All Activity

Regarding the name, the model is Model 12 (on the top of both of those pages), variant is Featherweight. Making it a Model 12 Featherweight. I'm pretty certain that the admin of the Winchester Collectors org would agree, but you can contact him if you want. As for "no takedown collar" - I see no collar on the pages you display. It's got a takedown mechanism that allows only for barrel removal, but has no "takedown collar" (receiver extension) that allows both the barrel and mag tube to be dismounted. As for character attack by calling someone an "ex spurt" - I've seen that trick before. No interpersonal conflicts, please. If you want to discuss real stuff, let's do it. good luck, GJ

I guess Winchester didn’t have internet ex spurts to tell them they didn’t know what they were talking about when they built the guns. What did they know?

Those are sweet! I've always wanted an early production Colt, but haven't found the "Right" one yet. My brother, and my best friend are both FFL's, and every so often they see Tisas under $200. We have been thinking about getting a couple, and seeing if we can drop in a Nighthawk ignition system, just to see if it would work. On paper, it should, but you never know...... If we do, I will report on how it goes. On a different note, how many have gone down the 2011 hole? I have a couple of Staccato's, one a double stack 45, and it shoots like a 9. Actually I think it's an STI. Then I had to get a couple of WC's, just for grins. Then I found a DWX, and it's a completely different animal. The good news is that it fits 1911 holsters just fine. and the factory magazines hold a couple of more rounds than the others do. You either love the grip, or you don't. Personally, it works for me. Which led to me rescuing an Italian police issued Browning Hi Power, and doing a complete rebuild and Cerakote as it had been rode hard and put up wet. Literally. It was rusted pretty bad, but looks brand new now. I would get pictures, but I will have to wait until tomorrow, if anyone is interested? I felt bad posting pictures, but if we can see some other cool guns, and hear their story, that would be awesome. We are kind of the keepers of history, and my brother is a striker kind of guy, but he will shoot anything I bring to the range. Especially if I bring the ammo. Let's keep this one going, and if you're just perusing the post, but have something cool, please chime in, and if you have pictures, let's see them.

My only 1911 currently. Colt 1918 reproduction. Factory stock, shoots WB and gets carried.

This is mine that I use for USPSA.

These are my 3 main 1911's. Full size DE. It was an early one, and has the billboard on the side, but it's probably my best .45. Full size Colt, and it's my back up WB 1911. Works great, but I don't want to beat it up too bad..... My commander DE, not WB legal, but was carried a lot, also an earlier model, but 'smith filled in the billboard, and then Cerakoted the slide. It has a set of Crimson Trace green laser grips, which is almost unfair, but I've never had a problem with it.

Winchester collectors hold that the Featherweight is a Model 12 variant, and from comments above by other WB rules followers, would be easily considered as a full-blown Model 12 for WB matches. It's the only non-takedown-collared version of the Model 12. good luck, GJ Reference link: Winchester Collector Org Admin Thread on Featherweights

At the risk of making someone a little peeved, I can recommend Desert Eagle 1911's. When I could still do WB, I didn't want to tear up my Colt's or WC's, so I thought I would try one of them. All I did was change the grips and main spring to accommodate a lighter load, and with WC or McCormick magazines, I've never had a FTF or ejection problem. I liked it so well I bought a commander, and used it for years as an EDC. The only thing I didn't like about that was with Kydex, it wore some of the blueing off. I have since had that resolved with a custom Cerakote job, and she is sure pretty now. If I can dig through the safe, I will try to get some pictures, if anyone is curious. While I lack the knowledge of a lot you on here, I have enjoyed figuring out how to make them run. No one explained to me that a 1911 doesn't just dig a rabbit hole to go down, but it turns into a network of tunnels, with many twist and turns, and goes deeper than you could have guessed.

It was my GUESS, not an assumption, made because I was trying to fill in the details that you left out in your earliest post. You still have not explained the business transaction you had with the dealer, even if he is a friend (that should make little difference). I still stand by my statement that CZ Group, the relatively new owners of Colt, would benefit from hearing of your problems with a new gun from their factory. Perhaps it was made back with previous ownership. But if made by CZ's workforce, they will want to know of the serious problems you had and decided to fix on your own funding. good luck, garrisonjoe

For what it is worth, anecdotal, I know, I have been using a Colt Competition 1911 that is actually a series 80. The only modification has been to change the front sight to a gold bead. I use good magazines and double check my ammo. No malfunctions ore issues.

Such a modification is not listed, at least in one source.

I have used 4.1 grains of WST for 225 gr. flat point in, Reds 45 power factor is 164.4, in mine it is 169.4 power factor. ST

There is no non takedown Model 12. The Featherweight is a takedown. Just a different design than a standard Model 12.

A mounting slot for some sort of flash hider perhaps? GJ

Just the area of the front sight/band. I could not find anything about such a cut, that was done by an Armory. Must have been a civilian blemish. One fellow thought it sounded like a key cut, but for what?

Your assumption is incorrect. This is a guy who is a good friend of mine, sold it to me at his cost, never charges me a transfer fee, and even refused to let me pay for a rifle that I 'bought' for my son's Christmas present. He actually did offer to send it back but I figured the most that I could count on was the barrel replaced and an 8-month wait. Most 1911s in that price range are what I consider to be kits anyway. I don't mind doing the work and end up with something built the way that I want without spending big money with the high-dollar smiths.

A company that would let a 1911 out the door with a 7 pound trigger is no more likely to send you back a gun in serviceable condition than they were the first time. Like I said, ignore Colt at all costs and get yourself a Dan Wesson if that's what you have budget for. Colt is garbage.

I would have made the dealer on that lemon take it back and get another in, ASAP. Clearly not serviceable. I guess you were buying from a dealer who would not honor factory warranty and get a replacement ordered on his own funding or from a factory rep? Really poor dealer service, and a gun that sounds like it was made on Friday before Labor Day. CZ Group ought to have heard about that many problems! good luck, GJ

Hills, Wow! That is definitely not a ringing endorsement of the Colt. Sorry to hear about those problems. Sounds like you ironed them out but ya never should have had to.

I bought a new Colt Competition series 70 model earlier this year; let my dealer talk me into it instead of the Springfield TRP that I asked about. It is currently my main WB 1911 but the only factory parts that remain are the slide, frame, and mainspring housing. The pistol came from the factory with a barrel bore with no rifling present in 1/4 the length of the bore (looks like the rifling was cut off-center), a 7 lb trigger pull rougher than a gravel road, grip safety that had voids in the casting, and a thumb safety that was fitted incorrectly. The slide to frame fit was okay but a bit on the loose side. Rather than send it back and wait 8-10 months for them to do nothing but replace the barrel (maybe) I did the work myself. Not being a fan of MIM parts, those were all replaced with forged, a Cart barrel installed, new sights, and resprung. It now runs 100% with 230 gr. RN and 200 gr. SWC. Others have bought new Colts and been happy but I cannot recommend them. I did eventually buy a TRP which was much better but still used MIM parts. Those were replaced.

I've actually loaded a 230 grain rn in .45 Colt. It's not the preferred bullet but I have done it.

I really like the 200 grain in a 45 Auto. I use the same bullet in 45 Auto as in the 45 Colt, a 200 grain Round Flat Nose. Don't get me wrong, the H&G 68 is a great bullet, but having one that works in both cartridges is mo' better!

4.4 grains of HP-38 (231) under a 225 TCFP gives me 700 fps (157.5 PF) in my 1911.

Is the cut blued, which could indicate a modification at an armory? A 1 mm deep slot cut into a small part of the barrel probably will not affect the ability to fire it safely. Might it have been an attempt to add a early telescopic sight? What is a "sight level" on a Krag carbine, anyway? Do you mean the rear sight? good luck, GJ

I saw an interesting K-J carbine, 1899, at the local gunship. Nice patina, smooth action. Did not look at the bore, as I was pressed for time. However, on the left side of the barrel, between the muzzle and the sight level, there was a definite machine mark, with distinct edges. at the deepest, it may have been a mm or so. Any information on what to look for, or look out for with such a carbine, and what do you think of the cut out on the barrel? I know, an image would help.