I know there have been a couple of 1911 38 super threads lately, but found a new one at a lgs for $770, if I remember right. Anyway couple of posters called out Colt's quality. This one seemed perfect as far as finish and fit were concerned, and the trigger was nice, better than the series 70s I had years back. My only complaint was that the 1991 model still has a staked on front sight. Anyway is there something I don't know about Colt's 1911s quality?
Colt quality
- Thread starter salvadore
- Start date
mikejonestkd
New member
I have two recent vintage colt 1911s, as well as an older gold cup. I have several friends with newer colts.
IMO they are as good as any 1911 for similar money, and the current ones are the best that have ever come out of their factory.
For the posters that will bring up their bankruptcy - Yes, their management has has issues, but it has not affected the production floor.
IMO they are as good as any 1911 for similar money, and the current ones are the best that have ever come out of their factory.
For the posters that will bring up their bankruptcy - Yes, their management has has issues, but it has not affected the production floor.
It will take a while before I buy another Colt M1911, and it better be priced competitively and mechanically tight. It used to be that Colt was all that you could buy, and Colt took advantage of their dominant market position to shovel out garbage to shooters.
This Colt barrel was on a bud's Colt Target Master. This was a series 80 pistol from the late 80's. That shadow in the barrel is a ring caused by Colt manufacturing. The idiots on the line indented the barrel milling the locking lug cuts. This is the sort of crap that Colt built and sold and their warranty was short, like two years. Colt followed the General Motor philosophy: Marketing sold it, manufacturing made it, and customer service made it work.
To me, Colt is just another brand name. You can buy cheap Colt brand knives, and I am certain, other Colt branded products that have nothing to do with Colt of Hartford CT. The owners of Colt sold the brand name rights for lots of products unrelated to firearms. I predict we will be seeing Colt branded Chinese made firearms in the future.
This Colt barrel was on a bud's Colt Target Master. This was a series 80 pistol from the late 80's. That shadow in the barrel is a ring caused by Colt manufacturing. The idiots on the line indented the barrel milling the locking lug cuts. This is the sort of crap that Colt built and sold and their warranty was short, like two years. Colt followed the General Motor philosophy: Marketing sold it, manufacturing made it, and customer service made it work.
To me, Colt is just another brand name. You can buy cheap Colt brand knives, and I am certain, other Colt branded products that have nothing to do with Colt of Hartford CT. The owners of Colt sold the brand name rights for lots of products unrelated to firearms. I predict we will be seeing Colt branded Chinese made firearms in the future.
I would inspect any pistol before purchase, my last four Colt's (2 AR's--2 1911's) are beautiful representations of the company and shoot without failure of any kind. I have one heck of a lot of rifles and pistols spanning the past 100+ years encompassing many brands and would not classify any as "junk or crap" (in other posts, not this one) as some are so anxious to do. If a Colt or Springfield or whatever is in your future check out the item thoroughly and then make a decision.
I have a friend who once owned a Mercedes and was stranded by a failure of the electrical system. Mercedes gave him a lowner, an apology and repaired his auto. He does not refer to the car as junk. Did you know one of the Buick's is now made in China?
I have a friend who once owned a Mercedes and was stranded by a failure of the electrical system. Mercedes gave him a lowner, an apology and repaired his auto. He does not refer to the car as junk. Did you know one of the Buick's is now made in China?
Model12Win
Moderator
Colt is THE 1911 maker.
Honestly, while they've had their ups and downs, if it doesn't wear the pony, it isn't a true 1911. The ones made today are essentially perfection defined.
Honestly, while they've had their ups and downs, if it doesn't wear the pony, it isn't a true 1911. The ones made today are essentially perfection defined.
In my opinion, the new colt's are better than they have been for a long time - with better triggers...
Having said that, the Colts are an entry level gun - that are lacking a lot of features I like in a 1911...like a checkered front strap.../ ...but I think for an entry level gun they're better than a lot of other options.
Having said that, the Colts are an entry level gun - that are lacking a lot of features I like in a 1911...like a checkered front strap.../ ...but I think for an entry level gun they're better than a lot of other options.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
I second that. And the overwhelming consensus on the 1911 boards agrees that current Colt quality is as good as, and probably better than, ever.mikejonestkd said:
I only have one Colt. A WC Government model. It was perfect. I bought it sight unseen online. I can only find ond real defect and since it causes no issue, i try to forget about it. I could find a problem with anything!
That said, i saw a Colt at Rural King a couple days ago that looked like they skipped steps in the finishing process and chose rejected grips to put on it. It retailed for the same or more than my gun. They also had a pretty nice blued Colt next to it.
Based on all that, I would say Colt's average appearance quality is about the same as the rest of the sub-$1000 1911 market. Problem is, this extends to higher priced guns too.
Also, want it or not, high polished blue does not seem to be a Colt finish anymore.
That said, i saw a Colt at Rural King a couple days ago that looked like they skipped steps in the finishing process and chose rejected grips to put on it. It retailed for the same or more than my gun. They also had a pretty nice blued Colt next to it.
Based on all that, I would say Colt's average appearance quality is about the same as the rest of the sub-$1000 1911 market. Problem is, this extends to higher priced guns too.
Also, want it or not, high polished blue does not seem to be a Colt finish anymore.
runningbear
New member
In Jan. of 2012 i paid some cash along with trading off two Kimbers, for a All black steel Colt 1991 .45acp and a black all steel Colt SXE .45acp.
Both are quality of fit and finish,and both have been 100% great shooting with no FTFs or FTEs.
A man shooting next to me asked to shoot my 1991, he told me it had as good of trigger as his older Gold Cup.
Colt has been through many changes,but in 2012 when my Colts were made, looks like things were good.
Both are quality of fit and finish,and both have been 100% great shooting with no FTFs or FTEs.
A man shooting next to me asked to shoot my 1991, he told me it had as good of trigger as his older Gold Cup.
Colt has been through many changes,but in 2012 when my Colts were made, looks like things were good.
I have not owned a colt, byt have handled and inspected a bunch at the gun shows and gun shops. I saw a stainless M1991 that had a cheap plqstic trigger that had tons of play in all directions. I have seen better triggers and fitment on airsoft guns. I have also handled a lot that were nice and tight with nice finishes. I would buy a colt but only if you can check it out thoroughly before hand. I have heard they are going to go out of business any year now.
I have nothing against the company. they were on my list but i decided to go springfield instead. Simply because thr springfield was a tad cheaper with a series 70 system. I recently bought a colt brand thumb safety which i really like, and i made the mistake of ordering a colt brand magazine that is junk.
I have nothing against the company. they were on my list but i decided to go springfield instead. Simply because thr springfield was a tad cheaper with a series 70 system. I recently bought a colt brand thumb safety which i really like, and i made the mistake of ordering a colt brand magazine that is junk.
1969Colt1911
New member
I have personally owned many, But my newest is a 1991 stainless 1991. And it's a bang everytime, and I hit the target many times. Don't choose another brand, you will love this one.
I'm not joking here, I bought a Rock Island Armory blue GI model. And it likes to jam short of active. All the time, is it stovepipe? And it does it all the time and many more rounds than the Colt. The Colt I've fired 70 rounds, felt so rough the action. But it fired flawlessly all rounds. I do love and understand all I have so no need to bash. You get what you get with anything.
I'm not joking here, I bought a Rock Island Armory blue GI model. And it likes to jam short of active. All the time, is it stovepipe? And it does it all the time and many more rounds than the Colt. The Colt I've fired 70 rounds, felt so rough the action. But it fired flawlessly all rounds. I do love and understand all I have so no need to bash. You get what you get with anything.
While this post will be riddled with personal opinions about Colt's quality and craftsmanship, I believe there is one thing that's been overlooked that we can all agree on: The Colt will hold it's value and you'll be able to sell it quickly for your asking price should you choose to do so in the future. As far as my personal opinion: I have always wanted a Colt but it's just never happened. The prices seem a little high for what I consider to be lack of features. Since I can't think of many other manufacturers making .38 Supers at that price point, the Colt is probably a solid BUY.
That's be a pretty expensive 'Pony', I'd say. In my opinion, it's a John Browning design, produced by many over the years: true Springfield Armory models, Ithaca's, Remington-Rands, plus the plethora of makers lately...they're all 1911's and function trumps a name every time when it comes to a defensive pistol. JMHO but YMMV, Rod
1969Colt1911
New member
The current models are solid, I own this 1991 but all my 1991s were just as good. A good buy for shooting, or accurizing. Or putting in the safe, as some do. And I have too, the Colts do hold value well.
dakota1911
New member
In recent years I have been impressed. This last year they have dropped their prices also. I own about everything but probably more Colt 1911s than others. One thing you have to remember if you buy used ones like I do is some years are better than others like there was a major union strike between 1985-1990 and a lot of pistols were assembled by temp workers.