Some Questions about Colt in 2012

[txf15crewchief]

Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please move it.


Lots of new goodies in the new 2012 catalog; it is available at coltsmfg.com. Unfortunately, once again there have been a number of price increases in their line up of Model O pistols. This is contrast to their AR15s which have seemingly have stayed the same if not cheaper in some respects.


I have personally owned 3 different Colt 1911s, a 1994 OACP Enhanced, 2010 O1091, and 2010 O1880XSE LW Gov't. Perhaps it has been my terrible luck, but none of them were what I would consider terribly reliable and in the case of the 1091 had to return to Hartford. I don't want this to be a Colt bashing thread, I still love the company (and in particular my LE6920), but how can one justify the price of a $900 basic, GI style 1911 that may or may not have fitting issues, reliability issues and when it needs to go back to the manufacturer may take a month or 3 to be repair and may STILL have the same issues?


I understand and greatly appreciate the history of both the 1911 and CMC, but $900-1000 seems a little steep for the product they are producing. I know Colt sells everyone that goes out the door, it's made in America, with only 3 MIM parts in their 1911s, that they have new CNC machinery, and have great CS. That doesn't change the fact it seems they are pricing themselves out of the mid-level price range. I don't know if it is the cost of doing business in CT or what but between that the QC issues in these tough economic times it would be a shame for Colt to lose ground after the progress they've recently made.


In the dark days of the 1990s they introduced the ORM 1991s as a measure to stay competitive. Those pistols were the answer in competing with Springfield's Mil-Spec GI model. What about today? With Ruger's SR-1911, Springfield Range Officer, a resurgent Kimber and now Remington can Colt offer a gun in the $600-750 range that offers similar features or at the very least offer their "entry" level 1991 pistol at a similar price? Is Colt's expansion to Florida an attempt to lower costs? I hope so. While those other brands certainly have their issues as well, why is it that Colt a company that has the ability to churn out something on the magnitude of 800 M4s and M16 in one day unable to produce 1911s that have a lower number of discrepancies at a lower price?

If I come off as a bit brash I apologize but I would sincerely like to see Colt do well. Not to mention see future generations have a chance at owning a new production version of an American classic made by the company that introduced them and at a affordable price not semi-custom prices.

Here is some eye candy for your trouble, my former LWG:

[Kid Sopris]

Some people have all the luck...Bad Luck maybe...I have never had a New Colt Product with any issues at all. I have had some used ones that apparently a local shade tree mechanic tinkered with and needed to be corrected by COLT, but NEVER a new one.. not EVEN MY EARLY 3RD GENS DURING THE TROUBLE YEARS HAD A PROBLEM. Except them ugly wood stock panels.

I think Colt is doing everything they can to hire and train reliable people. Not every one loooking for a Job at is suited for the job they applied for.

Take me for example, I would be terrible as an impartial judge...Too many opinioins...

[paul45]

, but how can one justify the price of a $900 basic, GI style 1911 that may or may not have fitting issues, reliability issues and when it needs to go back to the manufacturer may take a month or 3 to be repair and may STILL have the same issues?

To be fair, you then must say the exact same quote for ALL manufacturers of "1911" style pistols.

Like Kid, I have have nothing but good luck with all the Colts that I shoot. I have not had any of the issues you talk about. This is one of those discussions that will never have just one answer.

[Colt-SL]

First off, welcome to the Forum. Nice to have you here and interesting to read your experiences with Colt. I was must struck by your statement about owning three 1911's and not finding any of them to be terribly reliable.

Apparently your ownership is non-typical of what I, and fellow Colt owners, have experienced. And in comparing prices with other makers I am seeing them all go up.

In talking about semi-custom autos, I haven't yet found one to compare with my Colt's Custom Shop Model O, the Special Combat Government. Fit & finish is superb. Accuracy is nothing short of astonishing. Yes, its price tag was raised over the last production year by $96 but for a custom, refined piece such as it is, I do not find that unusual in today's economy.

Good to hear your opinions.

[T.May]

Welcome to the forum....

I think you did an excellent job in stating your opinion regarding your experience with Colt. It would appear that your negative experience with 3 different pistols from Colt is an anomaly compared to most but I certainly understand your observation regarding the competitions offerings of comparable pistols at a lower price....albeit, non of them have the Prancing Pony

Colt will always enjoy the support of their loyal fan base (my self included) partially predicated on their history in the market place but like all businesses today must compete successfully with the competition in price, service and quality control. I don't know what Florida will do for Colt but draw more attention to their quality control. Moving/expanding manufacturing to a new location after hundred's of years will certainly offer some interesting challenges to the company.

Most companies steeped in that much tradition have a harder time adapting to changing times....but I will be pulling for them!

I'm going to go take a picture of my Hostess Twinkie with my Kodak camera while I still can...

[kenhwind]

I have an original Series 70 GM that seems to digest just about everything, but I cannot remember if I had throated the barrel or not but did lower the ejection port.

Now I have a new Colt LWT Gov't Model, it is polished and blued, not sandblasted or painted like them other brands. It takes quality help to polish something like a firearm and not mess it up, this cost money. Yes I had an issue with my new pistol, and Colt came through, but yes I had to wait to get it back.

This pistol seems to digest just about everything, hardball, blunt 200 FMJ, HPs, as well as an old target round that is a short SWC with a round tip instead of flat. Most guns would choke on these.

Some people seem to have problems though. I read some threads @M1911.org about magazine issues and I just can't seem to get mine not to work, and some of them I've been using for 30 years.

[txf15crewchief]

I hope it's just my bad luck. My Colt 6920 on the other hand has had the exact opposite experience and has turned me from someone who was not particularly fond of the AR-15 platform into a believer of them for hard use. Not a single hiccup in 2,000 rounds over past 6 months in 110 degree heat, dust, and just plain out being dirty. Perhaps my issues lie in the fact that none were 5" carbon steel, but an aluminum framed gun (LWG), a SS gun (O1091), and a gun that was shorter than the optimal (OACP)? I don't know, but even after all that the aura the pony is still appealing. My 1st 1911 was Springfield GI and it was certainly no match grade pistol, but for $425 I wasn't expecting much. When I paid nearly twice that for my 1st Colt the O1091, I wasn't necessarily expecting twice the gun but I was expecting a bit more as far as reliability. Didn't turn out that way. I would still like an example of a basic GI style pistol and nearly ordered a ANVIII, but my previous experience makes me hesitant. Almost like 1911s are an addiction or something...

P.S. I have owned a total of 5 1911's (3 Colts, 2 Springfields).

[majdad93]

This is a thoughtfully solid, but disturbing post about Colt semi-autos of late. It's very troubling to hear of these types of problems. I, too, am a loyal Colt owner and it would take a whole herd of "prancing ponies" to drag me away from this brand. But I'd also like to think that future generations of Americans can know that they'll also have opportunities to own such a quality American icon.

I've had the good fortune of owning a Lightweight Officers MK IV Series 80 for the last 21 years. This weapon has been a consistently reliable piece. So much so that I carry it as my concelealed weapon. The only hangups I've ever had were FTEs with steel cartridges & these were stovepipes. I've long since stopped using them for target ammo. Colt has verifed it was built in 1990, perhaps this being before the "dark days" of the '90s.

New Colt semi-autos are hard to find in central Ohio, even at the largest volume dealers. I visited Buckeye Outdoors in Hebron a few weeks ago. The gentleman informed me that they special order most Colts because the demand and availability are low and the price a bit too steep compared to a competitor's comparable model. He also told me that some prospective M1911 buyers have told him that Colt does not appear to have the workmansip like in the "days of yore." My own son, an Infantry Sergeant in the US Army, even chose a Springfield XD rather than wait to buy a semi-auto that may have taken him one or three or five weeks to get and have to pay a higher price, too.

But, all that said, I'm still here with my Colt, and any future semi-auto will likely be.............. another Colt! Thanx for indulging me my "two cents worth.

[txf15crewchief]

When I refer to Colt's "Dark Days" I was making reference to the UAW strike of the late 80's. Also as none of my issues were magazine related as not only did I use the OEM magazines, but Wilson 47Ds. It is hard to resist contemplating purchasing anotherdespite my experiences. A Carbonia blue O1911, O1918/ANVIII, O1970 and O1991 still look awful nice.

[montegomx70]

most of the posts about new colts on this and the 1911forum are very positive . mimbers ,remingtons,rugers and tauruses use more cast parts or
imported parts i will stick with my overpriced junky colts. look at the price of smith and wesson and dan wesson 1911's nobody complains they are
overpriced. a kia will get you from point a to point b just as well as a lincoln town car,guess what i want to drive.