P71PILOT SAYS... Dont listen to anyone who says "anything but a colt is a clone". This is foolish thinking; as colt did not design the weapon, colt did not hold patent rights whilst in production, and colt is not the gold standard of quality anymore.
John browning designed it, hand made it, and after passing U.S military trials Colt was just the first manufacturer granted production of firearm.
Got a chip on your shoulder, do you?
Did anyone in this thread say "anything but a Colt is a clone?" (If so, I missed it.
).
The fact is that to a great many 1911 lovers, Colts hold a very special place among 1911s. That is undeniable! The name and the history are quite significant.
You may love them or you may not; but it doesn't matter to anyone else. They are not particularly expensive to buy (certainly as compared to a good number of premium priced 1911s) but they offer a quality at a price point that is widely appreciated and respected by a great many 1911 lovers.
There are some really excellent 1911 brands out there, especially models at the $1.5k price point and above.
Of course, a $600 Rock Island may suit you just as happily and save a little money. Perhaps a 1911 with the Ruger name engraved on the slide appeals to you - nothing wrong with that, if it's what you like and what you want.
You certainly don't have to have a Colt, if there is something else you would prefer.
But at the $700-$900 price range, a Colt 1911 purchase is likely to retain desireability, value, and marketability more so than any other 1911 under $1200 or so!!
. And, there are a great many owners of Wilsons, Browns, and Baers (myself included) who own and appreciate Colt 1911s as well. In fact, I appreciate some of my Colts more than my Wilsons & Browns.
And I spent a good deal less money to buy them, as well.