Questions from a pair of 1911 noobs

[benEzra]

After years of putting it off, my wife has decided to go ahead and get a 1911-pattern .45. She rented one at an indoor range a few years ago, shot the center out of the target with it, and has wanted one ever since. She is a skilled shooter and already has a Glock 26, so this isn't a first gun for her. But we're both noobs on the 1911 scene.

She wants a Colt for aesthetic reasons (other brands need not apply). The one that first caught her eye was the 1991A1, but we see that Colt makes lots of other variants, in various trim levels, some of which are nicer looking. She wants a pistol that will shoot accurately, be durable, and most importantly be 100% reliable with JHP's without having to have a bunch of work done to it. Given a choice between a model without the firing pin block and a model with, she'd probably choose the kind with, but that may depend on the model.

Any 1911 aficionados have any suggestions?

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

She wants a pistol that will shoot accurately, be durable, and most importantly be 100% reliable with JHP's without having to have a bunch of work done to it

Ben, (and, this is heresy in the opinion of many), be prepared for the possibility of sub-standard work if you buy Colt.

I'm trying to get my new Combat Commander to function reliably after having received it back from the factory for warranty work.

The front sight shot loose. The recoil plug tunnel was bored off center. And the slide is locking back prematurely.

They fixed the sight. Said the recoil plug tunnel was within specs (and wouldn't fix it). And they said they fixed the problem with the slide locking back prematurely.

I took it to the range on Saturday. I fired 62 rounds. The slide locked back prematurely on rounds 4 and 54.

I've been in contact with a Colt rep who wants me to send it back yet a second time.

This is my third Colt 1911. My other Colt 1911 also needed considerable work so that it would function properly. It jammed with anything other than round ball ammo and stovepiped frequently. But after after-market work (the total of which was well over double the purchase price), now it's a dream.

I love Colt. I own four. But all I'm saying is be prepared. I've read about problems with all of Colt's models.

And I've read of problems with Kimber, SA, DW, etc.

All I'm saying is be prepared.

 

[Jim Watson]

They are all the same inside except that the Series 70 reissues and the Gunsite Pistols lack the firing pin block. So she can buy on "features." The XSE models have somewhat more visible sights and an ugly but functional beavertail that will be more comfortable to shoot.

Colts (and all the rest under about $1500) are mass produced and have a built in defect rate considered acceptable by the company statistical quality control department. But when you hear that Colt (Kimber, Dan W, etc., etc.) is "no good" just remember that the duds are getting hell on the internet, but the sound guns are out being shot with little being said.

 

[Ken Rainey]

I see that you're in North Carolina....you got it made mah fren....get the 1911 Colt that suits you, um..I mean her .. and if it don't run right just give ol 1911Tuner a holler and go visit with him...take your guitar too.

I'll add that the full size models in any 1911 usually run the best with everything becoming more and more critical as they get shorter....ask me how I know ! Ok, I'll tell ya...I got the full size models, had a commander (that ran well, wish I still had it...sigh) and the shortest one made too - a 3 incher by Kimber ... it runs perfect now, but gettin' it that way required some "final fitting" that got missed at the factory. Whichever you get, get one with an internal extractor for ease of tuning and maintenance, get good 7 rd (for the full and commander size) magazines (with the dimple in the follower - GI style) and buy good ammo....with these three things in your favor, it'll be a lot more likely to run like it suppose too.....

Hey, most will run right straight from the box, but if it don't and it's nothing major like a frame machined out of spec, then it can be got up and runnin' probably with just a little "final fitting" and when it does run right, they ain't nothin' sweeter to shoot! Can I have an Amen, brother ? !

These are just MY opinions based on MY experience....well, ok, 1911Tuner's too, but I hate to speak for him, even though he is my "kin folk"...

 

[dojpros1998]

I bought a used Colt 1991 that had been with a Sheriff Dept in rural az. I got it home, cleaned it, changed the recoil spring (which anyone can do if the can field strip the gun), changed the firing pin and safety springs (which you can do if you follow any number of how to detail strip thread), lubed it and it have gone 500 rounds running like a sewing machine. I got lucky. Many Colts are much more finicky than that, particularly those built in the mid 80's until the past few years. This one hade been "tuned" by someone who knew what they were doing as it shoots 230 g Golden Sabre Hollowpoints all day long.

If my best friend wanted a 1911, I would tell him to buy a 5 inch all steel weapon. I would advise him to buy a used Kimber Series One pistol (600-750) and learn the platform. If he wanted new, I would tell him to buy a Kimber Warrior at (1100-1250). These pistols have Series 70 safety systems and have most reliablity features are ready built into the weapon. I would buy some Wilson 47d or Chip Mccormick Power Mags and some Winchester White Box 230 FMJ and I would shoot it up.

1911s are not glocks, they require more tlc to keep them running well.
But if you start with a quality weapon, used quality mags, ammo and ample lubrication, there is no equal.

If you google Hilton Yam (gunsmith, LEO, trainer etc) he has a website which has collected a lot of conventional wisdom re 1911 pattern weapons. It is worth the look.

 

[wally]

I'm of the opinion that Colt has been living off its reputation for a long time and the current guns are not worth the price premium they command.

I've three, only one functioned 100% out of the box.

But if she wants a Colt, then get a Colt, just look it over carefully for cockeyed pins, off center plunger tube, and other defects that may or may not affect function. On the plus side, Colts still hold their resale value really well.

--wally.

 

[BrennanKG]

For the money/price differences involved, I'd suggest she get over the horse logo (I had to tell my daughter the same thing - she insisted the horsey pistol was better)

IMHO, I think Springfield offers the best proverbial bang for the ol' buck, although I'd still like to pick up a Colt DE someday if the condition and price were right.

I'll say one thing for Colt, few folks produce such a gorgeous blued 1911 (even if parkerizing is more to my tastes.)

Back to Colts, I prefer series 70 pistols, but a good gunsmith can overcome the series 80 woes.


B.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Shut up and let her pick it.

AFS

 

[XavierBreath]

I currently own seven Colt 1911s of one flavor or another. All seven run flawlessly. I also own two Springfields that run fine. I do not doubt that there are lemons produced by every company, but it is odd that some folks seem to pick one lemon after another.

Let your wife pick her own gun. One thing is for certain, if she wants a Colt, then you can start off with a Colt, or you can end up with a Colt. It is only a matter of time. To a person who wants a Colt, nothing else really does the trick. I would recommend a stainless 1991 Government Model. Have Tuner install an Ed Brown beavertail and then get the grips she wants. Voila! Satisfied woman!



Pax has written an article, indeed an entire website you should read. "Which Gun Should I Buy For My Wife?"

 

[orionengnr]

if you buy used, locally, you can give it a good look-see (and maybe fire it too) before plunking down your hard-earned $$$
That may require some patience, though, and I am not one to preach patience...

I have had good luck with a pre-Series II Kimber and several Paras.
I had bad luck with a Colt and a Charles Daly.
But a Series 90 Defender Lightweight is still on my wish list...

 

[teombe]

I'm no aficionado, but I do own a 1911 that I'm very happy with. It's a Colt 1991A1 commander model, manufactured in the past couple of years.

It's currently out at yost-bonitz for some custom treatment (I bought it knowing I wanted to mod it), but has been completely reliable for the year I've owned it. The machining looks really good, and everything is where it's supposed to be. Is it worth the premium??? For my purposes, yes. I wanted a gun with 'presence' that I could modify, shoot the hell out of, and pass on to my kids... a Springer or a Kimber just wouldn't be the same.

With that said, my next 1911 will be a Springer GI 5" model. If it's reliable, I'll have it built up a bit more radically.

I would suggest you look at 1911s with better sights than the 1991 if you plan to leave the gun 'as-is', though.

 

[TCOV]

I have three Colt Commanders and they are very reliable with a variety of ammo. I have seven other 1911's and my experience is to get a selection of barrel bushings and install the tightest one you can. Does wonders for accuracy. Midway and Brownells are a good source. One Commander is a Lightweight Polished stainless slide on alloy frame early 90's. Nice carry gun and 100% reliable and "combat accuracy". Other two are early 70's blued Combat Commander and mid 90"s series 80 enhanced Combat Commander. Both are accurate enough and very reliable with a variety of ammo. The old Colt shiny blue will hook you for sure. Work on the barrel bushing and most 1911's will be accurate shooters if they were already reliable in my experience. I like my Kimbers and they have been more accurate stock than others. Have an old nickle Auto Ord., Springfields, AMT Hardballer, Detonics that all shoot well but look mostly for older Colts at gunshows now. They are not that much more money. I don't know about current production Colts as I like the older blued ones. Shop for a used one that maybe has a little quality work done on it and you should be happy. A shop with a gunsmith to inspect any work is a plus.

 

[Seraph]

'm of the opinion that Colt has been living off its reputation for a long time and the current guns are not worth the price premium they command.

I could agree with this, except that I think the same could be said of other manufacturers, including Springfield Armory, with whom I'm relatively impressed. As for "worth," I believe that is subjective. All in all, I think the Loaded, Enhanced, etc, pistols are probably a little overpriced, while I consider the base models, like the SA Mil Spec, and the Colt 1991, to be high value, pre-fitted, frame and slide kits. It's the gun itself that has "presence," not the logo. To keep things honest, here's a pic of my Springfield Mil Spec, which I chose as a base for a custom gun, eschewing available Colt 1991's, on account of their being afflicted with the undesirable (to me) Series 80 firing pin safety.
Having said all that, I'd be lying if I said I had no plans for collecting some Colts, but they'll need to be pre-Series 80. But what I'm really looking forward to right now, is my imminent acquisition, finally, of an Argentine Sistema, a 1911 I feel has a lot of "presence." After that, I'll be hot after a pre-Series 70 Colt, preferably of 1950's vintage.

 

[Longbow]

She wants a pistol that will shoot accurately, be durable, and most importantly be 100% reliable with JHP's without having to have a bunch of work done to it.

All that on a 1911? Good luck!
The first two requirements maybe possible, but the last one is asking too much.

 

[Technosavant]

All that on a 1911? Good luck!
The first two requirements maybe possible, but the last one is asking too much.

And the haters show up.

There was a time when 1911s needed work to be reliable. That time is over, and has been for quite some time. I would think that if your wife wants a Colt 1991A1 model, then by all means, go for it. Not what I would pick, but it isn't my gun, and it isn't my money. Most importantly, I don't have to live with your wife. You might have issues that require service, you probably won't.

You can say that about any maker, any model, any device at all.