I am looking to get my first 1911. I am loyal colt man, have 2 colt AR15s that i love. I own 3 glocks but i want a colt 1911, any advice on what model to look at getting? I am currently looking at Special Combat Government model, is it really worth the $1800 price tag?
Have you read through the sub-forum you posted in? I saw a lot of discussion on Colts when I was just browsing.
I’d buy a new XSE Government Model. It has good sights and decent grip and thumb safeties. Shoot it a while and tweak it to your taste.
Rail Gun, OR Special Combat Gov. Here’s mine!
I have had a Colt Combat Elite for over 3 years (Over 4K++ rds) & I love it !!! Its been a great gun & has run great !!! Its very accurate and last but least important is it looks great also !! I wanted a Colt Special Combat myself,but the extra $$$$ was a bit much for me at the time so I went with the CE !!! As time goes on I will upgrade and get it closer to the Special Combat ! I have been looking at the Colt Rail Guns also,I actually have me Gun Guy looking for one now !! 
Bottom line,I’m sure the $$$ spent on the Colt would be good Money spent,hey after all,its a “Colt” !!! :dance3: I say depending on your $$ on hand,get a CE or Colt Rail gun,shoot the heck out of it and I mean at least 3,4K rds,(Not took my New gun to the range & put 100rds through it and it ran flawless,:rolleyes:),run it good and see what ya think you need or want !!! Anyways,I hear & feel ya on the New Colt,“But” if I had the $$$ and was somewhere in between the CE and the Special Colt Combat and didn’t want to spend the full wad,I would look at a Springfield TRP,they are a Top Notch piece,they cost a bit more than the regular Colt CE,but less than the Special CE !! Let us know how ya make out !!! 
My Colt CE, 
Loyalty won’t get you what’s best; it only gets you a label.
A TRP is within that budget and so are whatever you want from STI but that’s if you really want a 1911. Considering you’re a fan of extremely reliable AR makers, it’s not the same in the 1911 world. You’re making a large compromise on reliability. If you want one: get one. But imo if you want a 45 ACP pistol and reliability similar to your AR, go for an HK45.
Unfortunately, an HK45 is neither a Colt nor a 1911, as requested.
Agreed !! :thank_you2: I don’t want this to turn into something it shouldn’t,but I hate it when some asks about a 1911 and ya always get a Buy this,(H&K),or Buy this (Glock) !!! It is a Special type of Pistol and WE GET it !!! I have had HK Pistols,and I still have Glock pistols & I am good with that !!! Old,outdated,etc,yea,big deal,LOL !!! Remember,this is the 1911 Area,so leave us alone !!! :D:D
I’ve had great success with 3 Gunsite models I purchased.
All three were 100% out of the box and I took time making the changes I wanted.
http://www.gunsite.com/main/proshop/gunsmithy/gunsite-colt-service-pistol/
these look a like a value being that they are Series 70.
I personally would get a Series 70 repro and send it off for some work
The Colt CCO out right now is pretty nice. But if you want a full size the XSE is real hard to beat.
I have the plain jane Colt Government in Stainless, the SCG in nickel/blue and the CE in 2 tone. All of them have been trouble free and a joy to shoot. The SCG is very accurate and is a dream to shoot. Good luck!
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I have owned for many years, HK and Glock and Colt 45’s. Colt’s are still my fav. I also own, Taurus, springfield, Norinco, Sig, FN, and Para all in 45 ACP. I have been a 45 ACP shooter for 35 years. Have 3 colts right now, need another soon.
Wow. I was unaware these were 70 series. For $1200 that’s an awesome pistol.
With Colts recent move toward the desires of the civilian market with their ARs, I’m hoping they will start offering ALL their 1911’s 70 series.
I would like to second the Combat Elite. Great pistol and my current duty weapon. Had a small problem initially with premature lockback, but after I replaced the slide stop with a Wilson Combat Bulletproof unit the problem went away. Have not had a single malfunction (that wasnt a result of the original slide stop) in hundreds of rounds. I am not the greatest shooter out there, but this gun makes even me look good, very accurate.
Strange
I had a Colt Delta Elite a while back before they brought them back to market. It was the most reliable and accurate of my Colt 1911s after it had much needed trigger work done to it. I bought a railgun a year ago. It’s had issues. Colt repaired some of it. Made it worse in other ways. Not all that pleased with them. I’ve seen others at the shop that appear not to have the same issue as my railgun had. Yet I’m cautious. I’m torn with my loyalty for Colt, and getting something different the next go around. There isn’t probably a single Colt out of the box that is perfect. They all seem to require something. I’m kicking around a semi-custom like a Nighthawk in the future.
What bothers me though is my intent was to use the 1911 as a duty pistol. Yes I realize what that all means and glocks are so much better blah blah blah. At least I can qualify with a 1911. Not so much with a Glock. If it had to be a Glock like pistol then my XD, but that is another argument.
Anyway I really am hesitant in having a 3k 1911 as a duty gun. Man that hurts especially one should have an identical back-up. I’m not sure a person needs a slide so tight and smooth in a duty environment. Seems to me it could be an issue. However I want something 100% reliable. I think I got my Colt there, but it hasn’t had too much range time since I feel I corrected the issue to verify. I need more time with it. Then there is other areas that need some work. The sharp edges around the trigger guard. They suck. The sights and safety are not all there. There is other things. Little things that add up.
All and all I’m not sure I’d endorse a Colt to anyone, that wanted more than just collect them. They do just enough to make them look nice, but leave out the final touches. I believe they’re rather pricey for what you end up with. But to recommend just one I though was pretty nice, it would have to be the Wiley Clapp Commander. That Colt has to be one of the best I’ve had my hands on in the last couple years.
If you are not ready to do to be your own armorer and do all the maintenance the 1911 may require you are probably better of with Glock. There is nothing wrong with a Glock or its type. Before I decided to carry a 1911 for duty I went to the Colt armorers class just to get myself more familiar with the platform. There are definitely trade offs in going with a 1911 and Colt in particular, but if that is what you shoot best and are most comfortable with go for it. Just get ready to open your wallet
Strange
1800 bucks sounds extremely over priced- for that I’d go with a les baer. My used les baer (with 1.5 inch package) runs like a top with everything hollow points ball lead semi wadcutters you name it. I got it used 10 years ago for around a grand. brand new les baers run in the 1500 range to start and you can’t go wrong with one. if you want a colt consider the basic 1991 type- yes it is a series 80 but mine only cost 600 bucks (again barely used) and runs great!
Series 70 repro. Then off to the Colt Custom shop for the Tactical Package, or off to MARS Armament for some custom work.