Colt Officers ACP New to me

opaul

opaul

US Veteran
Bronze Supporter
Joined
Nov 17, 2011
Messages
2,415
Reaction score
6,254
Location
Central NC
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?
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
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.
NCM_0527-XL.jpg


I have had it a long time. Its hard to shoot with hot loads but fun. Feeds anything.
 
Last edited:
BearBio said:
Here's mine. This is the "enhanced" version. which remedied many of the problems with the original.

Click to expand...

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.
 
opaul said:
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.
Click to expand...

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. :rolleyes:
 
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.
SDC10003.JPG

20141123_115805.jpg
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
opaul said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Return of the Colt stainless Officer's Model ACP
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
Narragansett
Narragansett
P
  • Locked
(Sold Elsewhere)1964 Colt Single Action Army .45 Colt Sam Colt Sesquicentennial Model
Replies
1
Views
574
Punisher0822
P
D
  • Locked
WTS 1911 Kimber Clackamas, Colt's & Dan Wesson
Replies
2
Views
2K
dashaus
D
B
New to me 36
Replies
17
Views
951
Benello
B
S
Springfield V-16 .45 Super
Replies
3
Views
452
Shrek Of The Arctic
S

Latest posts

Back
Top