To COLT or not to COLT

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hansolo

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Getting to the point: I'm looking for a 1911 .45 ACP Range Gun...don't want to go much over $600.00...I'm not a GunSnob, but words like Colt get me excited. Is the Colt 1991 NRM that much better than the SA Milspec and Charles Daly for a Fun Gun? I can afford the Colt, but the others are a lot cheaper..

Opinions?

I'm probably buying the Colt, but a really good talker may sway me toward the less expensive .45s
 
Is the Colt 1991 NRM that much better than the SA Milspec and Charles Daly for a Fun Gun?
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The 01991 is about exactly as much better than the SA Milspec as the price difference suggests. Which is to say, the SA is nice, but the Colt is better.

I would consider the Chucky D a step or two down from the Colt. Not really in the same class, based on the ones I've played with. Too crude, felt like they were full of sand.

There is no free ride. Colt takes the fewest material shortcuts of any mass-produced 1911. The ones I've owned were reliable and accurate. My experience with the NRM in particular was very positive. 100% reliable with everything and very accurate.

http://www.pistolsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13743
 
Thanks for pushing me over the edge! Is there some kind of shortage of new Colts?........."...if you can find one."? I see them on Gunbroker.com, but prefer to buy from humans. Looks like I better hit the local Dens of Gun-iquity.

Thanks
 
I was just at the range, and they received a call from one of their distributors who said that Colt workers went on strike today. That might not do much to help boost the availability of Colt 1911's.
 
they received a call from one of their distributors who said that Colt workers went on strike today.
Click to expand...

it may be splitting hairs to some but... they didn't strike, they were locked out.
means COLT made the move to not extend negotiations, and sent teh workers home. instead of the worker's walking out.
 
I found a new Series 80 for sale at a local range for a tick over $600. This place used to be high priced, but these days their prices are within reason, so I suspect that this is no more than $10 or $20 over rock bottom pricing--except this guy seems to be the only person in town with a new Colt 1911 for sale.

I thought the safety and the firing-pin block on the Series 80 looked a little fussy, but the overall quality seemed good.
 
Colts been selling as fast as they hit the shelves. Plus there is never a big shipment of them coming in at any one time compared to the other big names.
 
This past June when I was shopping for a new 1911, I looked at the Kimber TLE II, Springfield Loaded and a stainless NRM Colt . The Colt came home with me. The others just didn't have that "feel". For a Gov't model it is a real tack driver. Yes the slide to frame fit is a little loose, but the barrle to to slide fit is just right, and has 100% total reliability. Says something about a 1911 built to ordnance spec.
 
Isn't Colt back in receirvership again? Thats what the talking head at the local gunshop here in town said. I was just down at MC sporting goods fondling their selection of goodies & they had a used Python for sale & the salesman said he can't get new Colts anymore. Anyone no anymore for sure...
 
Isn't Colt sort of like Moto Guzzi in that it is always in some degree of receivership?

I can't see things turning out well for Colt. I think the company went down the path towards oblivion when it started putting all its financial eggs in the Armalite 15 basket. For the past 45 years the company has only done minimal R&D on someone else's design. They have done very little development on their other products. That's groovy as long as they can turn a profit on the M16-M4, but sooner or later that gun is going to be made obsolete. It may not happen just yet, but eventually someone is going to design a military rifle/carbine that is so obviously superior that the M16/M4 will go the way of the M1 Garand and M14. To say that the M16 will never be replaced is like saying that the old Commadore is the pinnacle of computer development or that there has never been a finer automobile than the 1973 Caprice Classic or that smokeless powder is just a fad or that... well, you get my point. Some company will develop a better gun as certainly as computers will get faster and television images will get sharper, and when it does, Colt will cease to exist.
 
If you're looking for a good range gun, all-around'er, buy the Colt. When I bought my first 1911, I wanted the bells and whistles (Ambi-Safeties, nice wood grips, Novak sites, etc.) and got them with a Springfield Loaded Model for about the same price as a basic Colt. If I were looking right now for a basic model to either keep stock or build on, I'd go with the Pony.

Echo Mike might be right:

"And remember... if you buy the Colt, you MAY want to buy the Springfield / CD later. If you buy the Springfield/ CD, you WILL want the Colt.

Get it out of the way now.

S."
 
"...Buy the Colt NOW, and you may want a SA/C.D. later........"

I admit to wanting the "extras" that make the C.D. semi-appealing, and the abundance of SA Milspecs with it's lower price.......but, I've had range-time with two of my friends' Colts and,...well...it's a COLT! I'm headin' out to the local gun shops to see how many STOCK the NRM, and what kind of price gouging they're up to :scrutiny:

P.S. Sean: great review @ 1911 Forum!
 
Personally, I think the best gun for the least money on the 1911 market today is the parked Springfield Armory WWII Mil-Spec. Good trigger, tight fit, overall solid, excellent quality--all for plus or minus $400.

That said, the gold standard for the 1911 will always have the Colt horse on it, and although IMHO Colt's quality control is not what it should be, I'll go for a Colt over a 1911 from another manufacturer whenever I can find one (which is not often) and can afford the price (also not often).

YMMV.
 
I bought a new Colt NRM Combat Commander last January and have been very pleased with it. The fit and finish are excellent. So far it has been absolutely reliable and its accuracy is as good as or slightly better than that of my SIG P225, which is saying something. Colt makes great 1911s these days and I look forward to buying a Colt Government model next.
 
Colt gets my vote!!

Once I almost bought a Springfield 'loaded' in slightly used condition, but I had a inherited series 70 stock Colt Government in my possession. So I invested my money at the time in Wilson parts and a trip to a gunsmith to fit 'em on the Colt. Could not be happier, my Colt has a sentimental attachment regarding its past history and has been carried on duty and in interesting cercumstances since...adding to its continued history.
I have never own a Springfield, though I have shot many(the Longslide was real cool!), but I have own ALOT of Colt 1911's over the years and I tend to stick with them. Besides the Government, a LW Officer's has seen much use and been carried all over the Country and I recently added a slightly used Colt Concealed Carry Officer's to the stable. This new(to me) Colt requires no modification or customization...a first for me in my history with Colt 1911's.
Colt has made alot of improvement, but it probably comes far too late. They should have been upgrading their 1911 line in the 70's with the IPSC crowd requirements. That might have kept them on the top. They could have also be doing more to streamlining their manufacturing process and working on their many revolver's. Shame they lost their 'new service' machines just before the 'magnum' craze stormed the country.
So, Colt might be a very useful firearms and one of the best made for the money, AND you are getting a large slice of American history, BUT if Colt folds one day...you'll also have more than you invested...a working heirloom!! Get 'em while you can, they are at the pinnacle of their manufacture right now(though those 1930's guns were sweet for their time!)!!!
Jercamp45
 
I am going to stray here from thenorm. I think Colts are overpriuced, and you are buying a name. Before the Series 80 guns, I would say get the Colt, but there is no way Id ever buy any series 80 gun, including the new Kimbers.

I have handled and shot many new production Colts, and cant tell any benefit to spending the cash over a Springfield or Kimber, personally. Yeah, I can already here the MIM freaks racing to light the magic Colt flame, but it simply doesnt fly with me.
 
You all should know my answer.

GO COLT! :D


Fit and finish surpasses the SA milspec. The milspec does shoot straight and nicely, but the Colt jus' shoots more refined than the milspec. Nice rosewood grips and beautiful matte blue finish, what's not to like :D

Blah blah blah, I can go on for a while. But it comes down to strolling down to the gunshop and fondling both. I'll predict you'll fondle the Colt longer. ;)

NRM Colt takes my vote. (as usual)
 
Rampant Pony

I thank y'all for chiming in on my "Buy Colt?" post; I don't want to hit the local shops until I get my strategy down....Do I want stainless or blued?...What is the upper limit I'll pay?...I may end up doing the On-Line gun auction thing...I'm set on the NRM Colt -- I think I already was, but needed your "majority vote".....I have a buddy with two Colts from the 70s: one stainless Commander and one Gov. blued...he wouldn't consider selling either, but is glad that "I have come to my senses"(!)

Thanks for your input...
 
I purchased a slightly used Colt 1991A1 Commander yesterday, and although I haven't fired it yet, the fit and finish is excellent.
 
I have been happy with my Springfield in every way, but the 60-70 others that I shoot with all will suggest Kimber without fail. Large range of guns that lack nothing in fit and finish. Look for those first. Unless you can afford Wilson or something semi-custom, of course.
 
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