I'm starting to really like the Colt 1911 platform. I found this little beauty yesterday at my LGS. Steel frame and slide. The take down is much different than the Government and Commander models, but I found an online Colt owners manual that described the process.
Here are a few photos...I'm thinking hard about putting a set of stags on it, however I did see a nice set of grips that were rose wood that were very light with black grain going through them.
Anyone care to post their Officers model?

make sure you check the barrel bushing for cracks. I got one when they first came out and it would barely feed hardball and hollow points were out of the question. after the front sight took off to parts unknown it was time for it to have another home

I bought one of those a few months back and I love the little pistol. I've had absolutely no problem with mine with either factory or my reloads. The little pistol is very accurate also. Mine has had a 2 piece Wilson guide rod added which works quite well. I hope you're equally satisfied with yours.

I don't have a Picture Handy But I have a Stainless Officer's ACP that I purchased New around 1986 or so, About the only issue I have ever had was the Front Sight Came off once when firing Hardball Had it restaked & so far it has stayed put,Mine does not like Hydrashoks but is 100% reliable with the Remington 230gr Golden Sabre Ammo.

This is an aluminum frame Officers Model. Its sweet and accurate.

10 shots 25 yards.


I have had it a long time. Its hard to shoot with hot loads but fun. Feeds anything.

Here's mine. This is the "enhanced" version. which remedied many of the problems with the original.

I love the look of the stag grips, gotta get some of them! Great pic also
Can you tell me what makes the enhanced different than the standard Colt?
I have a lot to learn!
Thanks.

I picked up one a few years ago and had a bushing replacement done and had it throated and polished and it is a tack driver! You will love it. It will show any shooting hiccups one may or may not have such as limp wrist. I look at it as a great training tool. If you can shoot this you can shoot anything!

I wish Colt had stayed with the 3.5" barrel design!

The 3" version (current production) just doesn't do it for me....

Owned an "Enhanced" Officers model in blued. And one of my earliest handgun purchases, upon turning 21, was a stainless Officers.

First, the grips are from Patrick Grashorn. I think they were the first pair he made for that model.

The "enhanced" model has (If I remember correctly) has a better recoil spring system (I think a full length rod), the scalloped area behind the trigger guard was to prevent frame cracking, the elongated hammer and the longer beavertail. The serial number will end in an "E". I'm going from memory, so anyone feel free to correct me (I might do so after I have some coffee!)

Thanks for the source of those grips! I think he's got that picture on his web site!

I have read about some frame cracks in Colts but it was in the top rail over the slide stop. In the earlier models it was an opening between the two rails. When the frame starting reporting a stress crack in this area, Colt solved the problem by eliminating the drilled opening and milled a U shape in that area, essentially eliminating that portion of rail above the opening that was prone to cracking.

I believe the relief cut behind the trigger guard was more for ergonomics but I'm not completely sure about that.

Or so I have read on the errornet searches.

This is my Clark Custom Meltdown Colt 1991A1 Compact, the Compact was the poor man's Officers ACP. It was the same gun with a matte finish, polymer trigger and MSH, and different rollmarks.

opaul, the stags on my gun in the pic below are Grashorns, I was going to post them for sale along with some other grips and stuff I want to get rid of in the classifieds here and on the 1911forum, PM me if your interested, I'll make you a deal.

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That gun is beautiful! PM sent. Thanks

Congrats!

I thought my Shorty 45 MK2 had me covered for a compact carry .45 but this thread is making me feel different...must resist...must resist...

WC145, that Meltdown is a thing of beauty.

Resistance is futile.........didn't you learn that from Star Trek

Found this one at LGS at a good price. Had the original style double/nested recoil springs, which were shot, a bad extractor, and a lot of slop fore and aft in the bushing. I replaced the recoil system with the FLGR, flat spring, and Clark style plug from EGW, fitted an EGW bushing, and installed a new extractor. It hasn't malfunctioned once since I tuned it up and will shoot one ragged hole as long as I do my part. I also replaced the original grip panels, which were kind of a light tan color.

OACP.JPG

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That looks sharp Tracer Bullet! I may replace the plug in my Officer - did you have to do any finesse fitting or did it drop in? I'm really interested in the upgrades you performed.

Had one, let it go. It was almost as heavy as my full size Government model. Not a comfortable all day carry IMHO.

Thank you. The plug and FLGR dropped right in (you have to use both). The bushing was the part that required a good deal of careful fitting. Here's a link to the guide rod kit that includes the rod, spring, and plug:
Officer's Guide Rod & Spring Kit w/ Clark Plug Blue: EGW Gun Parts

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I love mine. My 1991 compact version helped me take second place in a "Compact" pistol league. This was strictly an accuracy event where high scores on bullseye targets were used. This short gun has no right to be that accurate but it IS.

Check with Clark on their bushing and recoil spring parts, I know their reverse recoil spring plug is a drop in.
Aftermarket parts for the 1911

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My first centerfire handgun was a stainless Series 80 OACP. It always ran like a top until I put a Wolff single spring recoil setup in it. Promptly went back to OEM and back to working. Has anyone found a place that still sells the original OEM two spring recoil system? Have not had any luck finding any.

Good question! I'd like to know a source as well.

Isn't that all stock? That is a very nice looking Colt sir!

I was hoping WC145 would post some more of his...fantastic firearm there!

Have been collecting these for a while and didn't know about the enhanced version--not sure how I missed that. Ah well. Very nice gun and I personally like the flattop.

These are great guns for concealed carry. Once I got my permit, it was the first choice. As others have said, there are a few things to watch for....... the front base of the front site is slightly smaller than other Colts, as a result, sometimes they can get loose (even after not much usage) and need to be peened (spelling?) or have aftermarket sites installed.

The recoil spring plugs do in fact have a tendency to crack. In fact, I have a cracked recoil spring plug in my shop right now as a reminder to always check the mechanics of a firearm. Clark and a few others made a drop-in replacement with more surface area that is far superior to the original. All in all, they are great firearms even if there are a few areas that need adjustment. Of course, it's just my opinion and others have theirs.

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I'm in pursuit of a Commander size light weight, blue. I want one that says Lightweight Commander Model on the side.
I did order a drop in bushing and a OM recoil bushing, just in case.

I bought it used but I think it is stock. I purchased a long trigger for it a while back but I have so many projects that I have not gotten to it.

Huh. I've been running th single Wolff 22lb spring in my gun and haven't had any issues with it.

Don't know of anyone selling the original dual spring set up, though Detonics Defense was selling replacement Detonics dual spring kits fro the 3.5" Combat Master. I don't know if they still are or if they're compatible, though.

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I looked for the original springs and couldn't find them anywhere. I tried the Wolff springs and they worked fine, but the flat springs are what came with the recoil kit, so that's what I use.

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Simply Beautiful!

David

This is my .38 Super Colt Defender with stag grips. The Defender barrel is 3 inches where the Officers is 3.5 inches. The frame is the same size on both. My Defender started as a 9mm; I swapped out the 9mm barrel for a Bar-Sto barrel.

I have the "Poor Mans" version, an RIA Compact. I bought in 2006 and liked it so much that when I found one in 9mm I bought it also. They are both fine shooters. I have had zero problems with either one. The .45 originally did not have a beaver-tail safety, or decent sights, so I took care of that. The 9mm comes fully equipped.


I did replace the grips on the 9mm.

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That Rock Island 9mm well, err........... ROCKS!
Very nice both of them.

Like Steveno and gmiller0737 I had a front sight take off to parts unknown without warning.I was going through a break-in period before CC use.Probably 100 rounds,mostly light lead reloads.I also lost the white dot insert in the rear sight.
I have been trying for ages on several sites to get someone to confirm breakage of the recoil plug without success until this post.
I guess the slide will be taking a trip for new sights and new plug-spring-rod system.
Photos show some beautiful examples.

One magazine each target, 6 shots.
Aluminum frame Officers ACP series 80. Trigger is good regardless what they say.

Keep them coming guys! I had to post a picture of the newly acquired stags from a fellow forum member WC145....although they look better on his Colt, I like them on mine as well (you might recognize them).

There you go classin' up the joint! Your gun looks great with the stags, nice contrast against the dark finish. Glad you like them.

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Wow Opaul, very nice!

Really liking the stags.