No COLT hate here . . .

[Paul7]

Just countering your experience with mine, in the interest of fairness and objectivity. I don't object to anyone's "part in the discussion" but it's so common that someone states in any thread about one brand that their only experience, usually with a small sample size, is extremely negative. I simply noted that I have not had this issue with this particular maker,

Just like the guy with no prostate cancer telling the guy that does that he doesn't have that problem, irrelevant.

and (having completed a recent inventory and gone over my purchase/sales/trades records) I've actually owned 18 Colt 1911s (currently have only four, tried to get out of 1911s a few years back, unsuccessfully) since the latter part of the 1970s. But then, I've also owned six Springfield Armory 1911s, five Kimbers, one Baer, one Wilson, one Ed Brown and two Dan Wessons over the years (one could reasonably conclude I like 1911s)

None of which has anything to do with me being 0 for 2 with recent Colt purchases, and both with horrible customer service, or with the OP. I've owned six Colt 1911s over the years, one Baer, one Dan Wesson, one RIA and a Taurus 1911 that ran like a champ. Now what?

Irrelevant? Seriously? It's irrelevant when many other people note that they have experience with significantly larger sample sizes, over a period of years, and mention their experience?

For anyone with no experience with Colt, or someone sitting on the fence, you're saying that bringing up positive experiences is irrelevant? Why do we even bother "discussing" any products, then?

They have nothing to do with the OP, or my issues. I don't know if you read many gun forums but they idea that Colt 1911s today are hit or miss with sketchy customer service is hardly a fringe opinion. The exact same thought is expressed in post #50 just above this one. They are better than the '80s product, yes, but I stand by my opinion they are just OK mid-level 1911s, and no bargain to boot. I suppose everyone should have one, but for a few hundred more you can get a used DW or Baer that is far superior.

In fairness to Colt, I did hear back from them today, they're offering to have me ship it back next month, or give me a refund. I do like the gun, so will probably ship it back, but another four months will put me without if for nine months after buying it, ridiculous.

 

[Old Dog]

Just like the guy with no prostate cancer telling the guy that does that he doesn't have that problem, irrelevant.

Again, you have got to find another analogy. No one CHOOSES to get prostrate cancer, and I'm doubtful that anyone would respond to a victim of this disease by telling him that he doesn't have that problem.

If you insist that my comments regarding a particular gun are irrelevant, then I'm not sure why you come here. This is discussion, not simply a forum for only complaints.

I don't know if you read many gun forums but they idea that Colt 1911s today are hit or miss with sketchy customer service is hardly a fringe opinion.

Ay yi yi ... Dude, seriously, just let it go.

And uh, yeah, I've been either a charter member or a long-time (since about '02) member of several forums, including a couple that are 1911-specific.

Been shooting 1911s for 50 years; been on this forum since '04; did you ever read a post by me speaking to Colt's customer service or denying that the company could produce a lemon? I'm really unclear as to why you seem to want to dismiss any opinions -- and experiences -- that are contrary to yours as irrelevant. I'm quite aware I've been (apparently) blessed with incredible luck as far as my experiences as a 1911 owner (have owned only a couple that had even minor issues, but then, I learned how to fix them) and I might not be typical, but my comments are no more irrelevant than yours.

 

[Paul7]

Again, you have got to find another analogy. No one CHOOSES to get prostrate cancer,

And no one chooses to buy a lemon gun.

and I'm doubtful that anyone would respond to a victim of this disease by telling him that he doesn't have that problem.

Sort of what you did with my Colt problem.

If you insist that my comments regarding a particular gun are irrelevant, then I'm not sure why you come here.

I don't agree with everything said on this forum, do you?

 

[Old Dog]

Sort of what you did with my Colt problem.

If you took my comment about my positive experiences as dismissive of your negative experiences, I apologize. Certainly didn't intend it that way; for sure, I didn't say I thought you didn't have problems with your guns.

With that, I'm out.

 

[JR24]

I've owned a Gold Cup and Series 70 in the past and moved on from both. Each worked well enough, though the series 70 didn't like JHP all the time (but my Brazilian Springfield GI or Remington R1 did just fine, at half the price).

Ultimately I consider most of the Colt offerings a decent mid range quality that is a bit over priced because of the Pony. Each time I look at one I feel they always have one or two features i just don't like (safety, sight, grip safety, trigger length etc) and would want to replace where another equal quality competitor offers the features I want, same or better quality, and often a cheaper price, or at least comparable.

I do like the Competition as a solid steel option at around $1000, their best value IMO.

I'd still spend a bit more and get a Dan Wesson, or less and get a Ruger, but that's just me.

No hate, but I absolutely don't think they are the best or even better than most of the similar market these days and he "If it ain't a Colt it's a copy" is just blather in today's market, in my opinion. They do look gorgeous, but so do Kimbers

All that said, if I run across a used Defender in 9mm one of these days for a decent price (once if/things settle down) I'll snap it up.

 

[Paul7]

If you took my comment about my positive experiences as dismissive of your negative experiences, I apologize. Certainly didn't intend it that way; for sure, I didn't say I thought you didn't have problems with your guns.

With that, I'm out.

OK, my apologies. I think we both agree Colt's can be problematic these days? I'm glad you've had good luck with yours. I really do like Colt's despite the aggravation, no S&Ws in my stable.

 

[Paul7]

I do like the Competition as a solid steel option at around $1000, their best value IMO.

Despite the problems with my Competition which I will get straightened out, it is a nice gun. It is basically a Gold Cup without the adjustable sights or front strap checkering. Mine shoots to POA, so no site adjustment needed. The SS is a really good looking and finished one.

 

[brutus51]

Traded it when I had to have a G43.

Maybe after this Covid thing is solved they can find a vaccine for this as well.
Bought my 1st. 1911 back in the mid 70's, scrimped and saved for ever and traded in my Browning High Power to get a Gold Cup.
It has the old collet bushing and Ellison sights. Over 45 years later it has never had a problem, unlike the two Kimbers I've owned, talk about crummy customer service.
The only problems I've had with it is with lead SWC handloads which don't feed well. Other than that she runs like a champ with all other ammo, including the old flying ashtrays ( Speer Gold dots). Over the years I've owned several other Colt 1911's and never had a problem with any of them, had to sell some because of life's demands.
Currently own 6 Colt's 4 revolvers and 2 auto's. Only one that had problems was my new King Cobra target. Sent it back to the mother ship and got it back in three weeks. It suffered from light hammer strikes and has been fixed, unlike Kimber they didn't claim it was my fault.
I will admit that I have switched to Dan Wessons, bought my first as a CCW and opted for a bobtail valor with the duty finish.
I've been so impressed by this pistol I had to add 2 more DW 1911's to my collection. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Rock185]

We all have our own good and/or bad experiences, so I'll share a bit more of mine. Over these many years, I have needed to send Colt, Springfield, Dan Wesson, Wilson and Rock River 1911s back with issues. Strangely perhaps, due to what I read on the internet, I've never needed to send a Kimber back to the factory with an issue. I've had a half dozen kimbers, and just one had an easily correctable issue as received. That being said, I'd likely buy another pistol from any of these manufacturers if there was one that caught my eye, and I decided I just had to have it...

 

[Paul7]

Go pick up one of their new pythons and tell me Colt doesn’t know how to make guns anymore.

They are better made than the originals.

Are you sure? From the Colt forum today:

"It seems like all the buzz I'm hearing about the bad SA trigger is true. I finally got my hands on a new 6" and I was pretty disappointed.

It's sad when my Glock 34 has a better trigger than my new Python in SA mode!

mine gauges at 5.75-6 lbs. Why in the world did they cut the sear downward so that the trigger has to overcome the mainspring and make the hammer go backwards before going forward?!

I'm not even sure a lighter spring would fix that goofiness.

Anyway, the DA pull isn't great either. It's running at about 9-10 lbs. It's smooth but man, that's getting up there. I'm wondering if they went overkill on the mainspring because of the light strike issues a while back?

I was thinking of using this gun for bullseye but the SA trigger is just not up to snuff for that.

Add this to the fact that mine had a little ding on the cylinder and a couple scratches fresh out of the factory box and needless to say I'm not all that impressed!

Also, damn that trigger has sharp edges!

Sorry guys just venting."

 

[mavracer]

After working in manufacturing (aircraft) for over 30 years I'm amazed we have anything more complicated than a hula hoop mass produced.
For every 10 assemblers you might have one mechanic (and I'm being generous) and he's killing himself trying to fix all their mistakes, got to remember he is still human.

 

[brutus51]

Been in the tool and die trade myself for 50 years and in 100% agreement with mavracer. We no longer have tradesmen making product, instead we have a bunch of statistician’s claiming SPC will make parts made by monkeys just as good. Makes me sick, glad I've finally retired.