Colt 1911, just how I like ‘em.

[stansdds]

Groupings of the size of a Quarter are easily accomplished at 50 feet and once in a while I do a lot better with a Colt Gold Cup. Even my Gov't Models will shoot under a silver dollar at the same 50 feet - and that is with the standard military sights. They say that military versions were inaccurate because they had to be loose to be reliable. I have not found that with the ones I own. I've got a 1943 Military Colt that will (in a pinch) shoot good enough to compete with - except the sights are not conducive for that purpose as I get older. Yes, it rattles and was actually used in WW2 but somehow it shoots like the Dickens!

There are some things that gave the M1911 and M1911-A1 a bad reputation for accuracy. Back in the day, the most experience a great many men had with the M1911 platform was during training as they entered the military. Most had little to no firearms training, especially with handguns, so they did not enter with the skills necessary to accurately shoot the M1911 not did they have sufficient training time to fully learn those skills.

The tiny sights, although I find them great for precision shooting, are not particularly visible in bright sunlight and they do hinder accurate timed and rapid fire shooting.

The trigger pull on military issue M1911's tends to be heavy and gritty, definitely not conducive to accuracy.

Generally speaking, military issue M1911's were not really inaccurate, but were given a bad reputation that is undeserved. A rattling M1911 is capable of reasonable accuracy, the government standard was an average of 5 inches at 25 yards, 10 inches at 50 yards. This is plenty accurate for a loosely fit combat handgun and many issued M1911's were capable of even better accuracy.

 

[StrawHat]

I read an article about a fellow that sent two 1911s off to be customized. He stipulated a few things. Standard chamber, visible sights, straight main spring housing, rowel hammer, and a beavertail grip safety. And it had to be built loose enough to go bang every time he pulled the trigger. He also wanted the solid bushing fit to the barrel.

Sounds reasonable.

Kevin

 

[Golddollar]

I too have an affection for Colt 1911's! I have a bunch of them and have competed for 30+ years with my Gold Cup NM.

I have a Gold Cup of a similar vintage. Seeing your post is giving me some incentive to get it out of the safe and throw some lead downrange.

 

[VictorLouis]

... circa 1974. Hell, Starsky and Hutch hadn’t even premiered by then.

One of my academy instructors referred to them as Starsky and Crotch, LOL.
In any case, Hutch carried a Python, but Starksy rocked a M59.

 

[LVSteve]

One of my academy instructors referred to them as Starsky and Crotch, LOL.
In any case, Hutch carried a Python, but Starksy rocked a M59.

In England they were known as Starkers and Crutch. Starkers is UK slang for naked.

 

[4barrel]

The Series 70 guns have a nice mystique to them.

The collet bushings work fine. Until they don't.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

I have 4 spares but never needed them. Most are .583 id. Some of the NM one's are.580.

 

[A10]

Congrats on a great find. Not much better than that old Colt blue. My only 1911 I have current 'll y is a 1948 commercial model. I did see a nice Union Switch and Signal in a local shop today. Couldnt afford it.....

 

[tmd17]

.... I'm also not a fan of Colt's collet barrel bushing.... A properly fitted solid bushing will provide equal accuracy and better reliability, put the collet bushing in a sealed bag and keep it if you ever decide to sell the pistol.

^^THAT ^^

Any Colt 1911 is welcome to join the others in my safe, but if it has the collet bushing I will swap it out.

 

[31FordA]

I lost out on a 70 Series Government Model at an auction today, the bidding went beyond what I could justify. It would’ve been two grand with the buyers premium. I like Colt automatics almost as much as S&W revolvers, but even I have limits on what I’ll spend.

 

[Benton Quest]

One of my academy instructors referred to them as Starsky and Crotch, LOL.

In any case, Hutch carried a Python, but Starksy rocked a M59.

Not to be that guy...and it was a horrible show, but Starsky was also known to carry a 1911.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[boykinlp]

My only Colt 1911 is a Series 70, Combat Government Model that I got NIB when they first came out. It came with those same Pachmayr grips. It is now wearing some Ivory grips. It also has a much smaller slide "billboard". It says "Combat Government, COLT, Automatic Caliber .45". Unfortunately, I don't have any good pictures of it at the moment. I need to rectify that.
Larry

 

[stansdds]

Not to be that guy...and it was a horrible show, but Starsky was also known to carry a 1911.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

That would have been the pilot episode. In the pilot episode he referred to it as a Beretta. That was a great example of Hollywood accuracy.

 

[bamabiker]

First handgun I ever bought, Colt Combat Commander.

A Colt Gold Cup I picked up a few years ago. Installing some pretty grips is about the only chage I make.

 

[scott1970]

I do love my 1911s. Two years ago, I did a series of trades over a day and a half and ended up with this 1975 vintage .38 Super for the equivalent of $425 when it was all said and done.

 

[Baxter6551]

My 60th birthday gift to myself was a used Wilson Combat Professional.
For Colts, I have my first off duty guy - lightweight commander
I have a 1947 Colt Commercial bought from my Armored Car company when they were clearing out their vault.
Finally a Reeder Custom Colt series 80 done with all Ed Brown parts and Robar finishes.

 

[Benton Quest]

That would have been the pilot episode. In the pilot episode he referred to it as a Beretta. That was a great example of Hollywood accuracy.

Huge let down.

I am not going to watch the show anymore.

I honestly had no idea he carried a 59. For some reason the Colt imprinted on my brain.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[max]

You might want to leave those grips on if you are going to be shooting it. I have a Series 70 Gold Cup and it is on it's second set of Pachmayrs.

 

[S&W Fan]

The gunsmith that handles all the used guns for the retail part of the range I belong to showed me a beautiful 1926 Colt commerical he had just bought. Unfortunately it was going to be priced waay out of my reach but it truly looked as if it sat in a safe for all these years, the daughter of the original owner brought it in.

They currently have two series 70s, one is a bit rough in finish and I question whether the barrel is original, also wearing the Pachs. Priced at $600. Another that appears to be slightly newer in better shape at $900.

I've thought about going "Walt Longmire" and picking up a plain old Colt Government to put some nice stags on but haven't done it yet. Other priorities at this time for my my finances unfortunately.

Learned to shoot pistols with a 1911 about 50 years ago as a wee lad, always been my favorite pistol. Passed that sentiment on to both my sons as well

 

[CMudrock]

I was glad to sell off my 2 old troublesome 1960's Colt Government Models to get these 2 1911 clones (I customized) + a Steyr GB I wanted.
1) RUGER SR1911 to suit my taste + bone grips & etc.
2) RIA Compact Officers Model - to my taste + buffalo horn grips & etc.
3) Austrian Steyr GB 9mm factory stock.

Completely satisfied with them. All accurate & run perfectly.

 

[sigp220.45]

Huge let down.

I am not going to watch the show anymore.

I honestly had no idea he carried a 59. For some reason the Colt imprinted on my brain.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

Maybe you were thinking of this 2004 epic. Starsky was all about the 1911.