Colt Gunsite

[BT2012]

I am looking to purchase the Colt Gunsite Pistol. Anybody who owns one, I would like to hear your positive or negative feedback.

[Joni Lynn]

I bought two, one functioned 100% and the other jammed up on Federal American Eagle on the second shot. Colt fixed it and now it runs 100%. I'd like to have a blued one to go along with the stainless one.

[BT2012]

Joni,

How does the bluing hold up? I'm up in the air between blue and stainless steel.

[SAWBONES]

It's a good little CCW pistol.

Being relatively crappily finished as it came from Gunsite, and given that I'm left-handed and also prefer my guns well-dehorned, mine required some follow-up work by my preferred 1911 pistolsmith, but now that it's ship-shape, it's an accurate, reliable, lightweight gun in a pattern I consider ideal for a compact carryable 1911.

[paul45]

Really like mine.....
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0319.jpg

Sawbones, it was not dehorned enough for you already from the factory?

[BT2012]

SAWBONES,

Did you have any accuracy and reliability issues right out of the box or was it the finish that was an issue?

paul45,

Thanks for sharing your pics. Your pics look much better than the one on Colt's website. That's a lovely 1911. Did you have any issues with yours at all?

[Joni Lynn]

Mine were both stainless. I just wanted the blue one for same reason I have most of them. Just to have them.
Here's the stainless ones.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/Gunsites.jpg

I've since given one to a really good friend and the other I installed a long trigger in.

[BT2012]

Joni,

Thanks for sharing your pics. Can I, too, be your really good friend, and have the other ;). I think I'm leaning towards a stainless. I'm unsure as to the durability of Colt's bluing.

[Joni Lynn]

While I was thinking about a blue one I considered that for almost the same money I could have a Les Baer TRS which is a better 1911, just doesn't say Colt on it.
Would you believe that these two guns were consecutive numbers and I acquired them that way by accident?

[BT2012]

I figure I'd get a Colt to add into my collection to be used for regular shooting. I have a WWI era Colt and have no plans to shoot it. Maybe somewhere in the future I may add a Les Baer to my collection.

Accident? It sounds like you were meant to acquire "twin Colts" and you separated the two after birth.

[Joni Lynn]

To top it off I gave the one that ran well away and kept the troublesome one.

[d90king]

They are great pistols and mine have been trouble free. Here is a look at a CCO version.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/d90king/DSCN0444.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/d90king/DSCN0447.jpg

[d90king]

To top it off I gave the one that ran well away and kept the troublesome one.


You are to kind Joni to kind indeed. Or maybe a little nuts...... ;)

[Joni Lynn]

Probably both. Or maybe a lot nuts. You should have seen the Luger I gave away. (same friend)

[d90king]

Probably both. Or maybe a lot nuts. You should have seen the Luger I gave away. (same friend)


I hope he has given you a Python or two. ;) Or a Winnie of some sort, say maybe a pre 64 Model 70 :D

[SAWBONES]

I was referring in the above post to my Colt Gunsite CCO, a Gunsite-smithy prepped example of the Colt CCO, not the same as the fullsize Gunsite 1911 pistol at all.
Yes, it required quite a bit of extra work, including dehorning, trigger work (shoulda been done before shipping) and new sights (my preference for Heinies with .170" rear notch instead of Novaks).

[Joni Lynn]

Some friendships can't be measured in any conventional means. This friend is one of the best and worth a couple guns easily.

[BT2012]

Is the Gunsite semi-custom and some work done to it or the parts just dropped in?

[BT2012]

d90king,

Nice pics. The blue looks good too and how is the finish?. Is it the typical blue finish and showing any signs of wear?

[Joni Lynn]

The Gunsite pistols are out of the Colt Custom Shop.

[BT2012]

Thanks Joni

[paul45]

Did you have any issues with yours at all?Not at all. I bought it used, but like new. No issues.

[daveohno]

I have had 4. I gave one of the blue ones to one of my sons. I had problems with the front site working loose on 2. The stainless one had night sites installed by Gunsite Ranch per my request when I ordered it. Sent them back to Colt and they fixed them for free, including the one that Gunsite changed the sites on. My stainless is my range/match pistol, the blue one is the backup. I also had trouble with the stainless one with the firing pin, I was getting light primer strikes. Colt sent me a new firing pin and spring and all is well. I have probably shot this pistol more than any I have owned. I use it and my SCG all the time. It is accurate and I don't recall any FTF or anything like that at all.

I haven't had an issue with the full size blue Gunsite or my CCO. I just bought the stainless one first and since it's stainless I can use it hard without having to worry about the blue getting shabby looking.

[BT2012]

Paul45,

Thanks.


daveohno,
Did you buy the nightsights and provided to Gunsite or they had a selection to choose from?

[daveohno]

They just installed Trijicons which they had in stock.

[BT2012]

Thanks daveohno

[IZinterrogator]

I have all three models and carry the CCO rregularly. The bluing shows a little holster wear at the front edges, but nothing major. Just a little character.

[Chieftain]

My CGP Government model, blue, firing pin stop broke last week while dry firing it. Just happened to have a couple of EGW over sized stops in hand, got out the trusty file, and fitted it to the CGP.

Just test fired it today, and it ran like a top.

Now the really good news. Friday, I found a NIB GSP serial number under 0150. So #1 will not get lonely.

Two GSPs are better than one. I Did not have the opportunity to fire it yet. I have not taken it all the way down to inspect and clean it yet.

I am feeling rather smug right now.

Go figure.

Fred

[NYresq]

I have the full size in stainless and its one of the most accurate 1911 pistols I own. I got it new and it ran flawless out of the box with the exception of the new wilson tac mags. Using colt mags or the "older" wilson 47D mags works great, but I tried the new ones and they wont run. So as long as I avoid the new style wilsons, its 100% reliable.

The only change that will come is a longer trigger. I have big hands and my finger needs to have a longer trigger to put the pad of my finger on the face. Other then that there isn't a thing I would change.

It shoots point of aim at 15 yards, feeds everthing from 185gr+pDPX to 230gr hydrashocks without any jambs or hangups. its pretty, its stainless, and its a colt. What else could you need??!?!?

[BT2012]

NYresq,

I'm surprised there was a hiccup with the new ETMs but it's good to know what mags CGP like and don't like.

Chieftain,

How many rounds and/or dry fire you think it your CGP might have went through before your firing pin stop broke? I guess it's always good to have spares on hand.

[Chieftain]

The only change that will come is a longer trigger. I have big hands and my finger needs to have a longer trigger to put the pad of my finger on the face. Other then that there isn't a thing I would change.

I agree. My fingers aren't that long, but I use "Gunner" grips and with them I prefer the longer trigger. I needed as short trigger for the Colt government series 80 I am building up to give to my youngest daughter on her 21'st birthday. She is a tiny one, 4' 11" and just over 100lbs, but she prefers the full size 1911 to any other of my mydrid number of pistols. Anyway, I took the long trigger off that government and put it in the CGP. Works well.

I am thinking about getting a flat trigger from Hilton Yam over at 10-8. at least on number one CGP.

Chieftain,
How many rounds and/or dry fire you think it your CGP might have went through before your firing pin stop broke? I guess it's always good to have spares on hand.


This is a fairly new weapon, and I use it primarily for CCW. I only have about 2500 rounds through it.

BUT!

I dry fire that one more than any other. All I can honestly say is a lot.

I believe in O'Leary's corollary to Murphy's law.

O'Leary insist's that Murphy is an optimist.

So I believe in any weapon that has serious intent, one must have two. I have two Colt Gunsite Pistols now for CCW, and for competition and Night work, Home defense I have two Kimber Warriors.

My take on the ole' swede's saying of, "Shoot one, Carry one."

With the above considerations, I always have enough parts at home to build any frame/slide to completion. I don't do steel work, so That is left for the real smith's.

A lot of this is my Marine thing, to really know one's weapons. I maintain, and do most of my own 'smithing' except as stated as to metal work.

Like I said in my first post in this thread, I will not shoot a new gun until I have taken it all the way down, inspected it, cleaned it up, lubricated it, and sometimes tweak it. Some folks have been known to call me anal about my weapons maitanance. They are right, I am.

Not only was I a Marine DI in the early seventies, I was on my first tour in Vietnam in 1967, when they took our uber reliable M14's away and issued the widowmaker. Some things just tend to stick with you, particularly when it is/was a survival skill.

Sorry for the rant. It is one of the few things I can still do effectively these days.

Go figure.

Fred

[BT2012]

Chieftain,

No apologies necessary for the rant. The Marines have served you well where you were taught to care and respect the weapon. Since you carry your firearm, it is important to ensure it is well maintained and there is nothing wrong with being anal about it. I've seen enough people neglect their firearm where it may become unreliable. I, too, am anal when it comes to caring for my firearms. Thanks for the feedback on your CGP.

[kolt1911]

i love my gunsite its a 5'' stainless it runs 100% i have used the wilson mags and newer colt 8 round mags plus older 7 round colt and cheap aftermarket mags. and it runs them all w/o problems.

[BT2012]

Kolt,

Thanks for your feedback. It's good to know the CGP is mostly a postive performer.

[NYresq]

theres one on gunbroker... not mine.
Listing says new in the box... price is about the going rate.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100188312

[daveohno]

You can still buy a Gunsite Pistol (according to their website) from Gunsite. Tha's where I bought my first one. I bought a used one from Bud's Gunshop. The price was pretty good and the pistol was very accurate, in fact it was the best of the 5 I had. That's the one I gave to one of my boys. I contacted Buds about buying one and they said they didn't have a new one, but they had a used one and I bought it.

http://www.gunsite.com/assets/Images/colt%20pistollg.jpg

[BT2012]

If I buy direct from Gunsite, it has to be shipped to Colt so they can fire it and then Colt would send CGP along with the spent shell to my local ffl dealer, as per NYS gun law. I would have to pay for all of the shipping plus cost of firing to get the spent shell and, when all is said and done, the total price would bring me in the range of a custom gun. I may as well buy a plain Colt and send it off to a custom gunshop and have it done to the way I want it.

[IZinterrogator]

theres one on gunbroker... not mine.
Listing says new in the box... price is about the going rate.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100188312
How could it be new in the box when it's in the wrong box? The seller threw it in a Custom Shop box when they come in regular plastic Colt cases. Something's not right here... :scared:

[sff70]

I have a 5" CGP. Very satisfied with it. Good friend has another. Same results.

Not too tight, not too loose. Fitting of the barrel, the grip safety in particular very well done.

If you carry a lot, all bluing wears. The bluing on this one has been no exception.

As Joni points out, a TR is not that much more expensive than a CGP. My experience with Baers (having been a very satisfied owner of 2 of them, including a TRC) has been very positive.

I would not pay more than $1200 for a CCP. Once you're above that price point, a Baer is almost within reach. You could probably find a good condition used Baer.

My experience with Wilson mags has not been so great. They just replaced 15 45D mags due to feed lip spread. I must acknowledge that they stood behind the product, no questions asked. However, I now use another brand for my "social" mags.

[BT2012]

sff70,

After calculating the cost for changes, shipping and ffl transfer fee, I think I'm better off getting another custom gun. Getting a Baer is intriguing idea as I currently don't have one in my collection. I thought of CGP because I don't have a Colt to shoot on a regular basis.

IZ,

As you pointed out on your observation, it is why I have never been too keen on buying through the internet unless I know for sure the seller is reputable.

[IZinterrogator]

Too bad you didn't get one back when they were in production. Got two of mine for about $1180 each back in '05-'06 and the stainless back in December '07 for $1275.

[zenner22]

Does the Colt Gunsite barrel come with the wide hood or the narrow hood?

[BT2012]

You can still get CGP, but only directly from Gunsite at $1499.

[Joni Lynn]

As much as I'd like to have a blued CGP, for that much $,$$$ I'd rather just buy another Les Baer.

[larry starling]

I personally love mine no issues what so ever excellent pistol. I just wish they sold better than what they do.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/pix2018327359.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/pix2018327671.jpg

[red3171]

I have a Stainless Gunsite model and had no issues with it. I went to a Louis Awerbuck gun school for law enforcement personnel, and it performed very well without any issues. the only thing was when I got it, the trigger broke at 3 lbs, which I liked, but my dept did not. The dept armorer had to make it break at 4.5 lbs. Even at 4.5 lbs, it shoots great.

[tinman44]

i just picked up a used one for 1k, guy says it has failure to feed issues. if i have any i'm sending it to colt to straighten out. not sure of rnd count but looks low(very hard to determine i know), at least 500 probably not more than 1k, cleaned up well.