Would you return this to Colt? (pics)

[beast]

I bought a NIB blued XSE. The rear serrations arent even. Should I return it or leave it be? It shoots fine by the way, no failures after 200 rounds. The extractor wasnt tensioned so it left brass marks by the ejection port. I added tension now but haven't shot it again yet.

If I do end up returning it I'll probably get it hard chromed since it's there already and add FS checkering and a beavertail. Anybody has an idea how much it'll probably be?

Thanks.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/mackoperator/100_0960.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/mackoperator/100_0959.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/mackoperator/100_0962.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/mackoperator/100_0958.jpg

[d90king]

I must be blind but I cant see the issue :confused: The brass marks will rub of with a Hoppes cloth... The work you want done I am not sure I would send to Colt for but thats just me. As far as cost I would say a few hundred plus the cost of what finish you want. 500-600 would be my guess finished. Check John Harrison's and Heirlooms websites and you can get a better idea of exact cost. If you are going that route there might be some other areas you might want to address. A bevel job is a necessity with those front serrations. Good luck with your new Colt.

[beast]

I must be blind but I cant see the issue :confused:

Hi D90, I just edited the pics and put arrows. Notice those 2 serrations are thinner than the rest. I know its not a big deal, but still a flaw. That's why Im debating. It would probably affect resale value, you think?

[d90king]

Hi D90, I just edited the pics and put arrows. Notice those 2 serrations are thinner than the rest. I know its not a big deal, but still a flaw. That's why Im debating. It would probably affect resale value, you think?


I would not let that bother you (I still cant see what you are talking about). As far as resale as soon as you do the mods it will have the same affect to some degree. You will have a pistol that is not correct. The right buyer will be harder to find but if you have the right smith do the work you will find someone who appreciates the work and is willing to pay accordingly.

[slate mike]

Send the pics to Colt so the can adjust their CNC mill and forget about it. Maybe you'll get a Thank You note and a free mag!

[daveohno]

If you want the pistol dehorned, Colt could do it and refinish is part of the job. Hard chrome isn't, but since they'd have it anyway and you want hard chrome, why not.

[elijdub]

I'm having a hard time seeing the flaw also.. But i'd say that if it bothers you, you
ought to send it back. I would; otherwise it'd always nag at me ;).

I agree with Dave about the HC finish. Also, Colt offers a "Model O" package that includes "dehorn, beavertail, etc.". It may be something to look into.

[MoneyTree]

I'm having a hard time seeing the flaw also.. But i'd say that if it bothers you, you
ought to send it back. I would; otherwise it'd always nag at me ;).

I agree with eli's quote above , if it really bothers you have it taken care of , but I'd hate to be without the pistol if it was me , especially if I was going to have other work done at a later date .

[bill may]

BEast - like some of my forum brothers, I do not see this as an issue, either. And, it is difficult for me (old guy with bad eyes) to really see the imperfections. Would anyone (other than you, as the owner/user) really notice or care? I understand perfectly that for you, after spending good money, it may be an issue. But the real issue is its reliability and accuracy. If you say she is a good shooter, perhaps leaving well enough alone would be good advice. I do not worry about looks, I worry about "DOES IT WORK ALL THE TIME WHEN I PULL THE TRIGGER?" If she does, she may well be a winner worth tolerating a little imperfection. Besides, that fault may give her a little character.

[1saxman]

'The extractor wasnt tensioned so it left brass marks by the ejection port'

It is not abnormal for brass to hit the slide on the way out. You say the pistol works fine with no failures - I say use it and leave it alone.

[paul45]

May I be somewhat harsh for a minute in a friendly way?? .......................................here goes...................................

Are you serious?? The majority of members replying to you can't even SEE a "flaw"!! Goodness gracious, NO....do not send it back. Move on from this!!


Also......

It shoots fine by the way, no failures after 200 rounds.

I added tension now but haven't shot it again yet.

So now, you are trying to fix something that AIN'T BROKE??!!


Do you see what I am getting at?


Where is the problem here?? Think about it and have a pleasant day!

[Nic]

I would ignore it since it's a good shooter, but I do see the difference in #6 and #9, so if it bothers you, call Colt on it.

[cwo4uscgret]

No offense meant to anyone with this post; I am responsible for its content.....

Beast - answer your own question; then make a decision what to do. You are obviously upset, annoyed, or otherwise irked by the cosmetic flaw on you slide. I don't understand why people, when faced with a decision that they should make ask total strangers their advice.

One comment I think necessary however is whenever I buy something and I find a flaw or problem with it - if I am bothered by it then I owe it to the manufacturer (more important I owe it to myself to send it to the maker and tell them I paid for quality not flawed and to please fix it to new condition.....................!

[atbarr]

Shoot it and enjoy it.

Stay Safe,

A.T.

[myanof]

No doubt about it, I would send that ugly Colt to my home address immediately. ;)

[John]

I can't see anything wrong with that gun either.

[beast]

Its hard to see in the pic, the 6th and 9th serrations start at normal width in the slide and gets thinner and thinner as it gets to the gripping surface.

I have a year to decide so I'm not in a rush. 1 year warranty for cosmetic issues, and lifetime warranty on everything else. That sounds good to me.

No offense meant to anyone with this post.....
......I don't understand why people, when faced with a decision that they should make ask total strangers their advice

No offense taken, I was just trying to get opinions from people who have Colts since I don't know anyone personally and it's my 1st one.

[MoneyTree]

I just don't understand . Why are we having a poll ? If it really bothers you then you should send it back . But based solely on your photos I'd have to vote no , if I were inclined to vote on an issue that only affects you and your pistol . But then what do I know ?

But since you asked , I'll " Vote Present " .

That seems to be the currently fashionable way to sidestepped sensitive issues . :D

[MoneyTree]

No offense taken, I was just trying to get opinions from people who have Colts since I don't know anyone personally and it's my 1st one. I'm sorry beast , I don't have the pleasure of owning a Colt yet so I shouldn't of refrained from voting . ;)

[MoneyTree]

Where's my mind , I forgot to compliment you beast on your beautiful Colt . And I'm sorry I still can't see any flaws .

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/mackoperator/100_0958.jpg

[daveohno]

I don't think I would be bothered by it, but if it bugs you, SEND IT BACK! It will only bother you more as time goes on Now, you might forget about it, but I doubt you will and the longer it bugs you, the more that stone in your shoe is going to irritate you. Something that annoys you like this will never go away unless you have it fixed, so go ahead and send it back. You'll be happier with it when it returns. Just my .02 cents.

[paul45]

I don't think I would be bothered by it, but if it bugs you, SEND IT BACK! It will only bother you more as time goes on Now, you might forget about it, but I doubt you will and the longer it bugs you, the more that stone in your shoe is going to irritate you. Something that annoys you like this will never go away unless you have it fixed, so go ahead and send it back. You'll be happier with it when it returns. Just my .02 cents.
Dave, just for the conversation........I would think there is a significant possibility that Colt would decline warranty work on it.

[Richard Bumpus]

Send the pistol to Colt. You are not satisfied with the flaw and that is that. As to resale value, any modification will change the pistol's value (not necessarily down). I can highly recommend the Model O package. Colt does not do hard chrome finishes but there are a number of companies that do.

[beast]

Where's my mind , I forgot to compliment you beast on your beautiful Colt . And I'm sorry I still can't see any flaws .

Thank you Money, I appreciate it.

[larry starling]

Leave it alone! I don't think I would have ever even noticed it..... ;)

[MoneyTree]

Thank you Money, I appreciate it.

I couldn't resist doing my patriotic duty and voted No .

But if you want to ship it to me for a " while " I'll be willing to reconsider my vote though . :D

[OD*]

The serrations wouldn't bother me at all, the brass hitting the slide isn't how the ejected cases are supposed to leave the pistol, that I would fix.

[Frank]

Count me with those who wouldn't be bothered by the very slight flaw (at least it looks very minor to me in the pictures). But it is your gun. If you don't like it, it see no reason not to have it attended to.

DVC

[daveohno]

Dave, just for the conversation........I would think there is a significant possibility that Colt would decline warranty work on it.

That might be true. They've been good each time I've dealt with them, but my issues were loose sights and a problem with a trigger.

[paul45]

And I really don't know......an assumption on my part. But I do believe if a piece is within parameters or "specs"......the company can decline.

[k217sc]

Colt does not do hard chrome finishes but there are a number of companies that do.

Last I heard, they do offer a hardchrome finish, but use an outside vendor.

[dougmyers5]

Hi D90, I just edited the pics and put arrows. Notice those 2 serrations are thinner than the rest. I know its not a big deal, but still a flaw. That's why Im debating. It would probably affect resale value, you think?
=======================

Well I have found that over time generally many years some Colts with factory issues are worth more then colts with no issues just because there are so few of them.
You might be better off to get Colt to send you a letter stating the issues your 1911 have and just keep the letter and the colt together not fixed or changed.

Or send it back and be like everyone else with a no issue colt.

[chimkayu]

Halito, all. Beast, you have a beautiful pistola. I have an XSE Combat Commander, stainless, and her serrations look almost identical to yours. I look at it as I do with anything, living or not...OOOOH, a beauty spot. You know, they say that what makes each diamond so unique is that each one has it's own flaws, like no two snow-flakes are the same. I would leave it alone, but, it is up to you. Love the 1911, Jamaica (what a bunch of runners!!!) and the forum.

C.......

[MoneyTree]

Halito, all. Beast, you have a beautiful pistola. I have an XSE Combat Commander, stainless, and her serrations look almost identical to yours. I look at it as I do with anything, living or not...OOOOH, a beauty spot. You know, they say that what makes each diamond so unique is that each one has it's own flaws, like no two snow-flakes are the same. I would leave it alone, but, it is up to you. Love the 1911, Jamaica (what a bunch of runners!!!) and the forum.

C....... Well said chimkayu ! And your so right about the Jamaican runners , if I hadn't of seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it possible for a human to run so fast . And he didn't even break a sweat , there's no telling what records he'll set in the future . I'm hoping the Texans or Cowboys will sign him as a wide receiver . ;)

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I see the issues with the serrations. I'm actually surprised to see that, for what a Colt costs. I'm further surprised that the slide wasn't tossed in the bin before it even got fitted to a frame.

Given that Colt has a positive reputation for customer service, I'd send it back.

[beast]

The serrations wouldn't bother me at all, the brass hitting the slide isn't how the ejected cases are supposed to leave the pistol, that I would fix.
Hey OD, I shot it today. The brass exits fine now. The tightening of the extractor fixed that issue.
=======================

Well I have found that over time generally many years some Colts with factory issues are worth more then colts with no issues just because there are so few of them....
......Or send it back and be like everyone else with a no issue colt.
Thats great Doug, you're right. After reading your post I want to keep it now, especially because it shoots perfectly. I might get a new slide and get a new set of problems.

Halito, all. Beast, you have a beautiful pistola. I have an XSE Combat Commander, stainless, and her serrations look almost identical to yours. I look at it as I do with anything, living or not...OOOOH, a beauty spot. You know, they say that what makes each diamond so unique is that each one has it's own flaws, like no two snow-flakes are the same. I would leave it alone, but, it is up to you. Love the 1911, Jamaica (what a bunch of runners!!!) and the forum.

C.......
Thanks for confirming my decision. It's good to know I'm not the only one this has happened to. It has grown on me though, and its fine now.

....Unless I decide to get it hard chromed at Colt, the slide will stay.

[OD*]

Hey OD, I shot it today. The brass exits fine now. The tightening of the extractor fixed that issue.
That's great, Beast. :appld: