Colt 1911 comparison

[MitchK]

I’m shopping for a 1911. I think I want a colt but the options are many. Is there a chart or page that shows the down and dirty difference between all the colt models? Thanks

[m1a_scoutguy]

This should help. https://www.colt.com/category/pistols I have had a Combat Elite for many years and love it, been a fantastic pistol. I never regret buying this particular model. If I were looking for a new 1911, I would look for one of the versions with the rail on it, ya might never need it but it would be nice, I think they look cooler and we all know that is important, LOL For "me" this would be a hard one to pass up. https://www.colt.com/detail-page/gov...acp-blk-5-rail Good looking pistol. And the question of what are ya gonna do with it? Who cares ya want a new 1911 so get what ya want! Enjoy the hunt and no matter which one ya get buy quality mags (Wilson Combat ETMs) it's always worth it. They make them in 9mm & 45 ACP. They do run sales on them at times so they can be had for less, still worth it I feel.
https://wilsoncombat.com/magazine-19...er-finish.html

[Pappabear]

I think the most recent advice would be Colt, Springfield and Dan Wesson. Without going semi custom. I own all three and like all three, I used to be a SA guy mostly, but have opened my horizons a bit.

PB

[MitchK]

The CCU is definitely at or near the top of my list

[Leadslinger585]

You folks might've missed but the OP asked

...chart or page that shows the down and dirty difference between all the colt models

I don't know much but this is what I do know:

There's series 70 and series 80. I think there's a "pre series" Colt as well, but as far as I understand it's the same as a series 70 in trigger function.

Series 80 has some extra parts that the trigger mechanism interacts with to make it a "safer" gun. Basically it's a plunger and a lever - pressing the trigger raises the lever which presses on the plunger. The firing pin can then bypass the plunger (which would otherwise block it) to strike the primer.





Other than features (light rail, sights, grips, etc) and caliber (9mm, 38 Super, 45 ACP) the only differences I know of are the rollmarks on the slide.

You'll find better answers to your question on a 1911-centric forum. There's 1911 Addicts and 1911 Forum that will be more helpful

[Diamondback]

And you can accomplish the same "inertial safety" effect on the firing pin without the S80's crunchenticker jammed-by-debris potential (not common IIRC but HAS happened) by using a light pin and a heavy FP spring--Springfield did this for a lotta years IIRC.

On my handbuild .450 SMC I'm using the Wilson Bulletproof titanium pin with a beefier than normal spring.

[glocktogo]

And you can accomplish the same "inertial safety" effect on the firing pin without the S80's crunchenticker jammed-by-debris potential (not common IIRC but HAS happened) by using a light pin and a heavy FP spring--Springfield did this for a lotta years IIRC.

On my handbuild .450 SMC I'm using the Wilson Bulletproof titanium pin with a beefier than normal spring.

This. If I were buying a new factory 1911 my list would go Dan Wesson, Springfield Armory then a 70's series Colt. Just FYI, I'm not sure any of the current "enhanced' Colt 1911 models are Series 70 except the Wiley Clapp models and the Custom Shop Competition?

[Diamondback]

OTOH new Springer has a "crunchenticker" of its own with the mainspring-assembly lock. Right now the specs on the Big Bitch are a Caspian frame, Fusion slide and barrel (only player left in the 7" game) with a mixture of Wilson, Harrison Design and EGW other components aside from a Colt grip-safety that's giving me a hell of a time polishing. (It was matte and I want mirror-bright, but it was the only Old School "tang"-style I'd seen in stainless for many years, so...) Maybe a Briley spherical bushing if they got those debugged.

Seriously, the only things about this project giving me more fight on this project than this one little grip safety are RMR/RCR-vs-Acro optic footprint, the games everybody's playing with prices and availability on a Streamlight 69279 TLR, and figuring out how in the heck I'm going to finance it all when the slide alone costs more than some entire 1911 pistols.

[glocktogo]

OTOH new Springer has a "crunchenticker" of its own with the mainspring-assembly lock. Right now the specs on the Big Bitch are a Caspian frame, Fusion slide and barrel (only player left in the 7" game) with a mixture of Wilson, Harrison Design and EGW other components aside from a Colt grip-safety that's giving me a hell of a time polishing. (It was matte and I want mirror-bright, but it was the only Old School "tang"-style I'd seen in stainless for many years, so...) Maybe a Briley spherical bushing if they got those debugged.

Seriously, the only things about this project giving me more fight on this project than this one little grip safety are RMR/RCR-vs-Acro optic footprint, the games everybody's playing with prices and availability on a Streamlight 69279 TLR, and figuring out how in the heck I'm going to finance it all when the slide alone costs more than some entire 1911 pistols.

Well that sucks, but can be remedied with just a MSH replacement? Or does it interface with something silly in the slide?

[pag23]

A Springfield Range Officer or Operator is a good gun to get started with...upgrade the internals with some Wilson, EGW, Ed Brown parts and you will have a smooth shooting accurate gun.

But if you like 1911s you have to own at least one Colt...