There’s an excessive amount of storied historical past surrounding the 1911. A lot of this historical past is backed up by navy data to not point out Congressional investigations having to do with awarding the Medal of Honor. The Colt has figured into quite a few vital battles since its preliminary design for navy use.
Although it was formally changed by first the Beretta 92 and later the SIG P320, the 1911 nonetheless serves in some choose items. Along with its utility as a fantastic fight handgun, the 1911 is standard amongst rivals as effectively. Take the Camp Perry matches as an example. 1911 handguns had been modified into masterpieces of precision to be used in these very competitions. The early pistols had been initially modified by Military gunsmiths, whereas later, Colt provided manufacturing unit variations of match handguns.
Lots of the first match pistols had been pretty easy. The sights had been excessive visibility however fastened, whereas later adjustable sights had been added to the setup. The triggers had been additionally tuned for peak break and efficiency when precision taking pictures at distant targets was a should.
A Trendy 1911
In the present day, Colt presents a contemporary 1911 pistol appropriate for carry, competitors (particularly native matches) and even for smaller recreation searching within the type of its present Colt Competitors pistol. The primary weapons had been good, however the newer mannequin is even higher.
The unique used the Colt Collection 80 firing pin block. The brand new pistol is a Collection 70, which doesn’t use the firing pin block. Some don’t care concerning the block, I’d moderately not have it myself. A 1911 with an additional energy firing pin spring is a lot drop secure. Previous-style pistols had been discovered to go off if dropped from six toes or extra lifeless on the muzzle. The firing pin took a run ahead in opposition to spring stress. However that’s an uncommon scenario!
When SIG launched firing pin blocks as a matter of security, Colt adopted go well with to safe institutional gross sales. It’s one factor to design a firing pin block right into a pistol on the drafting board, however one other so as to add it to an present design. Most Collection 80 handguns are simply high quality. Some have a heavy set off pull. In any case, in terms of competitors taking pictures, it merely doesn’t matter. Until you tune the set off, one factor to bear in mind is it’s harder to get a tuned set off set appropriately with the Collection 80 block.
The unique Colt Competitors mannequin featured blue G10 grips as do the brand new weapons. However the authentic blue fiber optic entrance sight is now crimson, a better option for an aiming level. For those who favor inexperienced, it might simply be modified to that as effectively. One large enchancment is the Novak adjustable rear sight. It seems identical to older Novak Lo Mount sights for individuals who are followers however is adjustable for windage and elevation. Elevation adjustment is popping a screw, whereas windage is adjusted utilizing a brass hammer. it’s a rugged sight that appears to not drift the zero as soon as set.
Set off compression is clean with minimal take up and a pleasant break. The 9mm Luger model I examined broke at 5.0 kilos and the .45 ACP at 4.75 kilos on the RCBS set off weight scale. The set off boasts a typical sharp fast reset.
Different options value noting are the security will not be ambidextrous and the indent is agency and sharp. The beavertail grip security is effectively designed, and you’ll not have any hassle urgent the grip security and releasing the set off. The 1911 slide lock security and grip security are each good security options. Take a grip on the pistol and also you immediately depress the grip security. The slide lock security falls readily below the thumb. The journal catch and slide lock are correctly fitted. The feed ramp is good and clean. Match and end are good to wonderful. Colt launched a brand new twin recoil spring, which appears to deal with recoil higher than a single spring. The competition-ready pistols are delivered with a single journal and is available in a locking blue exhausting case with a gun lock, handbook and barrel bushing wrench.
Able to Shoot
I’ve fired each of the Colt pistols extensively. Every is an efficient shooter. I started by lubricating the lengthy bearing surfaces out of the field after which engaged in dry hearth for a number of days. The .45 got here first, the 9mm a yr or so later. The 9mm has fired simply over 400 cartridges with no single failure to feed, chamber, hearth or eject. The .45 has fired simply over 600 cartridges within the final yr or so. There have been no failures to feed, chamber, hearth or eject. Every is definitely managed.
The 9mm will put 10 holes in a goal in about the identical time it takes to place eight .45s within the X ring. I favor the .45 ACP by a fantastic margin for defensive use, just because I just like the bigger, harder-hitting spherical. For enjoyable taking pictures, nevertheless, and nonetheless assembly the necessities of a pistol that can be utilized for self-defense, the 9mm is palms down inexpensive to shoot. It’s much less recoil too, for these small-framed shooters who could are inclined to limp-wrist a heavier caliber handgun, generally inflicting it to jam. The 9mm can also be simpler to fireplace effectively off hand and would make a fantastic first gun. No have to get an affordable gun for those who can afford higher.
There’s, nevertheless, a distinction within the absolute accuracy of each weapons. The 9mm is sweet for a two-inch five-shot group from a strong bench relaxation with good ammunition. That’s good; even excellent. The .45 is a kind of pistols that simply got here out proper. The Nationwide Match barrel is effectively fitted and the barrel bushing comfortable. It has turned out one-inch 25-yard teams, which is a rarity within the handgun world. It would break a 1.5-inch group with most any load. That’s Les Baer and Wilson Fight territory. It is a very effectively put collectively pistol.
My first Colt Competitors .45 from again within the day was correct however not as correct as this one. Maybe a .5-inch to 1-inch distinction in group dimension won’t ever matter to most of us, and it definitely doesn’t matter in a protection gun, however for a competitor, they’re going to understand it. The Colts are every quick dealing with and correct to a primary shot, controllable and dependable. Colt actually has a winner with this new Collection 70 Competitors pistol.
Accuracy Outcomes*
9mm Colt
Load 5-shot group (25 yards)
Black Hills 115-gr. EXP 2.25 inch.
Black Hills 124-gr. JHP 1.75 inch.
Black Hills 124-gr. JHP +P 2.25 inch
Handload 147-gr. XTP Titegroup 1.8 inch
.45 ACP
Black Hills 185-gr. JHP 2.15 inch
Black Hills 200-gr. SWC 1.25 inch
Black Hills 230-gr. JHP 1.5 inch
Handload Magna Solid 200-gr. SWC 1.55 inch
(*Fired from a strong relaxation.)
SPECIFICATIONS
COLT COMPETITION GOVERNMENT MODEL – SERIES 70
Caliber: 9mm LugerBarrel size: 5 in.General size: 8.5 in.Weight: 36 oz. unloadedGrips: G10 syntheticSights: Novak adjustable rear and fiber-optic frontAction: Single actionFinish: BluedCapacity: 9 + 1 rounds
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