Colt Combat Elite 1911

 

The title may sound a bit strange, but if you understand that nothing really needs to be done to the new Colt Combat Elite, to make it ready for the holster or race track it makes more sense.  The new Combat Elite is a family of pistols from the Government size to Commander and Defender, and they can be had in .45 Auto and 9mm Luger.  In my opinion, all would be suitable for concealed/defensive carry; you now have more options in size but staying in the same family of guns. So if you opt to run the Government Combat Elite at the match, is it not as a big of transition if you decide to go Commander or Defender for concealed carry.

First Impressions 

Upswept beavertail grip safety with palm swell, plenty comfortable with the added insurance of the palm swell. The mainspring housing is checkered at 25 lines per inch. Skeletonized speed hammer is also serrated.  The pistol is factory equipped with ambidextrous thumb safety

The trigger broke cleanly with little take-up and overtravel just over five pounds. The front strap is also checkered at 25 LPI. The slide stop, trigger, and magazine release are all serrated or checkered. The Colt G10 stocks have enough grip without being aggressive. Several folks appreciated the cut out on the left stock for your thumb.

Novak three dot night sights, with the rear being adjustable for windage via a set screw. Slide to receiver fit was well done.

Range Time 

 

 

Accuracy of 3 shot groups from a rest at 25 yards

Conclusions 

The first pistol I bought when I turned 21 was a Colt Combat Elite about the end of 1994, purchased on base at Camp Lejeune. I still have that pistol, and it has served me well without any issues I can remember. I chose that model because it looked like a good compromise between a full-on match pistol and a bare-bones 1911, and it was. The new Combat Elite does the same thing but even better than the first two iterations. The second version as reviewed here  While the previous versions are fine pistols, this new family of Combat Elites is the result of refining the Combat Elite with upgrades from R&D on other models, such as the Gold Cup Trophy and M45A1. As mentioned earlier, you have plenty of options of size and calibers in the new Combat Elites depending on your tastes and needs. We ran about 300 rounds through the pistol, much of which was defensive ammunition, and there were no issues. I used the included eight-round magazines as well as the standard seven-round magazines. I am confident if there were an issue with this pistol, it would have cropped up during the test or shown signs in the detail strip. All in all, I am satisfied with the Combat Elite in accuracy and reliability. If you are in the market for a new defensive or range pistol, I suggest giving the new Combat Elite a look; there is no assembly required.

Specifications 

Action:  Single Action
Barrel: 5″
Capacity: 8+ 1
Finish: Two-Tone Elite (SS & Black)
Sights: Novak
Stock: Steel Frame / G10 Half Check Black w/Scallop Grips
Magazine: 8rd.
Barrel Length: 5
Overall Length: 8.5
Height: 5.5″
Width: 1.25″
Weight: 44 ounces
Trigger pull: 5 pounds
MSRP: $1399
Features: National Match Barrel/ Dual Recoil Spring System

Acknowledgments 

Colt Manufacturing 

Defender Ammunition 

Hornady 

Candy with Gun Powder Gals

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By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

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