"XS" series Colt 1911s

I am not sure this fits the "as long as it is in good taste" requirement for the Lounge because it involves that "other" brand...

Wednesday evening I was visiting the local dealer/indoor range and when I walked in the counter man said, "I want to show you something." He is a sharp younger fellow, knows his stuff, so if he thinks something is interesting, I am glad to look. He had a brand new Colt .45 XS-series 1911. After looking it over in some detail, but without taking it apart, we both decided it was a pretty nice looking gun. (It was new, so it could not be test-fired.)

Because of past bad experiences with Colt CS, for the last couple decades I have refused to even give Colt 1911s the time of day unless I had plans immediately to ship them off to a pistolsmith for an attic-to-basement overhaul. This gun struck me as something that was pretty nice just as it was - looked to be very well made, nicely finished, and had nice small parts (the grip safety, in particular - compared to the horrid things Colt used to use).

You can never say much about how a gun will shoot unless you can shoot it, but I would bet that gun would be a pretty fair shooter - hopefully not in any need of Colt CS.

So, the question I have, for you guys who have bought Colt 1911s recently, what are you seeing? I would have judged this pistol to appear to be at least as well made as the current S&Ws I see in that price range (just a bit over $1000), which is pretty good. It might have been a bit better, in fact. Maybe I should be taking a different approach to Colts these days... ? Any opinions?

I bought a 9mm Colt Defender in June. It has been 100% reliable, and the only thing I've done to it was replace the Hogue wrap-around grips with ultra-thin grips to use as my EDC gun. It has excellent accuracy, especially for a 3 inch barreled gun. IMO, there is nothing wrong with Colt these days.

The "newest Colt 1911 I have is an enhanced Government
model. I've put 300 rounds down the pipe with no hiccups.
If I can find an 80 series in decent shape I will likely buy it.
70 series are gettin high.
The quality seems good to me. I have had 70 series that needed
tweaking if you used HP ammo.
This one fed everything I put in the mag.
Auction gun anib...$715 delivered. I switched the rubber stocks.


I have this one enroute.
COLT COMBAT COMMANDER .45 ACP 45ACP 45 : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com
If all goes well with it will be added to my carry rotation.
Paid a bit more for it...Ez fix to put it back original.

I want to hear good things about Colt. After reading a bunch about Jeff Cooper, I feel the need to start saving for one. It just might take the better part of the year for me to do that, unless I stay in good stead with the IRS and don't have truck problems or speeding tickets.

I have some, my newer ones that are not safe queens are a XSE lightweight Commander made in 2011, a Gold Cup Trophy made in 2009 but first used a couple of month ago and a Gold Cup National Match made in 2012.
The Trophy came with a regular magazine, a SWC magazine and a lighter SWC recoil spring. The National Match came with both magazines but only one spring. I shoot everything thru both magazines and have not used the lighter spring. I haven't had any malfunctions at all I couldn't ask for more from mine.
Bob

I have a Colt Lightweight Government, purchased new last year (it is an XSE, with all the features thereof). Overall, the quality is very good, superior to most other 1911s. I did have a small problem with the 8-round magazines supplied with it - after about two loadings each, the slide would release as the mag was inserted, slamming into battery on an empty chamber; after another two loadings, the slide would not stay open after firing the last shot. I used some of my other magazines (including Colt, Springfield, Wilson, etc.) and did not experience any problems. I shipped it to Colt under warranty, and they replaced the mags, replaced the slide stop, and checked it for damage. I also ordered a factory trigger job, as I was not happy with the trigger (too much creep and rather rough, possibly due, in part, to the Series 80 monkey motion for the firing pin block). When it was evaluated at Colt, they apparently felt it was not up to their standards, either, so they ordered a trigger job at no expense! The gun was "on vacation" at the factory for over three months, and when I got it back, my first reaction was "sure glad I didn't pay for this crummy trigger job, it doesn't feel any better." Then, I noticed that all the repair items on the RO (prepared by Colt, not me) were checked off EXCEPT the trigger job, with a note that the trigger "was at 4 3/4 lbs." I was really mad, took a few days to cool down. I will probably contact Colt and see if they will rectify that situation, but am not sure I want it gone for another extended vacation. Other than that, the gun is absolutely great - the weight and balance are wonderful, it is very accurate (would be even better with a smoother trigger, sigh), and it is flawless in its operation. It digests everything I feed it, from 230 grain ball to hollow points to 200 grain SWC, never a hiccup or any malfunction. I broke in the barrel just as I would a new rifle (SOP for me with any new gun), and that paid off in accuracy. Quality is excellent, except for the trigger feel and fitting, which seems somewhat unique to my gun, as I have not felt it, at least to anywhere near that degree, on other Colts. I do recommend the Colt, and it doesn't have a "warning" engraved prominently on the side of the frame that says it is capable of firing without a magazine inserted (duh!) like some other brand (hint, hint, S&W). That is especially objectionable when it is highlighted in a contrasting color (another hint)! In any case, it is one of my favorite carry guns, I just wish the trigger was better, but I am one of the original trigger freaks.

310Pilot said:

I shipped it to Colt under warranty, and they replaced the mags, replaced the slide stop, and checked it for damage. I also ordered a factory trigger job... The gun was "on vacation" at the factory for over three months, and when I got it back, my first reaction was "sure glad I didn't pay for this crummy trigger job, it doesn't feel any better." Then, I noticed that all the repair items on the RO (prepared by Colt, not me) were checked off EXCEPT the trigger job, with a note that the trigger "was at 4 3/4 lbs." I was really mad, took a few days to cool down. I will probably contact Colt...

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Well, maybe the guns are now made a little better, but it looks like traditional Colt CS is still alive and well. Over the years, I have heard so many horror stories about Colt CS, and had a few of my own, that nothing surprises me. Anyway, thanks for the info you guys. The pistol I saw sure was a good looking gun compared to some of my Colts from the '70s.

It always irritated me terribly when I had to send any gun back for correcting problems. I guess that's why I buy usually used guns. Kind of like used cars, someone else took care of the minor problems, and the big hit on depreciation.

I too like 310pilot bought an XSE 1911 in stainless last year (around November).

I have over 500 rounds through it and it has never, ever failed to go "bang" when I pulled the trigger.

I just got dies for my 550B in .45 and made up a mix of 230gr hardballs on top of 5.0gr of Red Dot, and 200gr lead SWC's on top of the 4.0gr of Red Dot.

I had a mixed bag, literally, of .45 ammo of all several different brands and syles: 185gr HP, 230 ball, Zombie stuff, heck some I didn't recognize most of it by looking at it (loose rounds in the bottom of range bag).

So while I was function checking my first batch of home-made .45's (checking for OAL of rounds in the mag after a few shots to check the crimp etc.) I thought it would be fun to stress test.

I loaded mags (Colt, Kimber, and Wilson) with a random assortment of rounds, making sure no two rounds of the same were in each mag.

Not a hiccup. On top of that, it had 200 rounds through it before the test, some of it that nasty dirty (but cheap) Magpull junk.

It shot a ragged hole at ten yards with a standing two-hand hold. It was really fun to experience a different recoil with each shot!

The fit and finish on mine are excellent. While the slide/frame fit and barrel lockup are not match grade, it locks up really well, and when compared to my buddy's Kimber (a full-size, I don't know which), it was as good. The upside to a non-match setup is a forgiveness with ammo. This pistol will shoot anything.

It's too bad 310's trigger was not very good. On mine it is about 4lbs, smooth and only a slight amount of take-up. The break is crisp and it resets smoothly. I'm very satisfied. My dad shot it yesterday for the first time, and he was amazed (although this was his first 1911 experience, and he had been shooting some pretty cheap and rough guns, Star etc.)

I carry it daily, and I have complete confidence it it.

I have two Colt 1911's purchased within the last year, and they are very well made. The other is a basic GI model (also Colt), and it is really cool. The bluing is very handsome and while it is a bit looser than the XSE, it shoots very well also with a good trigger.

....now if I can only get the timing right on the M29 I bought last year. it's going back to S&W because the timing is bad enough to jam the cylinder, making it a bear to rotate into position to open the crane. There are little metal shavings on the cylinder ratchet.

That just goes to show ya; manufacturing pistols is not an easy task, and even in the day of CNC machining it takes attention to detail to get it just right. Maybe my M29 and 310pilot's 1911 are Friday pistols completed as the whistle blew, Ha!

Anyway, I don't mean to be a total Fanboy on the 1911's coming from Colt these days, but mine function and look great. If I had any trouble with them I would tell y'all about it.

I'm on the hunt for a Rail Gun, which seems to be an endangered species in the Phoenix valley! Some LGS clerks answering the phone treat me like I just asked if they had seen any Chupakabra's.... Last week my LGS had one and I was able to handle it side by side with a Gold Cup. The Rail Gun locked up better, and had a better trigger than the Gold Cup. The Jarheads made a good choice with this one.

In general, LGS's can't keep any Colt 1911 in stock, no matter which model. I think that speaks volumes, because Phoenix is a gun-nut town if there ever was one, and the shooters around here tend to be pretty knowledgeable and active.

My .02 and YMMV!!

Wow! What a score Ga 1911!!

I wish my repro had that problem...

..yo Colt, where's my match barrel!

Not an XS pistol but a Model70 reintro I bought about a year ago. Marked 100 Years like the blue one above.

I sold my model 70 repro a few weeks ago, I liked it but I have to make room when I get a new one. Two safes, I refuse to buy another one.

On the Colt website under customer services you can enter your serial number and get the mfg year. Maybe this has been there all along but I just found it for the first time.
Bob

I had a couple of Series 80 Commanders a few years ago that were horrible - had every kind of malfunction imaginable, the slide stops peened the slide-stop notches on the slides, and the front sights came loose after a few hundred rounds (staked front sights).
The only XSE I have owned (and still do) is a Combat Elite. The firing pin stop was so loose from the factory that it tried to drop out of the gun while I was shooting and it is sensitive to magazines (won't function with any Colt mags I have on hand, which is odd considering that it is a Colt...). I fitted an EGW firing pin stop and an extra power firing pin spring, and use Wilson mags, or mags with the Tripp refit kit and all has been well with it since. It is a good shooter, but no better than my S&W 1911 (108282) in my hands. Still a classy pistol, and I would still buy it if I had to do it over again. I replaced the grips because I found the half-smooth grip panels to be a bit too slippery for my liking, and I swapped out the trigger because I like the short trigger shoe better.

i purchased a colt full size rail gun,1911 and have been very pleased...excellent gun...and unlike a glock,it's steel!

Tracer_Bullet said:

I had a couple of Series 80 Commanders a few years ago that were horrible - had every kind of malfunction imaginable, the slide stops peened the slide-stop notches on the slides, and the front sights came loose after a few hundred rounds (staked front sights).
The only XSE I have owned (and still do) is a Combat Elite. The firing pin stop was so loose from the factory that it tried to drop out of the gun while I was shooting and it is sensitive to magazines (won't function with any Colt mags I have on hand, which is odd considering that it is a Colt...). I fitted an EGW firing pin stop and an extra power firing pin spring, and use Wilson mags, or mags with the Tripp refit kit and all has been well with it since. It is a good shooter, but no better than my S&W 1911 (108282) in my hands. Still a classy pistol, and I would still buy it if I had to do it over again. I replaced the grips because I found the half-smooth grip panels to be a bit too slippery for my liking, and I swapped out the trigger because I like the short trigger shoe better.

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You know it's odd. I have never had good luck with a Commander. Not in 1969, not in 2004. Not any time in between. Everyone I've owned has had some problem that made me get rid of it. On the other hand, I've had very good luck with my Colt Government Models. Even my early Series 80 (collet bushing) is an excellent shooter with a consistent 4.75 lb trigger pull. Not bad for something often written off as a piece of junk.

I know that for the last twenty years or so, Colt has taken a beating in the gun rags. Some of the criticism has been justified; some of it was unwarranted. Colt faced a lot of problems in the '90s. There were political and economic issues that may have had some effect on production quality and certainly hurt customer service. Plus, I have the feeling that a lot of their equipment was at the end of its useful life and there may have been some doubt about the wisdom of spending the money to replace it.

It seems that Colt management has decided that there may yet be a profit in the civilian gun market. I hope they are right. At any rate, they seem to be producing a very good product right now. The newer ones that I've shot seem very well made. They seem to group well (though I've put none of them in the machine rest). They have had good triggers and they look really sharp.

Texas1941 said:

You know it's odd. I have never had good luck with a Commander.

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The funny thing is that I have an early 90's Officers ACP that I bought used and after replacing the recoil springs and extractor the thing runs like a Swiss watch with anything and everything that I've fed it. I have seen more complaints about the Officer having issues than the Commander, but my experience has been the opposite...

My 4.25" S&W 1911PD has been a great pistol

For many of us oldtimers the name Colt is synonymous with 1911. Back in the 50/60s there were not many other makers unless you wanted a GI warhorse. To me Colts have always represented high quality 1911s, and to this day they still fabricate their frames out of forged not cast steel. A few years ago I purchased a Government Model XSE and it has been a great 1911. It is 100% reliable, very accurate and has a great trigger. I would not hesitate to recommend one, I like Colts. That said, I have never considered another brand other than Colt for future 1911 purchases. That is until I found this S&W E series which is a spectacular 1911.
You can spend a lot more money for one of the custom brands but I don't think you could do better than owning the original Colt, and ofcourse now Smith & Wesson. Although I'm still amazed that S&W makes 1911s and ARs, what's next SAAs.

Tracer_Bullet said:

The funny thing is that I have an early 90's Officers ACP that I bought used and after replacing the recoil springs and extractor the thing runs like a Swiss watch with anything and everything that I've fed it. I have seen more complaints about the Officer having issues than the Commander, but my experience has been the opposite...

My 4.25" S&W 1911PD has been a great pistol

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I don't think there is any problem with the Commander type. I just have had bad luck with mine. The first one I bought in 1969 ($86 plus tax) developed a crack above the slide stop pin hole after about 600 rounds of ball.

In the late '80s I had two Combat Commanders (one 9mm, one 45ACP) that were great for working on your stovepipe drills. I changed just about everything on both and never could get them to work.

About 2004, I bought a Para LTC. Failure to feed with ball, though it mostly worked with more pointed hollow points. Grouped like a shotgun. The locking recesses in the slide were milled off center by about 1/8 inch. Para replaced the slide, but it never would really run with ball.

Most everyone I know has Commanders that work just fine. I just need to stay away from them.

Texas1941 said:

Most everyone I know has Commanders that work just fine. I just need to stay away from them.

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That's too bad. They are great guns. I still have my two Commanders from the late-60s and early-70s. The .45 was purchased used. It had a kitchen table trigger job (not Colt's fault), but once that was straightened up it has run like a truck since. The .38 Super did develop a small crack in the frame at the right side where it gets a bit thin for the dust cover. Of course it had the usual .38 Super barrel from that era that never shot well, so it was eventually replaced. I shoot the gun now and then just to see if I can make it crack some more. So far, no dice. If it does, I will replace the frame with a newer one from someone else. With the Bar-Sto barrel, it shoots very well - particularly so with Hornady 147 XTP-HPs.

Colt quality in that era seemed quirky, and CS was even more so, but until other alternatives came along, the Commander was the only game in town for a lightweight model. I used my Commanders a lot more than my 1911s, but I probably shot the Government models more (at the range). I always thought they were pretty useful guns.

Thanks everyone for the comments on the newer XSE models. When I returned to the gun shop this week, the Colt was gone, so I guess someone else must have thought that gun was pretty nice looking too.