Xse

[mrcabinet]

My searches regarding the XSE has not been very fruitful, so I am now calling upon the learned members here to help me out. My question is, just what the heck is the XSE all about? What is the difference between the XSE and, say, a series 80? Is it basically the same, but with different cosmetics? Are they any good?

I blew my chance on a 1986 Combat Elite the other day so, after reading the review here, I'm considering the new XSE.

All your thoughts are appreciated.

[wjkuleck]

My searches regarding the XSE has not been very fruitful, so I am now calling upon the learned members here to help me out. My question is, just what the heck is the XSE all about? What is the difference between the XSE and, say, a series 80? Is it basically the same, but with different cosmetics? Are they any good?

I blew my chance on a 1986 Combat Elite the other day so, after reading the review here, I'm considering the new XSE.

All your thoughts are appreciated.

Per 2008 Catalog, "XSE" adds front serrations, ambi safeties, aluminum trigger, enhanced tolerances, FLGR (except 04540XSE).

Regards,

Walt

[LHS905]

I very much like mine. I "enhanced" (That's the "E" in XSE) it a little more than Colt did.

LHS

[JustinTime]

Series 80 references the type of firing pin block/drop safety mechanism the pistol has. Not the model. XSE is an enhanced model colt with front cocking serrations champion sights. It does not have a flat top upper reciever like the early enhanced Colts. The XSE is basically Colt's answer to people whom like Kimber, Springfields and such with crooked cocking serrations, "novak" style sights, and beaver tail grip safeties. It really isn't special in terms of accuracy, function, or quality over the conventional style Government/Commander models.

[wgppp]

I traded an enhanced Commander for an XSE stainless Commander. I like the additions mentioned in the previous replies and the pistol has been much more reliable than the one I traded away. The little white rubber dot in the front sight popped out on the first few shots, but otherwise the pistol has been excellent. I liked it enough that I added an XSE LW Commander a few weeks later when I found one, I like it even better (lighter to carry and just as reliable as the other). I liked the flat-top style of the enhanced pistol but now I don't really care.

[OK_Kid]

Per 2008 Catalog, "XSE" adds front serrations, ambi safeties, aluminum trigger, enhanced tolerances, FLGR (except 04540XSE).

Regards,

Walt

What is the enhancement called that removes material from the frame beneath the magazine release and aft of the trigger guard? I see it on the XSE, XSE CE, Defender, and New Agent.

[RickB]

The XSE is a Series 80, in that it has the passive firing pin block. Circa 1992, Colt split their "1911" product line into the no-frills M1991A1 line, and the enhanced line. The latter was an attempt to equip the guns with some of the custom features that people were paying gunsmiths to add to their Colts. They included a high-cut front strap, beveling around magwell opening, a pseudo beavertail, etc. A few years later, the enhanced line was replaced by the XS series, which really was enhanced, with a real beavertail, extended ambi safety, dovetailed sights front and rear, etc. The XS lasted about two years, only to be replaced by the XSE, which was really a return to the older enhanced style. Over the years the XSE has been upgraded in spec to the extent that it's now only a real beavertail away from having all of the features of the XS. So, an old XSE from circa 2000 might be mistaken for an enhanced gun from almost ten years earlier, while a new XSE looks very much like the XS from ten years ago. It can certainly be confusing. The XSE is essentially the middle of Colt's product line, with the no-frills "New Roll Mark" guns at the bottom, the XSE in the middle, and the Special Combat Government Models and other Custom Shop guns at the top.

[mrcabinet]

Thank you all for your prompt, extremely knowledge replies. Looking at the pricing, I wasn't sure if they were just cosmeticly dressed up or just a good value.

I do believe that there's a certain XSE at my favorite gun store that I'm going to check out.

[Hammerdown]

Just an FYI, with regards to the higher cut front strap under the trigger guard, my new stainless Commander has that. The blued Commander doesn't though.

[A.B.]

Just an FYI, with regards to the higher cut front strap under the trigger guard, my new stainless Commander has that. The blued Commander doesn't though.I really like mine, too:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t316/gordonsorensen/flat/left1.jpg
O4091U (you can just make out the cut under the trigger guard)

The fit of the trigger bow, grip safety and thumb safety are superior to my blue 04691, as is the bushing, which is a smooth fit. It also has the edges knocked of on the slide, including the edge of the ejection port on the 04691 that drew leather on my holsters (it is the "machine" dehorning?) It lacks front serrations, a FLGR, and has the standard trigger, tear-drop safety and sights, but has the duck-bill GS and lightened hammer. And cut under the trigger. Just from my samples, it is closer to the XSE than the blued Commander--which is a very nice gun, too.

[Bacon]

My Government Model XSE came a with deeper and longer ramp. Also, the chamber mouth was opened up for easier chambering. It is approximately 5 years old.

[JustinTime]

My Government Model XSE came a with deeper and longer ramp. Also, the chamber mouth was opened up for easier chambering. It is approximately 5 years old.

Colt has three different recent chamber mouths. That is not XSE specific.

[chip-3]

Recently purchased a LW XSE Commander. My only reference is a pre 80 series commander in 38super. The XSE to me is much better. Flawless in eating anything you feed it, better fit in hand. Don't care for the front serrations, but thats a visual thing. Had the ambi safety changed to an extended, and a trigger job. Earlier gun looked better, this one functions better, IMHO.

[Leaky Waders]

Hi,

Comparing my 1911's (stainless xse purchased in 2005, recent blued government 1991a1 and recent blued O1918):

sites - xse 3 dot with larger dove tails cut in slide with small allen screw on larger rear site (tends to loosen with shooting - wilson 1911 multitool does not fit this screw); 1991a1 3 dot, no dove tail on front site, typical dovetail on rear site; 01918 - milspec sites.

slide - xse slanted serrations on front and rear of slide; vertical serrations on rear of slide of 1991a1 and O1918.

recoil spring plug - xse has a hole in it to accomodate full length guide rod (oh yeah, it has full length guide rod ;) ); 1991a1 and O1918 no hole in spring plug.

safety - xse - ambidextrous - makes the entire pistol just a hair thicker than the left sided safeties of the 1991a1 and O1918.

trigger - xse - aluminum 3 hole adjustable - no slack (ie rattle)from factory; 1991a1 and O1918 - steel black they both rattle a little when shaking the gun. All triggers are crisp and very remarkable - everyone comments when they first pull the triggers. (They are all factory without any work).

trigger guard - xse - undercut, scalloped; 1991a1 - scalloped; O1918 - 1911 style.

grip safety - xse - beaver tail (?) it entirely protects your hand from the hammer, 1991a1 and O1918 little hammer overhang on grip safeties.

hammers - xse - hammer has an oval shape with knurled rounded working end (combat hammer ?); 1991a1 and O1918 milspec shape but while the 1991a1 is parrallel to the end the O1918 is wider at the working end. Kind of like if you were looking at a flat handled shover from overhead.

grips - xse are held on with allen screws (wilson 1911 multitool does not fit them); 1911a1 and O1918 has machine screws - each of different width (wilson 1911 multitool does fit both flat screws). I forgot...so edited...the grip panels on the 1991a1 have an ambidextrous safety slot cut into in the right grip panel, the O1918 does not. Obviously the xse has a slot cut into the right side too.

magazines - all are interchangable - xse came with 2 stainless eight rounders, 1991a1 and O1918 came with 2 blued seven rounders respectively. I also have 47d's for all of them.

Packaging - xse and 1991a1 have the same paperwork and clamshell packaging; O1918 come with Colt Custom blue box and paperwork.

I haven't even had the opportunity to shoot the new 1991a1 or the O1918 yet (although I did put a set of nutmeg ivory grips on it just to be decadent).

The xse shoots awesome, if you do your part it will make you look like a very experienced shooter.

I hope this helps a little - I took some pictures for overall comparison and may try to post them later. (I've never posted pics before and reading the FAQ's going to another site blah blah blah...I figured I'd just write.)

v/r,

LW

PS I'm not a gunsmith so some of my terminology may be off. This is from a layman's perspective.