Anyone experienced any Colt 1991A1 Compact Problems?

H

HMC8404

New member
I've owned several Colt 1911's over the years. The last one was the "New" Series 70, which had many stove pipes even after break-in, and the brass always ejected into my forehead. I sold it.

I like the looks and changes from the basic 1911 to those of the 1991A1, but don't know how well they have done as far as reliability or construction is concerned.

I like the compact model, but would consider others. Any experiences shared, good or bad, would be appreciated!

Thanks.
 
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I have one I bought used back when my state was talking about allowing CCW. That being said, I carry one of several other choices I now have.
I enjoy shooting my 1991a1 Compact, but on any given range session I could have from zero to half dozen FTE, and stove pipes.
If it ain't 100% reliable, it ain't in my waistband!
 
The M1991A1 Compact is the same pistol as the Officers ACP, with a plainer finish. I bought an M1911A1 Compact after shooting a friend's Officers ACP and falling in love with it. I couldn't afford an Officers ACP at the time, but I found a Compact at a (somewhat) nearby gun shop and got a deal on it because I walked in the door and he didn't have to pay a commission to Guns America.

My friend has never reported any problems with the Officers ACP, and I've never had any problems with the Compact.
 
The compact '91A1 was cancelled, along with Colt's other "Officers" sized guns circa 1999.
I prefer it to the 3" guns on the market today, and wouldn't hesitate to buy a nice one.
I have a non-Colt, 3.5" compact "1911" that I have carried in the past, and expect to in the future, but I had some unexplained functional issues the last two times at the range, and won't pack it again until that's sorted out.
The shorter the gun, the more sensitive it will be to any and every manner of deficiency in ammo dimensions, spring ratings, extractor tension, magazine feedlip configurations, etc.
I've shot 1000 rounds without issue, and I've had five failures in 100 rounds, and it's usually been a problem of spring maintenance. The oft-quoted recoil spring replacement interval of 500 rounds is a good idea, and I'd recommend replacing the mag springs at the same time.
 
Ever had a reliable 1911?
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A long time ago. A "real" 1911. Colt made, 1918 manufactured U.S Gov't Property marked. Should have been in a display case, probably is today. I didn't shoot it a lot, but it did work well.
Now, I have a 1927 Argentine Colt. It has also been trouble free. But way to heavy and larger size than my preference for carry.
For something that begins with "4" I carry a Springer XD40 Sub Compact.
 
Colt 1991a1

I have a ss model. After about 100 rounds the next round will get caught on the feed ramp area. If I take it apart and clean I can go another 100 rounds.

I have tried 3 different springs, 12 different brands of magazines. I have tried different gun powders and ammo. Never fails. Would never carry it for real. But still like shooting it.


Dan...
 
I have had a little Compact for years now and I have not had any issues with it but I prefer the New Agent for concealed carry.
 
I have two 1991's, a Commander and a Government. Both are great. The only problem I've had was when I put a buffer in the Commander. Then it jammed. I removed it and it continued working properly.
 
Ever had a reliable 1911?
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Define "1911"? Seriously, unless you mean M1911, the term has no meaning.
I think there must be some sort of karma surrounding the galaxy of guns deemed "1911", with some people having none, and theirs being distributed to others.
If I put a Caspian slide and KKM barrel on a Lone Wolf frame and it doesn't work, is that an unreliable Glock?
I bought a new Springfield RO, took it to the range for the first time on Saturday, ran 130 rounds through it with no issues whatsoever. The cases were ejecting into a 3' circle, perfect.
A guy next to me couldn't get through two mags in a row with his Ruger without having to the drop the mag to clear a malfunction. Could have been springs, mags, ammo, lack of proper lube, but since the gun's specs are unknown, it's a Ruger problem, not a 1911 problem.
As an observer commented, "Beware the man with a 1911 that works".
 
I have three ORM 1991A1s, one in each size. My Compact and full size have both been heavily customized, my Commander has also been worked over but still looks pretty much original. Anyway, I think they're great guns, one of Colt's less appreciated offerings. Haven't had any problems with mine but, like I said, they've been all gone through.

Good deals can be found on ORM guns if you look around, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Compact (or any other size ORM 1991A1) if the right deal came along. Personally, I prefer the 3.5" barrel over the newer 3" guns, they feel better balanced to me.
 
Thanks all. I'm ditching my thought of purchasing the Colt 1991A1. I know this is a cast weapon. but after the great reviews I have read about the Remington 1911R1, aside from some disappointments with the trigger, I've decided on the full size SS version. I liked the feel, fit and finish better than the Ruger. Also, you can't squeeze out the chambered round on the Ruger IF you drop the mag for some reason, and the remington comes with three-dot sights for my old eyes. I can buy a new Remington SS version in town for $660. OTD, (no sales taxes) then the $75.00 rebate after that.

Happy shooting!
 
There are very few short barrel 1911's I would consider..
One is my wilson combat, but the price isn't pocket friendly, mine has NEVER failed..
And the Dan Wesson ECO, that is it..

I had colts, springfields {they dont even make a small 45 anymore, they have the emp which is OK, but 9 or 4 only}...

My wilson and Eco {I sold the eco to my brother} performed great, but I have seen short kimbers, sigs, colts, ect that couldn't go 1 range session with out 3+ failures...

I had a springfield that was sent to wilson and they got it to work perfectly, but it wasn't cheap, it came back with a much better trigger, reverse plug, full length guide rod, super strong spring, 2 of their modded mags, and a list of ammos to use with it. It shot great after that but when the time came to clean up my collection that one went...


A quick note- I haven't been on this forum long, but I have been around firearms for a while, I would say a quarter of a million dollars worth have gone through my hands over the years, and my collection has never been as strong as it is right now {never before did it contain a Blazer, and now I have 3}...
And I love 1911's, I shoot A LOT of 45acp through my guns, one of my ed brown special forces has well over 20K rounds through it. Its not that old either and that gun Does not fail, I can use any mag in my pouch from stock sigs to stock colts to worn out bearing mags, it always cycles and goes bang, plus i can shoot it so fast people think its automatic, I have had more than a couple range officers walk over and watch me shoot, then after I put the gun down, say something like "man, I thought you were shooting a machine gun"...
 
I have 2 Colt Officers But I carry my Defender more . I never had a problem with any of them . I had a new Agent but sold after around 500 rounds I couldn't get use to the gutter sight. Pistol was reliable I just didn't like the sight set up.
 
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