History of Colt Officers Model

[Sammy]

I know that Colt Officers models were introduced in the 1970's for it's General Officers. However, besides that model, I have never seen another Colt Officers model until the Series 80. Was there ever a Series 70 Colt Officers model produced, or was it only the M15 model?

Thanx.
Sammy

[stans]

The Colt General Officer Model (M-15) was a joint venture between the U.S. Army and Colt. A little over 1000 were made and were issued from 1972 to 1981. The M-15 had a slide and barrel that were 3/4" shorter than the Government model, a special recoil spring and rod assembly and the barrel had only one top locking lug. Sights were high visibility style.

The Officers ACP is much different from the military General Officer Model.

[Sammy]

Thank you greatly for the reply stans. So the first Colt Officers models were the Series 80 model we are accustom to seeing?

Thanx.
Sammy

[stans]

The first Officers ACP's were series 80, introduced in 1985.

[Sammy]

Thank you greatly for the reply. I hope all is well there.

Sammy

The first Officers ACP's were series 80, introduced in 1985.

[OD*]

Sammy,

FWIW, this is a Colt Officers Model

http://www.simpsonltd.com/Showroom/Colt/Revolvers/B9451/B9451%20L.jpg

Colt's Officers ACP's were base on the autos.

[Sammy]

Would it be improper to refer to a Colt 1911A1 Officers Model as a Colt Officers Model? Just asking.

Thanx.
Sammy

Sammy,

FWIW, this is a Colt Officers Model

http://www.simpsonltd.com/Showroom/Colt/Revolvers/B9451/B9451%20L.jpg

Colt's Officers ACP's were base on the autos.

[John]

If you are typical, yes, it would be improper, but not in this Forums Site.

[Sammy]

lol. Considering I get pissed off when people refer to the SWD M11/9 as a MAC11, I will start addressing the Colt 1911A1 Officers model as the Colt 1911A1 Officers model or Colt Officers ACP.

Thanx.
Sammy

If you are typical, yes, it would be improper, but not in this Forums Site.

[Jack M]

Just to close the loop, Colt produced an Officers model in the 1991A1 series, in parkerized and stainless.

[Sammy]

Yup yup. I do recall that. I once shot one, and while the recoil was minimal, the only other thing I remember is she always jammed.

Sammy

[Bob Blair]

Are there any of the USGI General Officers Models in the civilian market now? Also when was the Officers model XS ACP made and in what variations? Thanks.

Bob

[Sammy]

I am curious to know about the XS Series as well. What are people's experiences with the Colt Defender 90 series vs. the Colt Officers 80 series?

Thanx.
Sammy

[Chuck S]

I've a Officer's ACP which has proven reliable and accurate. Mark IV Series 80. Other than being only an once lighter than the typical Commander and having no night sights it's a great pistol.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/892154/NENWH-IMG_0174.JPG
-- Chuck

[stans]

Are there any of the USGI General Officers Models in the civilian market now?

The precious few are in the hands of collectors. If one is encountered, I would expect the price tag to be very high.

[Sammy]

Very nice Chuck. Personally I enjoy the feel of the Hogue grips, what type of grips are those on your Series 80? Is there any reason to go against using Hogue grips?
It seems the largest difference between the Series 80 and Series 90 is the Series 80 has a barrel bushing, while the Series 90 does not. Is that accurate?

Thanx.
Sammy

[Chuck S]

Rubber grips are too "sticky" for me for most uses, they hang on clothing and make it difficult to slide my hand around the grip during presentation from the holster. They also don't absorb enough recoil for me to use them on range pistols.

My Officer ACP is Series 80 with an Ed Brown barrel bushing and a Clark reverse recoil spring plug. The pistol still retains the Colt's dual recoil spring arrangement. A special Wolff will get a trial this weekend. Same weight.

The grips are thin AlumaGrips. I really can't say enough good things about Alumagrips and especially the thin versions. They have flattopped checkering which allows the hand go glide across them until you squeeze, then the checkering takes over for a very firm grip. The thin versions are not only thinner for carry purposes, but enable me to get a better grip on the pistol during firing because I can get more of my fingers around the grip.

I normally keep thin AlumaGrips on all of my M1911 pistols. Try 'em, I was astounded at the superior grip I get. I just replaced very nice wood grips off my Kobra Carry.

The other non-standard item which shows on my Officer ACP is the Gunsite Low Thumb Safety. I have this on three M1911 type pistols as it enables me to get a solid grip, keep my thumb on the safety, depress the grip safety, and not wear a hole in my thumb.

-- Chuck

[Sammy]

What are more accurate, 1911's with bushing or bushingless barrels?

Thanx.
Sammy

[Sammy]

With the exception of the Colt Defender series, did Colt ever produce another bushingless barrel on their Officers ACP models?

Thanx.
Sammy

[stans]

Not on the 1911. Even the Officer's ACP had a bushing and it was thin and had the potential for cracking.

[Sammy]

Thanx stans,

I have heard the rumor about the Colt Officers ACP Series 80 bushing. When I saw one recently, the bushing was replaced with one from King's Gun Works, and overall looked pretty nice.

What is the difference with the Enhanced Officers Model?

Thanx.
Sammy

[lil toad]

Chuck S, have you ever had a problem with the Gunsite low safety? Does it rub you when you carry? I had a Wilson extended narrow safety on my Officer's model and it rubbed my love handles, so I went back to the Colt original.

[Chuck S]

The Gunsite Low Thumb Safety (on three out of my 4 carry pistols) doesn't rub on anything when I carry it, but few holster have their safety "blade" for want of a better term in the right spot to cover it completely.

I may have to ask Milt Sparks to make a custom holster with a larger upper blade to better cover the lever, but it works OK at present.

-- Chuck

[warmrain]

Thanx stans,

I have heard the rumor about the Colt Officers ACP Series 80 bushing. When I saw one recently, the bushing was replaced with one from King's Gun Works, and overall looked pretty nice.

What is the difference with the Enhanced Officers Model?

Thanx.
Sammy
It's an old thread, but I'll answer anyway to the best of my knowledge...

One difference is the lightweight skeletonized hammer. Another is a slight recess cut under the trigger guard so the highest finger on the grip can ride just a little higher. The cocking serrations on the enhanced are at an angle too. There is a true extended beavertail as well. You don't see the Enhanced Model come along very often...

[Chuck S]

"Non-enhanced."

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/892154/HPYKZ-IMG_0567.JPG

-- Chuck

[warmrain]

Lightweight skeletonized hammer
Gold Cup slanted cocking serrations
Finger releif cut under trigger guard
Flat topped (ribbed) slide
Beveled magazine well
Beaver tail grip safety (in place of duck tail)
Throated barrel
Cutaway and flaired ejection port
All the enhanced I've seen came from colt with wrap around rubber grips (some smooth, some checkered)

Some have long nylon triggers, this example has a short stainless trigger

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c151/warmrain/ColtOfficersUltimateBrightStainless.jpg

[Chuck S]

My Officer ACP now wears Novak dot over bar tritium night sights. And BBQ grips for the photo! ;)

-- Chuck

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/892154/XCLLU-IMG_0566.JPG

[Hawkmoon]

Just to close the loop, Colt produced an Officers model in the 1991A1 series, in parkerized and stainless.
But in the M1991A1 series they didn't call it "Officers," they called it "Compact." That's what mine is. I sometimes call it an Officers because I think more people will know what I'm talking about, but Colt called it a Compact.