[Bulletproof]

would you buy a Colt 1991A1 ? I'm thinking on a full size stainless 1911A1 made right here in the US of A :salute: not Brazil or Canada or anywhere else

[Popeye]

Nope.

[C96]

I like Kimber. They seem to have been/are more consistent than Colt plus better
price performance.

Colt has the name and I do have a 1942 Colt 1911A1 but they have had some QC
issues over the past bunch of years.

There is the "Colt, everything else is a copy" religion but that can be an expensive
and unfullfilling path.

So I think it comes down to, do you want a nice shooter or do you want to
join a cult ? :)

allan

[7.62mmFMJ]

I'll pass. Too many better options. Besides the quality issues, Colt does not like civilians.

[Jim V]

Sure I'd buy a Colt. Don't like Kimbers, hate their forward cocking serrations that all their pistols come with and I have no use for light rails.

[Rabbi]

IMO, Colt gave up their rights to "1911". I would never buy another Colt and I've owned (and loved) three of them. Sam'l Colt wouldn't recognize his own name.

Rabbi

[budroe]

If the price were right, I'd buy a Colt 1991a1. I'm home on r&r next week; I plan on either picking up a Springfield Arms or Colt then - leaning towards the Springfield. For the money, I think the Springfield GI model is probably the better deal. When I'm not carrying a Glock 23, I usually carry a Colt Combat Commander that I obviously trust as much as any weapon I have. I say its your money, buy the gun you like best.

[Wayne the Shrink]

I obviously don't subscribe to the .45 religion, since I don't shoot the caliber. So I wouldn't buy one anyway.

[Lupey]

I obviously don't subscribe to the .45 religion, since I don't shoot the caliber. So I wouldn't buy one anyway.

HEATHEN!!!!! :lool: :lool:

[akula]

Assuming those restrictions, it would put the Colt on a short list of possibilities. Colt's quality has improved recently, but IMO they ask too much cash for what they offer. Kimber would be a good choice, as would Smith & Wesson (I keep hearing nothing but love for the SW1911). The Sig GSR is also made in the US, but it had some initial problems, and although the function is 1911, it looks like a Sig.

[Old John]

Hi Y'All,

Yup, I'd buy another one. I have a Colt Commander 1991A1.
It's my regular carry gun. I also have a Kimber HD Pro-Carry
and a Springfield Government Classic.

And, I'd still buy another Colt Commander. Got the money
in the bank.
Have a Good-un.
'Til Later,
Old John

[Richard J.]

Not just "I would;" I DID, eleven years ago in '94. It has served as my primary carry piece ever since, as well as being my gun of choice for IDPA & some IPSC shooting.

I sent it to a good 1911 'smith in Greensboro, NC, the day after I purchased it new. He set it up with a Kart NM barrel/bushing, lowered and faired back the ejection port, installed a Videki aluminum target trigger, adjusted the pull to a measured 3.5-3.75# crisp release (and it still has it!,) installed Trijicon night sights, Ed Brown "Memory Groove" beavertail grip safety, an ambi safety, and a Commander style hammer; did a realiability package on it, and refinished it with Parkerizing. I replaced the plastic MSH with a Smith & Alexander SS one, and replaced the grip screws with SS allen head types. I've used this gun in it's current configuration for all that time, and it's about 95% reliable. Of the five percent failures, 99.9% can be traced to handloads, particularly SWC's, that I didn't get the correct OAL for; either too long or too short.

Since I'll be coming into some money soon, I'm going to get a Les Baer TRS for those times when I need a serious social gun. The 1991A1 wil then go to Mike LaRocca's "Institute for Wayward 1911's" and be givne the following treatments:
1. Install new night sights, this time with a dovetail front, in a two-color configuration.
2. Install an AWC Nexus extended, threaded barrel (I'm going to pop for the Nexus package, including the suppressor.)
3. Reset the trigger to a 5# crisp let-off.
4. Accurize, with reliability still being paramount.
5. Flattop the slide
6. Replace the arched MSH with a flat one, 30lpi checkered.
7. Refinsh with Robar Industries' Roguard on the frame, and NP3 on the slide, slide release, ambi safety, hammer, grip safety, MSH, magazine release button, all pins, and have all internal parts done in NP3. The barrel will be left as is, with the exception that the visible portion extending beyond the slide will be given an external treatment of the Roguard.
8. Some engraving will be done; my initials on one side of the slide, and "Don't tread on me" on the other, both filled in with 24kt gold inlay. There might be a bit more done, but I'll just have to play that by ear.
9. Add a set of Ahrends Tactical stocks in tulipwood.
10. Of course, I'll need a fancy holster to go with the fancy gun, and since it is meant to be displayed, it will probably be a custom job by Mitch Rosen. I'm thinking a cross-draw type, made of black cordovan, with hornback alligator trim, and a 1.5" alligator belt to match the trim. Also, a double mag pouch also of black cordovan. If Mitch will do it, I'll have him stamp my initials into the front side of both the holster & the carriers. It will be COOL! (I'll also probably get some sort of pouch to carry the suppressor in, but it will be completely enclosed to protect the muzzle and threaded ends.)

This will then be my BBQ/house gun. In the BBQ role, the suppresor is left off, and it will ride nicely and look good. In the house role, it will have the suppressor attached, and be ready for quick action in the dark, along with my 6Z.

[jimfox]

Richard J. That's going to be a mighty fine piece. Although I don't know that I'd qualify it as a 1991A1 anymore. :)

BulletProof - I wouldn't buy a Colt for the name, nor would I not buy a Colt because of the name. I'd say if it floats your boat and the specimen you're looking at reflects resonable quality control - go for it.

I've owned a number of 1911s over the years and have never gotten a full yellow lemon - but some of them needed more tweaking than others. And many worked just fine right out of the box. And that's been true for both Kimber and Colt. I've owned some other makes of 1911s, but I don't know how valid a generalization you can do from a sample of one per make.

[matthewdanger]

I voted yes. The ones with the newer rollmark are especially nice. Have you thought about a Dan Wesson?

[Richard J.]

jimfox wrote:Richard J. That's going to be a mighty fine piece. Although I don't know that I'd qualify it as a 1991A1 anymore. :)
Jim, your statement just clarified in my mind what else I want to have done--more gold inlay, except on some of the existing stuff. I'll have the Colt name and the M1991A1 inlaid with gold, also. It will STILL be a gen-you-wine Colt 1991A1, just "dressed up!"

Thanks!!! :up: :up:

[Win 73]

I did buy one a few years ago. There was nothing at all wrong with it. It never malfunctioned. But after my son got shot at a gun show, being around that cocked pistol made him nervous. And I decided I would rather have a double action anyway, so I sold it for more than I paid for it and bought a Ruger P97.

[jimfox]

jimfox wrote: It will STILL be a gen-you-wine Colt 1991A1, just "dressed up!"

Thanks!!! :up: :up: Richard J. - I don't know, so far the only unmodified part I can determine is the fireing pin. :)

Seriously - a good 1991A1 is a fine firearm - as is. So are most other 1911s. I've an elderly Series 70 that I've been exercising. A small amount of factory engraving, MMC sights and a lot of blueing wear. No other changes. It ain't a match ready Gold Cup, but I'd take it to war. And the wear lends a certain cache.

As a Texas resident - I'd rate your project gun more in the catagory of "Court Gun" rather than "BBQ Gun". I think you're on the right tract for leather gear, but for BBQ I think you need more polish and engraving; and less emphasis on the hard core finish. Also, for BBQ you should really go carved ivory for the grips.

Actually, if the gun is really acurate, it'd make a great statement if the grips were oiled; smooth grain relieved walnut with a lot of sweat stain. :)

[Richard J.]

Jim, I know exactly what you mean. In its current condition, the grip safety has a brown patina, there's some black stuff in the SS MSH that I can't get out, and a LOT of wear on the finish. The sights barely glow, but it puts 'em where I want 'em and does so with 95% reliability.

I found out a long time ago that when one goes to a match, the guy to beat is the one with the old, worn holster and gun. "He can shoot his'n better than your'n, and your'n better than his'n.";)

I aspire to "master" the 1911, and this one may be it. I dunno, I might just leave it as is (with the exception of adding the Nexus kit) and get a Kimber for BBQ. BTW, it's the gun in my avatar pic. (go to http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29564&highlight=avatar and scroll down 3/4's for a larger view.)

[D-Ric902]

Got one, but in the officers size.

had a little work done to make it more reliable and it runs like a champ



http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8787/kustomballisticscolt0jk.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=kustomballisticscolt0jk.jpg)

[soulpony]

Bought a 1991 colt compact several years ago, never had a malfunction, maybe not the prettiest gun in the world but trust it enough to use it for concealed carry.

[Bulletproof]

it makes sense to save up a little bit more and buy another Gold Cup Trophy :up:

[combat effective]

I voted no, but I guess I would if the price were right. I would probably buy a Kimber or another Springer first.

[Popeye]

I own 5 Colt 1911s. I will not own 6.

[TonyMig]

The reasons I can give as to not buying a Colt are as follows......

1 - I once had a series 70 that was a total POS, since owning that gun, I've had the pleasure of shooting other 1911's that were far superior to the Colt....(Kimber, Springfield, and Wilson Combat to name a few)

2 - Colt long ago has turned their back on the civilian market, and placed their focus on the Law Enforcement & Military market. They have gone so far as being hostile towards the civilian market.
(bring up the Colt website, and click on the "Civilian" banner, and see what doesn't come up, then click the other two banners, and see what does come up)

3 - When I do buy another 1911, I will buy one that comes with all the bells & whistles, and not one that needs the help of a gunsmith to function propperly. To me that's like buying an AMF generation Harley-Davidson motorcycle that needed a ton of poor quality control problems fixed before leaving with the customer.
(this statement is by no means a reflection on anyone who chose this path, it's just not the path I wish to take)

I've owned other Colt firearms from the past, and still own one of their older single action revolvers, I would very much love to see someone else take over the controls at Colt, turn them around, and once again become America's #1 leading firearms manufacturer, so poor old Sam Colt can quit wearing out his coffin from turning over in it........

[michael t]

I have my 1941 USGI and a1972 Combat Commander(bought new) and would buy another in a heartbeat. My Colts are like that bunney on TV they just keep going and going . Any body have one their throwing away ,throw it my way. Colts only please

[Bulletproof]

I've got my eye on an old nickel plated series 70 Combat Commander..told the owner I might be interested if we can come to terms :up: