Colt 1911 Classic

[Empe]

Does anyone have one of these models ?...if so care to comment ? Likes/dislikes & anything in between.I have seen pictures only but it looks pretty nice to me . I have been contemplating the purchase of a 1911 off & on for some time . I like the simplicity of this newly released Colt Classic model . It appears to be a basic ,no frills 1960's/70's retro. I'm not really interested in one for competitive purposes just for taking to the range for informal use on paper targets & steel plates as well as any other targets of opportunity. A 1911 in blued steel/walnut grips & without all the bells & whistles really appeals to me .

 

[ContinentalOp]

I hadn't heard of this model so I checked it out on the Colt website. It looks like they just renamed the Colt 70 Series Government Model reissue that's been around for several years.

FWIW, if I were going to get a 1911 range gun, that'd be the one I'd get.

 

[Hapworth]

It's a standard production Colt -- if you're familiar with them in general, you're familiar with the Classic. It's as good to go as any Colt, so if it's calling, answer.

 

[31FordA]

I haven't seen one in person yet, none have turned up near me. I won't buy a Colt sight unseen because of some past bad experiences, so I have to wait for one to turn up. While I was searching for the 1911 Classic I found a Series 70 repro (O1970A1CS) and ended up buying it. Glad I did, Colt discontinued that gun and the 1991 in favor of the Classic. I'm still planning on getting a Classic, but I think I'll get the .38 Super version.

The 1911 forum has some good posts on the Classic. Basically the Classic is a hybrid of the Series 70 and the 1991, available in blue or stainless, and in .45 and .38 Super. It doesn't have the Series 80 firing pin safety. Prices seem pretty reasonable on line, some places are selling the blued .45 for around $700.

If you are just looking for a basic style Colt automatic the Series 70 repro and the 1991 are also good choices. The Series 70 is as close as you can get these days to a original Gov't Model, but with better sights. The 1991, if you don't mind the firing pin safety, is a great value. Colt was shipping them with National Match marked barrels in recent years.

 

[arjay]

I like the retro roll marks on it.Its not as highly polished as the 70 series reissue guns

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Almost as nice to shoot as a Rock Island at half the price. but Colt will hold its resale value.

 

[Bosquebass]

I just bought a lightly used O1970CCS Competition Series in 45 and so far I like it a lot. The trigger breaks clean at 3 pounds 8 ounces and the Novak sights are just the ticket for my old eyes, much easier to see than the standard Government sights. The fit and finish is good for a gun made in this day and time and so far function has been 100%.
Just be aware that with any new regular production Colt there are a lot of MIM and cast parts so if that is a downer for you perhaps look elsewhere.

 

[walter o]

I have one in 38 super .The sighta are a little bigger than original gov .models The take down notch on the slide is about 1/4 farther toward the rear making it easier to remove the slide stop . It is polished blue /black on the flat surfaces and mat on curved surfaces . Has a short trigger which i kike, standard G.I recoil guide rod @ plug with standard barrel bushing .No memory bump on the grip safety which is a gov.type. All and all a nice gun that can be shot and used without worry. Typical wiggle in slide to frame fit that helps the colt operate as a Gov.model should

 

[stansdds]

If you just want a cheap 1911 for shooting, Rock Island Armory is hard to beat. If you want a 1911 that is going to hold its value, then Colt is what you want.

 

[Watchdog]

I'm seeing them advertised for as low as $748. A genuine Colt with the Series 70 firing system is hard to beat. And I don't do clones, unless they're 1911A1s from the war.

Only thing I don't like about the Classic are the higher profile sights, especially the rear sight. It's probably just me, but I prefer the lower profile of the old G.I. sights. My own Mark IV/Series 70 has the higher sights, and I'm thinking of swapping them out for the vintage style like some other retro mods I've done to the pistol.

Again...an inexpensive genuine Colt? What's not to like? If I were looking for another 1911 right now, I'd buy one.

 

[stansdds]

I will say one thing about the old, small sights on the M1911/M1911-A1. If you want to use your M1911 for precision shooting, the small sights do a good job, assuming they are properly regulated. Larger sights are easier to pick up during rapid fire, but for precision shots, I prefer a thin sight.

 

[rockquarry]

I will say one thing about the old, small sights on the M1911/M1911-A1. If you want to use your M1911 for precision shooting, the small sights do a good job, assuming they are properly regulated. Larger sights are easier to pick up during rapid fire, but for precision shots, I prefer a thin sight.

It's what you get used to. I think many who don't like the small sights haven't used them extensively. For me, they work as well as larger sights.

 

[WC145]

I'm not sure why anyone looking at a Colt would opt for a Rock Island. And Colt's only have 4 MIM parts and it's been that way for some time, far fewer than others at similar price points.

I have a couple of the newer S70 repros and they're great guns. I've ought numerous new Colts over the last 5 or so years and they've all functioned perfectly, shot accurately, and have been very nicely fit and finished. Haven't seen a Classic in the wild yet but I have no reason to expect anything different. I think they're good looking guns with the retro roll marks and with the "street" prices starting in the $650-$675 range chances are I'll end up getting one just because.

 

[Empe]

I appreciate all the replies . I had been looking at both the Colt & the Springfield 1911's & while the Springfield looks to be a very well made product it just looks a little "busy" to me with all the stampings/writing on the slide . The Colt just looks "right" to me ...everything you need & nothing you don't .Just a simple ,basic 1911. Also this particular model does have some polished blue although slight on the sides of the slide where as the SF is a solid flat black . The SF I have seen in person but the Colt I have not ...yet.
As far as the Rock Island Armory 1911 ...although a pretty good value for the $$ and any I've seen seem to be quite reliable they just don't have the same look of quality about them as a Colt or SF for that matter. I don't mind spending a little extra $$ for quality.
My three kids are out of school & out of the house , we have our home paid for and we have no car payments or other debt. So I do have some extra money to spend on something that I would like & would enjoy. And at around $750 street price even a spendthrift like me could justify such an expenditure ! I really would like to see one in person first though.

 

[rockquarry]

In the Bill Wilson book about the combat .45 auto (published at least twenty-five years ago) he mentions something about the desirability of Colt 1911-type guns. Since he's making his own .45s now, he may feel compelled to modify his old remark, but he said something like this:

If I lay down a number of currently built .45 autos and there is one Colt in the bunch and I tell you that you can select and keep any one gun free of charge, which one will you pick?

I'm sure many of the facsimiles are good guns and some may outshoot the Colt, but the Colt remains the standard and will maintain both desirability and resale value better than the others.

 

[Empe]

Just an update . I was able to see one in person & handle but not shoot it . I very much liked what I saw & went ahead & ordered one . Once my check clears it should be on it's way. Looking forward to receiving & then shooting it.
Thanks for all the replies !

 

[Texas Star]

Keep in mind that if you have big sights, the gun won't fit GI holsters, if that's a factor.

 

[Farmer17]

I've owned Colt, Rock Island, American Classic, Kimber, and Springfield and sold all of the guns for more than I paid for them so I don't know about the statement that Colt's hold their value better. Some Colt's might sell high for collector value, but if you buy a new Colt 1911 and sell it in a few years I'm not sure you will make a big profit. I recently bought a Springfield Mil Spec Defender .45 which doesn't have much writing on the slide and it seems to be as well made and accurate as the 1988 Colt Combat Government Model I use to have and the Springfield was only $478 shipped. But if you just want a Colt I would say buy that Classic because you probably won't find any new Colt 1911 any cheaper than 750 bucks and it is one good looking gun!

 

[JayFramer]

It seems like every year Colt polishes their guns less and less.

What are we down to now, about a 60 grit finish?

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have 3 Colt 1911's. Two of which are the basic Gov't model. One is a first year 1991 A1 (1991) and another 01991 from around 2005. Neither are series 70 because they didn't go back to that system until a few years ago. All of my Colts are solid performers and good quality pieces. All of them have been performance tested (1000K rds) without issue.

There is nothing special about a Colt other than the heritage. You have to pay a bit more for that but I don't mind.