I've stayed away from Colt for many years because of their low quality, very glad to see now that CZ owns them they seem to be back on track and are trying to bring some quality product back out like they once were when I was younger.
I purchased one of these locally about a month ago. My gun has a gang of play in the slide to frame fit, and the barrel is a real link rider but it shoots alright. The factory beaver tail was also very loose in the gun. My particular example is nowhere near as nicely fit as a TRP - Slide to frame fit and beaver tail fitment definitely go to Springfield. My recently purchased Operator 9mm from Springfield feels like a much nicer gun overall than the Colt, although granted it lacks the front strap checkering. I think this model shows that at least Colt is paying attention to what the market wants from them, but they still aren’t putting out guns that are competitive at the price point.
Sorry to hear that about your new Colt, its really been hit or miss in the quality of em in the last few years, I’ve handled a bunch and there’s always couple issues crunchy or mushy safety, sloppy slide frame fit, horrible undercut on trigger guard, beaver tail on all competition models seem to be very loose & rattley, I also agree that SA had the edge right now in consistency, the beaver tail they are using is a more precise fit for being a drop in at the factory & the safety’s are consistently fit better, the rust bluing is nice, lets hope Colt cleans up the few rough edges as I always prefer to but a Colt.
Nice! I was thinking of comparing it to a Dan Wesson heritage. However, that is a stainless gun. Honestly, it’s a gun that probably stands alone for the features it has, for the money in blue. Thanks for giving us a look!
I purchased a new Colt "Competition Series" 1911 stainless in 38 super. It's a piece of crap. The "match" grade barrel had "chatter" marks up a down the rifling and the bushing fit was the worst I'd ever seen. I could physically move the barrel while in lock up position with my finger. I sentvit back to Colt twice, they did replace the barrel but not the bushing stating " it meets Colts specifications ". Then the slide to frame fitment was horrific. After much frustration trying to deal with Colt about this particular 1911 and getting absolutely no where I had a Wilson Combat barrel and bushing installed. The gun will shoot very well now even though it rattles like a rattle snake when you shake it (slide to frame fit or should I say lack of". I've got twice what the actual gun cost into it now, thanks Colt.I swear I'm totally done with Colt. Went to Less Baer for a 45ACP as well as a 38super I am also looking at a Wilson Combat in 45ACP. I'm not giving Colt one thin dime ever again. I may purchase an older Colt, but certainly not a new one.
Be very carefully buying an older colt. Many of the colt 1911s made in the 80s had to be worked over by a gunsmith to function right. Springfield 1911s were much better out of the box.
Agreed on older colts, starting in the 1970’s with the original 70 series, they had the awful collet barrel bushing it was prone to breaking of the locking fingers, I had (2) of them one fit ok the other was so tight it caused issues, the frames rarely if ever had a VIS “Vertical Impact Surface” machined into the frame so the lower rear barrel lugs were the first thing to touchdown on the ViS, this cause lower lugs to crack and or eventually shear off. If memory serves thee was a labor strike in late 70’s so quality suffered, when I’m looking for colts now I just skip over the 1980’s early 90’s guns it’s too much hassle field stripping and check listing the gun for a clean bill of health. The post 2017 bankruptcy competition models were the best imho “still sporadic issues to be fair”then 2020 covid hit and it’s been a mixed bag since. I WILL not buy one sight unseen PERIOD
That sight setup is perfect and the exact same setup I recently installed on a cheap, used, scratched up Ronin commander I picked up. Cerakoted the frame and controls/parts Federal Brown and slow rust blued the slide. These days I take most of my advice from Hackathorn, Ayoob, Wilson, Vickers, and Gunblue490 so I have the blacked out rear with a brass or gold bead front on my revolvers too. Nice to have platform consistency. Congratulations on that beautiful new Colt!
I put one of these on layaway yesterday. This is a very good review. And your shooting review gives an honest opinion from a shooter’s perspective, which I like.
@@teelowteelow356 Watch some of the videos on front strap checkering. You'll only have to touch of the area you checkered if you protect the frame with tape while you work. Dont get me wrong, you should practice all of this on a cheap 80% frame first. If its a stainless frame it will usually look nice enough to just leave as is after checkering. Or you can just mask the rest of the finish carefully with aluminum HVAC tape or thick masking tape and glass bead the checkering (doesnt hurt to do that on the carbon frame before bluing either). If its a blued gun with a carbon steel frame you can degrease and hit the bare steel with a couple generous applications of Kleenbore Black Magic bluing solution using soaked Qtips, let it sit for 10-15 min then boil the checkered portion of the frame for about 10 mins in water after each application (obviously never allow that pot to be used for cooking after that). BM is actually a very aggressive rust bluing rather than a standard cold blue that will just wear off. Card off the excess black rust with a stiff bristle toothbrush (obviously also never to be put in your mouth again) after boiling and allow to dry before doing the next application and boil. When done and completely dry go ahead and spray oil the frame and let it sit for a day or two.
Hi there. I've heard that the slides on these guns are 5000 slides that were from WWII and they built frames around them. Do you know if that is true? Just curious.
Enjoyed the review. I found you because of your Les Baer reviews. I appreciate your fast action baer drills and guerilla target shooting. Whew, inspirational. How come you don't have any Wilson 1911's? I think I would rather save my $ and invest in a few nice pistols rather than have a bunch of low/middle rangers at this point. you can find CQB's for low 2-2.5K. So for the price of 2 low range 1911- I could have a nicer high end custom. What say you?
I hate that Colt printed "Limited Edition" on the slide. There is no need for that and seems cheesy. My grip safety is very loose. Overall, Iike it. I don't love it, I like it.
I've stayed away from Colt for many years because of their low quality, very glad to see now that CZ owns them they seem to be back on track and are trying to bring some quality product back out like they once were when I was younger.
Looks good, will be interested in your range report. Thanks.
Now that’s one fine looking Pistol. 👍👍👍
Thank you for sharing.
Looks pretty similar to the Wiley Clapp offerings which I think were good sellers for Colt
Very similar
I purchased one of these locally about a month ago. My gun has a gang of play in the slide to frame fit, and the barrel is a real link rider but it shoots alright. The factory beaver tail was also very loose in the gun. My particular example is nowhere near as nicely fit as a TRP - Slide to frame fit and beaver tail fitment definitely go to Springfield. My recently purchased Operator 9mm from Springfield feels like a much nicer gun overall than the Colt, although granted it lacks the front strap checkering. I think this model shows that at least Colt is paying attention to what the market wants from them, but they still aren’t putting out guns that are competitive at the price point.
I believe Colt will always price their guns above the competition. Not saying it right, but they charge for their name.
Sorry to hear that about your new Colt, its really been hit or miss in the quality of em in the last few years, I’ve handled a bunch and there’s always couple issues crunchy or mushy safety, sloppy slide frame fit, horrible undercut on trigger guard, beaver tail on all competition models seem to be very loose & rattley, I also agree that SA had the edge right now in consistency, the beaver tail they are using is a more precise fit for being a drop in at the factory & the safety’s are consistently fit better, the rust bluing is nice, lets hope Colt cleans up the few rough edges as I always prefer to but a Colt.
Nice! I was thinking of comparing it to a Dan Wesson heritage. However, that is a stainless gun. Honestly, it’s a gun that probably stands alone for the features it has, for the money in blue. Thanks for giving us a look!
Nice. I just put one of these on layaway last week.
That’s a great pistol man. Wouldn’t have to do much to make it exactly what I would want.
I purchased a new Colt "Competition Series" 1911 stainless in 38 super. It's a piece of crap. The "match" grade barrel had "chatter" marks up a down the rifling and the bushing fit was the worst I'd ever seen. I could physically move the barrel while in lock up position with my finger. I sentvit back to Colt twice, they did replace the barrel but not the bushing stating " it meets Colts specifications ". Then the slide to frame fitment was horrific. After much frustration trying to deal with Colt about this particular 1911 and getting absolutely no where I had a Wilson Combat barrel and bushing installed. The gun will shoot very well now even though it rattles like a rattle snake when you shake it (slide to frame fit or should I say lack of". I've got twice what the actual gun cost into it now, thanks Colt.I swear I'm totally done with Colt. Went to Less Baer for a 45ACP as well as a 38super I am also looking at a Wilson Combat in 45ACP. I'm not giving Colt one thin dime ever again. I may purchase an older Colt, but certainly not a new one.
Can’t beat a Baer
Be very carefully buying an older colt. Many of the colt 1911s made in the 80s had to be worked over by a gunsmith to function right. Springfield 1911s were much better out of the box.
Agreed on older colts, starting in the 1970’s with the original 70 series, they had the awful collet barrel bushing it was prone to breaking of the locking fingers, I had (2) of them one fit ok the other was so tight it caused issues, the frames rarely if ever had a VIS “Vertical Impact Surface” machined into the frame so the lower rear barrel lugs were the first thing to touchdown on the ViS, this cause lower lugs to crack and or eventually shear off. If memory serves thee was a labor strike in late 70’s so quality suffered, when I’m looking for colts now I just skip over the 1980’s early 90’s guns it’s too much hassle field stripping and check listing the gun for a clean bill of health. The post 2017 bankruptcy competition models were the best imho “still sporadic issues to be fair”then 2020 covid hit and it’s been a mixed bag since. I WILL not buy one sight unseen PERIOD
Just purchased one. Thanks for all of the info.
That sight setup is perfect and the exact same setup I recently installed on a cheap, used, scratched up Ronin commander I picked up. Cerakoted the frame and controls/parts Federal Brown and slow rust blued the slide. These days I take most of my advice from Hackathorn, Ayoob, Wilson, Vickers, and Gunblue490 so I have the blacked out rear with a brass or gold bead front on my revolvers too. Nice to have platform consistency. Congratulations on that beautiful new Colt!
I put one of these on layaway yesterday. This is a very good review. And your shooting review gives an honest opinion from a shooter’s perspective, which I like.
Dang! I thought my 25 line checkering on my combat elite was hot stuff. But 30 lines? Wow, ill bet that feels good.
they could make a multi magazine 17 plus 1 would be amazing.
Very cool mash up. I have 1 as well. WW1 Era roll marks, Modern frame, WW2 black barrel...super cool
Yeah your loving your hobby better than a cheating wife or unruly kids, I had both ha ha, you make pretty cool video's top notch mate.
Sweet gun 👍
Let's see it on the range very soon!
I will no longer buy a 1911 without a checkered front strap.
Its actually not too hard to do if you buy a 25lpi file and the Brownells jig.
@@mikebennet7697how do you refinish the frame?
@@teelowteelow356 Watch some of the videos on front strap checkering. You'll only have to touch of the area you checkered if you protect the frame with tape while you work. Dont get me wrong, you should practice all of this on a cheap 80% frame first. If its a stainless frame it will usually look nice enough to just leave as is after checkering. Or you can just mask the rest of the finish carefully with aluminum HVAC tape or thick masking tape and glass bead the checkering (doesnt hurt to do that on the carbon frame before bluing either). If its a blued gun with a carbon steel frame you can degrease and hit the bare steel with a couple generous applications of Kleenbore Black Magic bluing solution using soaked Qtips, let it sit for 10-15 min then boil the checkered portion of the frame for about 10 mins in water after each application (obviously never allow that pot to be used for cooking after that). BM is actually a very aggressive rust bluing rather than a standard cold blue that will just wear off. Card off the excess black rust with a stiff bristle toothbrush (obviously also never to be put in your mouth again) after boiling and allow to dry before doing the next application and boil. When done and completely dry go ahead and spray oil the frame and let it sit for a day or two.
I want one
it comes across as good would it be your evert day carry is it reliable ?
It’s the Wiley clapp full size with the normal roll marks. I like it.
Hi there. I've heard that the slides on these guns are 5000 slides that were from WWII and they built frames around them. Do you know if that is true? Just curious.
Really looking forward to the range review of this. Just curious, does this have the dual recoil spring system? Thanks
It’s out.
Enjoyed the review. I found you because of your Les Baer reviews. I appreciate your fast action baer drills and guerilla target shooting. Whew, inspirational.
How come you don't have any Wilson 1911's? I think I would rather save my $ and invest in a few nice pistols rather than have a bunch of low/middle rangers at this point. you can find CQB's for low 2-2.5K. So for the price of 2 low range 1911- I could have a nicer high end custom. What say you?
I’ve owned Wilson’s and Nighthawks in the past. I’m more of a classic guy. I like Baers and Alchemy’s the best. Own several of them.
That does come with a national match barrel ?
Yes. Most new Colts use the national match barrel now.
I really like that pistol but I think the Limited Edition mark on the slide is kind of tacky. I wish they would have just put Government Model.
So when are we going to hear more about it?
How much
I hate that Colt printed "Limited Edition" on the slide. There is no need for that and seems cheesy. My grip safety is very loose. Overall, Iike it. I don't love it, I like it.
Can get a gold cup for the same $
I don't like it. Rather have the Elite.