Current Colt 1911s - Good/Not?

[jyl]

Another spoon question. I think there is some 1911 knowledge here :-)

What do we think about the current production Colt 1911s? How do they compare, in quality and accuracy, to the older Colts?

I'm specifically interested in the "Gold Cup National Match" 45 ACP as a base for a bullseye pistol.

[Seahawk]

Ford or Chevy trucks?

And we're off!!!

I am out of the .45 business so I'll yield my profound gun knowledge to the pistol hacks that post here.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by jyl

Another spoon question. I think there is some 1911 knowledge here :-)

What do we think about the current production Colt 1911s? How do they compare, in quality and accuracy, to the older Colts?

I'm specifically interested in the "Gold Cup National Match" 45 ACP as a base for a bullseye pistol.

Colt is now owned by CZ...they make quality products..

Prewar 1911's are the best quality if not the most modern metallurgy, postwar Pre Model 70's little less quality but they still used forged parts and have become increasingly valuable, the Series 70's made in the 70's were considered to be the last of the best with cast parts..and they had Union problems with regard to quality, with the Series 80's they changed the internals where quality became suspect..Colt went BK in the early 90's where I have not even paid attention to the product. Custom Shop stuff is a whole different animal..

With CZ Colt I would pick up a new one and compare against an earlier one.. they also own Dan Wesson..

I am looking to get a new production C Anaconda with 8" B... It is a matter of price..

Then there is Baer, Brown, Wilson and Nighthawk...

[tabs]

Mr Wilson I presume...a Classic

[flipper35]

The trigger can feel different compared to the old ones, but it isn't really a meaningful difference.

[Skytrooper]

Don't forget STI. They make a fine 1911.

[Bill Douglas]

And Ed Brown.

[jyl]

The reason I'm thinking about that particular Colt model, the Gold Cup National Match 45, is because it seems designed for what I want it for - bullseye - and because the list price of $1300 is much lower than the prices of what I think of as high-end 1911s (Wilson, Baer, Brown, etc).

It looks like I could get the Colt and add a rail and Ultradot for less than the least expensive 1911 from those companies.

Kimber or Springfield Armory have less expensive 1911 models, but I don't think they offer an equivalent model - their stuff is mostly tactical, melty, shiny, etc.

And I am assuming the Colt will be an acceptable base if I ever want to have pistolsmithing done. I've seen smiths who won't work on XYZ brand, but never Colt.

But if the current Colt 1911s are questionable, then . . .

[flipper35]

Kimber Custom Shop stuff like The Raptor II is guaranteed less than an inch group at 25 yards. Mine is very accurate and reliable.

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by jyl

Another spoon question. I think there is some 1911 knowledge here :-)
What do we think about the current production Colt 1911s? How do they compare, in quality and accuracy, to the older Colts?

I'm specifically interested in the "Gold Cup National Match" 45 ACP as a base for a bullseye pistol.

I’ve always wondered that one myself. It would be nice if we could all meet at a range and try out the various models.

I would like to see the difference between my 1942 1911 and the newer ones.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by flipper35

Kimber Custom Shop stuff like The Raptor II is guaranteed less than an inch group at 25 yards. Mine is very accurate and reliable.

Oooo, their Super Match looks great - spendy though!

[911boost]

I’ve carried a Kimber Ultra CDP for going on 20 years.

Curious to hear the thoughts on the new Colts also.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

I’ve always wondered that one myself. It would be nice if we could all meet at a range and try out the various models.

I would like to see the difference between my 1942 1911 and the newer ones.

Yours is cooler, I'll bet!

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by jyl

Yours is cooler, I'll bet!

It has history. WW2, Korea, and Vietnam.

It’s been fired but in pretty good condition.

[varmint]

Really happy with my Springfield.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by tabs

Colt is now owned by CZ...they make quality products..

Prewar 1911's are the best quality if not the most modern metallurgy, postwar Pre Model 70's little less quality but they still used forged parts and have become increasingly valuable, the Series 70's made in the 70's were considered to be the last of the best with cast parts..and they had Union problems with regard to quality, with the Series 80's they changed the internals where quality became suspect..Colt went BK in the early 90's where I have not even paid attention to the product. Custom Shop stuff is a whole different animal..

With CZ Colt I would pick up a new one and compare against an earlier one.. they also own Dan Wesson..

I am looking to get a new production C Anaconda with 8" B... It is a matter of price..

Then there is Baer, Brown, Wilson and Nighthawk...

Tabs, do you think there is much faking of GCNMs going on? I'd be willing to buy an older one if I didn't have to be a detective to avoid getting ripped off.

[911 Rod]

I'd love to be able to collect handguns.

[Rick Lee]

I went out shopping for a nice 1911 three yrs ago. The price point was $1000-1300. At that time the Colt Gold Cup and Springfield TRP were the two contenders. Then I saw a nickel nitron SIG 1911 with a rail and night sights, checkered front strap, magwell, etc. and got it for $1000 NIB out the door. It had all the same features as or more than the others, was a little cheaper, and it is such an awesome pistol. Will. Never. Sell.

Shortly thereafter I found a real clean, used Dan Wesson Valor for $1050. Snagged it, later traded it for a Commander-size V-Bob and so regret it. I want that Valor back, but they are a lot more expensive now.

The last Colt I'll ever own is the Series 70 Commander my dad gave me a few yrs ago. I've owned about 5-7 others and all were total junk compared to my dad's.

[Rick Lee]

And another one that I absolutely stole, but is still worth what they normally cost is a S&W PC1911 Commander-size with bobtail. Got it for $400 used and I absolutely love it. They're around $1600 new and probably well worth it.

[KFC911]

The best CC Colt ever made was on Nov. 17, 1979!

I might be off a few daze ... but close enough for me