1991 vs. 1991A1

[Big_Sky_Cowboy]

Is there any difference between the Colt 1991 and the 1991a1? Thanks!

[Longslide]

do you mean the 1911 and the 1911A1??

http://m1911.org/full_history.htm

[garrettwc]

Is there any difference between the Colt 1991 and the 1991a1?
Yes. Mostly cosmetic, but there are differences. 1991A1 refers to what is commonly called the 'old rollmark' Colt from the 1990s. They looked like this:
http://nas4.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/062755000/62755617/pix2196885689.jpg

When the 'new rollmark' guns came out, Colt dropped the A1 designation. The new ones look like this:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/images/1991Series_O1991.jpg

[gc70]

If the question is not 1911A1 vs 1991, this may help regarding variations in the 1991 series.

ORM (old roll mark) 1991s have Colt M1991A1 on the slide. The product information label on the case says something similar to Colt and Model O1991 over the serial number and then M1991A1 over the caliber, barrel length, and finish.

NRM (new roll mark) 1991s have Colt's over Government Model and .45 Automatic Caliber on the slide. The product information label on the case says something similar to Colt and Model O1991 over the serial number and then Government Model over the caliber, barrel length, and finish.

[Hawkmoon]

If the question is not 1911A1 vs 1991, this may help regarding variations in the 1991 series.
That's helpful information ... the question specifically is 1991A1 vs. 1991

Is there any difference between the Colt 1991 and the 1991a1? Thanks!

[Big_Sky_Cowboy]

Thank you everyone for the help. I did indeed intend to say "1991A1" I had seen them both mentioned and just didn't know if there was a difference between them. Thanks to eveyone for clearing it up for me!

[mmcrow]

is a 1911A1 and 1991A1 pretty much the same or are they different. if you have a 1991A1 would you call it a 1911. is a 1911 just a style that covers 5" autoloaders single stack 45

[gc70]

Here's a quick and dirty recap of the basic Colt .45 ACP auto models:

1911 - the original as accepted for use by the US Army.
1911A1 - 1920s changes, the most obvious being arched vs flat MSH, short vs long trigger, and extended grip safety tang.
Mk IV Series 70 - renaming after many tiny incremental changes since the 1920s.
Mk IV Series 80 - firing pin safety added
1991A1 (aka ORM 1991) - "value line" reflecting less expensive finishing
1991 (aka NRM 1991) - improved finishing

They are all 1911s, differing only in details, although some people are fairly passionate about particular details, such as the firing pin safety.

1911s can also come in different barrel lengths and slide lengths and frame heights. Colt's 5" 1911s are the Government Model, 4.25" guns are Commanders, etc.

[OD*]

is a 1911 just a style that covers 5" autoloaders single stack 45
Unfortunatley, "1911" has become a generic term used for all 1911 style pistols.

The best description I've read is this one by member Scott Gahimer.


Just so we all understand.... a pistol produced for the commercial market by Colt is a Government Model, regardless of whether or not it has the 1924 improvements. These pistols will have a C prefix or suffix.

M1911 is a military model designation for military pistols shipped 1912 through 1919, and only refers to pistols produced under contract for the United States Government. Serial range is 1-629500.

M1911A1 is a military model pistol produced in either 1924, or 1937-1945. Serial range is 700001-2660318 and only refers to pistols produced under contract for the United States Government.

The military M1911 and M1911A1 pistols do NOT have a C prefix or suffix. They do have an No (o is underlined) or NO. serial number prefix before the serial number.

The military pistols produced in 1924 were originally designated the Improved Model of 1911. However, in 1926 the M1911A1 designation was approved and made retroactive to include all military pistols in the 700xxx serial range and after, which included the 1924 production military pistols.

Colt's specifically picked the name Government Model for their commercial series of pistols in order to boost interest and sales by promoting the idea that it was the same basic pistol that had been accepted by the military.


Scott Gahimer