Colt1911's
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Arizona Eric
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The new 1911s are too expensive and only command that price because they say "Colt" on them.
I have a 1991. The front sight came off and the slide stop broke, both of these things took about 3,000 rounds to happen. Overall though I still like it. I replaced the slide stop with a Wilson and had a new front sight dovetailed on.
If I could have just one 1911 it would be the Kimber Stainless Classic. But it doesn't say "Colt" on it . . .
I have a 1991. The front sight came off and the slide stop broke, both of these things took about 3,000 rounds to happen. Overall though I still like it. I replaced the slide stop with a Wilson and had a new front sight dovetailed on.
If I could have just one 1911 it would be the Kimber Stainless Classic. But it doesn't say "Colt" on it . . .
Look down the page a bit for the Colt 1911A1 thread, "Colt's new lineup."
I think Colt sucks, ISO9001 notwithstanding (though that almost tempts me).
Are Colts irredeemable?
No, but you shouldn't have to throw time and money into making them good guns.
The answer would seem to be to look VERY carefully before buying and
to avoid paying the "Colt" premium for the name, as it's not worth it.
I think the Python is the only unique item Colt makes, while 1911s are everywhere.
I think Colt sucks, ISO9001 notwithstanding (though that almost tempts me).
Are Colts irredeemable?
No, but you shouldn't have to throw time and money into making them good guns.
The answer would seem to be to look VERY carefully before buying and
to avoid paying the "Colt" premium for the name, as it's not worth it.
I think the Python is the only unique item Colt makes, while 1911s are everywhere.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
A mix of a bunch of years messing with Colt 1911s and reading posts here at TFL sez to me that the best of all 1911s are either old GI stuff, or Series 70 or earlier commercial.
The 1911s are just real easy to learn to work on, and most of the parts you could mess up in the learning process are real cheap. I use the Hallock book as my guide.
So, being a cheapskate and halfway smart at working on 1911s, I always look for old clunkers.
FWIW, Art
The 1911s are just real easy to learn to work on, and most of the parts you could mess up in the learning process are real cheap. I use the Hallock book as my guide.
So, being a cheapskate and halfway smart at working on 1911s, I always look for old clunkers.
FWIW, Art
I have to say I love my Colt 1991A1 and it would be one of the last guns I would sell. I've had all sorts of other 1911 types (Kimbers, Springfields, Para's) and my Colt has been as good and even better than many of the other 1911's.
That said, I believe you are paying more for the Colt name. Especially if the extra modifications (beaver tails, extended safeties etc.) are important to you. Colt seems to keep things fairly consistant with the original design. The recent Colts I've seen in the stores have been very well made - tight, finish etcetera.
Long story short - I would recommend one without hessitation based on my experience with both my Colt 1991A1 and my Kimbers (extractor problems, finish), Springfield (most trouble with these), Para's etcetera.
Besides - It is a Colt! And the new role marks have a cool horse!
That said, I believe you are paying more for the Colt name. Especially if the extra modifications (beaver tails, extended safeties etc.) are important to you. Colt seems to keep things fairly consistant with the original design. The recent Colts I've seen in the stores have been very well made - tight, finish etcetera.
Long story short - I would recommend one without hessitation based on my experience with both my Colt 1991A1 and my Kimbers (extractor problems, finish), Springfield (most trouble with these), Para's etcetera.
Besides - It is a Colt! And the new role marks have a cool horse!
The new 1991A1 by Colt is a great gun at a "fair" price while the 1911A1 is admittedly overpriced. Its mainly for collectors and if its going to primarily be a shooter the 1991A1 will be just fine. I have no personal experience with SA or Kimbers but they are well respected among 1911 shooters for the value added features. I know I know 
its just a name but its that intangible (the company's history) that I like and as a gun enthusiast Colt is DE RIGEUR. Say what you will, it satisfies that part for me. Regardless, I've owned 2 Colt 1911's (going on to my 3rd) and they worked as advertised.
tfljlc,
I live in L.A. too but haven't seen any 1991A1 with the new rollmarks. Did you see one at a shop? Even though its just a different rollmark I thought it had to be approved by the State of CA before they're available?
its just a name but its that intangible (the company's history) that I like and as a gun enthusiast Colt is DE RIGEUR. Say what you will, it satisfies that part for me. Regardless, I've owned 2 Colt 1911's (going on to my 3rd) and they worked as advertised.tfljlc,
I live in L.A. too but haven't seen any 1991A1 with the new rollmarks. Did you see one at a shop? Even though its just a different rollmark I thought it had to be approved by the State of CA before they're available?
I own two Colt 1911's -- a Series 70 Combat Commander and an XSE Government Model. Not a hiccup with either one of them. Colt has the nice rounded frontstrap, unlike the blocky frontstrap on others (i.e. Springfield). And yes, people are overcharging for Colts now, and have been doing so for some time. That has to do with the constant "rumor mill" that Colt is going out of business and will soon change over to making baby furniture or whatever.