Colt govt vs govt "enhanced"... ~same price?!

[jlh26oo]

Why are these two the same price? Is there an advantage of the plain 70 series I am missing? They are the same price, yet the XSE version supposedly adds:

-Novak low mount sights
-front serrations (slanted vs straight)
-extended abi safety
-adjustable al trigger
-combat hammer
-"enhanced tolerences"
-Ti firing pin
-heavy duty spring
-hammer forged match quality throated barrel
-carry bevel treatment
-flared and lowered ejection port


While I used to see 70 series for $699, now $766 is the cheapest I'm finding them. Same as the XSE considering the 70 series lacks all the above upgrades.

Are all Colt 1911 blue finishes equal? Aside from personal preference, is there any reason "on paper" not to go wth the XSE model? It's an 80's series huh? The xse? Is that why?

 

[jlh26oo]

Take a look at this: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=colt+1911

Colt 1911 XSE Govt Enhanced Competition Blue .45acp $764.19
Colt 1911 Govt.45acp Blue $766.39

The "enhanced" not just same price, but CHEAPER (only a couple of dollars, but still)? Is the fancier trigger, hammer etc not more expensive to include w/the XSE?

BTW... ***?! Are all XSE's not the same?! The one in this picture shows NO "novak style" sights, as the XSE's on GB do. Maybe that's why THIS one is so cheap.

Still. Make an argument for the plain one at the same price. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

 

[gc70]

The "plain" gun you saw is the O1970A1CS Series 70 reproduction by Colt's Custom Shop. Colt's reproduction series guns have been a big hit; the WWII reproduction sold out and the WWI reproduction is nearly gone.

The regular XSE you saw is about $100 more than the basic 1991 model, which is probably a more appropriate comparison.

 

[jlh26oo]

The "plain" gun you saw is the O1970A1CS Series 70 reproduction by Colt's Custom Shop. Colt's reproduction series guns have been a big hit; the WWII reproduction sold out and the WWI reproduction is nearly gone.

The regular XSE you saw is about $100 more than the basic 1991 model, which is probably a more appropriate comparison.

Ah, not so plain then if a custom shop gun in some sense (that was not in the description). Thanks. I would then ask you- what does the O1970A1CS "have" on the O1980XSE in that case? Better finish? Nicer in any other sense?

Because on paper the advantages of the latter are clear. I understand that market value, just the fact that people probably desire the 70 series just as much as the xse would make it cost as much. But is that all there is? Nothing where you can definitively say is an advantage in the series 70? (firing pin block is a wash to me)

 

[gc70]

It all depends on what a person wants. The firing pin safety, or lack thereof, is huge for some buyers. The extra attention given to Custom Shop guns is a plus. As to the other "advantages" of the XSE, some people would pay more for a well executed traditional gun that excludes "features" that they neither want or need. IMO, the only "advantage" of the XSE that I would pay extra for would be the carry bevel treatment and that is more than offset by the Series 70's overall appearance and lack of a firing pin safety.

If value is solely a matter of a list of features, Taurus makes an inexpensive 1911 that has a long list of extra features.

 

[jlh26oo]

I think I agree gc.

Even as a non purist I guess, who doesn't care that much about the firing pin block one way or another, I'd take the less customized one if there was any gain in qc from colt.

Only thing that worries me is if the lowered/flared ejection port is an advantage, this raises an eyebrow:

Most new 1911 pistols have a lowered port to allow better ejection, but the narrow port is a concession to authenticity.

http://www.m1911.org/prodte26.htm

Anyways, cross posted this in colt forum and they echoed pretty much what you are saying. Thank you.

 

[gc70]

Only thing that worries me is if the lowered/flared ejection port is an advantage

1911s have been tossing brass through the original ejection ports for 95 years.

The biggest complaint I have heard is that the brass may get dinged on the way out, which some reloaders believe is an issue and others do not.

If the extractor and ejector are not properly tuned, the lowered/flared port does provide a bigger exit path for the brass.

added:

My personal preference is the 1991 model. The primary differences between the 1991 and Series 70 are:

• 1991: long trigger, flat mainspring housing, firing pin safety, lowered ejection port, different roll marks.
• S70: short trigger, arched mainspring housing, no firing pin safety, original ejection port, different roll marks.

The only changes I have made to my 1991s, I would also have made to a Series 70 - arched mainspring housings with lanyard loops, micarta grips, and different trigger lengths (long, medium, or short, as the mood strikes me).