Any Colt Double Eagle MKII 45 owners? A couple of questions

[TennJed]

Anyone here have a Colt Double Eagle in 45 (or 10 would do) I am probably picking up one tomorrow and there is really not too much on here about them. I searched and came up with a few threads but not many or any recent.

First off, I know it is not a 1911. I will be getting it for range, fun, and add to my collection. I kinda like unique guns and my trigger style of choice is DA/SA.

1) Am I correct that they will take standard 1911 mags?

2) Will most 1911 holsters fit? From what I have read they are wider, but how much? The trigger guard seems larger than a standard 1911

From what I can gather the Mark Is has some issues, but anything bad about the Mark IIs? Do most owners seem happen with function, accuracy and lifespan?

 

[farscott]

1) Yes, the Double Eagle uses standard 1911 magazines of the appropriate caliber. The barrel, barrel bushing, recoil spring, recoil spring guide, spring plug, and sights are also standard Colt 1911 parts.

2) No fitted 1911 holster will fit due to the hooked trigger guard. The slide assembly will fit the holster, but the frame forward of the magazine well is substantially different. Nylon holsters that are not fitted will work, but the fit will be sloppy. Milt Sparks made me VM-2 and 55BNHS holsters that are properly fitted to the Double Eagle.

3) The issue with the pre MK II guns is overblown as the lockwork is pure SIG P22x, and the MK II guns just added covers to prevent the action springs from being dislodged if one is sloppy during grip removal. I have both pre MK II and MK II guns, and I use them interchangeably. VZ Grips is one of the few, if not only, sources for replacement grips. The DE is as reliable and durable as any 1911.

 

[TennJed]

Thanks scott good info. I noticed VZ had the grips. So it sounds like they can be removed and replaced if you are careful? I assume that means just be slow and keep the gun still?

Also is the grips much wider than a traditional 1911? Do you know if the VZ grips are thicker or Thinner?

 

[farscott]

The grips are very close in thickness to a 1911. The gun feels identical to the 1911 when gripped in the holster. Obviously, there is no grip safety to depress.

The VZ grips are the same thickness as the standard Xytel grips that Colt used. Changing grips is no big deal. If a spring does come free, it is really obvious where it needs to go.

 

[TennJed]

Thanks!!

 

[mesinge2]

1) Yes, the Double Eagle uses standard 1911 magazines of the appropriate caliber. The barrel, barrel bushing, recoil spring, recoil spring guide, spring plug, and sights are also standard Colt 1911 parts.

2) No fitted 1911 holster will fit due to the hooked trigger guard. The slide assembly will fit the holster, but the frame forward of the magazine well is substantially different. Nylon holsters that are not fitted will work, but the fit will be sloppy. Milt Sparks made me VM-2 and 55BNHS holsters that are properly fitted to the Double Eagle.

3) The issue with the pre MK II guns is overblown as the lockwork is pure SIG P22x, and the MK II guns just added covers to prevent the action springs from being dislodged if one is sloppy during grip removal. I have both pre MK II and MK II guns, and I use them interchangeably. VZ Grips is one of the few, if not only, sources for replacement grips. The DE is as reliable and durable as any 1911.

I am an huge 1911 fan and your post made me want to buy a Double Eagle. Dang it all, another gun on the want list!

 

[TennJed]

This may be a dumb question, but would a kimber Rimfire conversion kit work? I assume not

 

[farscott]

The Kimber rimfire conversion would not work on the DE due to the way the firing pin safety is implemented on the DE. Like the Series '80 design, the DE Series '90 has a firing pin safety, but the designs are not common. The DE slides, while of the same exterior profile and using the same barrels, are NOT interchangeable with those of Colt Series '80 guns.