Why Colt?

[.38 Special]

I bought a Colt in .38 Super a few years back. I knew the $1,000 asking price was robbery, but I wanted the name.

It was an unimpressive gun, at least for the price. I did not find the finish to be better than average; certainly not nearly as nice as an old Smith revolver. The fit was on the poor side, IMO. Not horrible, but not as tight as, well, Kimber, for instance. Accuracy was, dare I say it, average.

It was, in short, a perfectly functional, decent looking (never mind the laser-engraved dot-matrix serial number) piece that did what a gun is supposed to do. Just like a $400 Springfield.

But I knew all that going in, and I paid to have a 1911 that said Colt. Didn't regret it. As John Barsness once wrote, I bought it "for various irrational but otherwise valid reasons". But I never tried to talk myself into believing that is was anything but an "irrational" decision.

I just hope the guy that stole it accidentally shot himself with it.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Why a Colt? Is it just the name?

Yes. No.

Allow me to wax esoteric...

If you set out to build the quintessential Anerican muscle car, would you start with a 1982 Buick?

If you truly wanted to impress an oenophile, would you start with ripple?

If you wanted the true feeling of the history of your country in your hand, would you buy a Norm Chomsky book?

Is it the name? Yes. No.

If you were a young man, a craftsman, with a lust for fine firearms, would you choose to work for Taurus?

Or might you seek out a (maybe lower paying) job with a company, who's name at least, invoked the history of the art which you choose to perform.

In other words, for $15 bucks an hour, would you rather polish a Colt or a Glock?

God created all men (and women). Sam Colt made them equal.

Is it a name?

Yes.

No.

Is the flag just a rag with colors on it?

I will hold my hand over my heart for no other.

I won't carry any gun but a Colt.

Is it just a name?

 

[valor1]

I want the Colt because of the bragging rights. When I pull them out in the range, the old timers will say "oohh" and "aahh" and probably "hey that's quite a nice colt, you got in there."

The name is what gives it the mystique. Although the design is copied and heck even improved by a thousand gunsmiths (wilson, ed brown, etc.).

 

[420Stainless]

For me it is a combination of brand loyalty and made in USA. I bought my first one back when Colt was the choice. It was so well made and shoots so well that I made my next two 1911's Colt also. I'm sure Kimber and the other U.S. manufactered 1911s are excellent, but Colt had me first and has given me no reason to look elsewhere.

 

[armabill]

A Colt will always command a higher value for resale or buying.

Colt is the original american 1911. Historic value can't be had in other american made 1911's.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Marshall my friend, many years ago (very early 70's) I owned many
of the so called 70 series Colt's; including 2x Gold Cup National Match guns,
and several Government models, + one or two Commanders. Back then, it
was the standard that all other's were judged by; not too mention the best
1911 available at that time. In todays market, there are many players who
produce quality firearms; ranging from the basic, NO frills G.I. models up to
$3500 custom jobs.

Kimber for example, is kind'a the middle of the road player here. They are
manufacturing 1911's available straight from their factory, much like us old
farts use to buy a Colt and then spend hundreds of $$$$ customizing too
our liking. Nowdays, I don't own any Colt 1911's; but I do have other's,
including one Kimber and one Les Baer +1 Smith & Wesson~!

 

[XavierBreath]

I own several 1911s, I always wanted a Colt, but I settled on Springfields for my first two 1911s. There is nothing wrong with Springers. They shoot well, and are durable. I still own those two.

Then, one day, I bought the custom Colt Gold Cup National Match below. I took it to the range and I shot it. It shot better than any gun I had ever held. It felt better than any gun I had ever held. I was having a great day drilling bulleyes with my Colt. There was a tactical Tommy a couple of lanes over shooting the latest 1911 fashion gun. He was obviously watching my targets. As I was loading magazines, he sauntered over and asked "What kind of Kimber is that?" The look on his face when I said it was a Colt is one reason I like Colts.



Since that day I have purchased quite a few Colt 1911s. Along with the two Springfelds that I still own, I own a couple of SW1911s. They were a great deal I could not pass up. I figured I could trade them down the line for a Colt, perhaps. I enjoy modifying 1911s. I have all the small parts for my next 1911 ready. Quality Nowlin and Ed Brown stuff. I thought about modifying one of the SW1911s, but I just cannot bring myself to do it. A modified SW1911 is a messed up SW1911 in the marketplace. A modified Colt 1911 retains it's value as long as the mods are done right.

I love it when a dealer tells me Colt isn't selling to the public anymore, or that they are going out of business. Colt is the last American firearms company that has stayed true to their heritage. S&W no longer makes quality blued and walnut revolvers. Colt still makes blued 1911s with no FPS and wood grips. They even make a 1911 reissue like the WW1 pistols. You can buy one of these Colts new and feel the tradition and heritage. It's much like a Harley Davidson. It's an intangilbe that may not be felt by some folks, but felt strongly by others. Is it the prancing pony? Perhaps. Is it because it's a Colt? You're darned tootin'!

 

[Marshall]

Gentlemen, thank you so very much.

I have Colt revolvers and am familiar with their heritage and quality but have never jumped into the 1911 world. I figure that when I do, I want to do so with a quality gun and a gun of the utmost reliability from the factory. I've never been much into changing any of my guns from factory specs other than grips/stocks and sights. I know, probably boring but there is something about a quality stock firearm that I really love.

I have a good friend/shooting buddy that has a Colt Gold Cup Trophy, he swears by that gun and it's been a very reliable pistol for him. I will either be buying a standard series 70 or 80 blued, or a Gold Cup in stainless.

BTW, is there a difference between a National Match and a Trophy?

Thanks again!

 

[XavierBreath]

The Gold Cup National Match was an enhanced pistol with a sight rib and Eliason rear sight. It also has a unique wide trigger and a sear depressor spring/lever to prevent sear bounce.

The Gold Cup Trophy is a slick slide with a Bomar rear sight and normal sized trigger and normal sear.

 

[Marshall]

Thanks X.

Marshall

 

[HammerBite]

Thank you, XavierBreath . . .

and a sear depressor spring/lever to prevent sear bounce

I always wondered what that thing was for.