Colt 1911

[s4alex]

So, over the weekend, we picked up our two new additions to the armory. A Gen4 Glock 23 and a Remington 870. Took them to the range and broke them in proper with about 200 rounds through the Glock and about 25 through the Remington. Not a single FTF or FTE through either. Used Factory New, Reloads, Factory surplus, glock ate them all.

So, now my wife is aching for her 45.. She has been eyeballing a Kimber, but I believe I have swayed her to get a Colt.

Now comes the decision on which one. We have a budget of around $1200, give or take.

Needs:
Stainless or Satin Finish
Full size (Government)

Wants (but, not deal breaker:
Night Sites (if it doesnt have it, can always add it later)
Rail (could do with or without)


I have been trying to going over all the models and am now completely overwhelmed and confused and need some guidance. This is not going to be a EDC or CCW, mainly range and nightstand duty (RAND, yes you heard it hear first.. RAND)

This will be for my wife, so yes she wants it to be pretty. I will also use it, so I want it functional.

Colt XSE
Colt Rail Gun
Delta Gold (do they make this in 45, kept seeing 10mm)
Colt MKIV
Series 70? Series 80?


Any guidance would be appreciated.

[zdragon]

By zdagon52 at 2011-04-16

[giants_fan24]

Colt XSE are very nice, I know I have 2 of them

[JanG]

i believe delta is the designation for 10mm colts. not sure if they make the rail gun in stainless, but the xse is and that should be the closest to what you need/want.

[subrosa]

I have the xse in govt ss, it has been great. Some don't like the duckbill grip safety, but I figured I could always have a beavertail custom fit.

[Ripon83]

I maybe wrong but I thought the XSE was your only new option for a Colt Govt. Model 45 1911? I don't think theyve even put their anniversary guns or the 1991 models on the list have they? I gotta go back and look.

Not sure where you are but someone has had a nice looking series 80 in the market place from the San Fran bay area for about $1k for some time. He's gotten no takers at that price. I see them on gun broker and they seem to be about 750/800 and its the bright stainless which Colt does a nice job of. Still I don't think you can buy one out of state and have it come in.

I've seen used ones on the market place from $850/925 that look quite worn.

Most of them I don't see with night sites and none of the older one's have rails.

I'm always looking, but its out of my budget right now so I just bought an RIA Tactical...my total cost with all fees and taxes was $520 and I could spend that in a single month and not have to save up for anything If I wanted to go Colt it'd take me a few months to save up. Which I probably will some day.

[jonzer77]

The xse is nice because it has a lot of the features you usually end up adding later but I am not a big fan of the roll marks on it. Then there is the 1991 (01991 or 01091) but it a little bit more rough but I love the classic looking roll marks on it. It is a basic GI model though and makes a great base gun. These are the only models on the "safe" list and I would recommend the xse since it would more suit your purpose. Buds had a blued model xse for $920 a month ago but they are currently out. If you can find a ffl in your area that has a good transfer fee and doesnt charge use tax then it would be a good deal. There is a shop here in Watsonville with a stainless xse for $1199 that is looking for a good home.

Here is my 1991 Colt

[Q619]

I had an XSE, it was a great gun! Pretty solid purchase as you get some great upgrades straight from the factory. Only thing is the safety....you'll want a beavertail to replace the factory duckbill ( can't remember what it's called) and might want a checkered steel mainspring housing as well to replace the plastic. Apart from that, it's a hell of a gun. Mine was accurate, reliable and had a great trigger for a sub $1k gun!

[movie zombie]

i love my blue colt mark iv officers' .45acp.......fits my hand and i bought it from another calgunner. for $850 [if i remember right].
mz

[s4alex]

Okay, so it may look like we have a Colt XSE Stainless Rail Government in our near future...

[melman]

I love mine.

[GW]

Check out the Combat Elite from Colt as well
A great gun!

[Cyc Wid It]

Colt Series 70 Repro.

[Ripon83]

???

Isn't that the 1991?

Colt Series 70 Repro.

[s4alex]

So, really, what is the difference between all the models? They are all basically a 1911, rather THE 1911.

Finish? Sights? What will one model get me vs another? Series 70 vs 80? I was looking at the specs and it all seems to be close to the same?

I still like that Stainless XSE rail.. what would the combat elite provide that a XSE Rail would not?