Reliability of Current Colt 1911's

[niceone]

Do you think that the current Colt 1911s are reliable out of the box? Many 1911's need throating, ejector change, extractor tune, etc. to make it reliable. Assuming that you bought it new and you intend to use only the magazines supplied with it, will the 1911 perform without a hiccup?

[JustinTime]

Do you think that the current Colt 1911s are reliable out of the box?

Nope...I know they are reliable out of the box. I have run into exactly zero current model Colts that have been unreliable. The few Colts I have had experience with have all run like champs. That is not to say that 100% of Colts that leave the factory will run the way I have experienced. I'm pretty confident that 95% of the new colt run without issues though.

[swampthang]

I have three different models of NIB colts. Every one has been flawless! I think every manufacturer has a hiccup or two,even the top dollar customs. But for my money the NIB Colts are the way to go. Just my 2 cents.

[OD*]

Do you think that the current Colt 1911s are reliable out of the box?
They have been for me.

Many 1911's need throating, ejector change, extractor tune, etc. to make it reliable.
Some do, it's not a matter of Colt's alone though.
New Colt's are throated, with the exception of the replicas.

Assuming that you bought it new and you intend to use only the magazines supplied with it, will the 1911 perform without a hiccup?
Again, mine have.

[NRMCOLT]

Do you think that the current Colt 1911s are reliable out of the box?
I KNOW for a fact that my NRM Gov't has had only one stovepipe issue(and maybe it's my fault)for around 1300+ rounds down range, other than that, it's been boringly reliable. Oh, and mine is a NIB and I used the original Colt mags and 2 CMC Shooting Star mags.

Many 1911's need throating, ejector change, extractor tune, etc. to make it reliable.
*Putting on flame suit* :D
This is the reason I think have made many a Pistolsmith rich and many a Plumbersmith ruined many a nice 1911.

[Hawkmoon]

Assuming that you bought it new and you intend to use only the magazines supplied with it, will the 1911 perform without a hiccup?
After having tried several other brands of magazine, I now buy ONLY Colt-brand magazines for all my single-stack 1911s. I have had zero success with finding any other brand that is reliable.

[Hunter]

I can say in all honesty that my Colts being bought new or used are all stock except 1 a lightly modified Series 70 Gold Cup National Match and none have ever had a pistol failure.
My Gold Cup Trophy bought new has had several thousand rounds mostly lead semi wad cutters and has been flawless.
The new Special Combat Government I just finished an e-zine article for has been 100% out the box since day 1. I could go down the list but there really is no need because the story would be the same. I reckon I could of just said "all mine have been flawless" and got the same point across but when it comes to Colt I tend to be a little enthusiastic.

[Hersh]

I can't quote round counts, but my GCT is hiccup free. My 07 vintage '91A1 Gov't model had one FTE and it turned out the extractor claw was out of spec. Very few industries can turn out a product that's 100%, but I believe Colt does a better job than most.

I'd be willing to make a fairly hefty bet that a lot of the failures we hear about are the result of spec./tolerance tweaks that take the gun farther away from the original design. Maybe some of the current crop of 1911 clone manufacturers think they know more than JMB. Methinks they don't!

[OD*]

I'd be willing to make a fairly hefty bet that a lot of the failures we hear about are the result of spec./tolerance tweaks that take the gun farther away from the original design.
Agreed, and I have seen many problems that were actually operator error.

[jeff1124]

The 3 Colts I bought NIB have been flawless. Out of the other used ones, I had a slide stop issue where the slide didn't lock back after the last round but a new slide stop cured that. :)

[Rio Vista Slim]

I bought my first Colt (Satin Nickel Combat Commander) sometime around 1975. I followed that one with a blue Commander, two MKIV/Series 70 Government models, and a Gold Cup. Through 1983, absolutely no problems were recorded.

Got divorced, lost the guns, took several years off.

Bought a Colt XSE LW Commander in nickel/stainless in May, 2006. I have subsequently bought a Model 04691 Commander, a stainless 04091U Commander, a blue MkIV/Series 70 Government Model in blue and in stainless.
One minor slide stop problem on the Model 04691, easily solved, with no other malfunctions of any kind to report.

Yeah, Colt builds reliable pistols!!!!!! :)

[dakota1911]

To address post-1. Yes, all mine bought in the last 5 years have been 100% out of the box. Just before that I bought a Defender 90 which had two issues in the first 50 rounds, but none in 2700 rounds since. I have bought other 1911s would say the Colts have been the best "out of the box". Maybe it is the dimpled barrel.

[larry starling]

I personally haven't had any issues with ANY of my Colt's. :)

[Mick_In_Texas]

Fortunately, ALL of my Colts--including a USGI from 1918 manufacture--have been 100% reliable, functional, dependable. I've been over bragging about my Armscor RIA, now I'll brag about my Colts.

Mine are: O1991, O1911 WWI Repro, and 38 Super Govt Model. EXCELLENT firearms, no issues.

I agree with others: on production lines, problems with individual pieces can occur, which slip through QC. That is really sad, and frustrating, for folks who buy them. I've been lucky. But generally, out of all the brands I've had or have, I cannot say anything negative about Colt's Manufacturing LLC. Or Colt's PT FA Mfg Co. I thankful to have mine.

Mick

[dls56]

Recently purchased a new series 80 Commander, the very first shot was a FTRB. My heart sank, I kept on shooting and that has been the only malfunction so far. I don't do round counts but I've fed it several boxes with a few HP's thrown in approx. 400 rounds I would guess and I really like the gun.
I've got a couple of Kimbers and they required a 500 round break-in. They shoot fine now but the Colt has become my carry gun I have a better comfort level with it.
Malfunctions are a very legitimate concern for sure. Best of luck to you.

[niceone]

Nice to hear everybody has had good experiences. Mine also went 100% reliable. Current Colts also seem to be of better steel.

[azreloader]

This is a current production, out of the box 1991 Government, and has never had a single FTAnything! I love to shoot it, especially the looks it gets with those purdy handles!
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0597.JPG

[JRI]

Mine have been great from day 1. I shoot 500 rounds to "break-in" all my weapons. I don't worry about any problems for the first 100 because they usually clear up by 500.

I don't expect you'll have any problems with the new Colt's.