The 1991A1 differs from the 1911 in that it... um... well, I'm not really sure. As far as I can tell, it was an attempt by Colt to stem the onslaught of the burgeoning 1911 market by introducing a less-expensive line of 1911s. They craftily called it the 1991 ('cuz it was introduce in... wait for it... 1991) apparently so that they could continue to offer the 1911 at the same price while asking less for the functionally identical 1991A1.
That is all.
7 comments:
The A1 suffix indicates a military revision (ala M16A1, M1A1, etc), not Colt marketing.
The A1 was adopted in 1924; "Changes to the original design were minor and consisted of a shorter trigger, cutouts in the frame behind the trigger, a curved mainspring housing, a longer grip safety spur (to prevent hammer bite), a wider front sight, a shorter spur on the hammer, and simplified grip checkering."
(Yes, I had to look it up; I knew the differences were more or less minor tweaks, but couldn't remember what they were.
I do know that the first Really Big Change was the Series 80 (in '83), when they introduced the firing pin block...)
Ah, I see I misread; I was talking about the 1911 vs 1911A1.
What the 1991A1 has compared to the 1911A1, I couldn't tell you.
That's the 1911 A1 that was introduced in 1924. The 1991A1 was introduced in 1991.
But thanks... :)
As far as I can tell, the only difference between a 1991A1 and the 1911 is the hammer and firing pin assembly. At least that's all I could find from my (admittedly small) research...
Having completely ripped my 1991 Compact apart, as well as a friend's Gold Cup, I think the differences are:
a)the 1991 is parkerized, instead of blued (or stainless)
b)the plunger in the lockwork is different. My friend's Gold Cup had an extra piece fitted in there, whereas the 1991 was much simpler (putting my friend's back together was a bear and a half, until I figured out the trick to it)
BTW: I have the Compact version of what you've got there, Jay. Of course, mine looks a lil' different (since I've changed a LOT of parts out)...
Is this the one where I popped the mag into a snowbank?
Okay, as the proud and very satisfied owner of a 1991-A1 Combat Commander, please allow me to note the following.
The 1991-A1 is in all respects, a Series 80 model 1911 variant, with the following exceptions:
* Plastic molded mainspring housing.
* Plastic molded trigger (long variant) with steel trigger bow.
* Metal Injection Molded parts (MIM) consisting of grip safety, magazine release components, safety selector, slide-stop and sights. (I may have missed a bit somewhere?)
In short, it was made to be a more purchase-friendly, Genuine Colt pistol, intended to compete against bargain-priced imports and domestics made of largely imported components.
Two great things about a 1991-A1 though.
1. They're perfect Colt-spec in dimension. You can add just about any quality 1911 component, effortlessly.
2. Out of the box, they're startlingly accurate. I've never encountered one that wasn't capable of sub 2" groups, fired from sandbags at 25 yds.
Magnificent guns, these. Probably one of the true bargains of the last 20 years, and to be snatched-up whenever possible when found at a fair price.
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
sci-fi,
No, that was the WWI military issue .45 from my grandfather whose magazine you so ignominiously ejected into the ether.
:)
(It's an in-joke from a trip we took many years ago to an outdoor range in northern NH. He didn't realize that the 1911 magazine was "drop-free" and ejected the magazine without having a hand under it to catch it...)
((FWIW, this guy was also along on the "Greatest Camping Trip in the History of Western Civilization" and was present for "The Futon Incident", so he gets cut a LOT of slack. Among other reasons, too...))
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