I love my Colt WWI

[desmo]

After my dissatisfaction for what I think was a poor-fitting barrel on my Colt Gold Cup, and the sale of that gun, I was left with 1 5" 1911--my Colt WWI repro. Initially I thought I'd buy another gov't model to use as a shooter, but the allure of the WW1 repro was too much. I was over the moon when I got this gun last year, and wanted to post to reiterate how much I still love it.

The blueing is gorgeous, IMO, and on the grip it has polished to this almost-translucent looking sheen that is something to look at. The fit and finish of the weapon is much better than my Gold Cup, excepting some sharp edges.

I have approximately 1000 rounds through it now (all hardball) and I haven't had one failure. It is now my home defense pistol as well, as it is more reliable than my Defender (which I also love, but don't shoot all the time anymore as it eats recoil springs for breakfast). It is plenty accurate enough for me, and now that I'm used to the low sights I don't even miss the three-dot's anymore.

All in all a gorgeous, reliable, very interesting weapon that I'm proud to own. This one came with more pride of ownership than anything I've set my mitts on. There's just something about it! A photo from the first month of ownership (it still looks the same!):

http://homepage.mac.com/ndjedinak/.Pictures/Photography/Guns/ColtWWI.jpg

[bangbang]

Desmo,

It looks like a nice copy. I almost had a real WWII colt until i shot it for the owner and it did a nice group. He was going to sell it to me until he found out it was the shooter, not the gun.

Who made the copy? and if you dont mind me asking, the price range?

[desmo]

Colt makes 'em

Too bad about that WWII!

[RickB]

I'm interested in the direction of polish on the rounded parts of the gun? On the sides of the slide and frame, it's obviously fore-aft, but what about the front strap, top of slide, and the lower radius of the dust cover?

[Teufelhunden82]

I'm pretty interested in this one, too. I should be receiving an email from the Colt Clearing House when they have one available. Still don't know the price though!
The jury is still out :rolleyes:
BTW, do most people buy this model to collect or shoot?
-TH82

[greco]

I bought one in the 2000 serial number range, and loved it so much I bought second. I have shot both and they run flawlessly. They are really built well. Unfortunately, the grip panels on mine were so shoddy and cheap looking, that I had to put after market grips on them, and put the factory grips on a couple of beaters that I have. They are still my favorite .45's. If I had to keep only one type of 1911/1911A1 model, this would be the one. :) ;) :D

[Bruce]

Greco,

Like you, my Colt WWI Replica came with defective grip panels (i.e. looked as though the checkering tool had pulled the wood fiber out instead of a clean cut).
Colt customer service was kind enough to replace them with a nice set, at no charge.
These grip panels are made from walnut, like the originals. However..they have a mordern finish I suspect, and have a higher shine than the origionals.
I am immensely please with this pistol... and Colt Customer Service.
I urge you to talk with them about your grip panels...you will find the people at Colt friendly and eager to help you.

Semper Fi

Bruce

[Teufelhunden82]

Well, I ordered my first .45 today! However, my WWI 1911 won't be here for 5 or 6 months, according to Colt. :( I know it'll be worth it though. Only problem is I might just need a different Colt .45 to keep me company while I wait! Anybody order a current production 70 series lately? I wonder how long that wait is! :rolleyes:
Semper Fi
-TH82

[Wes Janson]

Ahhh, nothing better than the WWI Replica :) Mine is currently in about 50 pieces spread out in the office room, awaiting a project. BTW, RickB, that avatar of yours and mine is a re-sized photo of my Replica.

[fender57vneck]

That is a beautiful weapon. I already have one set aside at my local firing range, cost is going to be 750.00 dollars, new never fired. Congretulations on yours.

[Joni Lynn]

Those 1911's are very nice!! Congrats on your obvious good taste!

[Teufelhunden82]

$750 for a Colt M1911 replica? Some guys have all the luck. Any chance they'd have more for that price???

[fender57vneck]

Sorry, that was the only one they had.

[Joni Lynn]

Too bad, for that price we could have had a line of buyers as long as the line for free superbowl tickets.

[marlin44]

You guys need to stop posting about the ww1 reissue, I really really want one! :) How long are they going to issue them?
Thanks

[Joni Lynn]

Yes I agree.....stop.....no.....no don't stop!!!! I want one..........and a new series 70 as well............oh no!!!........I'm hopeless!!!!

[marlin44]

You arent helping matters!! :)

[Teufelhunden82]

Oh, I'll help matters....I LOVE my new series 70!!!! It's simply amazing! :D
I do not, however, own a WWI repro. YET. (sigh) must have one soon. Anybody got a thousand bucks i could borrow real quick??

[fender57vneck]

Ms. JLynn: I have to commend you on your knowledge, and good taste in weapons.

[Joni Lynn]

Gee thanks :)......I think ;) ..........hee hee heeee.........I love my 1911's!!!!! ( ;) Y ;) )

[Barry in IN]

Let me help make things worse, please, please!
I got one recently for a decent price. It was a trade-in that had the sights replaced with King's Hardball-type. Those sights are a direct replacement- no filing, cutting, grinding, etc- but they still brought the price down by being there.

Actually, I'm still getting over the shock. I never dreamed I'd be able to get one. Dumb luck.

I just don't understand some things. The prior owner wanted one bad enough to find one. And they wanted it bad enough to pay the $$$ for it. And apparently they wanted to shoot it, since they had the sights replaced.
But they didn't shoot it. It was very definitely unfired.

Of course, it has been fired now!
After the first magazine, when I put a piece of duct tape on the web of my hand, it was fun to shoot!

[fender57vneck]

I have to agree with you. Wy would anyone buy a WW1 repro just to modify it? If they want to do that, jusy get a 1991, or for that matter a Springfield, or what not. I will never modify my Colt WW1 repro, that would be a sin. As for shooting it, I feel weapons were made to shoot them. Mine will be shot and carried.

[fender57vneck]

By the way. Congratulations on your purchase.

[Barry in IN]

Thanks. I'm not sure WHY I had to have it, but I have it!

I don't find it too strange that he or she replaced the sights, just strange to do that and not shoot it. I would think that anyone doing that would be determined to shoot it.

[marlin44]

I heard the other day at the gun shop that that there is a limited amount of ww1s that will be issued. Anybody else hear this??

[Joni Lynn]

I'd love to have one of those but I'll probably do without.

[BKennedy]

I believe they're only making 4000 of these. I just saw one on Gunsamerica in the 3000 serial number range. I got mine in May and it's #25xx. Got about 500 rounds through mine and it is definitely the best 1911 I've ever owned. No way this one's sitting around in the box.

[fender57vneck]

What kind of groups are you ladies and grmtelmen getting with your pistols?

[fender57vneck]

Sorry, I meant gentlemen.By the way, nice picture Ms Joni Lynn.

[marlin44]

Thanks, I was wondering if there was limited number they were going to produce.

[Barry in IN]

Every time I try to "reply with quote" our computer locks up. So, I'll do this a different way.
Fender57vneck asked what kind of groups we were getting.

I've had mine a short time, only shot it once, and was sick as a dog when I did that. I'll post the results, but you need to keep in mind that I was trying to squeeze off rounds between coughing fits.
Hey, I had the gun for four days, and had not shot it. I had a chance to shoot, so I did.

I shot 7-round groups, at 15 yards, standing, using a two-hand unsupported hold.
I yanked a few shots that I was sure of. In those cases, I measured the group with, and without, those shots.

Winchester USA 230 FMJ: 2-7/8"
Winchester USA 230 JHP: 2-1/2"
Remington UMC 230 JHP: 4-1/8" (6 in 2-5/8")
Speer 230 Gold Dot JHP: 3-5/8"
Federal 230 Hydra-Shok JHP: 3-1/2" (6 in 2-7/8")
Handload- TiteGroup/230 Zero FMJ: 4-1/8" (6 in 2-5/8")
Handload- TiteGroup/230 Zero JHP: 2-3/4" (6 in 2-1/8")

Averages-
All: 3.35" Factory only: 3.23" All, but discounting my bad shots (4 of 49 fired): 2.75"

-Nothing spectacular, but pretty good for all the better I was performing. I will be shooting it again, so we'll see.
-I had two rounds (both JHP) stop short of fully chambering. When I tapped the magazine base, the slide closed fully. Both happened early on, and may be a case of "breaking in".
-As I posted earlier, the sights had been replaced with a higher profile set. I imagine they come with the front sight extra high, so it can be filed down for zeroing. The gun shot between 5" and 6.25" below point of aim. Speer Gold Dots and Fed Hydra-Shoks were 5" low; the handload with FMJ bullets was 6.25" low; the rest were in between.

Once I get it zeroed, and put a lot more rounds through it without a malfunction....I would feel as well-armed with this WWI repro as with anything.
I never missed the small safety lever with my thumb.
I never blew a magazine change for lack of a beveled magazine well or funnel.
I never dropped the gun because the fronstrap or mainspring housing wasn't checkered.
I sure never had the recoil spring bind up from lacking a full length guide rod.

Not that those things can't help (except the guide rod) but they aren't requirements.

[fender57vneck]

Dear Barry: Those are pretty nice groups. I'm glad to see that it will shoot hollow points. I have to agree, the hang-ups could be the weapon break-in. Hope you get better soon. Please let us know your grouping whenyou are all well.