2011 Colt 1911 questions

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bobby68

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2004
Messages
233
I have searched the forum (and others), but it was finding too many non-specific results, and not what i'm looking for.

Can someone please tell me about brand new Colt 1911's. I found one in local store and like the way it feels in hand compared to kimbers and sig saur (which i was almost ready to buy). I have small hands, and already own a Glock 30. I chose to look at 1911's hoping they would fit better in my smaller hand, as well as just wanting to own one. I liked the small grip on the Colt, but even better the grip safety on the Colt was more flush than other models like the Sig which were pressing uncomfortably into the palm of my hand.

I know little about 1911's but have seen the various debates about different type 1911's, and even different model Colt 1911's (70's and 80's types). Please help me understand where the new 2011 basic colt (price $926 here in CA) stands in comparison to the older Colt designs. What are it's Pros and Cons.

Thank you for any help.
 
It is unclear to me what model you are referring to, but here is Colt's website that may give you some more information.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols.aspx

Probably the baseline Colt 1911 is the 1991 model. It is a Series 80 pistol which in general 1911 terms means it has a firing pin safety. Nearly every pistol in the world has a firing pin safety, but the 1911 wasn't originally designed with one so many 1911 purists don't care for them.

The Series 70 model is not truly a Series 70 model in the true Colt historical context, but in general 1911 terminology it means it doesn't have a firing pin safety. You can do an internet search if you really want to know about the old Series 70 design features, such as the collet bushing, etc.

These two pistols will look relatively similar to those new to 1911's. Both have 5" barrels, and have GI style grip safeties, not the currently more popular beavertail style grip safety. The major differences, aside from the firing pin safety, is the 1991 has a flat mainspring housing (the thing at the back of the grip on the bottom), a long trigger, and white dot (3 dots) sights. The Series 70 will have an arched mainspring housing, short trigger, and no dot on what are basically the same sights. The Series 70 model spends some time in the Colt custom shop and that is generally the reason they cost more than the 1991 model.

Colt does offer a lot of models and it can be confusing especially to those new to 1911's. If you find a specific model that looks or feels good you can come back and ask about that specific model. Colt makes a good product and I think they come at a fair price. I think anything you buy from them you'd be happy with.
 
Just to clear up any confusion, the OP said he was in Calif. All Calif 1911s are series 80.
 
Jeff H said:
Just to clear up any confusion, the OP said he was in Calif. All Calif 1911s are series 80.
Click to expand...
Not so, they have to pass a drop test, but they don't have to use a series 80 or swartz as long as they pass. Springfield makes the list by using 9mm sized firing pins that will pass the drop test due to their lighter weight. Others may achieve it through titanium pins rather than steel. Colt does it with series 80 (and maybe you were only referring to Colt, wasn't sure since you said all Calif. 1911s).

OP - new Colts are some of the best out of the box 1911s in their price range today. They have forged frames and slides, very few MIM parts, a very good warranty, have properly cut feed ramps (important for hollow points and reliability in general), and are generally very well put together for their price point. My Combat Elite is one of my more accurate pistols and has yet to malfunction in 1,300 rounds (including a Duty 1911 course). The plunger tube did begin to come loose after 1,100 rounds, but some red loctite and a re-stake avoided a warranty trip to the factory.
 
Last edited:
Not to hijack, but who's got the best prices these days on Colts? I'm sure Buds is near the top of the list, but I'm more interested in helping a mom & pop shop then another big boy store.
Q
Click to expand...

CA is generally a $50-100 more than others note in other states.
 
JTQ said:
It is unclear to me what model you are referring to, but here is Colt's website that may give you some more information.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols.aspx

Probably the baseline Colt 1911 is the 1991 model. It is a Series 80 pistol which in general 1911 terms means it has a firing pin safety. Nearly every pistol in the world has a firing pin safety, but the 1911 wasn't originally designed with one so many 1911 purists don't care for them.

The Series 70 model is not truly a Series 70 model in the true Colt historical context, but in general 1911 terminology it means it doesn't have a firing pin safety. You can do an internet search if you really want to know about the old Series 70 design features, such as the collet bushing, etc.

These two pistols will look relatively similar to those new to 1911's. Both have 5" barrels, and have GI style grip safeties, not the currently more popular beavertail style grip safety. The major differences, aside from the firing pin safety, is the 1991 has a flat mainspring housing (the thing at the back of the grip on the bottom), a long trigger, and white dot (3 dots) sights. The Series 70 will have an arched mainspring housing, short trigger, and no dot on what are basically the same sights. The Series 70 model spends some time in the Colt custom shop and that is generally the reason they cost more than the 1991 model.

Colt does offer a lot of models and it can be confusing especially to those new to 1911's. If you find a specific model that looks or feels good you can come back and ask about that specific model. Colt makes a good product and I think they come at a fair price. I think anything you buy from them you'd be happy with.
Click to expand...
Thank you... This is exactly what I'm looking to learn. I should have taken a photo with my phone, because my recall was that the colt outline was almost same as the others, meaning I thought it had a beaver tail, but i can call or email to find out.
 
I have a good source for Colts and he even ships to CA!!! :evil:

Constantly cheaper than Buds on Colt.
 
rellascout said:
I have a good source for Colts and he even ships to CA!!! :evil:

Constantly cheaper than Buds on Colt.
Click to expand...
I would not mind exploring this option, if only to find more choices, but the extra transfer costs charged by local dealers usually make this option less .
 
Jeff H said:
Just to clear up any confusion, the OP said he was in Calif. All Calif 1911s are series 80.
Click to expand...
Did any of the previous posts confuse this fact that I am in CA?

Does this mean some new colts (in other states) will be 1980's models, but others will not?
 
G27RR said:
Not so, they have to pass a drop test, but they don't have to use a series 80 or swartz as long as they pass. Springfield makes the list by using 9mm sized firing pins that will pass the drop test due to their lighter weight. Others may achieve it through titanium pins rather than steel. Colt does it with series 80 (and maybe you were only referring to Colt, wasn't sure since you said all Calif. 1911s).

OP - new Colts are some of the best out of the box 1911s in their price range today. They have forged frames and slides, very few MIM parts, a very good warranty, have properly cut feed ramps (important for hollow points and reliability in general), and are generally very well put together for their price point. My Combat Elite is one of my more accurate pistols and has yet to malfunction in 1,300 rounds (including a Duty 1911 course). The plunger tube did begin to come loose after 1,100 rounds, but some red loctite and a re-stake avoided a warranty trip to the factory.
Click to expand...
Thank you also.

If manufacturers are using lighter firing pins to accommodate CA hoops n hurdles, does it compromise the function or reliability? Does the pin need to be upgraded after purchase?

BTW, what is a Schwartz, er Swartz?

The tag on the pistol only said 1911 colt. I hesitated to ask as the kids manning the counter don't seem to know half the time. I doubt it was more than the basic model at the price. I'm willing to pay more for what I want, it just isn't always available at the counter.
 
No, the 9mm and/or lighter pin doesn't compromise anything.

The swartz method is a firing pin block engaged by the grip safety, while the series 80 is engaged by the trigger. As far as I know, only Kimber is using the swartz (on their Series II pistols) these days.
 
It is Swartz. It is a firing pin safety, but of a different design than Colt's Series 80 firing pin safety. Actually, the Swartz design is also from Colt. Swartz worked for Colt in the 1930's, at least that's when the design was developed. WW II interrupted Colt's use of this design.

The Kimber II series of pistols use the Swartz firing pin safety design. S&W 1911's with a firing pin safety use a similar design by one of their engineers named Mochack.

No need to change a firing pin on a non-firing pin safety equipped pistol. They are designed with this firing pin in mind and will work fine.

I would not worry about the firing pin safety or no firing pin safety, especially for California compliant pistols. I'd choose your 1911 based on other features that you want.
 
G27RR said:
No, the 9mm and/or lighter pin doesn't compromise anything.

The swartz method is a firing pin block engaged by the grip safety, while the series 80 is engaged by the trigger. As far as I know, only Kimber is using the swartz (on their Series II pistols) these days.
Click to expand...
I believe you that using lighter firing pin does not degrade the pistol, it just begs the question of why not change the pins in all models then, not just those for CA? Feel free to Decline to respond if the issue is really unimportant.
 
Many do.

Virtually all the semi-custom makers use some firing pin "tricks" to avoid using a firing pin safety.

There are many makers of 1911's. Not all use a firing pin safety, but in the 1911 world the general feeling the reason they do is to keep the lawyers happy. Auto Ordnance, Colt, ParaUSA, SigSauer, and Taurus use the Series 80 design.

Kimber Series II use the Swartz, but not all current production Kimber's are Series II. You can get some without a firing pin safety. "You" probably doesn't mean folks in California. Though the Kimber SIS was built for the LA SIS guys and I don't think that had a firing pin safety. I'm not sure if that was available to the general public in California.

As mentioned earlier, S&W uses a similar design to the Swartz, though the new E-Series models do away with the firing pin safety and use a titanium firing pin.

The rest (those that I can think of) Armscor, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Springfield, STI, Dan Wesson, and Wilson don't use a firing pin safety. They either use some other method to make them drop safe in California or they just refuse to sell in California as STI has chosen to do.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Colt anniversary 1911 or Springfield Loaded???
Replies
7
Views
685
bobby68
B
P
  • Locked
1911 v 1991
Replies
6
Views
697
krs
krs
MikeInOr
  • Locked
Need education on 1911 (2011) double stack 9mm's
Replies
15
Views
5K
someguy2800
someguy2800
M
  • Locked
Colt 1911 A1
Replies
5
Views
593
micky692002
M
eastbank
  • Locked
springfield armory .45 1911-A1 value
Replies
11
Views
4K
MICHAEL T
M
Back
Top