Why Colt?

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Marshall

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Colt 1911 owners,

As someone that has been considering buying a 1911 for many years now but always ends up buying something else instead, why are the Colts preferred by most 1911 owners on this forum? I mean, really why? Something besides, "because they're a Colt". I want to understand what makes them a better gun to own and why, over other models such a Springer, Kimber, Para, etc.

I have read XavierBreath's "Best 1911 for you", it was very helpful but, I am looking for something more in depth as to the brand itself.


On a separate note, what's the difference in the three following models on Colts website? They all look the same to this uneducated eye, except for a lanyard loop.


Colt Series 70
Series70_O1970A1CS.jpg



Colt 1991 Series
1991Series_O1991.jpg



Colt 1911 WWI Replica
1911WWI.jpg
 
I own a NRM Colt, but its my least shot 1911. Its a good gun, but I other 1911s fit me better. To me, its a good gun, but I think you're paying more for the name

The Series 80 has a firing pin block that the Series 70 does not have.

The WWI replica is Series 70 that is a "replica" of how it "used to be". Mainly tear drop safety, non lowered ejection port and lanyard from what I can tell.

I'm sure 1911 Tuner will be in shortly. Also look for Don Hart in 1911 forums. He's a hardcore current production Colt fanatic also.

Sorry I can't be of more help.
 
Well, in brief,
The Series 70 on top is the "retro-car" of the Colt line. It's the gun Colt made prior to the Series 80 but with a solid bushing. It has a short trigger, arched mainspring housing and the frame cut is the 1911A1......you have the scallops behind the trigger and sights you can almost see.

The 1991 is the current Series 80 Colt with the firing pin block and the same sights as the Series 70, long trigger and flat MSH.

The WWI Replica is a 1911 without the scallops and different slide stop, hammer, trigger, safety, and MSH. You've got the lanyard loop so you don't drop the gun off your horse. ;) The sights are minscule but usable.
 
Not a 1911 type of deal

but I got my hands on a old Sporter II, and I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was definitely something different about it. I would rather have that Sporter II than any of the Armalite/Eagle,Bushmasters I've shot.

Colt used to have a touch for firearms. Now? Don't know.
 
Find one that you can paw over for a few minutes and see the fit and finish of a Colt. It has a certain style and persona. Just as each of the brands do. There is just something about a nice Colt. ;)
 
Why?
Resale value?
Fewest MIM parts?
Heritage?
Only 4 letters in the name? :rolleyes:
MSRP on a series 70? $919 blue, $950 Stainless
 
I have a Colt Commander XSE (NRM) and an early model Kimber Classic Custom. The Kimber is better fitted, better finished, and more accurate.

I love Colts, but they are going to one day price themselves out of business.
 
I have a '99 Kimber Stainless Gold Match with about 15k rounds through it and I like the WWI Repro more. I love the sights, I like the brushed Carbonia finish and the trigger pull is better. Not only do I like it better for the way it handles, it's more accurate and easier to shoot accurately.

Maybe I just got lucky, but I'm tempted to buy another one for a back-up. The shop where I bought it had one on the shelf 2 weeks ago and I've been thinking about it ever since.

I'm still surprised.

RetroJohn

P.S. - I have bad eyes and high-dollar glasses and the small sights work for me. Go figure.
 
Sorry, but the best I have for you is that I prefer Colts for the intangibles. I've owned a few other brands, they worked okay but I ended up selling them...I just prefer Colts :cool: :scrutiny:
 
For me the fact that my Colt's all came from the factory and have ran like a Swiss Watch. No issue's what so ever I have read all of the horror stories and have bought nine Colts in the last two years without a single issue.

I do also like the fact that a "gunsmith" builds a Colt not a parts assembler.


Also.

I own a NRM Colt, but its my least shot 1911. Its a good gun, but I other 1911s fit me better. To me, its a good gun, but I think you're paying more for the name

The Series 80 has a firing pin block that the Series 70 does not have.

The WWI replica is Series 70 that is a "replica" of how it "used to be". Mainly tear drop safety, non lowered ejection port and lanyard from what I can tell.

I'm sure 1911 Tuner will be in shortly. Also look for Don Hart in 1911 forums. He's a hardcore current production Colt fanatic also.

Sorry I can't be of more help.
__________________
~Richard
Click to expand...


One last very important thing the WW1 re-issue has one of the nicest finishes on a production gun I have ever seen........That is the reason I bought one.

They are great guns if you buy one you will not be disapointed...........Of course you will want another and another...................
 
For me at least, others make good guns, but for the money the Colt is the best.
Springfield makes a great 1911A1 and it is cheap, I have one (although I gutted it and rebuilt it into a combat style gun), but it is not as well made as the Colt.
Kimber and the other custom makers make great guns every bit as well as a Colt, but they cost more.
Yeah, I guess the name counts for something, but that is above and beyond the quality, fit, and finish of the pistol. If it's crap, I do not care one bit who's name is on it.
Now, every manufacture producing product makes lemons, and every manufacture had problems at some time. I was seriously burned by a S&W (645 auto I think it was) that I bought (while looking for a Colt 1911) back in the early 80s. Left a real bad taste in my mouth for S&W. Makes me very hesitant to buy another. So I understand that someone who had a bad Colt might bare a grudge.
Most of the problems I have ever seen anyone have with a 1911 could be traced to bad magazines (they bought cheap ones), bad ammo, or a screwed up extractor (which is simple as hell to correct). Notice I said most, there are always exceptions. Some guns are just more tolorant that other (for the same manufacture).
Colt makes a fine product. If what they make is every bit as good as someone elses (in the same price range)--thought I think theirs is a bit better-- then why not get the origninal.
Most (read that all) of the rifles I have are Milsurp, nothing wrong with heritage.
Just my $0.02 (bought all I have to spare).
 
Thanks for your all's answers.

When I read "NRM" which gun is that referring to? It looks like the Series 70 and the 1991 series 80 both have the same rollmark, or both?

Lastly, which one is the gun to have?
 
The NRM refers to the 1991A1 model, They switched the ugly billboard 1991A1to the older style slide marking's.

If you get to handle the Series 70 and a NRM side by side you will see that they have different roll mark's.

If you need more info go to the 1911 forum and check out the colt thread stickies.


http://forums.1911forum.com/
 
Some "reasons" might be if you want a FP safety, the series 80 style would be a better choice than the Kimber or S&W...IMO anyway!

Colt is the only 1911 in that price range that offers a "polished" blued finish.

They do have less MIM parts, if that matters to you.

I can't think of any "functional" reasons other than those. The "other" reasons occupy thousands of threads comparing Springfield to Colt. ;)
 
It's the pony!

No other 1911 has a pony! Seriously, it is both the name, but moreover what the name has come to mean...reliable and sustained accuracy. The fact that it brought down lots of enemies and brought home safely lots of soldiers doesn't hurt. Those "good ol' days memories" out weight all other considerations. Our vets come home and toss about their bigger-than-life stories, which like fish grow after the fact. So, these stories hold tight, deep down inside of our very deepest held values as beliefs. WWI, WWII and Korean War vets will tell you the 1911 was great! Vietnam vets were more likely to say they stink, because (according to the pro writers) they had been rebuilt too many times, and/or imporperly rebuilt.

For me, I have owned Kimbers and Colts. I have 1 Kimber remaining, the Warrior, which is a series 70 equivalent in terms of not having a firing pin block.

I will keep this Kimber (probably), but would sell it in a heart-beat to get another new Colt. I explained in a post months back, I bought my first Kimber because the sales person either lied to me, or was so uninformed that he convinced me Colt sold only to military and police. So, I bought a Kimber. Now, when I learned that Colt still did sell to civilians, I sold all but 1 Kimber. Recall, I that bought 5 Custom Shop Kimbers last summer of 2005, close. All 5 were defective. That was the end. Kimber, IMHO, is not sufficiently committed to customers. They have lost my business. I like Kimber for looks and feel, but that taste in my mouth will be there for years, decades and probably for life. Given how many firearms I buy, they took a massive hit (20ish pistols per year)? Big-time hit. Do they care? No. They have others.

Colt, IMHO, is the finest, if for no other reason than it was the original 1911, plus due to its history, and other simply personal reasons. These are the same unfounded reasons that most people prefer the pistol that they prefer.

Personal choice,

Doc2005
 
Thanks for all of the responses. Now, with this knowledge, I can start persuing what I want. I appreciate it. :)

Doc, what you wrote is part of the reason I love Hi Powers. I can relate.


One last question, is one of these better with hollow points? I was told that on the Springfield Mil Spec's and GI's that FMJ is all you want to shoot becuase of them being magazine fed. Anything to this with the Colts?
 
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Original Colt 1911's were set up for hardball 230 gr. ammo and they feed well in just about everything made. JHP is another story. Older war babes from WWI/WWII didn't really feed the newfangled HP that well. My made in Brazil SA "US" GI have no problems in this regard feeding everything well (so far anyway). My Dad's old WWII era 1911... stick to ball ammo.
 
I learned about .45 autos in the Marine Corps in the 60s.
When I got out of the Marines and decided I needed a pistol,
the .45 auto was what I knew best, and the number one
maker of .45 autos was Colt. So that's what I bought.

I paid $137.50 for a Series 70 Government Model .45 in 1972.
I still have it. I don't carry it much anymore, but I just like
knowing it's still there if I need it.

Walter
 
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