Don’t mind my rambling – it’s one of those weeks – This may actually drag out longer than I’m thinking – it might take a day or three to get it put together – from your point of view you probably won’t notice – LMAO!
So, in response to consumer pressure (yep, I was shocked as everyone else!) Colt released the M1991A1 – in 1991 obviously. Many people were wanting a new production Colt “GI” 1911 – Several U.S. manufacturers were producing them as well as the importation of different brands at that time -It was a truly “must have” item at the time – even allowing for the 80 Series firing pin block . . .
These were not inexpensive for the time – Norinco 1911’s were referred to as 2fers – 300 bucks for 2 Norinco 1911’s – a GOOD used car for 300 bucks -or 308 bucks MSRP for a Colt M1991A1 – and depending on which distributor your FFL was dealing with, the Norinco’s could be had for less by purchasing more – at the time SKS’s could be had for a little as 90 bucks a copy (and YOU clean the cosmoline off – LOL!) if you were buying 5 at a time.
Most everyone out there sorta knocks Sig for coming out with 3700 or so variants of the same gun – who do you think they learned that trick from?? If you said Colt – you’re right! Think about it – Colt only made 3 basic guns like forever – S.A.A. – Single Action Army / Double Action revolvers / and 1911’s – all of them in about a zillion variants – but the same 3 guns! The 1911 had gotten so far from what it started as – a straightforward no frills duty / combat pistol – this plain Jane was almost a breath of fresh air . . .
interesting side note: Colt started numbering them from the end of WW2 production numbers . . .
It was a brand new “government” model – as Colt envisioned one to be produced – circa 1991 – they were mucho desired by most 1911 fans – myself included. And in all honesty – for a “duty” or “combat” pistol – the firing pin block difference in the trigger pull quickly fades into the background for the majority of people – except the bullseye/target freaks. But let us not go down that rabbit hole today – OK?
The real appeal? It was not an attempt to produce yet another “upgrade” model – it was strictly a duty /combat pistol – almost a down grade model – essentially if Colt were to produce base government models again – this would be it – no high polish deep blue that you wouldn’t even think about putting in a holster – no burl wood grips – just hard rubber grips- no adjustable sights (you can drift the rear sight – that’s it) – just straight utilitarian.
A delrin/nylon straight mainspring housing – serrated – the trigger is the same material and smooth – but the serrations on the MSH and the high profile standard sights are the limit of the fancy stuff.
The finish is in black – a parkerized variant – but smooth – the lettering on the slide is a real blocky style – again nothing fancy . . .
And it shoots like a 1911 – round after round in an 8 inch circle at 25 feet – pretty much point and shoot – it will eat 230 grain ball all day – super high-tech jet fighter space force hollow points? I wouldn’t know – it was designed for hardball and I have no issue using them in any given circumstance – they simply run through the gun and make .45-inch holes in just about anything you would shoot with a handgun.
What are YOUR thoughts on this pistol? Carry with no hesitation? Too plain Jane? Something with a little more bling to it? I feel the same way about 1911 pistols (and clones) as I do about S&W revolvers – for a given piece to scratch a definitive “itch” I could talk myself into an “upgraded” variant (and I have on more than one occasion) – but – I have gotten to the point where if it ain’t gonna be used (think carried and shot regularly) – my interest drops off considerably . . .
Seriously folks – if the price point was “there” I would not mind a war production “GI” model. However the prices have gotten to the point where my nose starts bleeding just stumbling through listings on Gunbroker . . .
I know a gentleman that carries a 1911 that his great-grandfather bought new in 1925 or 6 – that’s a little beyond me . . .
Part 2 of this will be a look at the newest rescue – the Colt 0911C . . .
Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!
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