was back in two weeks, his personal favorite gun since.
 
Yep, fair enough. I was just showing there were some options out there. Personally I find the Colt Competition their best value, but am at the point where I've got my basics covered and won't be buying production 1911s anymore.

The basic Series 70 is nice, but for my preferences and hand size I just need a few things more (beavertail, medium to long trigger, different safety design) for my comfort and preference, but that of course is just my preference.

It's a great time to be in the 1911 market, something for everyone.

I bought the O1911C as a base gun for a custom build. It is not going to stay stock. I understand what you are saying completely. I am Colt guy. I always have been. I just think people assume they are expensive but they are not. Again people like Jason Burton, Ted Yost, Don Williams, John Harrison prefer them as base guns because they are a solid consistent platform to build on.

Weren't these issues solved? I remember reading that the galling was on the stainless models. The last A2 I looked at had beautiful uniform bluing.

I do agree that they're the best mass produced 1911 out there.

All I've heard was the galling issues on the stainless. A relative had one lock up from galling. A call to CS an his gun was back in two weeks, his personal favorite gun since.

My point is that Dan Wesson has had quality control issues just like everyone else. They are not immune from making Friday afternoon guns. I would not buy a blued Dan Wesson that I did not see in person. Too many DWs have shipped looking like this and when it happens they don't do anything about it. They will reblue it but it most likely will come back because of whoever did the blue messed up. The owner of that Valor was told by Keith there was nothing DW could do.

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Getting back to the OPs question. Colts QC is very good these days. On par with other top tier production 1911 companies. They are not perfect. They still mess up but they are more consistent now then they were in the mid 80s or the 90s. Really since they brought more CNC machinery online they have been very good.
 
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