Are Colt 1911s good for the price?

[Fubijar03]

First post, and I'm sorry to ask a question so early in my membership, but I'm buying soon and am new to 1911s.

A little backstory, growing up in a hillbilly home Colt was the Gold Standard for pistols, as were 1911s. I always wanted one, but hillbilly meant poor as hell in my family and it wasn't gonna happen. After a semester of college I joined the Marine Corps infantry and slowly was taught to hate 1911s by the other guys. I never drank the beretta Kool-Aid but overseas I learned the benefits of large magazines and in training I learned the benefits of lightweight items. When I got home I bought a Colt AR and an assortment of pistols which includes name like Glock, CZ, and Sig. Now I want a 1911, because my collection feels like it is missing something. I want a Colt, but it seems like most people think I should either save for a Dan Wesson or buy a Springfield. With the deal Sig is having right now I may settle, but I still really want the Colt.

Are they worth the price they demand? In that price is there a really clear winner in the reliability, accuracy, and resale value department? It seems that the love is for Springfield, but I covet the dancing pony.

Thanks in advance, and if this is in the wrong spot please go easy on me

Mike

 

[torqem]

In a word? No. Not unless you get really lucky with a "used" gun from a private seller. There are wonderful "shooter' 1911's available from other makers, used, for $400. The Colt moniker has been for the "upper-crust" collector types, for about 30 years now. $400 too much, in most cases.

 

[2wheels]

There are a lot of good 1911s in that general price range, but I feel Colt definitely holds their own and the name on the side is just icing on the cake. I've been very happy with my two Colts, a New Agent and a TALO edition CCO (also liked my Springfield EMP a lot, but I wasn't in love with it so it got traded).

I'll eventually buy more 1911s, and they'll probably be Colts. Yeah it's partially because I'm a Colt fanboy... Gotta have that prancing pony... But it's also because Colt builds a quality product.

 

[FiremanJim]

I owned a Colt and two Springfield's. Traded them all eventually for Hk pistols because I came to realize that no matter how cool my 1911's were, I just prefer Hk and Sig.

I'm not gonna knock the 1911 especially the Colt, it's a great pistol, but the truth is it's like those of us that own an Hk P7, because unless you REALLY want to own one the only reason to have one if you're not all that keen on it is nostalgia.
And it's kind of a shame to pay all that money for something you really don't care all that much about.
Buy one and see what you think though, you can always trade or sell it later.
For the record, I like Colt and I did drink the Kool-Aid when it came to building my M4.

 

[bannockburn]

There were times years ago when Colt was experiencing labor/management problems when quality definitely slipped a couple of notches but I believe they are turning out some pretty decent guns these days. I have several Colts, purchased new over the last few years and all of them have been excellent in terms of overall fit and finish and performance.

 

[WC145]

I've had a number of different brands of 1911s including Colt, Springfield, SIG, S&W, and Fusion. All nice guns but I've found that I prefer the real thing and for several years now have only had Colts. The guns they're putting out today are great, I don't see where any of the clones are offering anything better in a given price range.

 

[Fubijar03]

Wow you guys respond fast on here. Seems like kinda what I was expecting. I do, honestly, plan to make this more of a safe gun than anything. I want one because of the historical importance and, let's face it, imo they are the finest looking pistol ever made. I will shoot this gun once a year tops, and I think that Pony on the side is important enough to wait.

I remember hearing that their quality was slipping and that they were over priced yatayata but I will never (intentionally) rely on this pistol for anything more than killing paper.

Again thanks for the responses. Is there any love for Sig 1911s at all? I know that they had plenty of problems early on, just curious if there are any new stories or experiences. Going with my buddy to buy his first handgun today and he is leaning that way due to the buy one get one deal.

Again, thanks a lot for the responses!

 

[texagun]

...growing up...Colt was the Gold Standard for pistols, as were 1911s.

They still are, at their price point. For a bit less than $1000 they are the best 1911's around in my opinion, and they will hold their value over the years better than most.

 

[Riomouse911]

A Colt 1911 .45 ACP...A 4" blued Smith M-29 .44 magnum, a 6" Colt Python .357, a Browning Hi-Power 9mm..... some guns and calibers just go together too well!

You will be happy with your Colt 1911.

 

[SC Shooter]

For many, there are guns that have more significance than just shooting well. They may have a historical relevance, a certain mystique, or just plain great name recognition. The Colt 1911 has all of these. Yes, if you can afford a Colt 1911, get one.

 

[Fishbed77]

They still are, at their price point. For a bit less than $1000 they are the best 1911's around in my opinion, and they will hold their value over the years better than most.

This.

Among mass-produced 1911s, Colts are among the best.

 

[Fubijar03]

Thanks a lot. I am set on the Colt. Are the 1991s to be avoided or just the bargain bin special?

 

[tarosean]

Thanks a lot. I am set on the Colt. Are the 1991s to be avoided or just the bargain bin special?

There are many here who will claim their bargain 1911 is just as good as a semi custom. I cannot answer that one though.

Personally I would stay away from less than 4" 1911's. As timing is critical for flawless operation and the gap for perfection is diminished.

 

[silicosys4]

FWIW, of the four 1911's I've had, my 1991A1 and my Combat Commander have been the most reliable.

The 1991A1 has a plastic trigger, a plastic mainspring housing, and in my case, a different finish and rollmark. Other than that, they are the exact same gun as more expensive models. It is the lowest priced colt 1911, but the gun itself is of the same quality as their other 1911s. Honestly, my 1991A1 has a better trigger than any of my other 1911's with metal triggers, including the "match quality" Sig.

My Sig nitron rail is at the factory as I type this for fail to feed issues stemming from an overly tight chamber
My R.I. 1911 shot way off point of aim.

the two colts have both shot to point of aim, and have fed anything.

 

[tark]

If you buy something else than a Colt, and you go to sell it in the future, you will eventually hear the following: "You know this gun would be worth more if it were a Colt....."

 

[Fubijar03]

1991 it is unless I can find something good used. I can tell I'm gonna like it here, and u really appreciate the quick replies and honest answers. The Sig deal will have to be passed up I guess.

 

[2wheels]

Nice as they are, those featured Sigs aren't what I would want if I was only buying one 1911 for my collection.

I think you'll be plenty happy with a Colt, good luck with your search.

 

[JRH6856]

If I were buying a 1911 today, it would probably be a Ruger SR1911 or a Remington R1. But then, I already have a Colt.

 

[WC145]

Is there any love for Sig 1911s at all? I know that they had plenty of problems early on, just curious if there are any new stories or experiences. Going with my buddy to buy his first handgun today and he is leaning that way due to the buy one get one deal.

I bought a SIG Traditional Compact (CCO) a few years ago, it was a decent enough gun. Had it about a month then got the opportunity to trade it and some cash for a Clark built Colt 1991A1 Compact and jumped on it. I definitely got the better end of the deal.

Thanks a lot. I am set on the Colt. Are the 1991s to be avoided or just the bargain bin special?

I have three ORM 1991A1s, the Clark built Compact .45acp mentioned above, a Novak built Commander .45acp, and full size .38 Super that is almost done being customized by Robin Dietrich. They are terrific guns and the earlier, less expensive ones make great platforoms for custom work.

 

[Fishbed77]

Thanks a lot. I am set on the Colt. Are the 1991s to be avoided or just the bargain bin special?

1991s are as well-built as any other non-custom shop Colt. You might want to also consider the XSE, since for only about $30-$50 more, it comes with a lot of nice features, such as a beavertail grip safety, ambi safety, combat cut trigger guard, and Novak sights (and some useless ones like forward cocking serrations and full-length guide rod).

 

[moxie]

Colt Lightweight Commander.

 

[rondog]

Are they still making the 01918 WWI repro (black finish)? If so, consider one of those. I have an 01911 WWI repro (the blue one) and I love it! But I wanted one faithful to the original design. Damn nice pistol, but some people prefer modern touches like beavertails, better sights, etc.

 

[moxie]

Pesky beavertails. No more chewed up hands.

Pesky better sights. Might actually hit the target!

And, I said this, not George Gobel, "Ever been out there with a fork in your hand and it's raining Jack Daniels?"

 

[Auto426]

Thanks a lot. I am set on the Colt. Are the 1991s to be avoided or just the bargain bin special?

The 1991's are no better or worse than anything else in their regular production lineup. They just have a different feature set for different tastes. They have a more classic look for those that desire it, while the XSE models and Rail Gun models follow more modern tastes.

As a side note, newer 1991's come with aluminum triggers, not plastic like the older versions. You can tell the difference between the older versions and the newer versions based on the roll marks on the side. Old versions had a large "M1991A1" billboard on the slide, while newer guns have the nicer looking "Colt's Government Model" rollmark.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I had one of the newer production Colt 1991 government models with the new rollmarks and blued finish. I loved it and wish I still had it. I have a friend who kept begging me to sell it to him, until I finally did. It was a nicely put together straightforward 1911. To my untrained eye, the fit and finish seemed equal to the older Series 70 (one of the ones with the collet bushing) that I inherited from my grandfather. Unlike my Sistema, it did not give me hammer bite. The taller sights were nice too.