Colt 1911

[el Godfather]

Dear THR:
Colt the original maker of 1911 has made quality firearms. I want to know that today which model do you consider to be the best 1911 made by Colt, and how it measures up with the likes of Wilson Super grades, Les bear, etc. What makes those custom guns more special than Colt?

I was looking at Colt Special Combat Government, it looks outstanding in all departments. What so these boys at Wilson, Bear, Brown and nighthawk to even (if thats true) make a pistol better than Colt SCG?

What are noticeable differences that we pay extra for, or how much is mostly the gimmicks?

Thank you

 

[tarosean]

If I were to purchase a Colt today it would be a Wiley Clapp Government.

My only Colt right now is a LW Commander and I own guns from WC, LB, EB and NHC (x2)

Out of those 6 1911's the last one to have a malfunction was my Wilson and it was a mag related issue, bullet was nose down Vertical in magazine. Tossed the mag and she still purrs.

There really is no comparison other than they are all 1911 styled pistols. One came off an assembly line and the others were hand built with attention to fit and finish. With exception of LB, as they extremely tight but are a little rough around the edges. Yet you can save considerable amounts over the other semi custom builders. With that said though, my LB might be a little rough yet is still one of my favorite pistols..

Its kind of like comparing a Corvette to a Ferrari. Sure the Vette can hang in the performance department, but its the details, fit and finish that set a Ferrari way out in front. Some pay for those details and some don't care... Its really up to you and your pocketbook.

Your not paying for gimmicks your paying for man hours and options.

Here are three of mine, all very different.. You cannot get these outfitted like this from Colt.

 

[el Godfather]

I asked this question because I was unable to decide between Colt SCG 45 or a Wilson Combat in 10mm.

 

[bannockburn]

I have bought several new Colts over the last couple of years and I think they are some of the best built pistols to come out of the factory in a long time. New guns include a Government, Lightweight Government, Lightweight Commander, and New Agent. All of them receive very high marks from me in terms of overall fit and finish and performance.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Last Colt I bought new was a well made trouble free accurate . I think for $$ spent their making a good pistol. If I was going to buy a new, say Commander . It would be a Colt . But if I bring home another 1911 no matter the brand. I will likely need a new place to live I have been informed I have enough pistols period.

 

[Fishbed77]

If I were to purchase a Colt today it would be a Wiley Clapp Government.

I agree. I love my XSE, but if I had to do it all over again, I would probably hunt down a Wiley Clapp.

I know the Colt Special Combat Government is the "nicer" and more expensive Colt, but the Wiley Clapp has all the features I'd look for in a Colt.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

I bought a new 9MM Colt Defender a couple of weeks ago. Only have about 200 rounds through it so far and I'm loving it. I had been holding out for the SA EMP, but I am happy that I decided Colt.

 

[JTQ]

If the Colt Special Combat Government doesn't have the features you want, you may want to check the Colt Gunsite model http://www.gunsite.com/main/proshop/gunsmithy/gunsite-colt-service-pistol/

It currently says "Price on request", which usually scares my wallet, but within the last year or two they've been on sale in the $1,200 - $1,300 range, so they can't be too terribly expensive.

 

[CCS3]

The Special Combat Government model has matte rounds and wire brushed flats on both the hard chrome and blued models. The barrels are hand fit over sized Colt NM. These barrels are bigger in the upper and lower lug dimensions over the standard drop in NM barrel used on the production floor and the barrel hoods are longer so they can be fit to the slide. The barrels are not "hard fit" like a Les Baer. They are fit with minimal gap all around the hood to help get a balance of accuracy and reliability.

The Special Combat Government model triggers are set to break between 3.5 and 3.75 pounds. The primary angle is polished, a secondary is cut in and the hammer hooks are squared and polished.

The guns all need to shoot around an inch +/- at 15 yards rested.

These guns are real shooters. Test target pic.


At 2 grand, they will hang with any of the other production custom guns out there that cost more.

 

[kvtcomdo]

My Ed Brown Executive Carry is my favorite 1911. The Ed Brown Classic Custom is close behind.

That being said I recently purchased a Colt Combat Colt Cup. The overall fit and finish of the EB series is better but that Gold Cup is a fine pistol and gives up very little to the EB. At half the price.

 

[mec]

The current- post CAD-CAM Colts give up much less to custom make than they did a few years ago. While it is not as accurate as my Les Baer TRS or the Ten Ring Precision reworked series 80 gold cup, My (extremely) new Colt XSE Commander is way more shootable and reliable than a full sized xse i had before CNC and much more accurate than the series 80 gold cup as it came from the box in the early 90s. The trigger pull quickly settled in at around 4 pounds- a great improvment over many earlier Colts.

 

[jjadkins1]

Colt Defender

I bought a Colt Defender in November and I love it. It is a .45 and has been flawless. I have ran about 300 rounds through it and it is my primary carry. Great gun.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have said for years, I think the high-end semi-custom 1911s are a great naked emperor. They are a $5 milkshake. Great. FANTASTIC. But not worth $5.

I think the law of diminishing returns comes into play far before this price point.

 

[CCS3]

Have you shot a SCG? They are a lot of gun for the money.

 

[RACHAK]

Hello all, I am new here. I am looking at buying a Colt Custom Combat Elite .45.
#CCE182. Rubber wrap around grips with medallion, adjustable rear sights, ramped front sight-orange, bi-tone. I have checked colts web site and when I type in the serial number it cannot be found. Any help on this would be great. Thanks!

 

[JTQ]

I believe the wraparounds were on the old Combat Elite's. I have one from that era, the late 1980's for me.

The new Combat Elite's have wood grips.

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

 

[RACHAK]

Thank you. That is a start. Any idea on value? It is not NIB but probably 99%.

 

[JTQ]

I'm sorry, I thought you were looking to buy a new gun.

Used prices could be all over the place, especially depending on where you are. You'd probably want to check the local stores or check Gunbroker for similar guns.

This thread, while a completely different gun, may give you some idea's about prices or a used Colt http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=740723

 

[RACHAK]

Thanks again. Like I said this site is new to me, figuring it out. Singed up a while ago. First time to post..