I just acquired a Colt 1991A1. It just felt right in my hand when I picked it up. I've read these weren't Colt's best due to labor issues at the time of manufacturing, does anyone know something specific to watch for? Will it take full size 1911 grips? It is Commander sized. Thanks.
Colt 1991A1
- Thread starter Osuvet85
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highpower3006
New member
When was it made? I have been hearing the Colt QC BS for many years and while there is the occasional anecdotal story about this or that particular Colt being a dud, I also hear the same sort of stories about every other arms maker out there. I know it's hard to believe, but just because you heard it on the internet, doesn't make it true.
I am sure that a Colt hater will chime in sooner or later and talk about how he had a Colt 1911 and it was a piece of junk and his X/Y/Z brand 1911 is so much better. As I said, every manufacturer makes one that slips through QC from time to time. I have probably owned over twenty over the years but none of them (and none of the seven Colts that I currently own) have ever had any problems.
The Colt 1911/1911A1/1991's I have were made from 1917 up through 2013 and all are fine guns. One that I carry on a regular basis is a 1991 Officers Model made in 1983 and it has not only been flawless, but the trigger is very nearly as good as that on my '74 Gold Cup.
All full size 1911 pattern pistols will take the same grips. Those on my 1914 produced Springfield Armory 1911 fit perfectly on my 2013 M45A1.
I am sure that a Colt hater will chime in sooner or later and talk about how he had a Colt 1911 and it was a piece of junk and his X/Y/Z brand 1911 is so much better. As I said, every manufacturer makes one that slips through QC from time to time. I have probably owned over twenty over the years but none of them (and none of the seven Colts that I currently own) have ever had any problems.
The Colt 1911/1911A1/1991's I have were made from 1917 up through 2013 and all are fine guns. One that I carry on a regular basis is a 1991 Officers Model made in 1983 and it has not only been flawless, but the trigger is very nearly as good as that on my '74 Gold Cup.
All full size 1911 pattern pistols will take the same grips. Those on my 1914 produced Springfield Armory 1911 fit perfectly on my 2013 M45A1.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
The M1991A1 series was Colt's budget-priced line in the 1980s. Mechanically and functionally they are identical to the more expensive models, but they used a polymer trigger shoe and mainspring housing, and a less polished parkerized or black oxide finish. They are excellent pistols and, IMHO, there is nothing about them that you need to "watch for." I have owned three of the Officers ACP size (which was called "Compact" in the M1991A1 series). One of those has been a primary carry pistol for about ten years.
If yours is Commander size, it will accept standard 1911 grips.
If yours is Commander size, it will accept standard 1911 grips.
Spats McGee
Administrator
I've never owned or shot one, but I also haven't read tons of complaints about them over the years. If there's something you don't like, change it out. In any event, enjoy it!
https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup
This link is the Colt Website serial number look up page.
Enter the serial number here and it will tell you what year your Commander was made.
From there you can research which years might be more desirable or sought after.
The original Commanders were aluminum frame and later steel frame as well as aluminum and even stainless. The Commander also takes the "full size" magazine with 7 or 8 round capacity.
Colt's are always in demand so their resale value is high.
Off of the top of my head, I can't think of anything to watch for.
This link is the Colt Website serial number look up page.
Enter the serial number here and it will tell you what year your Commander was made.
From there you can research which years might be more desirable or sought after.
The original Commanders were aluminum frame and later steel frame as well as aluminum and even stainless. The Commander also takes the "full size" magazine with 7 or 8 round capacity.
Colt's are always in demand so their resale value is high.
Off of the top of my head, I can't think of anything to watch for.
I own and carry a full size 1991A1. I bought it new and have owned it for a number of years. It has the "plastic" trigger shoe and mainspring housing. It has the huge "billboard" rolling markings and the matte blue (black) finish. It's butt ugly, and I love it. No issues with trigger, mainspring housing or MIM extractor.
It has had quite a few rounds put through it, including factory loads and my hand loads. It has fed anything I've put through it, including some of the old "flying ash trays" and, as an experiment, any empty case or two. It sends bullets where I want them to go.
I had a gunsmith work on the action to get the trigger to 4 - 4.5 pounds, and I added some Kings combat sights.
My ugly old 1991A1 is reliable, and I'm quite satisfied with it.
It has had quite a few rounds put through it, including factory loads and my hand loads. It has fed anything I've put through it, including some of the old "flying ash trays" and, as an experiment, any empty case or two. It sends bullets where I want them to go.
I had a gunsmith work on the action to get the trigger to 4 - 4.5 pounds, and I added some Kings combat sights.
My ugly old 1991A1 is reliable, and I'm quite satisfied with it.
Spats McGee
Administrator
Some of my very favorite guns are ugly.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
New member
Came out in 1991----hence the name.
I've had a couple. They had a cheaper metal finish, cheaper sights, a plastic trigger and mainspring housing to reduce costs. But other than that the ones I had were just as accurate and reliable as the standard Colts of the time. Which meant quality was spotty. Some were fine, others not so much.
A lot of folks bought them as a cheaper alternative since they were going to go with a custom build and replace most of the cheaper parts anyway.
A lot of folks bought them as a cheaper alternative since they were going to go with a custom build and replace most of the cheaper parts anyway.
This gun did come out in 1991 as an anniversary edition. It was lessor price alternative for budget minded want to be Colt owners. I have owned one since the early 1990's shortly after they came out. It did have plastic parts, but mine was very reliable. I used it for a base for a custom gun, and to this day it is one of the most dependable and accurate guns I own. The grips will interchange without any problems. I hope you got a good deal, its a gun that should serve you well for a long time.
I had one or two of the plainly finished 1991s in .45 ACP. Good guns, but barrel fit was pretty "relaxed" in my examples. Some time after the 1991 series was introduced, Colt began selling complete frames and complete slides as kits. Or perhaps distributors broke up new guns to produce upper and lower kits, I really don't know. They came in the regular Colt factory cardboard picture boxes with a little sticker attached to the end flaps that said "frame kit" or "Slide kit", I found a frame kit at one distributor, a slide kit at another, and assembled a complete 1991. I added Heinie sights and few other modifications, and ended up with a very good gun. IIRC, this was the first time I'd had a factory barrel professionally welded up, then refitted by yours truly. That is the 1991 I wish I'd kept.
Wish I'd taken more, but in my pre-internet days, I can only recall taking one picture of my "kit gun", with a film camera no less
Wish I'd taken more, but in my pre-internet days, I can only recall taking one picture of my "kit gun", with a film camera no less
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EIGHTYDUECE
New member
I bought a stainless one back in 1996 and had it customized. and I bought a park'd/mat blue one a few years ago that I kind of G.I.'d out. Excuse the poor picture quality.
Idiot scratch was already there from the previous owner
Idiot scratch was already there from the previous owner