Colt 1991 01091 Gov't Model Reliabilty

[Fallen Knight 0]

Hi all,

 

Anyone have experience with this gun? Is it reliable? Does it require extensive and frequent maintenance to run smoothly?

I've been shooting my Beretta 92a1 for a few months now, and would like to add a 1911 to my collection. I'd like an out of the box, reliable, durable, low-maintenance 1911...and was hoping this would fit the bill. Thank you all in advance for your advice!

 

 

[acaixguard 37]

This should be in the handguns section since we're talking about a centerfire 1911 right?

 

Anyhow, the 1991 is great base gun, as long as you don't mind the series 80 firing pin safety. It's a Colt, so you are getting a quality frame, slide and components.

 

I used to have a 1991 that served as a base model for a customized pistol. It shot great. In the end, I preferred having a series 70, but that's just me.

 

If you can't go for the Colt Series 70 reissue, then I say go for it!

[Fallen Knight 0]

Oh shoot! You're right! It's late at night and I accidentally posted it here in the rimfire pistols. My apologies! Without any upgrades/alterations, would you still say it'd be reliable? Like any failures in a few thousand rounds?

[acaixguard 37]

It's probably as reliable as any GI spec 1911 is gonna get. The barrel and feed ramp are not going to be throated properly for modern JHP rounds, but it should feed ball just fine. Also, you likely can't expect an out of the box base 1911 to have the proper extractor tension today.

 

If you really want a 1911 to enjoy, go for it, and you always have the option of sending it to a 1911 smith later to bring it up to modern specs. If you can shell out a few hundred more, try to find a Colt Series 70 repro, which not only doesn't have the series 80 firing pin safety, but will also make a nicer custom 1911 one day.

[checko 180]

I bought a used colt some time ago and it has been utterly reliable since I've brought it home. I've put thousands of rounds through it with no malfunctions.

[T Bill 649]

All my 1911s have ponies on them.  Jam, FTF, FTE, what are these terms you speak of?  Not in the ponies' vocabulary.  The SS GCNM is the stallion of the herd.

 

Check carefully most full size 1911s are not that far away in price.  The attached retail price list can help

 

ColtMSRP Price List 1-2014.pdf

[acaixguard 37]

Wow, the 1991 is not much cheaper than the Series 70. It's been years since I've looked at the price of the 1991, but back then, it was significantly cheaper.

I'd say in that case then, it's a no brainer. Go with a new Series 70 if you can. In my opinion, THE best base out of the box 1911 you can buy new today. Not that the 1991 is worse in quality, but there are a few reasons why the Series 70 is the more desired Colt.

[Fallen Knight 0]

Hmmm that is interesting and very good to hear! ....I had read on quite a few other forums about jams with the Colt when it comes to Hollow points, and how much work it takes to make them reliable and able to feed JHPs....When I say reliability and durability I think Glock....this may or may not be correct! I've held both the G21 Gen 4 and Colt, and I like both. Naturally, the Colt feels much better to hold. I know they are two totally different animals, but I am looking for a .45 I can stake my life on, without shelling out any other money.

[Jfoster99 80]

Wrong thread..

[T Bill 649]

I have a Colt GCNM with CMC 10 round power mags and a Glock 21G4.  For me in STHF situation, I would take the Colt first. Nothing against the Glock, but I find the Colt better balanced for me.  Hell I have been shooting it for more than 25 years.

[acaixguard 37]

Not saying the Colt 1991 or Series 70 aren't going to feed JHP, but keep in mind these pistols are built to USGI type specs. In that configuration, it was originally only meant to shoot ball ammo. Some gunsmithing can bring it up to modern specs. However, you can't ask for modern performance from a gun designed over 100 years ago, unless you are wiling to spend a good amount of money. And even then, it's debatable if it's as reliable as modern issue sidearms.

 

That said, as much as I am a proponent of reliability being top priority, sometimes you just want a classic firearm that speaks to you. If you really want a 1911, I say go for one of the Colts talked about previously, and shoot it a lot. Eventually, you will get a feel for what mods may be useful to you, and you can save up for getting it worked on by a reputable smith.

 

One thing I can tell you right off the bat, is to spend a little bit on quality magazines. Most 1911s come with crappy magazines from the factory. Get some Wilson Combat or McCormick PowerMags from the start.

 

My priorities for mods are in this order...

 

1. Reliability package (fit/tune extractor, throat barrel and polish feedramp, lower and flair ejection port, ensure plunger tube is staked solidly to the frame, etc).

2. Better sights

3. Good quality ignition components (hammer, sear, disconnector, trigger) and trigger job. Colt small components are supposed to be decent for factory parts. Replacing them will just take it to the next level.

 

Anything beyond this is more about ergonomics and aesthetics that are subjective to the shooter.

[BullzeyeNJ 104]

Colt is putting out some quality guns in the last few years. If you really want a Colt for the sake of having the Colt lineage and legacy then by all means get one. They will pretty much hold their value. If you decide to go custom then its the preferred base gun for most high end builds.

 

I agree with everything that acaixguard says in his post. One of my favorite custom 1911s happens to be built off a Colt 1991 base gun.

 

If you wanted the bells and whistles of a some of the things seen in a custom build then consider the Colt Wiley Clapp Series 70 Talo Edition. You get the front strap checkering, gold bead front sight, Novak rear sight, match barrel, and special grips for about $1500 delivered. I know a base model Series 70 goes for about $1000.

 

I know that I cannot resist the temptation to customize my base 1911s even though I say I wont. The only ones that stay untouched are the few that I have never or barely fired. Why do I mess with most of my 1911s? The factory triggers are not tuned so I have to get a trigger job or replace the parts, the factory sights leave a poor sight picture so I switch them out to something that is clear and visible to my eyes, and the spur hammer gives me hammer bite on my hand so I replace the grip safety with a beavertail to remedy this.

[DeerSlayer 241]

 

I have a government model 1911. couldn't tell you how it shoots because its still new in the box, along with a bunch of other guns in my safe I haven't shot yet.

 

 

[Fallen Knight 0]

She is a beauty! Thank you all for the information, it is much appreciated. Given that I am a student(thus cash strapped) I think I'll need to hold off on the Colt....for now. When I start earning a real Dentist's salary, hopefully then, I can consider picking one of these beauties up.

[T Bill 649]

Buy it now!  For two reasons. One, they only go up in price.  Buy it today and pay it back tomorrow with cheaper dollars.  Two, by the time your out of school, NJ will have so many new regulations, you might not even be able to get one.

 

There has not been one time I regretted buying a new firearm because of reasons other than the firearm itself.  Scrape, scrounge, do what you have to, but go for it now. You won't regret you did.

 

Trust me, that's what your grandfather did and why he still has it today. Colt quality lasts.

[acaixguard 37]

Also, don't compromise on what you want just because something else is cheaper. There are far more crappy 1911s out there than there are good ones, at any price point. A Colt is worth buying, so save your dollars until you can get one.

[Fallen Knight 0]

Absolutely, if I'm getting a 1911, it's gonna be a Colt, I've read up on them, handled them in stores(along with Kimbers, SAs, S&Ws etc), but the Colt always stood out. As for NJ regulations, I'm moving to PA in a week, so hopefully I'll be free of these Nazi-ish regulations for the foreseeable future. I'm gonna get both eventually...but right now, I wanna get a .45 that easy to to maintain, and above all reliable-enter Glock. Then hopefully a shotgun of some sort, an AR(hoping for a Colt LE6290 here!), then another pistol.

[DeerSlayer 241]

Mine was pretty reasonable as far as 1911's go think I paid around $1,100. Compared to a Wilson Combat, or a Les Baer the Colt is a bargain. Forget about Kimber when you can get a Colt for $4-500 less. Quality I would say is as good or better for less.