Best Colt 1911 to own?

[railman44]

I prefer the commercial models from the early '50's. Especially in the .38 Super caliber. Two large and change should be able to put you into a decent low miler. They seem to be getting harder to find though...

[vermonter]

As they say in Vermont, "I'm goin ta town Monday". I know a place that has cases of 45's. I'm assuming there are some Colts in the mix. I'm going to start looking and holding. I agree - full size and Blue or nickel suits me fine. I'm looking forward to owning my first Colt .45. I think more research in this area for me is a must.

[mkk41]

There's lots of arsenal rebuilt USGI 1911s and A1s out there. They're collectable , yet shooting them won't really depreciate their value.

[evo]

Here's my carry. I paid $550 new in 98'. I live in VT too.

[vermonter]

Would I expect to find at least 3 matching serial numbers on any used colt I was going to purchase? As far as I can determine they are on the frame, barrel, and slide. Is it hard to find to find one that has matching #'s? Are arsenal rebuilds more commonplace? I don't know quite what I'm looking for yet in a Colt, but Im gaining. Montpelier area. I just came back and edited this post after I field striped my Colt 1989 Government Mark IV series 80 .380 auto. Whew, that's a mouthful. The only Ser# is on the frame. Is this typical of all colts except the 1911 style?

[CWO4USCGRET]

I carry all my Colts, in an informal rotational basis...



Combat Commander .45 and New Agent



Combat Elite Enhanced (Series 80 Mk IV) and 1908 .25



Combat Commanders in .45 and .38 Super (as of yet confirmed as a factory issued lightweight Combat Commander)

For the revolver fans: two that I traded a knife and a couple of CZ rifles (a .22 lr and a .30-06) for that I don't know if I should carry them or sell them!



the Combat Commander, Cobra (1962), and Python (1985)

[JudgeColt]

Would I expect to find at least 3 matching serial numbers on any used colt I was going to purchase? As far as I can determine they are on the frame, barrel, and slide. Is it hard to find to find one that has matching #'s? Are arsenal rebuilds more commonplace? I don't know quite what I'm looking for yet in a Colt, but Im gaining. Montpelier area. I just came back and edited this post after I field striped my Colt 1989 Government Mark IV series 80 .380 auto. Whew, that's a mouthful. The only Ser# is on the frame. Is this typical of all colts except the 1911 style?

Frames and slides (numbered under the firing pin stop) were numbered on the Model O until about 1942 as I recall. Barrels and other parts were never numbered. Later Colts only have numbered receivers.

Yes, original, matching guns are harder to find as time passes. Rebuilds are more commonplace.