COLT GUYS: 1911s

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LCPor9mm

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Looking for some opinions. Which do you guys prefer NEW; series 70, 1991, or the XSE?
why?
 
I have a 1991A1 .45, custom built by Mark Morris in WA. I really like this firearm, it 'fits' my hands, shoots better than I do :), and functions reliably with whatever ammunition I feed it.
 
Thanks

Thanks for the post Rick.
I would love to see a pic. I also would prefer opinions on more or less stock guns.....I can barely afford Colt, custom Colt is out of my range(no pun intended).:D
 
I personally prefer the 70 series Repro because it has a short trigger, steel mainspring and not firing pin lawyer feature. They also have a better level if fit and finish. They are more polished and get more attention from the Colt Custom shop than the avg 80 series. For some that justifies the additional cost for others it has no value. That said a lot will depend on price. I am not going to pass up a well priced 80 Series Govt 1991. These will have standard Colt sights and no beavertail.

The XSE gets you a beavertail, extended safety, Novak Sights, & 3 hole trigger IIRC. If I were looking at the XSE line I would get one of the new Combat Elites. If you want those features then the XSE is a good value.

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I had a 1991. It was a good shooter, I will get the series 70 next time. Mine was a 1995-build and was pretty rudimentary as it was designed to be.
 
Have several 1911s but picked-up my first Colt a couple months back... a 'basic' 1991 series... The pistol is one of the best made, most accurate guns I own.
I have a bunch of pistols, but 'right-out-of-the-box' this gun was one of the most accurate shoots I've experienced!... 32-rnds (4 mags) @ 10-yds...
I'm a decent shot but this was ridiculous!

Colt-1911003.jpg Colt-Target-1.gif
 
I just got a rail gun, which is an 80 ser enhanced model full of bells a whistles.

I needed the rail and was stuck with all the extra stuff.

It's really a well put together pistol and the trigger is excellent.

If I didnt need the rail I would have bought a Series 70 reproduction to avoid all the "extras." Basically decide the features you really want and need and get the minimum model that does that. All of the current Colt 1911s are very well made.

J.
 
Hard to say, if money was no object I'd own them all!

My only Colt so far is a New Agent, I guess that's closest to the 1991 series. My next one will be a Commander, I haven't decided between a basic 1991 series or the XSE.
 
I guess you can say I don't care what model Colt 1911 I get. If something doesn't suit me I'll just change what I don't like. I've got 1911 and A1 military and commercials, series 70,80,90 and XSEs. I've got blued,SS, compact,commander,gov,some with connsecutive serial no. Some are stock and some are custom. No race guns just shooters and carry guns. I carried a LW commander in .38s or .45 for 26 years. The mods I prefer are thin grips,flat msh,long trigger,better sights, commander hammer w beavertail. Gee, that sounds like a XSE. I prefer the series 70 blue to SS but like SS for easier care. Next I am looking for an old school colt longslide. The ones made by pistolsmiths in the 70s and 80s from two colt slides cult and rewelded together.

The only other 1911 style pistols I own are two Springfield armory TRP operators9 one steel and one LW0 and one Kimber grand Raptor. The Raptor goes with my Ford Raptor.

I know this doesn't really answer your question. It does however define the problem.

A gun that has been made for 100 years used in all the major wars of the last century and many other conflicts too many to list. Which one to choose?

Well if I was starting over I would get two 100 year marked XSE pistols one with and oone without the rail. If I could afford it I would get a New Colt Agent. This is the ideal version of a cold war pistol.

As far as all of the other manufactured 1911 style pistols out there being made for the Centennial, no matter how nice, Colt is the original.

If you have read this thanks for your indulgence. The rambleings of an over cafinated mind.

Cheers,

ts
 
I would buy the Series 70 for the short trigger and arched mainspring housing.

I do have an 80 Series, with a mid-length trigger and flat housing, an older Combat Elite. It has been great and I have no complaints. I do prefer the 3 dot sights on the 1991, but the Series 70 sights are much better than GI sights.

EDIT: If I were getting an XSE, I'd make sure it came with the new beavertail and not the "ducktail" grip safety that you still see occasionally. My understanding is Colt is changing to the beavertail for all XSE models, but you can still see new XSE on shelves with the ducktail. The ducktail is my least favorite grip safety in the 1911 world.
 
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Well, I guess I must prefer the XSE since I just got a stainless one last week. Took a little while to find one without the rail. I don't use a weapon mounted light anyway, and the rail won't fit into any of my holsters.

Main reason I went with it was because it comes with the frame relief (like a Gold Cup) at the base of the trigger guard. I always liked the way my Gold Cup fit my hand. I've milled the finger relief myself into several 1911's over the last few decades, didn't have to do it on this one. Just seems to allow me to maintain a more comfortable high grip and fits my hands better.
 
I have an 80 series Commander (love it), have shot an XSE full size (loved it). I'm planning on buying a new 70 series (if I can ever find one) because I want to use it as a host for my Colt 22 conversion kit which doesn't work with 80 series guts.
 
Of the "new" Colts, I would have to say the Series 70 look to be the nicest in terms of fit and finish. Having written that, I must say that I am also very pleased with my XSE M1911's as well. I really enjoy all the enhancements of the XSE series, like the frame cut-out, the beavertail grip safety, and the Novak sights.
 
Thanks Guys

This is good, keep it up, and don't be afraid to post some photos!
:D:D:D
 
I bought a 2011 "100 Years of Service" Series 70 repro for right at 1K. Sent it to Colt about 8 weeks ago for the "Tactical Package". Also having them remove all MIM parts and add a NM barrel & bushing. Should be worth it......I'll post pics and range report when I get it back next spring.
 
I bought an XSE (Combat Elite) because the features match the intended uses. I'd prefer it didn't have Series 80 components because I don't feel they are necessary and it adds to the detailed stripping process, but it's still a great pistol. I'd like a repro just to have one, though.

IMG_1796.jpg
 
Having owned quite a few Colts I feel qualified to answer.

Series 70s...gorgeous finish.

1991 series...usually better put together..and I prefer a flat MSH and longer trigger.

No experience with XSE..but have handled a few...fit and finish more consistent than series 70 guns.

All of my Colts have functioned 100% and have exhibited good accuracy...but if you're nit picky about aesthetics...do not buy one sight un seen.

Cosmetic Issues that have plagued my series 70 guns:

Poor finish, inside of dust cover missing blueing, slide overhang visibly more on one side (crooked?), Dust cover rub, crooked triggers(bent up or down..ie pad was brazed onto trigger bar, front sight dorked up, MSH not aligned with bottom of frame.

Cosmetic Issues that have plagued my series 80 guns:

Stainless model tossed a rear sight.

Usually less cosmetic flaws.

WW1 Repro:

Loose plunger tube from factory...otherwise flawless

If Colt would abandon the series 80 FPS and have more consistent QC...I'd consider another...but for now I'm done with them.
 
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