do i want the colt or the springfield ?

[boss_spearman]

1911 fever is upon me again. after growing tired of the little bug-a-boos several 1911's i had gave me, switched to revolvers and ruger autos, and am used to ruger auto reliability. i'm going to get either the colt 1991 a1 OR the springfield mil-spec. NO OTHERS ... i;m interested in reliability and trouble free service much more than i am in a name or which would be the better investment. will appreciate hearing your 1st hand opinions here. thanks

 

[Sean Smith]

Springfield is cheaper, but Colt is better value now in my opinion. Either choice is good.

 

[Dorrin79]

seems to me like they're about equivalent

some bad stories out there about SA's customer service, not sure about colt's.

SA is a better price, Colt has the intangible benefits of tradition and history.

Can't imagine you'd go wrong with either...

 

[10-Ring]

I've had both. For price, the SA is the deal, but for a little more, the Colt just has alot going for it.

 

[Shmackey]

Colt

 

[Black Majik]

Colt

 

[Soap]

I've owned the Springfield Loaded Parkerized NS model and also a Government Model NRM Colt. Out of the two, the Colt beats the Springfield in all areas. Nearly everything is superior to the Springfield. The Springfield had reliability issues right out of the box (they machined the breech face too small...ooops!), whereas the Colt has been completely reliable. Accuracy is comparable between the two.

 

[duckfoot]

COLT

 

[denfoote]

Looks like I'm the the lone (sane) voice crying "SPRINGFIELD" from the wildnerness!!!!

Get the Springfield.

I have the 1911A1 Loaded and am going to look at getting a "mil spec" today.

 

[WonderNine]

I'm getting a Colt series 80 as soon as I can afford it. Gonna do the series 70 conversion and replace the MIM sear with a cast or forged one and replace the long aluminum trigger with a short one.

In my limited 1911 experience, they seem to be the best value.

And every once in awhile Midway has 10 packs of new USGI 7 rounders on sale for $45. Maybe get a few 8 round Chip McCormick Powermags for carry. And a case of MFS 230gr. +P .45 Auto from Aim Surplus and some Winchester Ranger 230gr. +P for carry.

And I wonder why I never have any money.

 

[BluesBear]

I vote Colt. I have LOVED every one I have ever owned (over a dozen).
Right now I own two. Nothing but reliable. I do bet my life on them.



CDNN investments has Mec-Gar bulk packed blued 8 round mags, the ones with the little finger extension, (which makes the mag just a teeny bit longer and more reliabe with 8) on sale for $7.99.

I just received 4 in the mail Thursday. All drop free and feed snap caps 100%. (Happy Happy Joy Joy)

 

[gwalchmai]

WonderNine wrote:

And a case of MFS 230gr. +P .45 Auto from Aim Surplus and some Winchester Ranger 230gr. +P for carry.

I'm on my third case of MFS from AIM and I think it's the best deal going. I haven't had any failures with it in my Kimber. I haven't tried the +P stuff yet but I may pick up a case for AmmoDay.

 

[JStordahl]

Wondernine: I was wondering if you could elaborate on the series 80 to series 70 conversion. Is it just replacement of trigger/sear/firing pin parts or does the frame also need machining? Thanks.

 

[dsk]

Series 80 to Series 70

Detail-strip the pistol, remove all the FP safety parts (plunger, spring, two levers). Reassemble using thin shim available from Brownells to fill gap where levers went.

 

[George Hill]

Springfield makes a good solid 1911. But I would have to go with one of these new Colts.

 

[Wildalaska]

Colt

WildwhyevenaskAlaska

 

[Peetmoss]

Stupid question!

decieded it needed it's own thread

 

[Hot brass]

SA

 

[BluesBear]

The definative answer to this dilema!

Buy one of each.

Decide for yourself.

Then send us a range report.

 

[45R]

If your going to consider a Colt spend a wee bit more money on a Kimber Custom II.

The SAs are nice but the Mil-Specs are no thrills. Colts are really nice but I cant stand plastic triggers.

 

[dsk]

Colt's haven't used plastic triggers for over a year. They've also never used a firing pin safety prone to break and render the gun inoperable. If you want a semi-custom 1911 and don't want SA or Colt go with a S&W.

 

[SnWnMe]

Horse Brand. The newest ones are very well made. Kimber, SA, Smith, they can all make improved 1911 clones til the proverbial cows come home, but in the end, all they have are also ran clones. Colts keep their value also.

 

[tex_n_cal]

Colt..better value - I really like my NRM stainess 1991A1.

I have a SA Mil-Spec in .38 Super (yes I know there is nothing Mil-spec about a .38 Super ) and it runs like a top. The kicker, however, is that it's not fitted too tight. I shot some of SA's higher end guns, as well as Kimbers, that were fitted too tight IMO and jammed as soon as they got a little dirty. The Colts don't have that problem.

 

[Rob96]

NRM Stainless Colt 1991A1.

 

[jercamp45]

The Horsie Wins!

Colt, of course........
Better value, better collector, typically more reliable, made in America by the company that started the 1911 tradition......
If ya got a choice...get a Colt.
Jercamp45