If you were looking for a Colt 1911 pistol...

[Agent Smith]

If you went looking for a 1911 pattern pistol manufactured by Colt, what would you come home with and, most importantly, why? All current 1911 models available from Colt are up for consideration.

 

[10-Ring]

Because so many of their guns have not been deemed safe in my state -- I went w/ a gov't XSE -- love this thing!

 

[farscott]

My choice would be a blued Series '70, but I would settle for a stainless Series '70. My reasons are I like the traditional Colt look with no front cocking serrations to act like a holster rasp, and the lack of the Series '80 firing pin safety appeals to me. My second choice would be a M1991, which is pretty much the Series '70 with the Series '80 firing pin safety.

Most of the Colt small parts are decent or very good even though I heard something about a titanium firing pin. If that was true, I would replace the factory firing pin with a steel pin.

 

[rellascout]

Colt WWI Repo with the Carbonia Blue not the black Oxide finish. 70 series pattern gun assembled by the custom shop. Wonderful as is or the perfect platform for a custom build.

 

[kamagong]

rellascout, I like your tastes. I was going to suggest the same thing.

 

[weisse52]

70 series repo. No FPS and straight out of the custom shop

80 series. Because it is still a Colt.

Better parts and better finish

a Colt is always the right answer.

 

[rellascout]

70 series is a decent choice too.

 

[wditto]

I love any model Commander; 9mm, .45, steel. S/S, lightweight, any of them.....

 

[Oro]

Agent Smith,

Any of their current production guns are good - all the way from the base model 1991 guns on up. So to get a gun for you, what are you going to do with it? In a couple different categories, here's a recommendation:

1) most economical carry gun: 1991/80 Series Commander
2) best full size home defense/range/plinker: Combat Elite
3) Best competition or high end "cost no object" gun: Special Combat Government
4) Best Nostalgia: WWI repro

Any Colt you buy will be a good value right now and work well, and if there's a flaw the company will stand behind you and fix it.

My only caveat of what I do NOT think is a good value is the Series '70 repro. That is not because it's not a good gun, it's just not a good Reproduction. It's actually a Series 80 gun without the firing pin safety, but it is NOT a Series '70 gun. It is also selling right now at or more than the cost of an ANIB or mint real Series '70. In my opinion, if something is so "classic" it is desirable to make a reproduction of it, and the original sells cheaper than the reproduction, then buy the original.

 

[Baneblade]

I have been looking for a good 1911 and might end up going the Colt route. I like the XSE, but where is a good place to get one?

Is there a bad side to the XSE?

Sorry if this is hijacking the thread.

 

[surjimmy]

rellascout, That's just wrong to have a 70 series that looks that good. My hats off to you. Back to the OP, 70 series... take a look a rellascout's and that will tell you why.

 

[rellascout]

My only caveat of what I do NOT think is a good value is the Series '70 repro. That is not because it's not a good gun, it's just not a good Reproduction. It's actually a Series 80 gun without the firing pin safety, but it is NOT a Series '70 gun. It is also selling right now at or more than the cost of an ANIB or mint real Series '70. In my opinion, if something is so "classic" it is desirable to make a reproduction of it, and the original sells cheaper than the reproduction, then buy the original.

I agree to an extent except that it all depends on where you get one.... I bought that one here in the classifieds. NIB for $650 along with a NIb 80 Series for $550 shipped from the same seller.

It is my understanding that the 70 series like the WWI repo go through the custom shop.

 

[rellascout]

rellascout, That's just wrong to have a 70 series that looks that good. My hats off to you. Back to the OP, 70 series... take a look a rellascout's and that will tell you why.

It is a bit of a safe queen. I still shoot her but I bought her to send her off for custom work. I might just leave her because she is my only bone stock Colt in the stable.

 

[rellascout]

best full size home defense/range/plinker: Combat Elite

These are the first guns to come off of Colts newest CNC machines.

There have been some reported issues. I would not prevent me from getting one but I would not buy sight unseen.

 

[Jason_G]

Either of the WWI or Series-70 repros. I prefer to not have the FPB, just personal preference, YMMV, etc., etc.

If they made the XSE without the FPB I would probably buy one. I actually kicked around the idea of buying one a while back, but the FPB and the duck tail grip safety turned me off of it, though the grip safety is easily replaced. Looking at his pic, I suppose 10-ring felt the same way about the GS...

Jason

 

[rellascout]

I wish they would get ride of the duck bill too.

 

[benderx4]

Colt Delta Elite

10mm gives you the big hole AND the penetration.

 

[tbreihan]

I came home with the Combat Elite. It was the same price as the "regular" XSE but came with the S&A beavertail safety, single-sided thumb safety (I prefer it and it felt better in terms of engagement than the ambi), and genuine Novaks. I liked the two-tone scheme as well.

One thing I noticed... it seemed as though the surface finish quality on the thumb safeties varied quite a bit on the Colts I looked at. The regular XSE's was just plain ugly, and the one on the Combat Elite I bought had an unattractive casting line on the outer face. I remedied this with some sandpaper and polishing, and it looks like Colt is going to replace it anyway because of the recall. It was the one disappointing aspect of what has otherwise been a stellar gun.

In terms of their whole catalog, though, I think I like the Special Combat in blue the best, but I couldn't find one locally and I think it is more in Gold Match price range anyway.

 

[alistaire]

Any one without forward serrations on the slide.

 

[Kingcreek]

nobody mentioned the Gold Cup? either that or a nice commander.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Only a Commander

1991 Stainless Commander in 9mm if they offered it. So I guess Ill take it in 45.

 

[skoro]

My choice would be the O1911 carbonia blue WWI reproduction.



Very purty!

 

[raskolnikov_22]

I've got a Colt Commander and I've got a full size Kimber with all the new age stuff, so I'd want a plain, blued series 70.

 

[rklessdriver]

I have gone looking for 3 new COLTs in the past 2 years. So far I have come home with a Combate Elite, 80 Series Commander and 70 Series repro. I don't have any pics of the 70 Series repro yet but it is a nice gun. Of course its new but the fit and machine work is much nicer than the orginal 70 Series I own.

Of my 3 NEW COLTs - the Combat Elite is my favorite. I'm sorry the pics arn't any better.

Combate Elite.



80 Series Commander



I agree with Oro that any new COLT pistols is a good value. I have owned almost every other mfgrs 1911 pistol, before I bought my first COLT. I am now a COLT owner for life. You just can't go wrong with a COLT.
Will

 

[gbelleh]

I'm very happy with my series 70 repro. The WWI repros are really nice too.