"New" Colt M1911A1 vs. Springfield Mil-Spec

H

Halo

New member
On my "short list" is a 1911, specifically a faithful reproduction of the original no-nonsense military version. I knew Springfield makes one, but didn't know Colt was making one until I checked out the new products section on their site.

Has anyone had a chance to compare the two? The Springfield seems to get good reviews, and I was planning to just get one of those. But "Colt", "1911", and "45" seem to go together quite naturally. I haven't found one of the new Colts for sale around here, so I'm not sure what the going rate is.

I suspect the Colt name will make it more expensive than the Springfield...
 
Here's are the reasons why I didn't purchase the new Colt.
1. Fit was a bit loose. Springfield had a much tighter slide to frame fit. There was no play between the parts.
2. Series 80. The SA Mil-Spec is Series 70.
3. Price. I'm not a cheapo but the Colt was $100 more in my neck of the woods

The only problems I have with the SA are as follows...
1. The front strap has too much material. The grips don't "flow" into the front strap.
2. The ILS system. I replaced it with an aftermarket mainspring housing and new internals.

Other than that, it's a great shooter. Either way, you get what you pay for.
 
dsk, another member here, just bought one. Here's the link...
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/printthread.php?threadid=100800
FWIW, I really like my Springfield. It's accurate, it's solid, but unfortunately, it isn't made in the USA. Frankly, I'd like the new series 70 Colt, but it doesn't fit in the ol' budget right now.

edit: Oops, I forgot to read that you were looking at the original "no nonsense" military version. The above link probably won't be what you're looking for.
 
The new Colt's 1911A1 is a series 70 gun.The one I looked at looked excellent-equal to their old quality.I didn't see 900 bucks,though.The Springfield unit is just as good for a great deal less money.Actually,SA guns are made in the U.S.The parts are forged in Brazil,then sent here for assembly.

The one I was really impressed with was the new Kahr Arms Thompson Auto Ordnance 1911A1.Excellent fit/finish,drastically improved quality over the old units.Haven't fired one yet,but definitely looks well worth 460 bucks.
 
The best "basic" no-frills 1911 style pistol out right now is probably the new Colt Government Model... not the goofy overpriced reproductions but their basic blue 1911. More attractive than the SA Mil-Spec and better ergonomics. I've seen them for around $550. My impression from handling them is that the newest Colts are better than SA.

newcolt.jpg
 
Wow, I had no idea the "retro" Colt was going for over $800. I can safely scratch that one off the list. I hadn't considered the Auto-Ordnance 1911, in fact I didn't know about it. Thanks for the suggestion.

I like the look of the Colt government pictured above, and the price sounds good. What is the difference between it and the one they are selling for $800-900?.

Forgive my ignorance about 1911s, but what are the main differences between the Series 70 and 80, and why does the 70 seem more popular?

Thanks...
 
The Series 70 is a better shooter because it ain't got four extra parts in the firing system that "corrects" a problem that ain't there. AD from dropping the pistol.

Get the Springfield, you'll be glad you did, it's a 70.

Clem
USMC Retired
 
CastleBravo, which Colt is THAT !

All I've seen are the 1991A1s (which I don't like) and Colt's hardly ever seen XS series which seems to be a half assed attempt at a Kimber.

If I could find a 70 series Colt like the one in the above picture for $550 I would empty my bank account.
 
BTW, awesome 1911 Castle Bravo. I wish EVERY 1911 manufacturer would model their base gun after something like that. It's about time someone started making a base 1911 that actually looks like a 1911.
 
Colt currently makes three different classic-style 1911s-

"New Rollmark" Series 80 (formerly M1991A1). The new ones are like the photo above, but with semi-polished slide AND frame, and checkered rubber grips. They typically go for about $550-$570.

"New" Series 70. Just like the old Series 70 guns w/o the firing block, but the new ones have larger sights and a standard (not collet) barrel bushing. They also have double-diamond wood grips. Asking price typically $870-$890.

WW2 Reproduction M1911A1. As close to the old parkerized GI guns as Colt can currently make. My favorite of the three, but for $950-$1000 I've been able to hold off. For that price you can easily buy a good used Remington Rand or Ithaca M1911A1, and actually say that you have the real thing.
 
The new colt series 70 go about $800 around here, I consider it more of a collectors piece than a shooter. Go with a Colt 1991 for a basic shooter, the new ones are very good.
 
I hate to say this, being a Colt fanatic myself, but he Series 80 grumbling is about 99% bull. All the Series 80 does is add a firing pin block like almost every single other modern handgun in existence. It doesn't screw up the trigger and it almost never malfunctions.

The picture I found & posted above is just the standard S80 Colt Government Model that they are making nowadays, except for the wood grips and the shorter trigger that were added by the owner. As was pointed out, the newest ones have an even nicer finish that is polished on both the frame & slide flats instead of just the slide. If you hate the S80 system it can be easily removed by anyone who can detail-strip the thing.

The old ones marked "1991" were apallingly ugly, but as you can see the new ones look a hell of a lot better than a SA Milspec and the build quality seems nicer too. The reviews that have been posted on the 'net (for whatever that's worth) have been very positive.

FYI, the new stainless version of the basic Colt GM:

attachment.php
 
Like CB said, the only difference between the Series 70 and 80 is the firing pin block. It's easily removed, making it no different than the S70.

Downside: you loose a marginal safety feature for carry purposes.

Upside: the trigger is easier to fine tune.

The new Colts are very well made; better IMO than the SA guns, and definately better looking.

Of course, if a FAITHFUL rendition of the M1911A1 is what youre after, why not just buy an Argentine surplus M1927 Hartford Colt from CDNN or JLD for $400? The only thing out there closer to a real M1911A1 is a real M1911A1. And those cost around $1K.
 
Alexis Machine:

You made some good points, but those Argentine Colts, whether of Hartford or Rosario manufacture are old and made of softer steel than newer guns. Hard to find one in new condition, or in really good used shape. Same is basically true of the Brazilian surplus S&W M1917's.

As shooters, even if they weren't priced as collectibles, the same is true of Colt guns from the pre-WWII period. Pity: they were beautifully made, and I love the old wide-spur hammer and checkered surfaces. The Colts in National Match grade had wonderfully smooth actions, too. I once owned a .38 Super National Match made in the '30's that I regret having to sell, although I confess that it didn't shoot too well because of the Super's well known accuracy problems that weren't fixed until (I think) in the 1980's, by boring the barrels so that the cases headspaced on the case mouth, not on the small semi-rim.

Lone Star
 
From the guns I've been looking at, the Colt is a step better than the SA guns. The fit and finish of the new Colt 1911s really is very good.
 
Have to disagree with the Series 80 argument. The absolutely unnecessary firing-pin block (on a gun that already has 2 safeties) ruins the trigger pull,and makes it very difficult to correct without removal.

Do have to agree that the new Colts are prettier than Springfield's...but better shooters? Meet you at the range!
 
FYI: The 1911 only has one safety that prevents the hammer from falling (ie: the thumb safety) accidently. If something causes a malfunction in the hammer or sear, the hammer will fall and the gun will go bang unless it is series 80. The grip safety has nothing to do with the critical hammer, sear, thumb safety relationship. I like the 1911, but people really have a false sense of security. I used to carry a 1911A1, but a nationally known 1911 smith that everyone would know personally told me not to carry it in condition one if it did not have the series 80 safety - the chances of a accident are just to great!
 
S80 doesn't ruin the trigger pull. Myth. If your trigger sucks, it just sucks, and any pisotlsmith who can't clean it up with the S80 parts in place is a chump. My Delta Elite used to have the S80 goodies in it and the trigger was fine; when they had to come out to accomodate an AFTEC extractor the trigger pull was still EXACTLY THE SAME. :rolleyes:
 
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