Opinions requested on Colt M1911's

[VaTom]

15-20 years ago Colt came out with a close copy of the WWI 1911 and WWII 1911A1 and both came in the blue collectors boxes. They are pricey now but I believe that is one that'll continue to go up and make a great safe queen. The early WWI models were finished in the nice Carbonia bluing which looked great. I owned one of each but stupidly sold both not long after getting them.

Here is one of those reproduction 1911A1 by the Colt Custom Shop ^^^^^. WMK serial number. Less than 3,000 made. Mine is not a safe queen. I have all the paperwork and boxes. Bought it off Gunbroker about 15 years ago. They were made in 2001. Has a parkerized finish. Does not have the series 80 firing pin block feature. Shoot it instead of my all original 1943 Ithaca 1911A1 which I only shoot about once a year no more than a couple of magazines. Ithaca in the right hand photo.

 

[arjay]

I am a 1911 enthusiast but by no means an expert. But you asked for opinions.

I've been looking for a 70 Series Colt for awhile and ran across a mid 1970's Mark IV with a nickel finish that appears to have not been fired much. Wasn't looking for nickel but the price wasn't too bad so why not?

The Mark IV has required experimenting with recoil springs, extractor adjustment, and a new magazine to run fairly reliably with ball ammo. It still leaves a good dent in about 1/2 the brass and extracted brass falls in random locations. The trigger is mediocre compared to my DW, older Colt, or Nighthawk. But I have learned a lot tweaking it so that is worth something to me.

My opinion is if you want a Colt then your decision is which one looks best to you. If you want the best shooting gun for equal money you can do better elsewhere. I haven't decided whether or not to keep this Colt. The others are staying.

Try more tension on the extractor. I had that problem with a 70 series repro and it solved it

 

[arjay]

Post war into the early 70s had the highest polish while the early 70s reproos were a close second.Qc varied in the 70s and 80s but the current crop seem to be quite good. I believe there are some new models with old fashioned roll marks and a high polish. Check out Colts website for those . You'll always find a few on GB .I have a number from the 60s and 70s along with one from the 80s and a 20 yr old series 70 repro. I like them all. Colt used the small sights from the 50s well into the 80s on fixed sight guns

 

[MSD2343]

Been very happy with my Colt Classic model purchased new five years ago. They're not an exact replica of either a WWI or WWII era model, but they look close enough for me. Have about 3,000 rounds downrange on it, the trigger was decent to start and has only gotten better. I shoot it very well and I'm far from a great shot.

 

[stansdds]

A 1911 that throws its brass in random directions is often a sign of the extractor having too much rotational play. The cure for that may be as simple as a fitting an oversized firing pin stop to eliminate the excessive rotation or "clocking" of the extractor.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Hmmmm...24 responses on the S&W Forum to a question about 1911s, and not one mentioned the S&W SW1911. I purchased a SW1911 about 20 years ago (when they were still under $1K) to shoot weekly team competition at a local range. I looked at Colts and Kimbers, which many competitors used, but the Colts were out of my price range, and the tolerances of the Kimbers were so tight that many shooters had to clean their pistols several times during each match or they would bind up. After buying and cleaning my SW1911, I shot my first competition with it and nearly won the match. Straight out of the box, no modifications. I have never had an issue with that pistol (no F2Fs and no binding), and it is extremely accurate and comfortable to shoot. I still have that SW1911 and it continues to be an outstanding pistol.

 

[raljr1]

The classic would be my choice. Was

 

[arjay]

The classic would be my choice. Was

The classic is a nice looking gun. The royal blue version is very nice and lists at $1500-$1600. Tempting ;-)

 

[vrichard]

1967 Colt 19111

Colt 1911,with Sid Bell grips.
inin inSer# 314011c.(1967.)I bought this Colt in 1968.(58 years ago)
ne
never shot it,still new in box.What do yo think it is worth to day?

Dick

 

[D Brown]

If you want a safe queen, blued Colt M1911-A1 that looks close to what a WW II Colt military issue 1911-A1 looked like, then you probably don't want a Series 70 Mark IV as the roll marking on the left side of the slide is a huge, gaudy billboard. For a really nicely finished 1911-A1, look for one made after WW II, but before the introduction of the Series 70 Mark IV. These look exactly like late WW II produced Colt's, but with a beautiful, deep blued finish. Expect to pay some big $$$$$$ for one too!

The most recent Series 70s don't have the large lettering on the side.

Here's a brand new one I purchased a couple of months ago:

Note: This model comes standard with a single sided safety. I installed the ambidextrous safety after purchase.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Hmmmm...24 responses on the S&W Forum to a question about 1911s, and not one mentioned the S&W SW1911.

The OP specifically asked about the Colt...but other makes have been mentioned as well. There's lots of good choices out there...in all price ranges.

 

[Sarge9]

Break out the wallet and get yourself that Colt.

Maybe buy one of the others for a beater.
45 too, not 9mm
IMO

 

[rockquarry]

Break out the wallet and get yourself that Colt.

Maybe buy one of the others for a beater.
45 too, not 9mm
IMO

Or buy two Colts in .45 ACP. You'll only be spending a few hundred dollars more for a Colt over a copy.

 

[Empe]

Been very happy with my Colt Classic model purchased new five years ago. They're not an exact replica of either a WWI or WWII era model, but they look close enough for me. Have about 3,000 rounds downrange on it, the trigger was decent to start and has only gotten better. I shoot it very well and I'm far from a great shot.

I have the same model, a Colt 01911C also purchased about 5 years ago and would pretty much agree with everything said here. I paid less than $750 for mine but I see them in the $900 range now.
The one I have is pretty nicely fit and finished for it's price range .I likely have 1500 or more rounds through it with no reliability issues .
As stated above the trigger was quite good out of the box and has only gotten better ...minimal take up , zero creep and a light crisp release.

 

[arjay]

Colt 1911,with Sid Bell grips.
inin inSer# 314011c.(1967.)I bought this Colt in 1968.(58 years ago)
ne
never shot it,still new in box.What do yo think it is worth to day?

Dick

I'm not on top of current prices,but with the box and papers I'd think $3k or more

 

[AJ]

If the pistol is going to be a "Safe Queen". Then buy the nicest with the box and all the paperwork that you can find. No need for aftermarket doodad's, as they detract from the value (most folks want original, sights, grips etc...). I would say an original Series 70 or older (the older the better). A National Match if you so desire. The best condition if not "New In The Box" NIB. I have a friend who is a collector/dealer, he has taught me a lot. He will tell you the older the better depending on condition and boxes. If price is a real consideration, then buy new (read cheaper). Remember no optics, fancy grips, finishes, or custom work.....Let the other guy pay for that stuff. Discount the price you pay for anything not original from the factory.

 

[PALADIN85020]

OK, I admit I am a traditionalist. I like guns that have been there, and in original configuration. I got most of these when they were more affordable, and the bonus in having them today is that they are way more valuable. I don't fire them much at all, but when I do - they work. It's worth it now to know that I'm holding history in my hands, not just a modern copy.

John


(Click twice for enlarged image)

 

[Imissedagain]

Curious if anyone has fired 10-20K or more, of 230gr Ball,
thru the Tisas or similar priced guns, and how they
hold up, with spring changes as necessary.
Same with 1911 stainless Rugers.
Thx

 

[Narragansett]

Well, semi auto's are where my head has been going lately. I have a current GI model, and a series 70 Govt from 1978 I think. the older one has the royal blue finish. Both unfired by me.

I also bought a used Sig 1911 match elite, and that is a good shooter.

I recently got a Dan Wesson PM-C 9mm commander, and a PM-45 full size. They are fantastic, and I am just getting back to pistol shooting. They are both great, but the commander runs like a swiss watch. They are a nice niche between the expensive stuff and the Colts.

Now on the dark side ( Chief ). I just got a Tisas 9 mm Stingray lightweight commander size. I had a fail to stay open issue on the last shot on the first day. I tore it down, cleaned it, lubed it, and then took the mags apart and cleaned them ( no lube ), and it functions flawlessly now. Worth every penny of the 489 I paid for it OTD. I intend to put 500 rounds through it, clean it, and carry it.

I would not hesitate to buy another. Maybe a lightweight commander 45

 

[Empe]

OK, I admit I am a traditionalist. I like guns that have been there, and in original configuration. I got most of these when they were more affordable, and the bonus in having them today is that they are way more valuable. I don't fire them much at all, but when I do - they work. It's worth it now to know that I'm holding history in my hands, not just a modern copy.

John


(Click twice for enlarged image)

Pretty nice collection of classic old school handguns here ...no polymer ...no stainless .