I almost love my Colt

[Steve S.]

I am a decent pistol shot; I own a WC CQB, a LB PII and a “Plain Jane” Colt Series 70 all in .45 ACP. The CQB and PII will shoot one ragged hole at 15 yards, the Colt around 3” - there is definitely a quality difference (and certainly a cost difference) between the builds - I got what I paid for. My Colt is a combat build and it shoots like one - no surprise to me. I own the Colt for nostalgia reasons (I carried one in my Army service during the Vietnam Conflict era) - it is a combat weapon deluxe.

 

[WVsig]

Typical misinformation and misunderstandings about what makes a 1911 accurate. A factory production pistol is normally going to give you 2-4" at 25 yards. They are building for reliability and function more than accuracy. If you want to chase the accuracy ghost go to gun smith or go semi-custom or custom right out of the gate. These are the break down of how to get better accuracy out of a 1911.

According to the book “The Colt .45 Automatic” by Jerry Kuhnhausen.

Match grade barrel 10%
Bushing fit 20%
Headspace 10%
Rear barrel side play 20%
Vertical lock up 20%
Slide to frame fit 15%
Beyond reach 5%

 

[WVsig]

That’s the beauty and allure of a 1911 you can have a great looking gun that shoots for crap until a real armorer or gun smith who knows how to tune it fixes it. Nothing like spending a few hundred to cure a high dollar gun of it’s awkward round tossing.
Slide fit, bushing, barrel link are all part of the game of getting a 1911 to run

So wrong.... this stock Colt 70 Repro will out shoot 99% of the shooter out there including me. This thing is a laser. The barrel lockup is excellent. There is very little rear barrel play. The bushing can still be turned by hand but fits well, a tight bushing does not = a fit bushing and the slide to frame is loosey goosey but the gun just shoots. It is the base line 1911 I judge other production guns against.



Back to the OP. I am willing to bet if you strapped that gun into a ransom rest and shot it at 25 and 50 it would produce good groups. Colts barrels are very good these days and their machining is better than it has been for a long time. I would get a rest or a sand bag and shoot the pistol. I am willing to bet that it is not that the gun is not accurate but there is something in the interface between shooter and the gun causing accuracy issues. Have to measured the trigger weight? Have you inspected the trigger control parts. It might be that the trigger is just a bit higher weight than your other 1911s or that there is something slightly out of spec causing you not to interface well with the gun. Has anyone else shot it? If so what were their results?

 

[Old Dog]

WVsig, interesting that you mention your Series 70 Repro -- the stainless model below (I think about a 2013 production) that I have is a tackdriver as well. The LWC XSE, not so much (same year, I think), though the accuracy as I noted before is acceptable.

 

[funnelcake]

Anecdotal examples (a sample of one is as anecdotal as it gets...) to support any argument that the OP didn’t get a relative lemon is a disservice.

I’ve been shooting and tinkering on 1911’s (the majority Colt’s) for >35-years & yes, occasional examples will exhibit flaws that run the gamut including poor accuracy.

 

[SRSTAdam21]

Didn’t get to go back out today. A bit under the weather. But will continue to work with it. Really do love everything else about it.

 

[WVsig]

Anecdotal examples (a sample of one is as anecdotal as it gets...) to support any argument that the OP didn’t get a relative lemon is a disservice.

I’ve been shooting and tinkering on 1911’s (the majority Colt’s) for >35-years & yes, occasional examples will exhibit flaws that run the gamut including poor accuracy.

Irony of irony is that the OP is an anecdotal example and has not given us enough information to determine that the gun is defective in any manner. Sure Colt has made some crappy guns that would not hit the broad side of a barn but 9 times out of 10 and experienced 1911 shooter can determine why. There are so many variables that it is impossible to render a conclusion based on anecdotal evidence.I am not saying that this Colt is not inaccurate but the jury is still out. I love people who proclaim the a gun they have never seen touched or sniffed to be one thing or another. 35 years of anecdotal experience does not mean anything in this instance.

No one is claiming that Colt is incapable of making an inaccurate gun. What I and Old Dog are stating is that Blkhrt13 statement about 1911s in general is complete and total BS. 1000s upon 1000s of 1911s of various makes and models proves that him incorrect. Nothing anecdotal about it.

 

[WVsig]

To the OP has anyone else shot the gun? Sometimes if there is an issue having someone else shoot the gun can help confirm or debunk what is going on. I have done this will slide lock issues on 1911s and other guns. Sometimed ones grip does not work with a particular setup and induces issues that other shooters will not experience.

Again I am not doubting that this gun could be defective in some manner but the more evidence of issues you can present if you call Colt about it the more likely they are to take a look at it on their dime.

 

[SRSTAdam21]

To the OP has anyone else shot the gun? Sometimes if there is an issue having someone else shoot the gun can help confirm or debunk what is going on. I have done this will slide lock issues on 1911s and other guns. Sometimed ones grip does not work with a particular setup and induces issues that other shooters will not experience.

Again I am not doubting that this gun could be defective in some manner but the more evidence of issues you can present if you call Colt about it the more likely they are to take a look at it on their dime.

First, appreciate all the knowledge you’ve added to the discussion. Thanks for that.
Yes it has been shot by one other person with similar results. Haven’t put it on a rest yet.

 

[Old Dog]

Didn’t get to go back out today. A bit under the weather. But will continue to work with it. Really do love everything else about it.

View attachment 892535

It's a great looking pistol, and if it's 100% reliable, you can work to improve your accuracy with it. For a carry gun, I'm more concerned about reliability than the gun being a tackdriver, all other things being equal.
Really, the new Colt Commanders have everything I like and nothing I don't. Good luck with it.

 

[Olympus]

For the quality to price ratio of Colt 1911s from say the past 5-10 years, I think there are WAY better 1911s. Colt hasn't impressed me with their 1911 quality for a very long time. You're paying for the name and that's just about it as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Trey Veston]

Just out of curiosity, did you eat prior to going to the range on the occasions you fired the Colt? Had you been drinking a lot of coffee prior or had an energy drink? Did you shoot a few mags to warm up first before working on accuracy?

Valid point. Been modifying my diet to cut out as many carbs as possible and when I shoot, some days I cheat on my diet or don't eat before a session and can't get decent groups due to getting tremors or shakes. Sucks getting old.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Uh... can I ask a question: I'm assuming your other 2 1911s are both 5", steel-frame pistols, while your Colt is a 4.25" with a lightweight alloy frame.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess the accuracy difference is due to the recoil/muzzle flip and the shorter sight radius. The smaller, lighter gun is likely just as mechanically accurate, but in your hands you're seeing just a bit of difference due to the different recoil/shooting characteristics.

Fact: the heavier guns are easier to shoot accurately, the extra mass helps dampen recoil and mask shooter errors. The lighter guns are not as forgiving, even though they can shoot just as well.

 

[SRSTAdam21]

Uh... can I ask a question: I'm assuming your other 2 1911s are both 5", steel-frame pistols, while your Colt is a 4.25" with a lightweight alloy frame.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess the accuracy difference is due to the recoil/muzzle flip and the shorter sight radius. The smaller, lighter gun is likely just as mechanically accurate, but in your hands you're seeing just a bit of difference due to the different recoil/shooting characteristics.

Fact: the heavier guns are easier to shoot accurately, the extra mass helps dampen recoil and mask shooter errors. The lighter guns are not as forgiving, even though they can shoot just as well.

I shoot a Kimber Pro Carry II with no issues.

 

[Dibbs]

Except we are not talking about their Custom Shop.. we are talking about a mass production/off the shelf. Where Colt is just as fallible as any other maker.

HALLO! My point, exactly...

 

[wanderinwalker]

I shoot a Kimber Pro Carry II with no issues.

I'm assuming the Pro Carry is a lightweight 3.5" or 4" gun.

It's fully possible the Colt just doesn't shoot as well as your other 1911s. I had a stainless Colt Competition (5" Government size pistol) that had a case of first-shot fliers. No matter what, that first round didn't group with the others. It's accuracy was still acceptable, but it always had that "one out" of most groups.

So the question then is, even if the Colt doesn't shoot as accurately as your others, is it still acceptable?

Additionally, unless the trigger is truly atrocious, I doubt your accuracy will change having it cleaned up. I'd suggest trying some 185gr or 200gr SWC target ammo to see if you get better groups with that, before trying anything else.

 

[SRSTAdam21]

Ladies and gents I have found the problem with the Colt.

The trigger was heavy and felt inconsistent. I decided to go ahead and detail strip the gun. Looking at the sear spring, the left hand leaf was far more forward than the disconnector spring. I bent it back so both were even. Night and day dry firing.

Loaded up a few mags and major improvement. No functionality issues. No hammer follow etc. Now I really do love my Colt.

 

[Thibaut]

Ladies and gents I have found the problem with the Colt.

The trigger was heavy and felt inconsistent. I decided to go ahead and detail strip the gun. Looking at the sear spring, the left hand leaf was far more forward than the disconnector spring. I bent it back so both were even. Night and day dry firing.

Loaded up a few mags and major improvement. No functionality issues. No hammer follow etc. Now I really do love my Colt.

As would most everybody; truth be told.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Before you over think anything. Study basic pistol marksmanship.
1. Focus on the front sight instead of the target.
2. Place the pistol firmly into the web your shooting hand.
3. Proper sight alignment.
4. Pull the trigger straight back.

Concentrate on groupings instead of the bullseye.

Repeat
I guarantee to you your shooting will improve period.

 

[Charlie98]

My first 1911 was a NIB '80's era Colt stainless .45... it was a piece of junk. No, it was a looker, for sure, and that prancing pony on the side meant I got what I paid for it when I sold it off and bought a Springfield (and, later, Kimber or two... including a Pro Carry II... but that is another story.) It was not accurate at all, and the barrel bushing cracked in half after about 500 rounds. Everyone kicks out a lemon or two, eventually.

 

[Sistema1927]

Ladies and gents I have found the problem with the Colt.

The trigger was heavy and felt inconsistent. I decided to go ahead and detail strip the gun. Looking at the sear spring, the left hand leaf was far more forward than the disconnector spring. I bent it back so both were even. Night and day dry firing.

Loaded up a few mags and major improvement. No functionality issues. No hammer follow etc. Now I really do love my Colt.

Glad that you found the problem.

Sometimes it is the smallest of things.

 

[WVsig]

Ladies and gents I have found the problem with the Colt.

The trigger was heavy and felt inconsistent. I decided to go ahead and detail strip the gun. Looking at the sear spring, the left hand leaf was far more forward than the disconnector spring. I bent it back so both were even. Night and day dry firing.

Loaded up a few mags and major improvement. No functionality issues. No hammer follow etc. Now I really do love my Colt.

I am glad you figured it out. Someone said this earlier in the thread but I can't remember who.... LOL

Back to the OP. I am willing to bet if you strapped that gun into a ransom rest and shot it at 25 and 50 it would produce good groups. Colts barrels are very good these days and their machining is better than it has been for a long time. I would get a rest or a sand bag and shoot the pistol. I am willing to bet that it is not that the gun is not accurate but there is something in the interface between shooter and the gun causing accuracy issues. Have to measured the trigger weight? Have you inspected the trigger control parts. It might be that the trigger is just a bit higher weight than your other 1911s or that there is something slightly out of spec causing you not to interface well with the gun. Has anyone else shot it? If so what were their results?

 

[bannockburn]

SRSTAdam21

Loaded up a few mags and major improvement. No functionality issues. No hammer follow etc. Now I really do love my Colt.

Great to hear! Even better that you found the problem yourself and fixed it!

When I built my first 1911 I used an older Springfield Armory M1911A1 I had as my "blueprint" for how a fully functional gun should be, especially in seeing how properly fitted parts worked. I went through quite a few sub-standard parts when I couldn't get them to fit after comparing them to the same Springfield Armory parts.

Springfield Armory M1911A1:


TacSol 2211 .22 conversion kit on an Essex 1911 frame:

 

[SRSTAdam21]

I am glad you figured it out. Someone said this earlier in the thread but I can't remember who.... LOL

Back to the OP. I am willing to bet if you strapped that gun into a ransom rest and shot it at 25 and 50 it would produce good groups. Colts barrels are very good these days and their machining is better than it has been for a long time. I would get a rest or a sand bag and shoot the pistol. I am willing to bet that it is not that the gun is not accurate but there is something in the interface between shooter and the gun causing accuracy issues. Have to measured the trigger weight? Have you inspected the trigger control parts. It might be that the trigger is just a bit higher weight than your other 1911s or that there is something slightly out of spec causing you not to interface well with the gun. Has anyone else shot it? If so what were their results?

Definitely. Appreciate All the guidance in helping diagnose the issue. I shot it again yesterday and put together some nice groups and feel much more comfortable with it. Shoots incredibly well now. Again, couldn’t have done it without you guys.

 

[peacemaker45]

I want to like Colts, I really do. But every one that I've owned has been the least accurate 1911 that I owned at the time, often out of a fairly varied field. I don't own any of them, anymore.