One 1911 for collection - STI Trojan or colt

[Buzznrose]

I have to agree. Colt has been lagging behind for a number of years now. But some think that the Colt name is the gold standard and that's simply not the case anymore. They have cheapened their guns up to the point of mediocrity.

Colt has certainly struggled in the recent past, but by many accounts from industry insiders, Colt is back and currently turning out some fine firearms again. The financial problems were a huge drag, but the worse is behind them, at least for now.

 

[WestKentucky]

It's hard to be innovative on a 105 year mature design, but other companies are. Some things are gimmicky, some ugly but functional, but at least they try. Colt just keeps making the same pistol over and over. For that matter they are only making a single sku in the rifle Dept from what I hear. They really need to do something as a game changer, and polymer framed striker fired pistols are not the answer. That market is saturated up, down, and inside out.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Glock keeps making the same pistol over and over and they do just fine! Colt's financial problems weren't related to their product line, they were related to the private equity firm that owns them looting the company.

 

[WestKentucky]

I disagree Sergei. Yes they keep making very similar guns, but they chamber in several calibers, have various sizes on each frame family, and adapt with the times by adding options like MOS, and producing attachments like lights. Specialized, yes. Same, not really. Colt has made essentially 45, 10mm (poorly), 38 super, 9mm handguns in standard and officers models. They have pretty much been painting themselves into the corner for a few decades. Sure they had a couple other guns too but they stuck closely to the traditional 1911 design and a very few calibers.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

A Glock is a Glock is a Glock - different chamberings, different sizes, but the same basic gun. Same thing for Colt - a 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911, just in different chamberings and sizes. That's true of a lot of manufacturers - one M&P is pretty much like another, one XD is pretty much like another. And that isn't necessarily a disadvantage - it's often a strength, because if you go out to buy a second XYZ Arms gun you already know what you're getting. There aren't any surprises. It's going to work the same way, handle the same way, etc. There can be practical advantages to brand loyalty which aren't as prevalent in the 1911 and AR segments of the market inhabited by Colt.

Colt had (and has) a couple of challenges, some unique to their position, others not. The looting of the company by Sciens is what drove them into bankruptcy. They would have been fine otherwise, but corporate shenanigans nearly ruined them. Colt is hardly alone in that. The other thing is that they compete in a couple of crowded market segments where there are no clear leaders - everybody and their brother makes 1911s and ARs. Colt isn't big enough to branch out into other market segments, and even if they did, those segments are equally crowded or too small to be worth a major investment. They're also segments that aren't going to draw lucrative law enforcement contracts. So they're stuck in their private consumer-based niches and they're going to have to make the best of them. The large number of models they catalogued just prior to the bankruptcy reflected their intent to broaden their appeal within those segments; unfortunately the bankruptcy prevented many of those from entering production.

I don't think there are any game-changers out there for the firearms industry. There isn't any one product or sector that's set to take off, mostly because the whole industry is booming and competition is so strong across almost every segment. As long as Colt - or any other company - continues to make weapons that can draw new customers with enough variety and high enough quality to make them repeat customers, they'll continue to do fine.

 

[wojownik]

Well, the Colt analysis is always interesting, but not what the OP was asking. He's looking for the "quintessential" 1911, up to $1500.

It's up to the OP which way he wants to go, but "quintessential" has two basic meanings:
- the pure and essential essence of something, or
- the perfect example of something.

To me, the pure essence of the Colt 1911 is ... well (drumroll) ... a Colt 1911. Again, something like the Series 70.

As for the "perfect" example of a 1911 pistol, well, that's a different debate, and another subjective one. Colt is making a fine 1911 these days, there are great options for high quality product under $1500 from STI, Dan Wesson, and others.

 

[Coal Dragger]

After handling several recent production Colt's I would not hesitate to buy one if I were in the market for a 1911.

I appreciate the forged parts, and no use of MIM anywhere in the Colt's 1911 pistols. About all I'd want that they are not offering would be a checkered front strap, but not everyone wants that or wants to pay for it.

 

[JTQ]

WestKentucky I think you've missed the mark if you think there is less variety in the Colt line-up than the Glock line-up.

Glock makes one gun in variety of sizes and calibers. Colt makes a variety of 1911's in different sizes and calibers. Let's call that a wash.

You comment

For that matter they are only making a single sku in the rifle Dept from what I hear.

How many rifle sku's does Glock have? How many revolvers does Glock list?

You could easily argue Colt has been significantly more innovative than Glock since the mid-1980's. As Glock has soldiered on with their single design in a variety of sizes and caliber's, Colt has introduced the Double Eagle, the All American 2000, and the reintroduction of the Mustang including a polymer framed version. They may have not been successful, but they don't just keep making the same thing over and over.

Colt http://www.colt.com

 

[bannockburn]

Olympus

I've owned a lot of Colts and the recent years are not worth my money. Sloppy fitting grip safeties, poor slide to frame fit, and cheap stainless steel that will freckle with rust easily.

I would have to disagree with you on this point as I think Colt is producing some of the best 1911s nowadays than they have built in quite a few years.

A few years back I went looking for a new 1911 and at the one gun shop I went to I had my choice of just about any make and model you could think of. The owner of the gun shop, who also does custom work on 1911s, told me that for the money he believed Colt was turning out some of the best guns in terms of overall fit and finish, quality, and performance. I bought a Colt Lightweight Government (mainly because I liked the way it balanced and that I could use it both at the range and for concealed carry), and later a regular Government Model. I also picked up a new Commander at a gun show.

All three have been fantastic with great triggers right out of the box, totally reliable, and as such I consider them a really decent buy for the money.

 

[Olympus]

Olympus



I would have to disagree with you on this point as I think Colt is producing some of the best 1911s nowadays than they have built in quite a few years.

A few years back I went looking for a new 1911 and at the one gun shop I went to I had my choice of just about any make and model you could think of. The owner of the gun shop, who also does custom work on 1911s, told me that for the money he believed Colt was turning out some of the best guns in terms of overall fit and finish, quality, and performance. I bought a Colt Lightweight Government (mainly because I liked the way it balanced and that I could use it both at the range and for concealed carry), and later a regular Government Model. I also picked up a new Commander at a gun show.

All three have been fantastic with great triggers right out of the box, totally reliable, and as such I consider them a really decent buy for the money.

You're certainly welcome to disagree. As a dealer, there's a good chance I've owned more Colts than most. I see sloppy fitting parts, cheap quality stainless steel that rusts, and guns stripped of nicer features to further cut costs on just about all their guns. I've even kept a few of the new Colts myself only to be disappointed in some way or another. Colts now just don't represent anything to me other than a name and a logo. The sum of the parts don't stand out when compared with other brands and models of similar price.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Personally I'd look at a Dan Wesson or a Les Baer if you're willing to expand the budget a bit. But I'd take a Colt over an STI any day.

 

[Olympus]

OP said he had a budget of $1500. Several Dan Wesson models to be had new for $1500.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Well, the Colt analysis is always interesting, but not what the OP was asking. He's looking for the "quintessential" 1911, up to $1500.

It's up to the OP which way he wants to go, but "quintessential" has two basic meanings:
- the pure and essential essence of something, or
- the perfect example of something.

To me, the pure essence of the Colt 1911 is ... well (drumroll) ... a Colt 1911.

Agreed.