Posted: 9/8/2024 10:37:23 PM EDT
| Why no love for these .45? I've had owned one forever and have put thousands of rounds through it. I enjoy it as much today as the first time I took it to the range. What gives? |
|
IIRC - After the Colt/UAW strikes, the Finishers went on strike and the 1991 was the work around. Rather than highly polished MKIV/S80, the parkerized gun got no love. There were some cast and MIM on it, but I recall seeing the first plastic MSH. I had no problems with mine. I've got a Officers with a buncha rounds through it. |
Tennessee Squire - F&AM - PBA
LE Armorer - Montgomery NRA Grad
LE Armorer - Montgomery NRA Grad
|
It was complicated. The 1991 designation was originally intended to start out as cheaper alternative to compete with Springfield and Kimber etc. So butt ugly ORM (old rollmark version) without a pony presence. Those were still good to go, but lack of attractive rollmarks. Colt then realized they made a big mistake, the ORM didn't survived. Then, the introduction of NRM 1991 which is essentially the same gun with better finish and better rollmark. From that point on, pretty much all the 1911 Colt made had the 1991 model designation until they killed the lineage when went back to the Series 70 root. But in reality, most of the 1991 "improvements" since 1991 are incorporated in the current Colt Series 70 guns. Just different rollmarks applied. So the 1991 spirit lives on, just called differently for marketing purpose. If the older 1991 can be had at dirt cheap price, don't shy away from grabbing one or two. They are perfect base for custom pistols (DIY or else). 
|
|
Originally Posted By mlin: It was complicated. The 1991 designation was originally intended to start out as cheaper alternative to compete with Springfield and Kimber etc. So butt ugly ORM (old rollmark version) without a pony presence. Those were still good to go, but lack of attractive rollmarks. Colt then realized they made a big mistake, the ORM didn't survived. Then, the introduction of NRM 1991 which is essentially the same gun with better finish and better rollmark. From that point on, pretty much all the 1911 Colt made had the 1991 model designation until they killed the lineage when went back to the Series 70 root. But in reality, most of the 1991 "improvements" since 1991 are incorporated in the current Colt Series 70 guns. Just different rollmarks applied. So the 1991 spirit lives on, just called differently for marketing purpose. If the older 1991 can be had at dirt cheap price, don't shy away from grabbing one or two. They are perfect base for custom pistols (DIY or else). https://i.imgur.com/yVfIQLN.jpg Years ago I bought one of the newer rollmark 1991s. I think I paid $550. They're great pistols. Not pretty, but they're reliable. I know i've shot the shit out of mine. |
"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives."-Abba Eban
"I like it both ways, but still mainly mouth it" -gonzo_beyondo
"I like it both ways, but still mainly mouth it" -gonzo_beyondo
|
I showed mine a ton of love. It was my first gun of any kind, and I CCWd it for a while too. The gun had been a local cop's BUG, and it had some pitting under the Hogues it came with. A few years ago I sent it to Steve from Integrity Arms for the full package. I'd already installed the magwell, thin grips, and a beaver tail. He re-did the beaver tail, undercut the trigger guard, checkered the front strap, replaced all the MIM, DLC finish, cut for Novak sights, trigger work, etc. It's perfect now, shoots like a dream. I really like the 1991, it's just weird enough to be interesting. Attached File |
|
I used a 5” Govt as a base gun for a project Karl Sokol did for me around 2003-4 Good sights, Kart barrel, replaced any MIM or plastic, good trigger, reliability package, melt job etc… Gun feels like a 2 week old bar of soap. Birdsong Black-T finish. Still own it. Very accurate and Glock-like reliable with Wilson 47D 8 rounders I haven’t carried it in years but I doubt I’ll ever get rid of it. The man was a wizard. Built me several guns over the years I took to dangerous places. |
Speed, Surprise, Violence of Action
|
I have had a couple over the years. Mine we very reliable and I actually like the plain simple look. One got built into a bullseye competition gun by Clark’s and proves you can get a phenomenal trigger on a series 80. As far as “no love” Plain finish and roll marks ( which I actually like myself) No pony The purists were disappointed it has a series 80 firing mechanism ( just my suspicion but I think this was the most produced and available series 80 gun - it doesn’t seem the higher polish versions sold well) Introduced the plastic trigger and mainspring housing also ( the MSH is no big deal, I absolutely hated the long plastic trigger - I think long triggers that predominate on 1911’s currently are the stupidest thing going) |
|
I bought a stainless Government Model and a blue Officer's ACP, when the 1991s were new, during a special deal for NRA instructors. The rear sight on the Government Model loosened in the dovetail and would start working its way to one side or the other. I used some glue to keep it in place. It was reasonably accurate and reliable. Experienced hammer-bite when drawing and shooting, in competition and practice. Eventually sold it. The Officer's ACP was quite accurate and just the right size to carry. It's problem was reliability. I was never able to shoot a full 50 round box of ammo without a misfeed. Didn't matter the type of ammo, whether reloads, factory Winchester or Remington, FMJ or JHP. Magazines didn't improve things. I tried Colt and Wilson compact and full size magazines, still had problems. A new recoil spring didn't help. I really wanted the pistol to work, but could not improve it. Traded it to full-size S&W 1911 that works. |
|
I bought my Commander used back in 2005'ish. It has seen many miles of desert off-roading and riding dirt bikes. Other than some cheap magazine issues and replacing recoil springs, it has been 100% reliable. Shown above my Star BM for size comparison.  It has north of 7000 rounds through it since I've had it and is now my nightstand gun. |
...behind every blade of grass...
|
Interesting stuff, rhank you for all of the replies. Thanks to them, I found my way to the Colt forum. Lots of interesting stuff there as well. This one has me stumped. I bought it used at a gunshot in the early '90s. It came with rubber wrap around Hogue grips, Trijicon night sites, what appears to be a Krylon paint job, and the brown plastic case. As the sites have faded, I'm now on the fence as to whether it would be worth having it taken back to its original finish and stock grips. It's been a great shooter and I'd hate to mess up a good thing. |
|
Originally Posted By TOGVET: Interesting stuff, rhank you for all of the replies. Thanks to them, I found my way to the Colt forum. Lots of interesting stuff there as well. This one has me stumped. I bought it used at a gunshot in the early '90s. It came with rubber wrap around Hogue grips, Trijicon night sites, what appears to be a Krylon paint job, and the brown plastic case. As the sites have faded, I'm now on the fence as to whether it would be worth having it taken back to its original finish and stock grips. It's been a great shooter and I'd hate to mess up a good thing. Personally I have always found refinishing to be a losing proposition- costs money and for utility guns does not add value and on collectible guns decreases value. If it works leave it alone. Regarding the sights, if the front is already dovetailed replacing the sights is not a bad thing. However if it is still a traditional staked in front sight they are a pain to replace and get right. I am of the opinion to leave well enough alone. There are plenty of posts all over of people saying they got a gun refinished and then had functional issues due to some overlooked detail the refinished failed to address. |
|
Originally Posted By captain127: Personally I have always found refinishing to be a losing proposition- costs money and for utility guns does not add value and on collectible guns decreases value. If it works leave it alone. Regarding the sights, if the front is already dovetailed replacing the sights is not a bad thing. However if it is still a traditional staked in front sight they are a pain to replace and get right. I am of the opinion to leave well enough alone. There are plenty of posts all over of people saying they got a gun refinished and then had functional issues due to some overlooked detail the refinished failed to address. Originally Posted By captain127: Originally Posted By TOGVET: Interesting stuff, rhank you for all of the replies. Thanks to them, I found my way to the Colt forum. Lots of interesting stuff there as well. This one has me stumped. I bought it used at a gunshot in the early '90s. It came with rubber wrap around Hogue grips, Trijicon night sites, what appears to be a Krylon paint job, and the brown plastic case. As the sites have faded, I'm now on the fence as to whether it would be worth having it taken back to its original finish and stock grips. It's been a great shooter and I'd hate to mess up a good thing. Personally I have always found refinishing to be a losing proposition- costs money and for utility guns does not add value and on collectible guns decreases value. If it works leave it alone. Regarding the sights, if the front is already dovetailed replacing the sights is not a bad thing. However if it is still a traditional staked in front sight they are a pain to replace and get right. I am of the opinion to leave well enough alone. There are plenty of posts all over of people saying they got a gun refinished and then had functional issues due to some overlooked detail the refinished failed to address. I agree. The 1991 isn't a collector piece and @TOGVET example has already been altered anyway. It's a shooter. Unless I was going to have some extensive custom work done, I wouldn't bother with a refinishing. Just shoot and enjoy. |
"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives."-Abba Eban
"I like it both ways, but still mainly mouth it" -gonzo_beyondo
"I like it both ways, but still mainly mouth it" -gonzo_beyondo
|
Attached File I love mine. The plastic mainspring housings have been replaced with colt metal mainspring housings. The plastic triggers have been replaced with aluminum ones from newer 1991’s. The compact also has the EGW recoil spring and guide rod kit and a fusion barrel bushing. |
|
Originally Posted By Lawman75: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/125490/IMG_4751_jpeg-3346972.JPG I love mine. The plastic mainspring housings have been replaced with colt metal mainspring housings. The plastic triggers have been replaced with aluminum ones from newer 1991's. The compact also has the EGW recoil spring and guide rod kit and a fusion barrel bushing. |
|
Originally Posted By turbobrick: It’s cool to see a 1991a1 Officer in such great, mostly original shape. I got mine back in '05 or so, and it was way rougher even back then. I still have the original recoil assembly and bushing, as well as all the plastic parts. I upgraded the recoil assembly and bushing just for longevity, I shoot these on a regular basis. |
|
They rock, especially for what you can buy them for. Mine is stupidly reliable and I've tossed some seriously nasty crap at it like WW1 garbage with verdigris on the rounds, beat to heck carry rounds, and mixed bag assorted crap accumulated over the years. Replaced the recoil spring a few times but it makes Glocks cry. Mine was an earlier parked model, later on they switched to blued over a non polished finish. Great sights for the time and much better then the earlier ones. Attached File |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
|
Originally Posted By fxntime: They rock, especially for what you can buy them for. Mine is stupidly reliable and I've tossed some seriously nasty crap at it like WW1 garbage with verdigris on the rounds, beat to heck carry rounds, and mixed bag assorted crap accumulated over the years. Replaced the recoil spring a few times but it makes Glocks cry. Mine was an earlier parked model, later on they switched to blued over a non polished finish. Great sights for the time and much better then the earlier ones. I picked up this one AND a blued Colt Commander unfired, for under $800 back in the day. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32224/IMG_0860__1__JPG-3347563.JPG |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
|
Picked up an old roll mark gun a few years ago at a great price. My cheap attempt at making an early 80s style custom 1911 with it. Great shooting piece.Attached File |
|
I have a full size and a officers 1991a1. Officers has had some work done by a local Smith. Trigger, beaver tail, guide rod and bushing were done. All parts are Wilson combat. Both shoot great and 100%reliable and are park finish. I keep watching for a commander size to complete the set. Gtate, nice spin of of the M45a1 color combo, Looks good. |
| I've got 2. A stock officer's model that's parked. Got it from my uncle, hardly shot it. The other is a matte stainless frame and the sides of the slide are polished, the 4.25 commander model that I bought new. This one has some upgraded parts and runs very well. I would like a full size, but I haven't come across one yet. I don't know where you guys are finding them cheap, because they aren't around here. |
|
Bought a new full size for $399 back in 92-ish---can't remember why I got rid of it. Currently have a stainless new roll mark full size that I've had for 8 or 9 years now---put some walnut double diamonds on it and that's the only mod----doesn't get shot much but very accurate and it's not going anywhere. |