Colt Mojo

[dogdollar]

I am sitting here sipping coffee and getting ready to leave for work, and was just looking over some of the newer posts. As always, there is a common theme to many of them - "There's just something about a Colt".
Well, I happen to agree with that, and wanted to relate a kind of funny story.
A few of you may recall that a couple of weeks ago I traded a pretty big name semi-custom 1911 for a Colt Gunsite CCO. This was at the Houston Gun Collector's Show, a very big affair held twice yearly here in Houston.
Here's the thing - I had the custom gun in the maker's logoed bag, hoping to troll it around and evoke some interest. I also had a note stapled to my shirt pocket with what I had to trade in large enough letters for any of the table vendors to read it and speak up if they had any interest.
Nothing. Not one bite. Nada.
Then I found the Colt and set out to make a deal. I bantered back and forth with the guy, at one point even shaking hands, thank you anyway, and walking off. A few minutes later, the CCO was mine.
It was NIB so I got the traditional blue box, and after the deal was done I just wanted out of there and headed for the door.
No less than six times on my way out ( about a five minute walk in a straight line), people noticed the box and were saying, "Say, Chief, what kind of Colt you got there?" or "What's it gonna take to get you to give me that Colt today?"
I thought that was pretty funny........
DD

[tenx]

At gun shows I have found that Colts are one of the two or three things that people will stop you many times in the isles to talk about and with good reason.

[Hunter]

Man I can relate. When I go to a gunshow first thing I do is scourer the tables and (hopefully) find me a Colt to take home. I have learned to ask for a bag now as the first few (read: many) times I walked around with the blue (or brown cardboard) box I would get stopped regular by folks wanting to see my Colt and asking me what I would take for it.
Yes there really is something about a Colt.
Nice story my friend.

[A.B.]

Those blue boxes...mmmm. Sorry I missed the tea and crumpets for your Gunsite, Tim. She sure is a shooter. What a great trade, and, yes, you sure don't need a note on your chest, with a blue box, it might as well have a strobe light on it!

[daveohno]

Well, what'll you take for that Colt, anyway? :D

[Bud White]

What did ya trade off for the Colt .. I have noticed that if you have the box you get bugged a ton i like hunter ask for a bag

[dogdollar]

Bud, I traded a customized Wilson CQB in as new condition.
Fine gun, just didn't ring my bell.

[Joni Lynn]

I had a Wilson once and sold it, as you say, it didn't ring my bell.
Colt's are a favorite with a lot of people. Speaking of which, nice gunshow coming up this weekend.

[Bud White]

Bud, I traded a customized Wilson CQB in as new condition.
Fine gun, just didn't ring my bell.

i hear ya so far i haven't met a wilson i have liked

[dogdollar]

I hope that the uninitiated aren't reading this and thinking that Wilsons are "bad" guns - mine was 100% reliable and quite accurate. It just didn't "fit" me as well as my Baers or Colts. I found during the time that I owned mine that their customer service is legendary for good reason....those guys just go above and beyond to make their customers happy....and we all owe a little debt of gratitude to Bill Wilson for promoting and evolving our sport.
I guess if there was one gun that fit everybody there wouldn't be 10-12 different companies competing successfully in the same market. Wilson just wasn't the right choice for me, but I also know that for whoever picks my gun up used, it may well be a dream come true, and at a great price.
It's the sport, in the end, that really matters.
Tim

[blgoode]

yeah - not 15 min. from buying my first and only colt right now, I was asked twice - What you got there...or what you taking for that? Withought even having the box opened!!! shoot... I could have had mud in the box :)

[EchoBravoKilo]

Very true. I live in CA, which means hard to get anything, much less something like a Series 70, or any number of other Colt's (most are not on the approved list).

I go to a number of places that have pistols and always ask about old Colts (if it's in the State you can buy it from private party even if not on approved list) and also 50+ year old Colts.

Seems that I hear the same reply from everyone: "No one ever gets rid of old Colts."

And neither will I...

[Rio Vista Slim]

I hope that the uninitiated aren't reading this and thinking that Wilsons are "bad" guns - mine was 100% reliable and quite accurate. It just didn't "fit" me as well as my Baers or Colts. I found during the time that I owned mine that their customer service is legendary for good reason....those guys just go above and beyond to make their customers happy....and we all owe a little debt of gratitude to Bill Wilson for promoting and evolving our sport.
Tim,
I didn't take any of what you said as a "slam" at Wilson. My limited encounters with those fine folks are exactly as you claim. Their customer service is exemplary.

I began my 1911 journey many years ago with Colts. Various "life" experiences caused those early guns to disappear. When I was able to resume the journey, other brands came and went. My Colts will be with me until they close the casket lid, and then my boys can enjoy them for their lifetimes.........I hope!

[dogdollar]

Tim,
I didn't take any of what you said as a "slam" at Wilson. My limited encounters with those fine folks are exactly as you claim. Their customer service is exemplary.

I began my 1911 journey many years ago with Colts. Various "life" experiences caused those early guns to disappear. When I was able to resume the journey, other brands came and went. My Colts will be with me until they close the casket lid, and then my boys can enjoy them for their lifetimes.........I hope!

Thanks, Steve -
I just wanted to make that clear to anyone who might have wondered in.
Truth be told, I have never been enchanted with SA, Para, or even RIA for the same reason.......I just pick 'em up and don't feel the magic. Others do. God Bless America - and anyplace else men are free to make choices.
T.

[Hersh]

Man I can relate.

Well if anyone can relate it would be you my friend. ;)

It's also interesting to note, as Hunter and I have discussed, that not too long ago activity on the Colt forum was very light. That's certainly no longer true!

Resistance is futile!

[Scuba Diver]

Carrying a recently purchased Colt around the gun show bourse makes it difficult to haggle successfully on another one? The higher your knowledge base about the item your interested in will often make it unlikely the person selling another needs to negotiate to assist you in making a wise choice to purchase?

[G-Man]

Seems that I hear the same reply from everyone: "No one ever gets rid of old Colts." And neither will I...
Absolutely...many firearms have come 'n gone for me over the years, but I still have every Colt I've ever owned. :)

[desertmoon]

I, too, have had other pistols but hey have never held the "mystique" of a good Colt. Like anyone else, Colt can turn out sub-par stuff....but this is the nature of manufacturing. Far and above, though, Colt is in a much better position to turn out good material on a consistent basis. They are also in a better position to offer good customer service.

I have gone to great lengths to "re-procure" guns from my childhood, particularly 1911s or Woodsmans and Huntsmans.

There is a "feel" to a Colt that only Browning can match...and we all know how closely related they are, anyhow.

Now....if we can just talk Colt into making a Hi-Power.