Well, I finally got ahold of Colt's newest release in the 1911 space, the Colt's Model 01911SE-A1. As a card-carrying member of the Colt's Fanboi Club, it was a "must have", especially after seeing that this new model sports a ring hammer. For some general information, this pistol is a standard Government Model length, GI recoil system, single-stack, .45 ACP. The gun comes with one (bummer) Colt-marked magazine.
Now, aesthetically, I think Colt absolutely knocked this gun out of the park. With the exception of the Novak rear (personal choice/opinion), I really can't think of anything I would change about the SE's immediate looks. As far as function goes, I can't make that determination yet, as I just picked up the gun and haven't shot it yet.
Here are some of my initial highlights of the gun:
Overall Aesthetic
The SE is an insanely good-looking gun, because it follows the classic look that is universally loved. It's a five-inch, blued, .45 ACP pistol, a formula that not only won two World Wars- but our hearts as well (I know Gov't issued WW2 guns were largely parkerized, don't ruin the moment). However, the general look of the gun is only the beginning. I was really impressed by Colt's decision to use an original-style nub thumb safety with "checkering" on the top AND bottom like the pre-war guns (The thumb safety is actually very nice. Crisp and audible movements. Great job!). You'll also notice this early-style checkering mimicked on the slide stop as well. Of course, the left side of the slide depicts the roll marks that were first seen on Colt 1911/Government Models in 1918, an excellent choice for this retro-inspired build. When I first saw this, I was puzzled at the use of these roll marks with a scalloped frame and short trigger, however, I believe early transitional model pistols also sported these markings with a scalloped frame and short trigger (call it 1918-1924 for this style of roll mark).
Interesting Details
On the frame of the SE, you'll notice a slight undercut as well as 25LPI checkering that actually feels really good, even with my fondness for 15/17/20LPI checkering. I was delighted to see the undercut on this gun, and really feel that this shows someone at Colt is listening to shooters. Moving from the frame to the slide, the SE sports a brass bead front sight (very nice) and a Novak blacked-out rear sight. Personally, the Novak sight isn't for me, as I have become a whore for a ledge rear sight, but to each his own, or something like that. Then folks... then we get to the cherry on top, the pizza de risitance (or whatever them Frenchies say), the freakin' ring hammer. Holy crap- seeing Colt put out a blued, five-inch .45 ACP with a ring hammer plum gave me a tingle in the dingle. It's the epitome of cool, the 4in white walls to a 50's Caddy, the last piece of the puzzle, the perfect setting on the thermostat so that you're cool enough to be comfortable but don't have to have on a blanket. A ring hammer is just... it. To quote Ken Hackathorn when we were chatting about the gun yesterday, "They were really speakin' to ya with that ring hammer, weren't they?". It's a phenomenal look, one that I tend to replicate on most of my semi-custom builds, and just like with those guns, the ring hammer looks fantastic on this gun.
Yes, But...
While the Colt SE is an overall big win, there are some things that even this old (wait, I'm 25)- young- Colt lover isn't a fan of. For starters, the fit of the gun is... okay. I think this is coming more from me being spoiled with hot-rodded guns and semi-customs, however, compared to Colts made post (and during)-World War Two, it's pretty top-notch. I think people tend to forget the scale of production that Colt is doing, and while I am certainly not here to make excuses, it is also important to know where you came from and keep that quality in perspective. With that same note, I do think that the grip safety could have been a.) made better b.) fit better. I get that these are, virtually just assembled handguns, but man, they (Colt) can produce a better-looking grip safety than this. It's really the only major point of somewhat disappointment with the gun. That, and the mainspring housing sports vertical lines on the back, not 25LPI checkering to match the front strap. The trigger isn't fantastic (again, spoiled from semi-customs), but it IS a Series 70 trigger which is a big win. My Colt Custom Shop Custom Carry has a Series 80, so I am really happy to see that this gun was able to get the Series 70 ignition system.
Interesting fact: Due to lawsuits, Colt currently has a policy where marketed "carry guns" are Series 80, while "collectible/competition guns" remain Series 70.
I think all-in-all, this is a big win for CZ-era Colt. It shows that they're willing, ready, and able to continue the Colt legacy and give 1911 shooters the pistols we want. It's a great gun for those who want a "classic" Colt with some modern fighting-gun features and of course- it'll make a RAD base pistol for a build.
My plans for this new .45 ACP? I would never send this off to be customized! Just kidding, yall know me better than that. I'd like to send this gun to Novak to get one of their packages with The Answer backstrap. I've been obsessed with The Answer for some time, and I think this pistola would look gorgeous with the Novak logo on it! Or, maybe sweet talk KGB into recreating his latest comp'd gun (even though .45 ACP comped is sort of lame).
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Now, aesthetically, I think Colt absolutely knocked this gun out of the park. With the exception of the Novak rear (personal choice/opinion), I really can't think of anything I would change about the SE's immediate looks. As far as function goes, I can't make that determination yet, as I just picked up the gun and haven't shot it yet.
Here are some of my initial highlights of the gun:
Overall Aesthetic
The SE is an insanely good-looking gun, because it follows the classic look that is universally loved. It's a five-inch, blued, .45 ACP pistol, a formula that not only won two World Wars- but our hearts as well (I know Gov't issued WW2 guns were largely parkerized, don't ruin the moment). However, the general look of the gun is only the beginning. I was really impressed by Colt's decision to use an original-style nub thumb safety with "checkering" on the top AND bottom like the pre-war guns (The thumb safety is actually very nice. Crisp and audible movements. Great job!). You'll also notice this early-style checkering mimicked on the slide stop as well. Of course, the left side of the slide depicts the roll marks that were first seen on Colt 1911/Government Models in 1918, an excellent choice for this retro-inspired build. When I first saw this, I was puzzled at the use of these roll marks with a scalloped frame and short trigger, however, I believe early transitional model pistols also sported these markings with a scalloped frame and short trigger (call it 1918-1924 for this style of roll mark).
Interesting Details
On the frame of the SE, you'll notice a slight undercut as well as 25LPI checkering that actually feels really good, even with my fondness for 15/17/20LPI checkering. I was delighted to see the undercut on this gun, and really feel that this shows someone at Colt is listening to shooters. Moving from the frame to the slide, the SE sports a brass bead front sight (very nice) and a Novak blacked-out rear sight. Personally, the Novak sight isn't for me, as I have become a whore for a ledge rear sight, but to each his own, or something like that. Then folks... then we get to the cherry on top, the pizza de risitance (or whatever them Frenchies say), the freakin' ring hammer. Holy crap- seeing Colt put out a blued, five-inch .45 ACP with a ring hammer plum gave me a tingle in the dingle. It's the epitome of cool, the 4in white walls to a 50's Caddy, the last piece of the puzzle, the perfect setting on the thermostat so that you're cool enough to be comfortable but don't have to have on a blanket. A ring hammer is just... it. To quote Ken Hackathorn when we were chatting about the gun yesterday, "They were really speakin' to ya with that ring hammer, weren't they?". It's a phenomenal look, one that I tend to replicate on most of my semi-custom builds, and just like with those guns, the ring hammer looks fantastic on this gun.
Yes, But...
While the Colt SE is an overall big win, there are some things that even this old (wait, I'm 25)- young- Colt lover isn't a fan of. For starters, the fit of the gun is... okay. I think this is coming more from me being spoiled with hot-rodded guns and semi-customs, however, compared to Colts made post (and during)-World War Two, it's pretty top-notch. I think people tend to forget the scale of production that Colt is doing, and while I am certainly not here to make excuses, it is also important to know where you came from and keep that quality in perspective. With that same note, I do think that the grip safety could have been a.) made better b.) fit better. I get that these are, virtually just assembled handguns, but man, they (Colt) can produce a better-looking grip safety than this. It's really the only major point of somewhat disappointment with the gun. That, and the mainspring housing sports vertical lines on the back, not 25LPI checkering to match the front strap. The trigger isn't fantastic (again, spoiled from semi-customs), but it IS a Series 70 trigger which is a big win. My Colt Custom Shop Custom Carry has a Series 80, so I am really happy to see that this gun was able to get the Series 70 ignition system.
Interesting fact: Due to lawsuits, Colt currently has a policy where marketed "carry guns" are Series 80, while "collectible/competition guns" remain Series 70.
I think all-in-all, this is a big win for CZ-era Colt. It shows that they're willing, ready, and able to continue the Colt legacy and give 1911 shooters the pistols we want. It's a great gun for those who want a "classic" Colt with some modern fighting-gun features and of course- it'll make a RAD base pistol for a build.
My plans for this new .45 ACP? I would never send this off to be customized! Just kidding, yall know me better than that. I'd like to send this gun to Novak to get one of their packages with The Answer backstrap. I've been obsessed with The Answer for some time, and I think this pistola would look gorgeous with the Novak logo on it! Or, maybe sweet talk KGB into recreating his latest comp'd gun (even though .45 ACP comped is sort of lame).
