I've got a few guns that don't see much use so I was going to part ways with them and pick up a new 1911. 1911 with rail is my preferred platform for a HD pistol; I just shoot them very well and intuitively. Which of the above would you pick and why? I'm leaning towards the Colt (queue the "if it's not a Colt it's a copy" replies), but I'm not sure about recent colts. This is similar to the Model that had a short time as the Marines issued side arm.
Ive ridden my safe of 1911s except one Colt the O1918. I love 1911s but everyone one of them were disengaging the safety while holstered, because of the the extended thumb safety. I went with the classic German made Sigs for my carry Guns. It’s my decision for safety.
Put me down in the Colt column! I have (3) Colt 1911s (series 70 Government, Defender 45 cal and a Delta Elite). I haven't shot a RO but I wouldn't have any second thoughts about having one. Apples to Apples my pick would be Colt. If you were to want to step up just a bit look at the Dan Wesson Specialist in either a Government or Commander model.
Put me down in the Colt column! I have (3) Colt 1911s (series 70 Government, Defender 45 cal and a Delta Elite). I haven't shot a RO but I wouldn't have any second thoughts about having one. Apples to Apples my pick would be Colt. If you were to want to step up just a bit look at the Dan Wesson Specialist in either a Government or Commander model.
+1 on upgrading to Dan Wesson.
Only own one 1911.
Decided to Buy Once, Cry Once -
Did have a Wilson Combat bulletproof tactical safety fitted for it.
Haven't has any issues with the WC safety :supergrin:
As an addendum to my other post, I will say....if Dan Wesson ever comes into the picture as a viable option...I would recommend them as well. I have 2 (both carry pieces and don’t have rails) and would bet my life on either without hesitation. Both the .45 and the 9mm have shot flawlessly since day one. They are tuned and fitted with complete precision. I would even argue that getting a top-tier piston like an Ed Brown or Baer is more a function of getting apiece of art...but from a form/function perspective, I don’t think anyone in the market today tops Dan Wessons’s $/value proposition. It, in my opinion, is the best bang for the buck (pun intended) in the 1911 market today (especially since many deals can be found periodically and are often announced on 1911 forums).
Here is a pic of my current 1911 inventory (note all three makers discussed in this thread are present - though the Colt is a 10mm Delta Elite - which also has a railed version!).
Spec-wise they are fairly similar. The Colt gets night sites and front strap checkering. The rest looks roughly the same to me. The Colt appears to be Series 80, the Springfield is a Series 70, so if you don’t like he difference in trigger feel a nod might go to the Springfield.
I own the RO Elite Operator and it is my home defense pistol. It’s beefy and weighty (all steel). Recoil is extremely manageable and it’s a pleasure to shoot. My copy has been flawless since day one. My only little complaint is how happy SA is to roll marks and graphics all over the slide of the pistol, but it doesn’t bother me too much. I have a Surefire x300 light on mine, so I don’t miss the night sights...and the front fiber-optic is a very nice touch for front sight acquisition. I wish the Springfield had front strap checkering but it was never a deal breaker for me.
For me it’s the Springfield, but I haven’t shot that particular Colt so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
Which ever one is the most reliable first.
If they are both equally reliable the one you shoot more accurately.
If you shoot both equally well then the one you like the best, i.e. the one that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
As an addendum to my other post, I will say....if Dan Wesson ever comes into the picture as a viable option...I would recommend them as well. I have 2 (both carry pieces and don’t have rails) and would bet my life on either without hesitation. Both the .45 and the 9mm have shot flawlessly since day one. They are tuned and fitted with complete precision. I would even argue that getting a top-tier piston like an Ed Brown or Baer is more a function of getting apiece of art...but from a form/function perspective, I don’t think anyone in the market today tops Dan Wessons’s $/value proposition. It, in my opinion, is the best bang for the buck (pun intended) in the 1911 market today (especially since many deals can be found periodically and are often announced on 1911 forums).
Here is a pic of my current 1911 inventory (note all three makers discussed in this thread are present - though the Colt is a 10mm Delta Elite - which also has a railed version!).
I'll be keeping an eye out on Dan Wesson, but until then, how about a comparison of the SA to the Wesson? Whats the extra money get you, and is it for function, quality, or actual performance....and of course, how much degree of each?
Throw the Colt up there too for comparison, even though it's 10mm.
Thanks for your post.
Wesson gets you more attention to detail, tighter tolerances, more hand-fitting, a more “understated” look, and probably a small audience at the range from time to time. These are mostly subjective. I can’t say it’s more or less accurate than the SA because my Wessons are CCO size and not full-size/Full weight. What all Wessons will bring that my RO Elite Operator doesn’t is a fully supported chamber and feed ramp. If you don’t plan on loading your own or shooting hot rounds, this likely won’t make any difference. Lastly my Wessons will gobble up anything. This is part of their reputation. Having said that, as does my SA...I haven’t had a failure of any kind. Both have about 800-1000 rounds through them and are relatively new additions to my safe.
Colt for me is a toy. I’m not terribly interested in using it for defense or carry because 10mm isn’t really suited for that purpose. It is more of a project gun for me. The quality is there no doubt, but it’s got some sharp edges (no deburring at all). I love to shoot it and am contemplating a mirror finish all-around. It’s heavy like the Elite is, and similarly the Colt doesn’t have the fully supported chamber like the RO Elites. The ROs come with a match barrel however, and this Colt doesn’t. It’s a pretty steep price point to get into 10mm (though inexpensive compared to some of its Kimber and Sig peers), ammo is expensive, and the RO Elite gives you way more bang for the buck.
My thoughts based on my personal experiences. Hope it helps!
I have both, but I would trust my SA ahead of a modern Colt. That is me, and my opinion, with my specific firearms in this specific time period. In other words, I’m not looking for a pissing contest with Colt aficionados.
My preferred 1911 is a lite weight wiley clap commander 04840wc and paid $1050 for new locally .
It has everything I want on 45acp 19111 that I can also conceal carry and only needed a sear spring adjustment to lighten the trigger pull to 4lbs . My HD handgun is what I also carrying !! Reason for something different from what I carry and shoot the most . I have no dedicated HD handgun . Even then a handgun is only use until my hands get on a 12ga .
I also don't want a light on a handgun to no rail is wanted . O keep a 950 lumen flash lightset to strobe to give me an advantage if ever needed .
And if you want me to get more specific for home defense, with a rail, I would recommend the Dan Wesson Specialist Black .45 ACP, but they have a compelling Stainless offering, or the Duty Finish (my favorite from them) as well!
I'll pick the SA RO Elite operator even with the silly sounding name. But personally, I'll get a Dan Wesson Valor or Specialist for whatever zombie battle comes.
I like Colt and believe the "Colt or a copy" thing. I have owned several Colt 1911's over the years.
On the other hand, the last time I decided to buy a 1911 was last year, after getting my first "leg points" in military service pistol competition. I wanted the best gun I could get to start competing with and a USAR pistol team shooter suggested the Springfield Armory Range Officer. I got one and it's an awesome gun, for WAY less than the Colt Gold Cup models that don't have as good a reputation. I have about $750 in mine, bought new.
Here are the first 3 shots I fired from it at 25 yards with Winchester white box ammo. The X ring is about the size of a penny on this target, so the overall spread is about 2 pennies wide, using iron sights and a sandbag rest (so most of that is probably my doing). I expect, with good ammo, it would do that at 50 yards.
Oh well, having problems getting a picture to show up on GT this morning.
It wasn’t a constant issue, but it did happen a few times. It made me uneasy carrying a 1911. I appreciate the da/sa system, plus I’m on the ANG wing marksmanship team. I have the transition trigger pretty well mastered with the M9. The Sigs are not much different, except they feel better to me.
I like the standard thumb safety on my carry guns. I am glad that my Defenders and my recently acquired Lightweight Commander Series 70 has the standard thumb safety because if they were to come with extended safeties, I would have swapped them out.
I went with the classic German made Sigs for my carry Guns. It’s my decision for safety.
My main pistol carry pieces are 3" Defender 9mm and the aforementioned Lightweight Commander Series 70 .38 Super. However, if I were to want to pack a .45ACP then I'd go with my SIG Sauer P245. The best damn compact .45ACP ever made - straight outta the Old Country and not those American junks.
I vote Colt. A few years back I attended Larry Vickers 1911 operator course and he said flatly out of the box the Colt was the way to go. They have the fewest mim parts of any brand and are the most likely to run without tinkering. I have had a dozen or so colts over the years and every one ran perfectly. My current is one of the M45A1 pistols and in about 10k plus hasn’t skipped a beat
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