Colt vs. Kimber (or others) for custom work

[dikatry]

Hi all, I am a Marine here at Camp Pendleton. I am deploying in Feb and have been in contact with a couple of 1911 pistol smiths. I am trying to have a commander length 1911 custom built. While I am gone so I can pick it up when I get back. Most of them say that it is a better idea to have a custom 1911 built off of a production gun rather than start from scratch. Most of them suggested Kimber and one suggested the S&W SC to start from. Now heres my problem with that. I have a Kimber Warrior currently, I bought it because it had an internal extractor, short guide rod, and from what I was told doesn’t have the series 2 safety (don’t really know what that is though) Not to mention that is was built for Marines and I am a Marine :-). I love it by the way. I am pretty sure that none of the other Kimbers, especially with a 4 inch barrel come that way, and I know the S&W Sc has an external extractor.

Here’s the thing, I have always loved Colt, the first gun I remember shooting was a Colt AR-15 at a gun show when I was about 6. But, I have heard and read many times that their quality was lacking in the 80s and 90s. I can attest to that on the m16s we have. I have read from a few of you that the 1911s they are currently producing are of much better quality than in the 80s and 90s. Is this true? Are the tolerances as tight as on a Kimber? If I am going to invest the money to have a custom 1911 built would it be a good idea to go with one of the new Colts? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I would really like to go with a 1911 series commander in stainless, I just don’t know if it is a good choice.

[USMC/8541]

what's up devil dog ! go with a colt combat commander series 70. I have one that is tricked out buy Terry Tussey. and that guy is one of the best. He says the colt is the best platform to customize off of, or a caspian. I also have a warrior, and It is one kick-butt piece. In my opinion the colt is the one they are all Judged against and most copied. Like bill wilson says "if there are 2 brand new 1911's one a springfield or kimber and the other a colt, and they said you could have one of your choice free! you will choose a colt every time" hope I helped..

[dikatry]

8541 huh? Scout Sniper. Thats what I wanted to be when I enlisted. My recruiter didnt tell me I had to be an 03 to do that. And he said 03 was full. I think I might reenlist as counter intel so I can go scout sniper. thanks for the advice. I wanted a series 70 commander, but they dont make them any more and I am weary of buying a used gun. Yeah I was going to go with a caspian, but most of the gunsmiths Ive been talking to say they'd rather build off of a production gun. I think I gonna go with Alex hamilton to build mine. He was the APG pistol smith of the year in 93.

[Hawkmoon]

Buy the Colt. Who cares what the tolerances are? If you're going to have it customized, the 'smith will tighten it up where needed anyway.

Not that I'm saying Colts are too loose. They aren't. Personal preference entirely, I would buy any Colt I could afford, and I have no incentive or drive to ever have a Kimber enter my house. If given one, I would most likely trade it immediately for a Colt.

[Hawkmoon]

Allow me to hijack a quotation from another thread on the forum:

I own a few "high end 1911s" and find them to be extremely reliable when used for their intended purpose, match shooting and practice sessions on the range. These pistols are tightly fitted but show no sensitivity to fouling (powder residue, etc.) or heat. They are high mileage guns that have consumed tens of thousands of rounds with few failures, all ammunition related (I'm not real picky about my practice brass). They will not, however, endure the abuse that a service pistol can absorb, i.e. dirt in the action; that is why service pistols are loose.

I don't shoot in competition. Although I don't regularly carry every 1911 I own (not that I own that many), the intended use for each is self-defense. Any of them could become a carry weapon at any time. Accordingly, my entire frame of reference is toward what would be suitable for a "service" pistol rather than a target or competition pistol.

[dikatry]

cool thanks for the help. Now I gotta find me a colt. so just to make sure, colt doesnt make a series 70 commander any more?

[Dave Simpson]

I've been told by a gunsmith I trust that it's a pretty simple process to change a Series 80 Colt to Series 70 style setup. I'm sure which ever gunsmith you choose to customize the Colt can verify that it can be done by just changing a few parts out.

[USMC/8541]

I hear alot of people bash ser.80 colts, I like them alot and you should consider getting a colt XSE commander stainless. that piece has it all. about all it needs is a trigger job. some people get wrapped up in all the hype "you need this and that on you gun" about all you need is good range time w/the pistol, and you know training is everything! I would feel as good w/my WW1 1911"reissue" as I would with my hooked up combat comm. or warrior. in a real situation. by the way when I got back from Iraq the sent my behind on recruiting duty! in MN. and Im from cali.. how do you like them apples. later dog and good luck.....semper....................

[John]

I've been told by a gunsmith I trust that it's a pretty simple process to change a Series 80 Colt to Series 70 style setup. I'm sure which ever gunsmith you choose to customize the Colt can verify that it can be done by just changing a few parts out.
You do not need a gunsmith to do that, and most gunsmiths would not do that, for liability issues. But it's just a matter of removing 2 parts and replacing 2 more with a shim. No biggie.

[Blasterboy]

Aside from the liability(removing an existing safety device)...I believe it is against federal law..!!

[John]

Which federal law?

[Blasterboy]

Just a question... My thinking is, if one wants to customize a 1911 Commander, and decides to buy a new Kimber or Colt to build your kick butt carry piece, it doesn't make a bunch of sense to spent $800 to $ 1,000 for the platform. Then invest atleast $1,000 to "trick" it out. Buy a S/A for $500 and then invest the $1,000 for the gunsmithing costs. Economically it makes more sense to go with the S/A. Either way, the final outcome will be the same....assuming that similar work was performed on each.

[Huevos]

Another vote for the Colt. I had this Series 70 Reproduction worked up for me and love it. The current production Colts are great...

http://www.fototime.com/6CFCFA982ECF47E/standard.jpg

[USMC/8541]

there is somthing about a colt that the other guys "S/A, KIMBER, AND ALL THE REST WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND" I have owned most of the others and they just are not "Colts" they are very good pieces but when I looked at your combat commander pics. you know! often imitated, never duplicated!

[OD*]

And another vote for the Colt. ;)

[Hawkmoon]

Aside from the liability(removing an existing safety device)...I believe it is against federal law..!!
Let's get back to this point ...

What Federal law (or regulation) do you think might be violated by removing or disabling the firing pin safety?

[michael t]

Their is none. Its more miss information passed on internet. Will be years trying to get it stopped.

[littledoc]

Get the Colt XS Commander. Many 'smiths work on S/As and/or Kimbers, but they all work on Colts. I have had one for years and the only failure I had was a mag problem, a McCormick that fell lips first into the gravel. I have a few 1911's but when its time to repel all borders, this is the one I'll grab.

Have you talked to King's up in Glendale? It's a little over an hour up I5 from Oceanview. But you could hand deliver it and look them in the eye when you tell them what you want. They are more old school (and I'm old) but do nice work.

I wouldn't deactivate the series 80 safety for fear of the scumbag's family's lawsuit that is sure to happen in Kalifornia. The trigger/safety can be worked so that you will never even know it's there.

Semper Fi