What did you do now, Bruce? Well – I went to the pawn shop alone – my Blushing Bride was not with me – the little darling followed me home – I know! – No Adult Supervision! That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it . . .
A Colt 01911C / Blued Finish / In God’s caliber (45acp) of course! ( I was all alone – no other Colts – just wasn’t playing well with the others )
An interesting piece from Colt – it’s what they are calling a “Government Model” “Classic” series- the slide cuts are 80 series, but it has no firing pin block – so it’s a 70 series – right?
Let’s us dive headfirst in it shall we?
This is pretty much a new pistol – a few scritches – very light – on the right side of the slide (see the pics above) – no blemishes on the finish (more on that later) – no slide to frame break in scuffs – slide to frame fit really tight – if I had to guess? Less than 50 rounds through it . . .
Colt is calling this a “Classic” – it comes across with an interesting “pick and choose” blend of features . . .
In no particular order – – –
SIGHTS – Colt calls them “High Profile Standard” – they are not 3 dot – they are not “GI” sights – the Cimmaron nickel sights are “GI” pattern . . .
The front sight is obvious – higher and wider / the rear sight is taller and has a deeper and wider notch . . .
Black on black – but – much easier to pick up (see) than “GI” sights . . .
TRIGGER – It has a definite “short” trigger – short vs long being how far does the trigger comes forward into the trigger guard – the “shorter” the trigger – the easier a gloved finger goes in is the easiest way to put it . . . Damn Bruce – that don’t even sound right!
LEFT TO RIGHT – short trigger on the Colt Classic – GI trigger on the Cimmaron nickel – Current production RIA long trigger on the flat dark earth – and I have no qualms using the Cimmaron as a base for a “GI” model – they are close enough that the S.A.S.S. allows them to be used in “Wild Bunch” competition . . .
It has an aluminum serrated trigger – there is the ever so slightest creep through to the break – maybe 2 thousandths or so – you really have to be looking for it to notice it – either take it all apart and do a light polish or go to the range and put a couple hundred rounds through it to get everything and everyone happy and playing well together – the actual trigger break? Not too shabby – here’s the average for 10 pulls –
The finish is blue (?) – quite good with zero inconsistencies or blems – quite a bit of black in it to just call it blue – and it’s not just camera color saturation or your monitor color settings – it’s hard to call it “blue” when you are holding it – but blue is what Colt is calling it . . .
A few things that make you go – Say What??
70 series – 80 series – “Classic” Government Model – GI Model – or what exactly?
The barrel hood profile is 80 series – it’s about 13 thousandths narrower side to side than the “GI” barrel . . .
Disassembly notch – “GI” top vs 80 series / bottom – the 80 series makes it easier to field strip without pulling the spring plug out – you don’t have to move the slide as far to the rear . . .
The grips appear to be laminate – not slab cut – but good looking but laminate.
Main Spring Housing is serrated – originally the MSH was smooth – it’s also some type of delrin or nylon – not metal – at least it’s not arched (remember Colt is calling it a “Classic”) – for an EDC my personal preference is arched . . . see the pic of the RIA flat dark earth above
So . . . it’s not a straight up 1911 – it’s not an A1 (1917) – it’s not a 1926 civilian – it’s not a 70 series – it’s not an 80 series – BUT – it is current production that feels real good in the hand – all of that – and some other stuff – almost like a committee of schizophrenics put it together – what’s the bottom line??
Again – looks good and feels good in the hand -reminds you of a mid to late 80’s Norinco (if you ever get a chance to fondle AND shoot a good one? Just WOW – close to a religious experience) – it’s a 1911 and it’s a Colt – at this point what’s not to love – I do believe a range trip is coming up soon – LOL!
If you run up on a gently (and let me emphasize – GENTLY!) used one on the market, you can save 1/3 or more the cost of a new one – if you just must have a new one – by all means – you have my permission – no doubt worth the 1200 monies retail – it just depends on what and exactly how YOUR boat floats. Just to let you know – KYGUN.COM has them with no sights and I believe that’s also no roll marks either, not sure on that – they are listing at $849 . . . And yes, I know they are not roll marks – they are laser engraved – more cost efficient – not as much “personality” as roll marks – but progress is progress – sigh . . .
I will get a few boxes of 230 grain hardball in the next week or two and run it a little – just to see how it runs – I have every 45acp magazine I possess loaded and I’m down to my bottom limit on 45acp stash of 2000 rounds – so at this point it’s buy and shoot – just won’t go any deeper into my stash – Remember folks – It is far better to have two thousand or so rounds of a particular caliber and not need it than to suddenly have a need for a large quantity of it and only have 50 or so rounds on hand . . .
And since I’m feeling particularly generous today – one more bit of free advice – An empty magazine does you absolutely NO good!
There you go – no extra charge . . .
I’ll pick up some more 45acp and run about 200 or so rounds through the little darling – do a deep clean on it – then get you a post up with some final thoughts on it . . .
Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!
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