Colt Question

[mattw]

I have a 1918 mfg. Colt M1911 that was in service with the Marines during Korea (or so the story goes). I am thinking about selling it for around $1500 and getting two new 1911s. One of them will be a Rock Island because i want a beater/truck-gun that i can play gunsmith on. I want another colt for the second one. I would like to buy a brand new one and will either get a Mk IV series 70 or an M1991A1.

My question is: What are the differences between the series 70 and the 1991?

Also, from those that own them, what are you opinions of current production Colt 1911s? Since they got a new CEO a while back (USMC General somethingorother Ret., I believe) I hear that thier quality has been vastly improved.

Last question: Is it just me or are there subtle differences between the frames by the different 1911 manufacturers? I have been looking at my Colt 1911 and my Springfield 1911A1 and the colt seems to be "thinner" where as the Springfield seems to be more blocky around the front strap and the dust cover.

 

[Jedi_7.62]

I'm a little confused, is Colt currently making civilian 1911's?
I had heard Colt wasn't making civilian guns anymore and when I went to their web page a few days ago I only saw Military and Law enforcement.

I have been confused about this for a while and thought this was a good time to throw it out there.

 

[StrikeEagle]

I had heard Colt wasn't making civilian guns anymore and when I went to their web page a few days ago I only saw Military and Law enforcement.

There is still a commercial line of Colts:

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/home.asp

StrikeEagle

 

[timothy75]

If you can get 1500$ I'd do it but why rock island? They're not much less than another springfield GI.

 

[richyoung]

MATTW 0 try getting some pics and posting in the "For Sale/Trade" handgun section here - quite a few 1911 colectors here. (Any documentation on the pistol's history would help...)

 

[countertop]

I picked up a new 1991A1 in March and its become my day to day carry gun (though thats gonna change this week as the weather is slated to top 100 degrees necessitating much less clothing). Love it a bunch.

Don't bother with the Rock Island, just get yourself a Springfield for the beater truck gun.

As far as differences in the frame, I haven't noticed any (not that I was really looking) but I do know that the Springfield is made in Brazil using some different type of process from the Colt. I believe one is cast and one is forged, but don't know which is which.


And yes, notwithstanding what a lot of Kimber dealers will tell you, Colt is still making plenty of guns - in fact I'd even say the current civilian guns coming out o fthe factory are some of the best they have ever produced.