Just got my Commander back from Colt Customer Service

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

PinnedAndRecessed

member
Joined
Aug 10, 2004
Messages
1,541
Some weeks ago I posted how that the front sight on my new Combat Commander came loose. Plus the slide was locking open midway through the clip. Plus the recoil plug tunnel was off center.

Anyway I sent it back. They said the recoil plug tunnel was within factory specs and was merely a polishing problem. They said they would fix the sight and check on the other problem.

I said I'd like it if they went ahead and replaced the slide. He said he'd check with his boss and call me the next day.

He didn't call the next day but sent a letter saying the off center recoil plug tunnel was a polishing problem so they would repolish and refinish the slide.

I got the gun back today. The sight is fixed.

They also said they adjusted the extractor. I guess that had to do with the slide locking back. I'm headed to the range to find out.

But the recoil plug tunnel is unchanged. It's still lopsided. Ok. No big deal, I guess.

But they did refinish the slide. Only after they refinished it, they scratched it. There are surface scratches on the left side of the slide, and the bluing is scratched off just below the recoil plug tunnel.

Anyway, I said I'd post an update.

I sort of had bought this as a collector's piece/safe queen. But I think I'll go ahead and use it as a platform for a CCW. I've got an ambi safety. Gonna install a combo mainspring housing/beveled mag well. And then dovetail the sights.

All in all, I probably won't buy any more new Colts
 
PinnedAndRecessed . . . your experience with Colt's factory NON-service is no surprise to me. Some years ago, I had a Gov't Model Jammamatic. Went through Colt's several times, after which . . . it was still a Gov't Model Jammamatic.

I've had guns from other manufacturers which weren't quite right, and they were fixed promptly and courteously . . . in one case, the manufacturer replaced the pistol. So there ARE companies that DO stand behind their products - and though I was unhappy that I had a problem, the fact that the companies DID ultimately do right by me means that yes, absolutely, I WILL consider dealing with them again. (For the record, kudos to Bushmaster, DSA, and Kahr.)

Colt's is not one of these good companies.
 
That sucks, Pinned. It's ironic how technology and the spread of information should theoretically make for more informed and better quality customer service, yet so many companies and individuals just continue to get more lazy and ingorant.

Hope she makes a reliable CCW for you though.
 
I have to state that I have had just the opposite experience with Colt. Last fall I purchased a Series 80 *Gold Cup at a gun auction that has fine to medium rust over 50-60% of the pistol. I bought it for a very low price figuring I could clean the rust off myself. Wrong! The rust was too deep for me to remove with emery cloth and WD-40. Got the O.K. from Colt to send back for inspection and estimate. This pistol was returned to me in 30 working days as quoted with a complete refinish in Colt royal blue and I'm unable to tell this 45 from a brand new gun. Colt charged me 230.00 for this service(30.00 of which was shippiing). I ended up with a LNIB Gold Cup with 3 mags for a total of 430.00. Not bad for a 800.00-900.00 pistol. Thank you Colt.
 
Colt

Sorry to hear of your negative experience. Anybody can produce a defective pistol, and Colt is no exception. That they wouldn't make it right...even though it's technically within spec...marks a sad day for the consumer.
I guess they still haven't gotten the word that repeat business is what makes or breaks a company...or maybe they just don't care any more.
 
My only experience with Colt's repair department was negative also. I sent in a Govt. Model .380 because the hammer was following the slide home. I received it back in short order. They had replaced the hamme. It now had a 20+ lb trigger pull and the safety didn't work! They had not even fitted the safety. The fact that they didn't notice this, tells me that they didn't even function test the gun.

I've owned 3 Colt's and all 3 were nothing but problems. The .380 is the only one that was a little jewel. Until Colt got a hold of it! Now they want a $300-400 premium on their guns just for the Colt name? That's a name that once used to be stand for American pride, workmanship and quality. Now it's just a premium for a name that means nothing. I'll never buy another Colt. Shame too, becuase they make a lot of models I really like.
 
A blow by blow account.

5/10/06 I called Colt customer service and talked to Cindy. I told her of the problems (off center recoil plug tunnel, slide prematurely locking back, and front sight loose).

She said to return the Commander for evaluation. I asked about the recoil plug tunnel. She said that if it is within factory specs they would not do anything. I asked her what the specs were. She did not know. She said she would connect me with someone who did.

She connected me with "engineering." I said, "To whom am I speaking?" He said, "You called me. Who am I speaking to?"

I introduced myself. He said, "What can I do for you?" I asked him his name, again. He said, "This is Mike, in engineering."

I told him that I had tried to get the factory specs for the recoil plug tunnel from Cindy and that she did not know. But that she assured me he could.

He said he did not know the factory specs either. Just send the gun back for evaluation.

5/17/06 I shipped the Colt.

5/18/06 9:53 AM. I called customer service. I talked to Paul. I told him the problems. He said they would restake the front sight. Test for slide. He also said they "would probably" replace the slide. I asked how long that would take.

He said if the slide is in stock, it would take about two weeks. It it is not in stock, then they would have to wait for manufacturing to make more. That would take about two months.

5/21/06 I received a letter that confirmed they received the firearm. The letter had the following notations: 1) Recoil plug tunnel within factory specs
2) Replace front sight 3) Repair for slide locking back 4) test for function.

5/22/06 I called Cathy in customer service about the letter. She said the recoil plug tunnel was within factory specs and that they would not be doing any work in that regard. I asked to speak to someone else. She transferred me to Paul.

Paul said it was within factory specs and that the slide would not be replaced. He agreed that it was not perfect but that it was within factory specs.

I said that for that expensive a handgun, it should be perfect. I told him I would like a new slide. He said he would talk to his superior and call me on 5/23/06.

He never called me. But the following week I received yet another letter with these remarks: 1) Refinish slide 2) Polisher to correct uneveness [sic] in recoil plug tube 3) Test for function.

I called again and Paul told me that the recoil plug tunnel problem was one of the polisher. The slide didn't need to be replaced.

6/17/06 I receive the gun. There is no noticable difference in the recoil plug tunnel other than that there is now a scratch immediately below the recoil plug tunnel. In addition to that, there are also surface scratches on the left side of the slide.

I took the gun to the range upon receiving it. The slide did not lock back prematurely. But the gun is jamming severely.

I should be glad they at least sent my gun back. Quite frankly, I don't think they did anything to the slide other than scratch it.

I'll toy with it to see if it will stop jamming. It did not jam before. But I'm already thinking I'm going to sell it. And I will never buy another new Colt anything.
 
Your experience is unlike that of a great many other people. This kind of thing is not common with Colt, but it happens on occasion with ALL gun makers... and I think the worst offender in this regard is Kimber, not Colt. Anyway, plenty of people will stand up and argue either way for any brand you want to mention.

Unfortunate about your experience, however I see you griping about this on at least two different internet gun forums... do you just want to spread negativity about the brand or would you like to have things corrected? Have you called Mark Roberts at Colt and asked him to take care of this for you or do you just prefer to belly ache about it all over the internet?

For the record, I've purchased around 25 new Colt 1911's over the last three or four years and I'm TOTALLY THRILLED with my Colts, so I know from personal experience that recent production Colts typically are great guns.

To other readers, don't let this thread dissuade you from an interest in Colt 1911's... they're producing what I generally consider to be among the best production grade 1911's these days. In fact, I'm getting close to buying yet another new Colt 1911 (my 26th?)... a blued NRM Commander. I have no worries whatsoever that there will be problems and if there are (which can happen with guns from any maker), I know they will be corrected.
 
This kind of thing is not common with Colt,
Click to expand...

Actually it's quite common. And becoming more so.

Also, one should not have to call the Wizard of Oz to correct a problem that the Colt repair shop refused to remedy. Not only did they refuse, they damaged the gun further.

I disagree that "Colt quality control is exceptional, but you have to talk to the right person to find it."

You are but one person. Just because you've never had problems with Colt (and, I seriously doubt that), does not make them reputable.

According to the American Skydiving Association, if 14 million people jump out of an airplane at 10,000 feet without a parachute, one will survive. Yet, if you talk to that one person, you might get the impression it's ok to jump out of an airplane without a parachute.
 
Last edited:
I feel your pain P&R.

When I had problems with my RRA AR and posted about the poor costumer service I received their fan boys buried me.

It is sacrilege to speak poorly of some manufacturers.
 
When I had problems with my RRA AR and posted about the poor costumer service I received their fan boys buried me.

It is sacrilege to speak poorly of some manufacturers.
Click to expand...

It's amazing, isn't it?

We share our experiences and we become the offenders for owning defective merchandise.

Rational bunch, they are.
 
Hold!

P&R...Your frustration is understood...well understood. DHart was trying to present his own experience with Colt. I've had only one, and it went well for me. Others have had experiences similar to yours, and you're right...There is no excuse for it, and they should be held accountable. I've seen some very good pistols come from Colt recently, and I've seen a few that I wouldn't accept unless they were a gift.

A word of prayer though...Please be civil in your responses.

Thanks, guys...
 
For the record RRA and I did come to an agreement, not what I wanted but it was better than nothing. I have since bought another of their products.

I also own a Colt Combat Commander which I sold, felt sellers remorse about then had the deal fall through at the last minute. Now I am keeping it.

Just because we complain about a product or their customer service doesn't mean we are on a crusade to ruin their good name. We just want what we thought we were buying in the first place, a gun that works out of the box.
 
GoRon

it totally agree about the fanboys! Try saying something truthful yet negative about cz. It'll turn your stomach.

Personally, I would never buy a 1911 for anything other than an expensive hobby from any manufacturer. Most especially colt. I have never seen another platform malfunction as much as the 1911.

I have seen them be very accurate and they do have some of the best triggers in a semi auto.

I take it back. I have full confidence in guns built to John Browning's 1911 a1 government specs using ball ammo.

edited to add> I would also consider a sig or s&w 1911.


-bevr
 
IIRC, P&R was also lamenting about the bad quality of S&W repairs. With all respect, I tend to think that some people just are absolute perfectionists and can't stand anyone or anything that doesn't meet their exacting standards. And of course, nothing ever does. Sure, Colt messes up. And S&W messes up. The only reason F&W doesn't mess up is that they went out of business before WWI.

But I wonder about people who seem to make a career of complaining. Are they so unlucky that everything turns out wrong for them. If so, I really feel sorry for them, but don't know how to ease the pain. But if they simply like to find fault where there is none, and insist that everyone else is wrong, I have little sympathy.

Jim
 
I would be unhappy in your situation, but I also believe you can call Mark and get this straightened out to your satisfaction. If you want to.

I never said Colts quality control is exceptional. Just that I've seen quite a few very, very nice Colts in the last few years!

No doubt that the quality control review has failed to keep problem guns from being shipped by every gun manufacturer for that matter. And Colt is among them for sure. A review of the majority of gun forums will show that no matter what the brand, there are people complaining about problems with their new guns, complaining about customer service, etc.

And I agree that the 1911's in general *can be* more finnicky runners than guns like Glocks for example. For those who don't like 1911's why don't you just avoid (edited) them rather than get involved? No doubt the 1911 does have a HUGE fan base that simply love the guns. I do. And I also like my Browning HP's, Glock 29, Beretta PX4, Kahr, S&W's, etc. I've got quite a few 1911's that run with utter reliability and I'll trust them as much as any weapon in a defense situation.

Among 1911's, Colts tend to have an exceptional operating reliability. Among all the 1911 brands I'd say straight out of the box, the Colts are the most likely to run reliably with any ammo, any magazine brand. Not that there aren't exceptions, as is true with ANY brand. A review of the Colt forum on the 1911Forum will show a huge number of positive experiences with the guns and with many who have sent their guns to Colt for various reasons, have had excellent customer service... but as with all gun brands, there will always be the occasional complaints like yours.

The centeredness of the recoil spring tunnel must not be very much off centered or Colt would have replaced the slide. Cosmetically this variation may not be to your liking, but it's not a big deal either.

As for the scratches, yes they need to correct that for you and it's unfortunate. And they will pay for shipping, ask them to reimburse you for that.

I understand what you're not happy about and agree that it wasn't resolved as well as it could have been! And I'm not making any apologies for Colt. BUT, things can be made right, if that's what you really want! Why don't you give Mark a call and get your complaints addressed by someone who can actually do something about them?Otherwise, if posting complaints around the internet is what makes you feel better, then you must be feeling good now. Enjoy the gun... they're nice!
 
Last edited:
Amazing

A little off-topic...I'm confused by the prevailing notion that the 1911 is somehow "Finicky" or "Malfunctions more than Brand X/Y/Z" or "Too much to trust my life to.":confused:

I don't have that problem...Never have. Of course, I use good extractors that are correctly adjusted, proper magazines and halfway decent ammo.
I've got an early 91A1 that's approaching 135,000 rounds, and has never malfunctioned...Not once. Another one has about the same count with maybe 5 to its credit, plus one broken slidestop at close to 50,000 rounds.
Each one is on its third barrel and a complete rebuild/refit.

I have had a few friends and forum members with problem pistols to bring'em by for a tweak. About 90% of the time, 10 minutes with the extractor...or knock a hickey off of somethin' with a stone...grab a couple dozen of my beater magazines and head for the range with 500-600 rounds, leaves'em completely mystified when their "Jammomatic" starts beatin' on a drum like that rabbit on TV.

Gettin' a 1911 to run is usually about as simple as gettin' wet by fallin' out of a boat as long as the gun is even close to spec. Jeez...:rolleyes:

On a sad note...My dwindling stash of USGI extractors is gettin' dwindlier.
Even those don't last forever. Time for somebody with the production capacity to step up to the plate and make some real extractors.
For now...Wilson Bulletproof will do. Brown Hardcore once got my nod, but things have changed. I hear that Bar-Sto will soon be ready to fill orders for 1090 steel extractors...and I await with bated breath.
(Not "Baited" breath...Bated.)
 
Yeah, I can see how comments like these would make anyone want to join the 1911 club... They seem to be so warm and excepting and all...

For those who don't like 1911's why don't you just stay the hell away from them rather than get involved?
Click to expand...

or...

or do you just prefer to belly ache about it all over the internet?
Click to expand...

Slight chip on the shoulder... maybe? sounds like napolean complex to me. You know... your gun not measuring up and all..

-bevr
 
Hey Bevr.... it's not my mission to encourage people to buy 1911's. What you prefer or choose for your own guns is fine with me... has no impact on me whatsoever. If you want a 1911, go for it. If you don't, that's great too. I really don't care. I'm a happy camper and I presume you are too! Enjoy this gorgeous weekend guys! I'm going to head out for a motorcycle ride (packing a Glock 29 in my jacket pocket.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
Shipped my new Combat Commander back to Colt.
Replies
16
Views
1K
bearmgc
B
P
  • Locked
Sending my (like) new Colt 1911 back.
Replies
4
Views
680
NineseveN
N
K
  • Locked
Kimber TLE/II back from service at KMI
Replies
0
Views
253
KC&97TA
K
P
  • Locked
Off Center Colt
Replies
2
Views
344
PinnedAndRecessed
P
swallent
  • Locked
Got my Pistol back from SIG quick question..
Replies
9
Views
783
swallent
swallent
Back
Top