New guy with new Colt, and possible problem?

[.45autofan]

This is my first post here.
Anyway, I ordered this online and picked it up from my local dealer yesterday.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/762mmFMJ/DSCN0400.jpg

After I got it home and took it apart to clean off the shipping oil, I noticed a couple things. The slide flats are lower on one side than the other, and the barrel bushing seems poorly fitted. Here are some pics.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/762mmFMJ/DSCN0386.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/762mmFMJ/DSCN0416.jpg

What do ya'll think? Should I send it back to Colt? Or, are these "flaws" nothing to be concerned about, and I should just enjoy it for what it is, a simple, no-nonsense self defense tool. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, so I don't know how it shoots.

[Canuck-IL]

Well, with the price of things these days, if it bugs you I'd at least see what Colt says. Call them and find someone to whom you can mail the pics. Take a couple more and ensure that the rear sights are dead level in the frame. Also try a couple of slight angles on the bushing to clearly show your area of concern.
/Bryan

[paul45]

I would have never, EVER, noticed the slide flat differences. It might be I am not that knowledgable to even notice....most likely, it's that I am not that picky. The bushing....I can only say it is your piece...if it bothers you, I would certainly call Colt about it and tell them of your displeasure in the fitting. Good Luck to you and I would be interested in hearing what you wind up doing about it.

[lindermant]

the bushing on my recently purchased NRM commander looks the same. I checked the backside of my slide, and at first glance I thought my slide flats were mis-matched.

I pulled the slide off and measured the height of the flats on both sides and they are the same, but my rear sight is slightly off-center to the right (came that way from the factory and it is hitting where I want it go).

Have you measured your slide flats? Any chance your rear sight is off center giving an optical illusion?

[.45autofan]

the bushing on my recently purchased NRM commander looks the same. I checked the backside of my slide, and at first glance I thought my slide flats were mis-matched.

I pulled the slide off and measured the height of the flats on both sides and they are the same, but my rear sight is slightly off-center to the right (came that way from the factory and it is hitting where I want it go).

Have you measured your slide flats? Any chance your rear sight is off center giving an optical illusion?

I'll have to check that out and get back to you later. I don't have the pistol handy right now since I'm not at home.

[Joni Lynn]

The slide sure looks wrong............I'd call Colt and see what can be done.

[.45autofan]

Here is another pic I have of the back of the slide.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/762mmFMJ/DSCN0424.jpg

[larry starling]

I would have never, EVER, noticed the slide flat differences. It might be I am not that knowledgable to even notice....most likely, it's that I am not that picky. The bushing....I can only say it is your piece...if it bothers you, I would certainly call Colt about it and tell them of your displeasure in the fitting. Good Luck to you and I would be interested in hearing what you wind up doing about it.
I have to agree with Paul. Give Colt a call and see what they say.... ;)

[Hunter]

Welcome to the forum and Colts. I reckon I am not smart enough to be bothered by such things. I did not notice the slide rails.
It is up to you and Colt's customer service is second to none so if you do decide to give them a call I am sure they will help you out.

[Hersh]

.45Autofan,

This is a Colt and you have every right to have high expectations. Colt stands behind their products so my advice is, "call them." You have eveything to gain, nothing to lose and the phone call will cost you nothing.

Welcome to the forum!

[dakota1911]

Nice pictures. I am thinking I need to put a new blued Commander on my "to buy" list. I guess I would shoot it and look at the performance and wear patterns. If it really bothers you then do send it back to Colt.

[TattooPaul]

Hi Autofan!
If I were in your shoes I would get pics and an e-mail to Colt. While it is an aesthetic issue with the top of the slide I think that I would prefer one that was symetrical. I looked at all of mine and they are not as yours appears. All of my bushings fit tighter to the front of the slide as well. Take some pics and contact Mark Roberts by e-mail. His contact info is on the Colt listing on the manufacturer's page that you used to get here. He is helping me with a finish issue on the MSH of my WW1Repro and will be glad to help. Colt stands by their products exceptionally well and will no doubt act to your satifaction.
Welcome to the forum, too! Lot's to learn and read here. Enjoy the ride!

[John]

Darn this is bad! I mean if I have noticed the difference in the slide, I would hate it every time I aim the pistol and see that. I guess that has to be send to Colt to have it fixed.

As for the bushing, although it is not certainly correct, a little movement along the barrel axis is not important, what is important is the vertical or sideways movement.

I would call Colt for this one.

[JTWard01]

I swear, it looks like the top curve of that slide has a slightly different radius on the right than on the left. It's not much, but it sure looks to me that the curve on the right side is slightly flatter than the left side curve. There seems to be more distance between the hammer channel and the edge of the slide on the left than on the right.

[Dustoff '68]

Not to woryy Autofan....Colt warranty and repair service is typically top notch...there are hundreds, if not thousands of Colt owners who have had to send their new 1911's back to Colt for a variety of reasons; there are many gun forums out their, and many of their members have posted issues with their Colts right out of the box; the good thing is that Colt will make it right.

[HercPilot]

Autofan,
I can't see the problem with the slide. Are you saying the height on each side is different? Thanks Edit: I see it now the sight is canted a little or a litlle to the left..correct?



Dustoff '68,
Where did you get those "facts"?

Thanks,
HercPilot

[BobOsten]

I would send it back to Colt. Just for your peace of mind. I know if it was mine, everytime I took aim I would be thinking about the possible flaws. Good luck. Colt is a good company.

[Dustoff '68]

Autofan,
I can't see the problem with the slide. Are you saying the height on each side is different? Thanks Edit: I see it now the sight is canted a little or a litlle to the left..correct?



Dustoff '68,
Where did you get those "facts"?

Thanks,
HercPilot

There are numerous postings and threads on the web on many gun forums regarding the number of defective Colt pistols that get to the consumer...of course, we could dismiss ALL anecdotal evidence as whiney, picky, Colt loving consumers who are determined find fault with everything Colt, but I too have had QC issues with Colts that I have owned in the last 10+ years or so. I don't know if you see it, but it is plain as day that one side of his slide is higher than the other...I don't find that acceptable...do you? As for the "facts", I will defer to Colt to tell us the actual numbers of their 1911's that have had to be returned for quality issues; I am not so sure that they, nor any gun manufacturer is willing to tell us the "facts". What I do know now, is that customer service is second to none...unlike the "attitude" I received years ago when I called them to point out that the roll marks on an ORM 1991 were barely discernible, and uneven...I was left with no option other than to sell the gun at a loss. Thankfully, that poor customer service has changed...as well as my attitude towards Colt products;

[.45autofan]

I contacted Mark Roberts via e-mail, and referred him to this thread.
He suggested I shoot it first, and then send it back to Colt. He said the problem can be corrected. I will keep you all updated.

[JustinTime]

There are numerous postings and threads on the web on many gun forums regarding the number of defective Colt pistols that get to the consumer...of course, we could dismiss ALL anecdotal evidence as whiney, picky, Colt loving consumers who are determined find fault with everything Colt, but I too have had QC issues with Colts that I have owned in the last 10+ years or so. I don't know if you see it, but it is plain as day that one side of his slide is higher than the other...I don't find that acceptable...do you? As for the "facts", I will defer to Colt to tell us the actual numbers of their 1911's that have had to be returned for quality issues; I am not so sure that they, nor any gun manufacturer is willing to tell us the "facts". What I do know now, is that customer service is second to none...unlike the "attitude" I received years ago when I called them to point out that the roll marks on an ORM 1991 were barely discernible, and uneven...I was left with no option other than to sell the gun at a loss. Thankfully, that poor customer service has changed...as well as my attitude towards Colt products;

So basically your saying that your hard evidence comes from possible ficticious internet based claims...thats educated. You should only make claims of evidence on thing you know. So I guess the defect you've experienced personlly over the past ten years are valid. Unless you've owned hundreds of Colts in that time that you've had to send in for repair; your statement lacks factual evidence. Internet posts are not hard evidence.
Because of your post I'm going to go change my signature right now.

[JustinTime]

.45autofan, as some others have stated I don't know that I would have noticed it. However, if I did I would definately take Marks advice as you probably will.

[Dustoff '68]

So basically your saying that your hard evidence comes from possible ficticious internet based claims...thats educated. You should only make claims of evidence on thing you know. So I guess the defect you've experienced personlly over the past ten years are valid. Unless you've owned hundreds of Colts in that time that you've had to send in for repair; your statement lacks factual evidence. Internet posts are not hard evidence.
Because of your post I'm going to go change my signature right now.



....a quite not so subtle personal attack on my observations and experiences, let alone a definite tone of condenscation and arrogance.... to each his own...I am assuming you are including the potential for fictitious claims here on these forums as well? I don't know if there is an ignore feature here, but you have earned my IGGY award. Have a nice day.

[John]

Cool it off gentlemen, we have a warning for personal attacks.

[JustinTime]

....a quite not so subtle personal attack on my observations and experiences, let alone a definite tone of condenscation and arrogance.... to each his own...I am assuming you are including the potential for fictitious claims here on these forums as well? I don't know if there is an ignore feature here, but you have earned my IGGY award. Have a nice day.

One thing...

Why be subtle? Your not. I'm a pretty straight forward guy. I typed what I though same as you. I'm sorry it rubs you wrong. I'm not condesending to anyone nor do I think I'm better than anybody else here.

Have a good day as well.

[paul45]

I'm not subtle either.
there are hundreds, if not thousands of Colt owners who have had to send their new 1911's back to Colt for a variety of reasons;Back up your outlandish claim with facts from an established source. Until you can, you are just another unreliable source of errornet dis-information.


Beware of persons who make unsubstanstiated claims and who try to sell WWI Re-pros for 1700 dollars....... :nono:

[JustinTime]

Cool it off gentlemen, we have a warning for personal attacks.

Yes sir...done.

[HercPilot]

Sorry I said anything. I like to see it in writing and have really ticked off a lot of my instructors since I began flying many years ago. I own more than a few Colts and yes some have blemishes to include the dreaded off center slide on one of my series 80s when viewed from the front. I never noticed it until I joined this site. I'm scared to mess with that one because it shoots so well. My apologies for starting an argument.

HercPilot

[Dustoff '68]

What I have noticed Herc, particularly on this site, that there are some who go to extraordinary lengths to bash and flame anyone who makes more than just a casual reference to Colts and QC issues...it doesn't matter if one is a Colt fan...say anything negative about a Colt, and the personal attacks begin...it doesn't stop their....the resentment monster rears its ugly head, and then you have those who will follow your every word, and find as much fault as is humanly possible with those words...I am a firm believer that the more you bring up these QC issues, the more attention Colt will pay attention...this concept is very much like the difference between QA and QC issues in medicine...in the past, QA meant that you never admit to your mistakes, nor make any statements pertaining to dangerous practices, for fear of being ostracized, or worse. QA today now means bringing out in the open potential problems so that those problems can be addresed, and no retribution will be brought against that individual...makes for better and safer medicine. Unfortunately for some here, bringing out in the open any Colt mistakes is inviting less than flattering responses.

[OD*]

Enough........

[BobOsten]

Let's put this to rest and go to the range and have fun shooting this great firearm! Bob O

[Hunter]

Well since this thread has served it useful purpose I think it is time it was laid to rest.