1991A1 Question(s)

1911 platforms can be very tricky to buy used if you don't know what to look for. Since the pistol was hard chromed, I am assuming "some" modifications were made to the gun.

Pay close attention to the Frame and Barrel feed ramps for signs of over polishing ......... look for that 1/32 gap between the barrel ramp and frame ramp. If the geometry of these feed ramps has been changed in anyway, I would generally walk away from the deal UNLESS the gun shop is willing to take the gun back if it fails to function reliably. The price is good and I would probably use the barrel and frame and slide .........and throw away the other parts and replace with Wilson Combat parts. This adventure could cost you another $200, but when finished you would have a known quality pistol.

Good Luck

JF.

I owned a 1991A1

back about 20 years ago. It never fed reliably and, is one of the reasons I haven't bought another 1911 until 6 months ago. In the condition you describe, I wouldn't bother. For that kind of money you can get into a new Taurus PT1911, Rock Island Arsenal(and have some left over for ammo) or the Sprinfield GI. I bought the Taurus Duo-tone and could not be happier. After over a thousand rounds I have had 2 failures to feed and those were both with my reloads. One was definitely my fault and the other I simply cleared the jamb and rechambered the round without inspecting it.

New ones on gunbroker for around $750. Pay a little extra so you can wear the gun out yourself.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=133595664

Be wary buying any 1991A1. We used to sell quite a few when they were first introduced and in my opinion too many of them had problems. Misaligned slides, poor machining, and generally poor fitting work from the factory. We had far fewer problems with the Springfield Armory product line. I still have to smile when I hear someone raving about Colt being "the best there is". There was a time when that was true. A long time ago.

I have a stainless 1991A1 I bought in 1999 or so. Never had a problem with it, with all sorts of ammo. There's always been noticeable play between the slide/frame, etc. To me, this was the point of the gun. It's accurate enough for the job, and works without fail. Many malign the series 80 trigger - and, frankly, I'm not experienced/skilled enough for it to make a diference I can notice. Anyway, I like mine a lot. It's provided good service for a decade now without complaint. I've got a Kimber, a couple of Paras, etc. But the Colt 1991A1 was my first .45, and it's still the one that sits close at hand to the bed.

As an aside, I really like the Wilson Combat 10-round "bureaucrat" magazines when it's in use as a "house gun".

in Hard Chrome finish for $575

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Colt has never sold a gun retail with a Hard Chrome finish. This either wasn't a Colt or it was mucked with after the sale.

Be wary buying any 1991A1. We used to sell quite a few when they were first introduced and in my opinion too many of them had problems.

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That's valid if you are looking at a 1991 to 1995 version. Some were great, some were average, all were better than Kimber or Springfield. The last 10 years they have been outstanding.

For that kind of money you can get into a new Taurus PT1911, Rock Island Arsenal(and have some left over for ammo) or the Sprinfield GI.

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For that kind of money you can buy a COLT, which blows away any of those in average quality. Look at used prices, that's always indicative of what the public thinks of a product. I can find a Taurus, RIA, or SA GI with a $4xx handle. A colt will run you a $6xx or more. The market has spoken. If you can get a 1991 Commander in hand for $575 OTD, that is a great deal these days. Do it.