Colt WWI opinions...

[N.Franklin]

Id like to buy the Colt reissue WWI model for a collector just to say I have a Colt built to the orignial specs. Its not going to sit in a safe all the time, I want to shoot it once in a while. What are some opinions from people who have dished out the $900 for this gun already?

[dsk]

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/ww1replica/

[TriumphGT6]

I've seen a few on retailer's shelves hereabouts and the price is typically around $1050, so if you can get one for $900, you're already ahead of me. :p

They appear to be really nicely made. They have a unique finish called "carbonia blue" which on the examples I've seen, is a little less black and more blue than the standard blue finish. That may however have something to do with the final polish as well, which was done on a wire wheel I guess. The polish pretty closely simulates the finish on a fine Colt M1917 revolver in my collection. Wartime production, dontcha know!

There are a few departures from the originals, which a knowledgeable 1911 collector will spot right away I guess, but unless you've got an original to compare it with, it looks like a very fine copy and would be hard to tell from an original from, oh, arm's length. The most obvious giveaway is the "Colt 45 Auto" stamping on the barrel, visible through the ejector port. US law demands that, I understand. The originals didn't have that stamping.

It'll absolutely never be as interesting to a collector as a genuine veteran, nor should it be. But like any gun in limited production, its price will rise over time-- but in general, guns are a lousy investment. Even investment grade guns are a lousy investment. If that doesn't deter you from shooting it, go ahead sir and have fun. But remember "new in box" guns of any type will resell for higher dollar than even the cleanest shooter.

[N.Franklin]

Last one I saw was NIB at a gun show in Austin for $920. The same show is in Austin every 3rd weekend of every month. If I have the money in I will pick it up this month, being they still have them in stock.

[Bruce]

Does anyone know a dealer who may have a Colt WWI replica in stock...
It seems, there are none available here in Central Pennsylvania.
A dealers name, phone number, and price would be greatly appreciated. I have never had the occasion to look at one...I liked the originals and have wanted one for some time. I intend on shooting/carry it.
Thanks in advance...

[Hawkmoon]

I liked the originals and have wanted one for some time. I intend on shooting/carry it.
If your primary purpose in buying is shooting and carry, rather than historical accuracy, I respectfully suggest that a Colt Series 70 or a Springfield GI might be a better choice. There were reasons why the design was "tweaked" into the M1911A1, particularly the scallops behind the trigger and the shorter trigger. I think you'll find that an A1 style frame is more comfortable to shoot.

Choice of mainspring housing is up to you. I know the arched style is correct for an A1 but I find the flat style more comfortable.

[N.Franklin]

I carry a Springfield GI, I would recommend the Colt only if you plan to collect it. Buy the Springfield if you plan to use it for more than the range.

[Bruce]

Hawkmoon
N.Franklin...

Thank you both for your advice and direction, it is well recieved by me.
However...I have several .45 autos that I shoot, namely a Les Baer Super-Tac, and now I find I most often carry a Springfield Armory Micro Compact, fits nicely in my jacket pocket, its two tone and came with Novak night sights. And...for longer than I like to remember I carried a Sig P-220...all in .45 ACP. I still have all of them...and in November of last year qualified with my P-220.
The Les Baer Super-Tac is quite a boring gun...never malfunctions and is incredably accurate. The P-220 Sig is the same. I previously had some bad/dangerous experiences with a Colt Pattern of 1911 .45 Automatic.
The reason I write this all is...I remember looking every day at an originial Colt WWI and wanting it. Sigh! But...then it was not available. And my personal resources at the time would not allow it even if it was available.
Trigger cuts...my fingers are long and I use the front pad of my index finger to "press the trigger", on the Colt Pattern pistols I now have, they are installed withflat mainspring housings!
The 70 series is certainly a consideration for me...and looks more promissing as I move forward with this project.
Thank you both again I will post should this ever materialize.

Semper Fi

Ps. If the prices continue to climb...I may buy a used origional.

[Wes Janson]

www.snipercountrypx.com

When I ordered mine, he told me that he gets in 1-2 WWI Replicas every month or two. Just tell him you're interested, and he'll notify you as soon as he gets one. In my case, he got two in the day after I e-mailed him, and that was pretty much that.

Personally, I really like the configuration of the M1911. Hammer bite isn't possible with my hands, so the hammer/safety configuration works well for me. To me, checkering makes a gun uncomfortable. Smooth mainspring+front strap=great hold. I'm not very familiar with arched mainsprings housings, but I really don't find it necessary to me.

The differences between the Replica and an original WWI-era 1911 aren't very easy to spot. The barrel marking is fairly well concealed, and they spent a great deal of attention to detail.

[Bruce]

Wes...

Thanks for the info on Snipercountry...I called yesterday and left a message, as yet I did not hear back from them.
During my idle time yesterday I was surfing the web, I...quite by happnestance located one out of state. I bought and paid for it by telephone. Now I must do the gymnastics with FFL's so as they may ship it. The dealer will allow me a three day inspection period to decide if I want the pistol. I had expressed concerns about the bluing matching on the frame and slide. He assued me he had the pistol in hand and all bluing matched.
Again...thanks to all who have written and any thoughts of participation!!
I will write more when the gun arrives with my initial thoughts and the guns performance.
Oh! Had the occasion yesterday to handle a genunine origional Colt 1911 U S Army...refinished by Turnball Restoration...wow realy nice gun. Pricely though. Also looked at a new 70 series...both keepers form my view point.
Semper Fi

Bruce

[Bruce]

Wes...

Forgot to ask...
Do you shoot your Replica? And, how does it shoot...i.e. accuracy, any malfunctions, feel, etc.? Your basic impressions?
Thanks.
Bruce

[Dapropman]

Hmmmmmm.... hate to say it but I have an original WW1 1911. Inherited it from my dad's collection. It shoots as nice as my Springfield Mil-spec. The frame and slide are a bit worn but it still slides as easy as anything.


Take care.

[Bruce]

I received my WWI replica yesterday...
A thing of beauty for certain it is! I disasembled it for cleaning, and lubing. Craftmanship was really good...much better than any of the older Colt's I have looked at. Slide was tight...trigger pull exceptional for a factory gun...just a little creep though, trigger-let off was crisp. Left grip panel was rough in one area...looks as though the checkering tool pulled the wood fiber while checkering... Colt customer service said just send them back and they will replace them. I have an extra set so I will not have to do without while waiting for the replacements. A minor inconvieance...but nonetheless an inconvieance!
I did a quick comparison with my Les Baer Super-Tac and Springfield Armory Micro.... Hmmm Super-Tac looked monsterous in size comparison.
Initial impressions... Truely, a thing of beauty. John Moses Browing, simply got it right the first time around. Sights are hard to see though!
I may get to the range this morning to see how it shoots... I had toooo many Heffe Weissen last night, so its going to be a shaky shooting session for certain.
Oh! Almost forgot. The feed ramp in the frame is smooth and polished, the barrel chamber was smooth and no sharpe edges on the breech face to cause hangups. The rifling was sharpe and crisp... Wow...seem Colt has cleaned up there act!!
Without a doubt...better fit and finish than any origional I have seen.

Semper Fi

Bruce

[Bruce]

Greetings..

I had the occasion to go to the range yesterday, I put the new Colt WWI Replica through some shooting paces. Fired about 150 rounds of ammo, first were 230 gr. hard ball. Then 50 rounds of Federal Hydra Shock... The pistol fed everything without a hitch, oh, two different brands of ball ammo.
This pistol is more accurate than any other Colt's (factory origional) I have shot.
Complaints! The sights are very fine, at times difficult to see, especially at an indoor range with low lighting, but...quite managable. And, in some respects you can even place shots more precisely at different targets!
Trigger needs some tuning though...to reduce the weight of trigger pull, and eliminate the small amount of creep. No hammer bite for me from this pistol.
I like this pistol...a lot! I will keep it for certain, once again a thing of beauty!

Semper Fi

Bruce