Why Not Colt?

[rjgnwdc]

Hell Yeah why not here's mine and I'll be getting a Commander next.

[cpttango30]

Last time I looked my Kimber said Made in the USA...

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by rjgnwdc

Hell Yeah why not here's mine and I'll be getting a Commander next.

My Loaded Springfield has all these same features, but I paid $919 for mine new. I'll bet you paid over $1,000 new.


I'd say the only real advantage Colts have over the competition is the collector value and better fit & finish.

[cpttango30]

Fit and finnish is great on my Kimber.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by cpttango30

Fit and finnish is great on my Kimber.

Yeah the Kimber Custom II I tried on the range had a really good fit and finish. I should have said the Colt's fit & finish is better than on my Springfield.

I have noticed that the Colts shoot A LOT more accurate than my Springer.

[Wolfrage]

I got my first 1911 a few weeks ago -- Colt Govt. I was originally looking for a RIA and every time I visited him and the subject came up, my dad kept going "Get a Colt. You know what you're getting. Your second one that you're going to trick out? Get your Rock Island, or your S&W or whatever. First one? Just get a Colt."

Walked into the shop and I kept hearing my dad going 'Get the Colt. Get the Colt."

For some reason, 1911s are uncommon around here for some reason right now. Not many out there. I could order online but eh. So out of 3 stores my choices were Kimbers (way too much money for my budget), Colts, 2 Paras and a brand I had never heard of.

So far the only thing I've done to the colt was put the pachmayr grip on, with finger grooves. I really don't want to change a thing on it so I'm thinking of an RIA I can go to town on and maybe practice some smithing on it.

Would I have been happy with the RIA, even stock? Yup. On the other hand, I've got a Colt 1911. Win either way.

Did it cost 50% more? Yup. Was it worth it? I've got a Colt.

[limbkiller]

I love colts and all 1911s that go bang. The problem with Mimbers is a 1 yr warranty and very crappy CS. No custom shop though that is what is said on the side. A RIA, or SA will have great CS for the life of the firearm and Colt somewhat. The Filipino guns are made with cheap labor and not over priced union help. Also for the money spent you you should get a Metal MSH not plastic as Colt does. Mimbers are full of MIM and today that really isn't a bad thing but some hate it. I own 1911s of all kinds including Mimbers but find them way over priced for what you get. A Baer, Brown, or DW is a much better gun than most Colts but they cost more. Here are a few of mine. Since this pic was taken 8 more have joined the stable. Buy what you want and enjoy it.

[hogger129]

I still think my Springfield Loaded is more accurate than I will ever be. So it really comes down to getting the features you want and something you're comfortable with.

[gdmoody]

Welcome to he Firearms Forum limbkiller, I would venture a guess that you like 1911's, a beautiful collection!! I only have 4 of them (if you consider the P238 a mini-1911). I just bought a Taurus PT-1911 9mm this afternoon.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by dcriner

OK, I'm sligthtly biased - I don't like "Rock Island Armory," poaching on the name of Rock Island Arsonal. Ditto for Springfield. I prefer a made-in-USA real Colt 1911 - available in stainless or blued.

I do not mean to be insulting but what kind of car do you drive? If you are going to have this type of thought then at least drive an American vehicle, buy American clothes, American built furniture, and food grown here in America. I'm all for buying American made products when I can and do, but to say Colt is the only "real" 1911 is pushing it. Yes, with Browning's design and help, Colt made the 1911. After that the design was sent out to other 1911 builders, because Colt could not keep up with production. Without Browning picking and working with Colt, the "Colt" 1911 would not be around or at least named that. If you want bragging rights then get an original "real" Colt 1911 built in 1911. Other than that you should do your history on the 1911, it is very interesting...at least I have found it to be.
Present date Colt is not the only good manufacturer of "real" 1911s out there. Progress. As a matter of fact the frames and slides from Imbel are considered the best in the world. Imbel is a major player in military firearms manufacturing, putting out very good products. And sad to say, putting out better 1911s (and they are forged) than the majority of American 1911 manufacturers. To each his own, but do not think that Colt is the only "real" 1911 out there and should be the only 1911 that should be purchased. Colt has some good 1911s, but put up any NM Springfield against any Colt (compatible) and watch the Colt band-wagoners be dumbfounded. Other than that the game Springfield is playing with the heritage of the name is complete nonsense. How Springfields 1911s are built and where was another interesting read. Do not look to wikpedia or listen to to the interdweebs for your information, then hop on a bandwagon and proclaim Colt 1911 is the only 1911. You should really look into the history of the 1911s.

[hd49]

Well said Whiskey.

[crockett007]

Originally Posted by Hawg

I've owned Colts and they didn't run SWC's worth a crap without some work. Not saying you shouldn't buy a Colt. I'm just saying they're overpriced and the RIA will run whatever you put in it straight out of the box. Heck I wouldn't mind owning another Colt, they're nice guns but I wouldn't depend on it like I can the Rock.

You wouldn't depend on a pistol that has proven itself in combat for over a century, but you would bet your life on a Phillipine made cast frame and slide knock off? Hmmmm...

[crockett007]

no problems here with SWC's, HP's......whatever.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by crockett007

You wouldn't depend on a pistol that has proven itself in combat for over a century, but you would bet your life on a Phillipine made cast frame and slide knock off? Hmmmm...

Just because it's cast doesn't mean it won't work. Sure it isn't a Colt. Neither is my Springfield. But they work. And they're both better values than Colt. Not to knock Colt, but they do know how to price themselves out of the market.

If a Colt's what someone wants, then sure, buy one. I still think they're the best built non-custom 1911 out there. It's just that if someone wants all the extras, they may not want to pay over $1,000. In which case a gun like a Springfield, Kimber, RIA, etc, becomes a better choice.

[Sorrowful Jones]

Originally Posted by limbkiller

Here are a few of mine. Since this pic was taken 8 more have joined the stable.

Wow, what a collection!! I am curious about one of them... Top row, sixth from the left.... Is that electroless nickel? I have been looking for a Government Model series 70 or 80 in electroless nickel for a couple of years now. Would you mind sending that one to me??

[JLA]

Originally Posted by limbkiller

I love colts and all 1911s that go bang. The problem with Mimbers is a 1 yr warranty and very crappy CS. No custom shop though that is what is said on the side. A RIA, or SA will have great CS for the life of the firearm and Colt somewhat. The Filipino guns are made with cheap labor and not over priced union help. Also for the money spent you you should get a Metal MSH not plastic as Colt does. Mimbers are full of MIM and today that really isn't a bad thing but some hate it. I own 1911s of all kinds including Mimbers but find them way over priced for what you get. A Baer, Brown, or DW is a much better gun than most Colts but they cost more. Here are a few of mine. Since this pic was taken 8 more have joined the stable. Buy what you want and enjoy it.

Nice green tarp!

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by crockett007

You wouldn't depend on a pistol that has proven itself in combat for over a century, but you would bet your life on a Phillipine made cast frame and slide knock off? Hmmmm...

I wouldn't trust a Colt to be reliable with home cast SWC's. I would and do trust my Rock Island with them. Nothing wrong with cast.

[gun runner]

Colts are well made firearms, even Wyatt Earp carried one as other famous legends did but that really doesnt mean anything as far as someone should buy it because of that fact. Like shooter45 said, A gun that is properly cleaned should shoot well out the box.

[gun runner]

Originally Posted by crockett007

no problems here with SWC's, HP's......whatever.

Hey that is a nice looking pistol there.

[rjgnwdc]

Originally Posted by hogger129

My Loaded Springfield has all these same features, but I paid $919 for mine new. I'll bet you paid over $1,000 new.


I'd say the only real advantage Colts have over the competition is the collector value and better fit & finish.

Gave $950 NIB at Budsgunshop.com with free shipping I did have to pay $25 FFL charge

[tnhawk]

Originally Posted by Hawg

No, no they won't. Not out of the box anyway. They might run with hardball but there's plenty that hiccup on HP's and SWC's.

I've got 1911s from Colt, Wilson, Kimber and Springfield. Each of them has worked fine out of the box, using any FMJ or HP round I've put in them.

[Shooter45]

Hawg, you still haven't answered my question.

Tell me about your experiences with SWC or HP ammo problems in a 1911.

Mine have always fired them all out of the box with no problems. Am I just lucky or something ?? Teach me something if I'm wrong.

[H-D]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

Hawg, you still haven't answered my question.

Tell me about your experiences with SWC or HP ammo problems in a 1911.

Mine have always fired them all out of the box with no problems. Am I just lucky or something ?? Teach me something if I'm wrong.

I have had 3 Colt 1911's my dad had some springfields, a norinco a few Colt's an old Sistema , and I currently have a taurus pt1911 and a rock island frame with colt slide and springfield (2 piece GASP!!) barrel, and a delta elite, I have never had any problems with a 1911 that wasn't due to bad mags or improperly fitted (by me) parts I shoot the cheap (40 dollars per 1k) 200 gr lswc

[Inthewind1976]

I think that "original" Colt 1911A1 pattern pistols are probably among the very best 1911's out there. That being said, I dont like the Series 80 and never EVER will. Ive explained a lot of FACTUAL experiences here with FTFs with Series 80 models, and I dont want one. If you give one to me, I will trade it off and buy a Series 70, or any OTHER 1911 "knock off" on the market that DOESNT have the Series 80 internal safety. My personal 1911 is a rather old/early production Thompson Auto Ordinance, and I love it. I wouldnt be afraid of a Norinco, an older Springer, and I personally would sell a Series 80 and buy an RIA in a HEARTBEAT. I used to collect Colts, as did my step-father. Between the two of us we probably owned 200 Colts at one time or another. That was long ago, but I am STILL a Colt lover. But NOT Series 80 1911's.

[Shooter45]

When I come across a series 80 Colt, I usually remove the offending internal safety junk and replace it with a Slot Filler from Brownells.