Questions regarding the Colt 1991

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MikePGS

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Hello. I'm looking at the Colt 1991 series (in particular the commander length 04091U) and had a few questions I was hoping you fine people might be able to help me with. It seems to me from what I've read that the 1991 series is more of a "budget" model (hah, a 800$ budget model) pistol than the standard colts which are a bit more expensive. Could the parts eventually be upgraded so that it is on part with the standard Colt, or even a lightly customized one? Also I read on some forums that the trigger is plastic yet on others it is said that the trigger is made out of aluminum. Are these two different models that are being talked about? I'm assuming that almost any 1911 part can be exchanged for another since they are so popular but wasn't sure if this particular model had any quirks to it that might prevent such a thing from being done. If anyone has any insight or help regarding this issue it is appreciated.
 
I bought two 1991s as base guns to be built up by custom 1911 smiths...you start cheap because you throw away just about everything except the frame, slide and some pins. Both of my 1991s had plastic triggers and MSHs.

I would personally recommend that you start with a Springfield G.I. or Mil Spec...unless you really just want the dancing pony on the side of the slide. I bought the 1991s because I paid <$600 for each of them
 
The current 1991 has an aluminum trigger, according to Colt's website.
 
The 1991's are "budget" pistols in the sense that they have the baseline parts such as GI grip safety, basic three-dot sights, and standard "teardrop" thumb safety. These are a perfectly good parts and typically the reason for changing them is personal preference (dare I say "fashion").

The 1991's are also not marketed as a collector pistol like the 1918 or as a "throwback" such as the Series 70 Repro.

The quality of parts on the 1991 models are every bit as good as those on the other pistols in the Colt line-up.
 
Therse's nothing wrong with the Colt 1991.
They have AL triggers now. The mainspring housing is easy to swap. But I need a good beaver tail, so this one is my pick:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/products-c5-q99-COLT_PISTOLS.aspx#


Colt misses the details on quite a few of thier pistols. Target/range sights on too many, sloped sights on the fixed sight models. Sloped sights prevent useing the rear sight to cock the gun one handed against a kydex holster. Warren Sevigney sights are a better example. Too many models without a beaver tail. No modern finishes like Ion Bond, Melonite yet.
 
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I have a commander bought new in 2009 and it is indeed an aluminum trigger (colt hasn't used plastic triggers in a decade or so). BTW my 1990's gov't enhanced model does have a nylon/plastic trigger and I see little to complain about it. It stands ip over time just fine and is lighter. The current 1991's do have a nylon mainspring housing. Again, I have no issues with that as they are robust and last and it is just not a part I see a true need to be metal.

There's nothing "cheap" about a 1991a1 Combat Commander. Mine has shot 100% reliably from purchase. You certainly can build it up to as custom as you want. Mine is straight stock and other then high contrast sights I don't plan on changing anything.

P.S. my one bit of advice about mod'ing a 1911 is try what you want to change on a rental or somewhere before you fit it to your gun. I've had ambi and extended thumb safeties in the past, and I will be keeping my Colts as they are in that regard (and anything else I buy in the future either will have a signle-side Colt GI style thumb safety when I buy it, or will shortly therafter). A lot of guns show up on the used listings in part I think because someone got a 1911, immediately went out and added every little doodad they've ever seen or heard of on a 1911, only to realize they now had a gun they hated to actually hold and shoot.

1911s_3.png
 
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From what I understand the difference between the "new" 1991s and the series 80 government model is pretty much the long trigger and the flat mainspring housing.
 
I don't know what Zero is calling "target/range" sights, but the sights on the current crop of Colt Series 70 and 1991 pistols is about the minimum that I can see clearly.

I would also rather pay my gunsmith to put on a fitted beavertail than the "droopytail" seen on most Colt XSEs. They are illustrating the one with the searchlight rail with a good beavertail, maybe the others will follow.
 
I leave my Colts pretty much as they com from box. On the Defender I got rid of the horrible rubber grips . Grip changes are about it. I like the Colt grip safety If you don't like ship them to me I will use on other 1911's .
 
Jim Watson said:
I don't know what Zero is calling "target/range" sights, but the sights on the current crop of Colt Series 70 and 1991 pistols is about the minimum that I can see clearly.

I would also rather pay my gunsmith to put on a fitted beavertail than the "droopytail" seen on most Colt XSEs. They are illustrating the one with the searchlight rail with a good beavertail, maybe the others will follow.
Click to expand...

I meant in Colts entire lineup, too many 1911 choices have adjustable target sights. i don't even use those for target comps. LOL.

The 1991 with the beaver tail is my favorite Colt.
 
I have a 1991A1 with good S&A beavertail but it did not come out of Hartford that way.
Its beavertail, mag well funnel, and King's (fixed) target sights were installed to suit it for IDPA.

Jeff Cooper called 'em all "ducktails".
 
I would pick the Colt and it's MIM parts.

The Springfield has a "internal lock" or ILS, which is a turn off for me. I don't "have to" have the pony on the side, but I would prefer to avoid the internal lock; yes, it can be removed but then you have removed a "safety device" which is supposedly (could be) a civil libality if discovered (after SD situation) and IMO it's just unnecessary in the first place. Does SA advertise the ILS anywhere on their site? Not that I can see. Wonder why?

Kimber (which I have) has MIM parts too, plus an unfinished barrel, but at least it doesn't have an ILS. :)

P.S. a beavertail grip saftey is much more comfortable to shoot IME compared to the narrow grip safety on a mil-spec 1911.
 
I like the 1991's. It didn't start off like that, I bought this one (when it was a well-worn blue) to fiddle around with and build into something else that I wanted. After I got done with the changes, I probably could have bought a new GCT for less, but this is what I wanted and this is what I got.
P7290007.jpg
Turned out a lot nicer than I'd anticipated. I think that it is actually one of my favorite Colt's now.
Anyway, I liked this one so much that I bought another one-matte SS-that I had some things done to. That gun is currently off gettting refinished to resemble a Combat Elite-w/o the FCS or the FLGR.
Again, I've probably got more in that gun than a new CE would have set me back but this one will be EXACTLY what I want.
Trade offs I guess.
 
I have a number of 1911's my favorites are the COLTs, but I have a Les Baer and a Springfield Armory as well.

My every day carry (EDC) is a plain jane ORM COLT 1991A1 Compact. I paid $500.00 for it.

COLT1991A1.jpg

Last year I got to thinking that I may need something a bit flashier for EDC, so I bought a brand new NRM COLT Commander. I paid $730.00 out the door.

Colt_Commander.jpg

They are simple, ultra reliable and have everything a "fighting hand gun needs".
Will
 
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