[al57]

am strongly considering the colt 1991 a1 govt. 45acp. ive heard lots of good & bad from other forums. would like to hear any experienced opinions on its out of box reliability, accuracy & durability. thank you

 

[dsk]

Recent-production ones are well made from all reports. You can easily tell the newer ones because they all have stainless steel barrels, even the matte blued '91s.

 

[jhickman]

I just bought a new Colt 1991A1 Stainless and couldn't be happier. One problem I did have was the magazine, the feed lips were set too wide, allowing the bullet to leave the mag too soon and jam the gun. A different mag cured the problem and I proceeded to shoot over 300 rounds that afternoon (hollowpoint, FMJ, wadcutter and reloads) even mixing them up in the mag and not a single malfunction. I also got groups below 2 inches at 25 yards when I fired prone. Many groups were closer to the 1 inch mark(honest, no foolin'!)I also own a Kimber Custom and have so far found my Colt to shoot just as accurately and reliably. As far as durability goes, I just got mine so I can't answer that from personal experience, but from other member's experiences the Colt seems to just keep on going and going and going. Sorry about the long winded post, I'm just very satisfied with mine and I am sure you would be too if that's what you decide on.

 

[mountain man]

Al,

My dad recently gave me a like new 1991 in 45 acp. So far it's been plenty accurate and totally reliable. The only failure I've had is a aftermarket mag which wouldn't allow the feeding of last round. Threw away the mag, and fixed the problem.

I've owned some earlier Colt's, several Springfields, and Llama (YUCK!). No other 1911 style pistol I've owned has even come close to being as reliable as my new 1991. I'm very satisfied with it.

BTW. I have only owned two autopistols which have always function, and never let me down. One is this Colt 1991, and the other is a S&W 9mmm 5906. Both have given me tremendous service so far.

Mountain Man

 

[ColtShooter]

I haven't shot mine that much, but it has never jammed, and is well made. I think it's a very good value in a 1911; just short on "features" that are popular these days.

 

[Tim B]

The 1991A1 guns are great, but Colt supplies the old style GI type 7 round mags with them. The feed lips are shaped to feed ball ammo. The newer 8 round mags (Wilson, McCormick, etc.) have feed lips that are shaped to hold on to the round a little longer during the feed cycle, making it easier for non-FMJ round nose ammo to make the journey from the feed ramp to the chamber without hanging up.

Tim

 

[BB]

Originally posted by Tim B:
The 1991A1 guns are great, but Colt supplies the old style GI type 7 round mags with them. The feed lips are shaped to feed ball ammo. The newer 8 round mags (Wilson, McCormick, etc.) have feed lips that are shaped to hold on to the round a little longer during the feed cycle, making it easier for non-FMJ round nose ammo to make the journey from the feed ramp to the chamber without hanging up.

Tim

Mine came with an 8 rounder.

 

[Ken Neal]

I have shot several of the 1991's and so far all have functioned quite well. The mags were all factory so I dont have any info there.

I run the range for my agency and the new/younger officers are prone to emulate the teacher and their equipment. There is no way would I steer one of these guys wrong on such an important part of their equipment. I might need for them to cover my butt some day and I really would like to know that their gun works.

For jhickman,,,If your 1991 was NIB I would at least go back to my dealer and see about a mag swap, or get in touch with Colt and tell them your story, I would not let it rest. I really think Colt should take care of this, your dealer did not make the mag.

------------------
No man is above the law and no man is below it. Nor do we ask any mans permission when we require him to obey it.

 

[shane45-1911]

Originally posted by Tim B:
The newer 8 round mags (Wilson, McCormick, etc.) have feed lips that are shaped to hold on to the round a little longer during the feed cycle,
Tim

Actually Tim,
the lips are shaped to release the cartridge a little EARLIER. Your thinking is correct however, but the Wilson lips aren't as long, allowing the cartridge to "spring" up into the chamber a little earlier, and not impact the feed ramp so hard.

 

[Tim B]

BB,

Wish I had your luck. All three of my 1991A1 GM's came with 7 round mags, as did my 1991A1 Commander.

Shane45-1911,

I thought for sure it was the other way around. I learn more every day.

Thanks guys,

Tim

 

[doctor j]

al57, my '91A1 5" blue has been reliable, durable, and as accurate as I am. Initially, I shot a group of 2" at 25 yards with S&B 230gr FMJ but have not been able to do it since. I'll blame it on presbyopia. Out of the box, the trigger was crisp but too heavy for me, so I had a smith take it to 4 lbs. Also, I had him install King's 3-Dot fixed sights. I feel very comfortable carrying this Colt for CCW. I'm very satisfied with mine.

 

[RUSSEL213]

mine work great, never had a problem. the basic 91A1 seems to be as reliable if not more so than the other brands with the bells and whistles on them.

i think john m browning knew what he was doing when he didn't put all the extra's on there!!!

russel the cop