Do you have another Colt to compare it to?
They are known to build there guns a bit loose, it should not impact accuracy.

 

I own a Colt commander .45 purchased in 2013 new. It is very well fitted in comparison.

 

Even many of the prized customs of years past rattled like a can of spray paint... they ran and were accurate. Tight guns are a newer phenomenon in the custom and semi-custom world... barrel fit, not so much slide fit, will make an accurate gun.

If you want to tighten it up, you might consider accurails.

 

Do you think it’s acceptable?

 

A Colt that looks good, functions well and shoot straight? Nah, not acceptable at all. Sell it off.

 

It shoots fine it’s just really clunky. I have no intentions of modifying it just annoyed.

 

You should sell it and use the fund to buy more Filipino guns that you so enjoy. No point in putting up with a gun that you don’t like.

 

Not sure what to tell you. You said it's accurate and reliable, which is what really counts. If the play in the slide and frame bothers you either get it tightened up or get rid of it. I have lots of Colt 1911s, and some are pretty loose. Despite that they are accurate and reliable as well and aren't going anywhere. Unfortunately though most gun buyers these days expect a 1911 to be fitted tighter than a tick, which wasn't the way they were originally designed.

 

I don't want a rattle trap but as long as it shoots straight and consistent, why worry?

I have started down the track of tightening the frame/slide fit and will be doing another very soon. It is very rewarding and while I don't aim for a super tight pistol that will jam at a hint of grime, it sure feels damn nice in the hand.

 

I don't want a rattle trap but as long as it shoots straight and consistent, why worry?

Unless you were in the military and was issued a 1911. Most people have no ideal what a "rattle" is. Results on target is what matters.

 

Is that the one rolled only COLT CUSTOM on the left side of the slide?
A buddy has the .45 version, and I was very impressed with the quality of the polish, much better than the lesser level of polish on my blued Colts.

 

I'm not impressed with any Colt 1911. Mostly junk, particularly those made in recent years.

 

That is a rather severe comment! there have been some Q.C. problems I suppose but to say that all Colts are junk is ridiculous and I'm not particularly a Colt guy. I would say that I'm a Kimber fan and I'm sure you'll have something rude to say about them also. I have a new Colt competition and it is a little loose compared to my other 1911s, but it shoots great, and I'm not concerned in the least about it.

 

Here we go again...

 

Colts aren’t built loose. They’re built per specs. Other lesser copies are built to the wrong specifications.

 

my recent colt “junk”
Muhahaha

 

Shiny polish is desirable. Note shiny 'Bright' 🐍 is substantially > 💵 regular 🐍 revolver. 🤩You can always sell it and buy M45A1. It's ugly as hell, but mine has zero rattle. It shakes like an anvil.🤣

 

Yes, it’s really a great looking gun. I’m not into super tight 1911s, but this one is the rattliest 1911 I’ve ever examined. I’d like to know if others have the same issue with theirs?

 

Stainless requires more clearance than carbon steel to avoid galling.
Accuracy is what counts.

 

Stainless requires more clearance than carbon steel to avoid galling.
Accuracy is what counts.

Sig P210 American is stainless, Dan Wesson 1911s are stainless and tight as Hilary

 

Rattley seems to be a Colt 1911 trait, but if it’s accurate and reliable just shoot and enjoy it. When I first was able to get into 1911’s I was left cold by the Colt rattles and grittiness in the slide operation, but in retrospect it just didn’t matter.

I got 2 used non-1911 Colts last year that really changed my mind about Colt at an estate sale, a 8” Anaconda in 45C and a 1937 Woodsman 22lr that are really tight and just smooth, made me realize that Colts are as good as anything else but just have their own quirks. Just shoot and enjoy yours, if it bothers you and you can’t get over it sell it and let someone else enjoy it !

 

Odd that you have an issue with a 3 year old gun…it didn’t get loose in the safe.
Joe

 

That is correct, it’s the same gun I bought then. The difference is that I have bought a few since then, and talked to a few people, and formed an opinion of how a 1911 should behave.

 

A Colt is how a 1911 should behave. The rest of the copies are made out of specifications.

 

Colt def has quality control issues. I’m buying RIAs from now on and if they have issues no big deal bc they don’t cost a fortune and RIAs customer service will handle it.

 

Colt def has quality control issues. I’m buying RIAs from now on and if they have issues no big deal bc they don’t cost a fortune and RIAs customer service will handle it.

Have you contacted Colt? They may not consider "rattle" a QC issue.

I have six Colt 1911's. Three rattle, three do not.

 

It is a training feature to improve your accuracy. If the gun is rattling, then you are not holding it steady enough to get good accuracy with it. They throw it in for free as part of the package.

 

The slide to frame fit doesn't really have an effect on accuracy so much as it effects the feeling of quality when handling and shooting the gun.

Tightly fit guns can be quite reliable. Even though Colt's production line guns and even the Special Combat Government have traditionally been more loosely fit, their current Custom Shop guns the Custom Competition (pictured above) and Custom Carry are not fit loosely and do not rattle.

That said, one of my favorite 1911s is a SCG which is not horribly loose but isn't exactly tight either. It rattles just a bit but shoots great.

 

I run a "home for Colts (and Remington Rands, and Ithacas, and USS&S) that rattle - just send them to me and I'll take care of them - I won't even charge you to store them (may even pay to ship)
Riposte

 

Yes. I do agree with the light looseness not affecting accuracy. My newest pistol is dead on and the frame to slide is indeed a bit loose. Not huge. But like someone said...it's about the feel.

Drive a new car with a rattle...

Drive a new car without a rattle....

I am going to swage this Texas Republic as well. When I am done with it it will shoot tight and feel tight. I can do it, I'll get better at it, and it's now free labor since I have the tools. It's gonna be bada55.

 

Yes. I do agree with the light looseness not affecting accuracy. My newest pistol is dead on and the frame to slide is indeed a bit loose. Not huge. But like someone said...it's about the feel.

Drive a new car with a rattle...

Drive a new car without a rattle....

I am going to swage this Texas Republic as well. When I am done with it it will shoot tight and feel tight. I can do it, I'll get better at it, and it's now free labor since I have the tools. It's gonna be bada55.

If you were to drive a brand new made in 2023 Ford Model T made to original specifications, how much rattle do you think that Model T would have when compared to a 2023 Mustang GT?

 

One of the first things done was the shake test when I picked up my Gold Cup Trophy. Was dissapointed to hear a slight rattle. That disappointment melted when it proved it's worth at the range.

 

Don’t let it rattle you a 1911 gets its accuracy from how well the barrel is married to the slide you want a nice lockup you want the barrel to return to the same place every time no movement when in battery. Of course your sights have to be right. And a steady hand is needed. 1911’s Forever

 

1. I never said a loose fit made the gun bad, just that it FEELS AWESOME to have a tight fit, well running pistol.
2. Some cheap pistols are tight.
3. Some cheap pistols are loose.
4. Some expensive pistols are loose.
4. Some expensive pistols are tight.

fnflman you are being a bit snarky. We are just discussing. No need to inflame. If you want to leave your pistol alone, great. Some do not. I seriously doubt jollyrogers, pistolwrench, magnumite, steve, jason, and quite a few other pistol makers will leave a rattling slide to frame on their high end pistols. NOT because the pistol won't shoot well. But because everything is custom fit including the frame to slide fit.

 

Nothing wrong with custom fit. French border, magical frou frou finish, checkering this way and that way, ball cut, Hi Power cut, beaver tail, duck tail, rat tail, extended safety, extended slide release, serrated this and that, G10 grips, aluminum grips, black rhino ivory grips, ad infinitum.

Do whatever you like to your guns. However don’t come to a Colt forum and complain about loose fit on a Colt as though it’s a factory defect or lack of quality control. It’s supposed to be that way since Day One.

If a loose fit on a Colt were to induce malfunctions or has a 6” group at 5-yards, then, yes, we have a problem. If a loose fit on a Colt that groups tight and functions well, then that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Don’t like the way a Colt is made to original dimensions and tolerances? Then get rid of it and buy something else that is made out of specs. Filipino guns and Turkish guns don’t rattle and they’re cheap. Buy them up. Ed Brown and Wilson don’t rattle and they’re not cheap. Also buy them up.