Skylerbone
Member
Across the board they are all solid choices and with that said it really depends on what you hope to end up with. As such, rather than give a preference I'd ask you to consider the following:
The 1991 is of course the least expensive option but also the (in my mind) best candidate for a serious custom build of any Colt. It allows any custom smith the opportunity to fit the specific parts he/she prefers. Not all will take piece meal orders since theirs is the name the end product will be associated with. A fine everyday shooter as well needing nothing unless you prefer a beavertail for your hand's sake (I do).
I've put plenty of rounds down range with a 70 reissue and I must say it is indeed a step above the standard 1991. While fit is only mildly better the pistol's accuracy does seem elevated and the finish is definitely nicer. Noteworthy that it required a bit of tuning to ejection before it was ready for prime time but never did jam.
The XSE is where the smart money is for many buyers having all those features now deemed "mandatory" in a modern 1911 to include dovetailed sights, undercut trigger guard, flat MSH, lowered ejection port and beavertail GS. Nothing much to do but shoot it and enjoy. Fit is also improved over the standard 1991 and finish is decent. Accuracy wise there is little to discern it from the S70 Repro.
Safety parts are a sore subject with many but I can say that I've yet to personally experience any failures and tuning can often be accomplished with a simple swap of a $3 part with no fitting required. Mark me as neutral in the arguement as all my composite pistols are equipped with similar systems.
That's my take. In the game with future upgrade options, "classic" features or niceties aplenty. If the question were which to carry I'd say the XSE for the sights alone (easier to swap at home) but it really comes down to your wallet's threshold and your intentions.
Best of luck and sorry for the rambling.
The 1991 is of course the least expensive option but also the (in my mind) best candidate for a serious custom build of any Colt. It allows any custom smith the opportunity to fit the specific parts he/she prefers. Not all will take piece meal orders since theirs is the name the end product will be associated with. A fine everyday shooter as well needing nothing unless you prefer a beavertail for your hand's sake (I do).
I've put plenty of rounds down range with a 70 reissue and I must say it is indeed a step above the standard 1991. While fit is only mildly better the pistol's accuracy does seem elevated and the finish is definitely nicer. Noteworthy that it required a bit of tuning to ejection before it was ready for prime time but never did jam.
The XSE is where the smart money is for many buyers having all those features now deemed "mandatory" in a modern 1911 to include dovetailed sights, undercut trigger guard, flat MSH, lowered ejection port and beavertail GS. Nothing much to do but shoot it and enjoy. Fit is also improved over the standard 1991 and finish is decent. Accuracy wise there is little to discern it from the S70 Repro.
Safety parts are a sore subject with many but I can say that I've yet to personally experience any failures and tuning can often be accomplished with a simple swap of a $3 part with no fitting required. Mark me as neutral in the arguement as all my composite pistols are equipped with similar systems.
That's my take. In the game with future upgrade options, "classic" features or niceties aplenty. If the question were which to carry I'd say the XSE for the sights alone (easier to swap at home) but it really comes down to your wallet's threshold and your intentions.
Best of luck and sorry for the rambling.
